the city when the moon arose
and enabled them to continue their journey during the greater part of
the night. There was no lack of ruins of mosques and pagodas, of forts
and once gorgeous tombs, in which they could find lodging when they
needed rest; so at length Buxsoo proposed that they should stop at a
pagoda which, though deserted by the priests, was almost entire. To
this Reginald at once agreed, for, unaccustomed to walking such long
distances, he felt very tired. A quantity of dried wood having been
found, Sambro, assisted by Dick, soon had a fire lighted in the
courtyard, on which they cooked their provisions--Buxsoo, having become
a Christian, had thrown aside all prejudice of caste; and Reginald
always made a practice, when on expeditions on shore, of messing with
his men. They therefore seated themselves together around their frugal
fare, under the shelter of an arcade, with a fire burning brightly in
front of them. Faithful had had her usual supper before starting, but
her long march had perhaps given her an appetite, and seeing her master
thus employed, she stole away, forgetful of her duty, to forage for
herself.

A curious spectacle the scene would have presented to the eye of a
native: Reginald, though in his nautical costume, looking, as he was, a
high-born gentleman; Dick had the cut of a thorough British tar; Buxsoo
could not be distinguished from an ordinary high-caste Hindoo; while
Sambro's black skin and scanty garments clearly showed the class to
which he belonged.

The repast was nearly over, when Dick looking up, his keen eyes
discovered a figure stealing along under the shadow of the arcade on the
opposite side of the court.

"Hallo! There's an eavesdropper of some sort. We must capture him, and
ask him what he wants," he exclaimed, starting up.

Reginald and the rest of the party followed; but when they reached the
spot where the figure had been seen no one was visible. They hunted
about in every direction, aided by such light as the moon afforded, but
without success; and at length returned to the spot where they had left
their supper. Buxsoo was inclined to believe that Dick had been
deceived by the shadow of a column falling against the wall.

"No, no, I tell you. My sight never plays me false," answered Dick. "I
set eyes on a fellow in the long petticoat sort of robes the natives
wear, as sure as I have seen salt water; and how he got away from me,
unless he darted throug