he summit of a hill, the doors of which were all closed; but that on
looking up he was greatly surprised to see a female at the top of one of
the towers, waving to him, apparently to attract his attention.
Wondering what was wanted, he was approaching, when two armed men rushed
out of the building with threatening gestures. To escape them, he ran
off at full speed; but after pursuing him for some distance the armed
men turned back, and he reached his friends in safety. Buxsoo also
inquired whether the merchants had heard anything of the movements of a
body of the rajah's cavalry; but they could give him no information on
the subject.

He waited till they and their camels, having quenched their thirst, had
moved forward on their journey, and then he hurried back to his friends
with the important information he had obtained.

Reginald was, of course, eager to move on at once to the place where the
female had been seen, feeling almost sure that it could be no other than
Nuna.

"That may be the case," observed Buxsoo; "but, supposing that the temple
is guarded by a strong garrison, how are we to get in and rescue her?
Would it not be wiser to try and fall in with the cavalry, who may take
the place by storm should the rebels refuse to deliver up their
prisoner?"

"The cavalry would have less chance than we should have, my friend,"
answered Reginald. "If the place is fortified, we must trust to
stratagem rather than to an open attack. A handful of men, well
provided with ammunition, may keep at bay the whole of Captain Burnett's
cavalry. I would rather attempt to scale the walls; and I feel sure
that Dick and I might accomplish the feat. We sailors are as active as
goats; and as no one within would suspect our intentions, we might get
to the top of the tower, and perhaps liberate the ranee, before any of
the garrison could discover what we are about. It is very evident that
she must be confined in the tower, where her guards think that she is
perfectly safe; while they probably keep in the large hall in the lower
part of the building. However, we must get there first and survey the
place before we can decide what is to be done."

Reginald then explained his plan to Dick Thuddichum, who replied--

"Of course, of course. It would be a rum sort of a tower that we
couldn't get to the top of, provided there are but a few holes and
crannies into which we can stick our toes and fingers. But, to my mind,
it will be