arrived at the city, where they were to stop
for the night at the house the Rajah had occupied on his way down, he
sallied out, as soon as their meal was over, to inspect the fort and
walls. He had, during his outward voyage, eagerly studied the history
of Clive's military exploits, and the campaigns by which that portion
of India had been wrested from the French; and he was eager to visit
the fort, whose memorable defence, by Clive, had first turned the
scale in favour of the British. These had previously been regarded, by
the natives, as a far less warlike people than the French, who were
expected to drive them, in a very short time, out of the country.

Rajbullub was able to point out to him every spot associated with the
stirring events of that time.

"'Tis forty-six years back, and I was but a boy of twelve; but six
years later I was here, for our rajah was on the side of the English,
although Tripataly was, and is now, under the Nabob of Arcot. But my
lord had many causes of complaint against him, and when he declared
for the French, our lord, who was not then a rajah, although chief of
a considerable district, threw in his lot with the English; and, when
they triumphed, was appointed rajah by them, and Tripataly was made
almost wholly independent of the Nabob of Arcot. At one time a force
of our men was here, with four companies of white troops, when it was
thought that Dupleix was likely to march against us; and I was with
that force, and so learned all about the fighting here."

The next day the party arrived, late in the evening, at Tripataly. A
large number of men, with torches, received them in front of the
palace; and, on entering, Mrs. Holland was warmly received by the
Rajah's wife, who carried her off at once to her apartments, which she
did not leave afterwards, as she was greatly fatigued by the two long
days of travel.

Dick, on the contrary, although he had dozed in the carriage for the
last two or three hours of the journey, woke up thoroughly as they
neared Tripataly. As soon as they entered the house, the Rajah called
his two sons, handsome, dark-faced lads of twelve and thirteen.

"This is your cousin, boys," he said. "You must look after him, and
see that he has everything he wants, and make his stay as pleasant as
you can."

Although a little awed by the, to them, tall figure, they evinced
neither shyness or awkwardness, but, advancing to Dick, held out their
hands one after the other, w