some saddles and trappings, and Dick and Surajah at once
mounted, and rode through the town to the other extremity of the
island. As they wore scarves that had been furnished them by Fazli
Ali, showing that they were officers of the Palace, they were
everywhere greeted with deep salaams.

"I hope," Dick said, as they returned from their ride, "that Tippoo
will not be long before he finds us some other duties. There is
nothing very interesting in counting carcases, or seeing rice
measured."

"That is true enough," Surajah agreed. "But we must not be impatient.
Fortune has befriended us marvellously, and I have great faith that it
will continue to do so. We must be content to wait."

"Yes, I know that, Surajah, but I think it is all the more difficult
to do so, because we have done so much in a short time. It seems as if
one ought to go on at the same rate."

That evening they went down, as they had arranged, with ordinary wraps
round their gay attire, to Pertaub's, taking with them the caskets of
gems. The Hindoo received them warmly.

"I saw you ride through the streets this morning, although you did not
notice me. Truly, you made a good appearance, and were well mounted. I
have heard from one of our people, who is a servant in the Palace,
that you stand in high favour."

"We have brought you down these two caskets of gems," Dick said. "They
were given us by the ladies of the harem, and many of the stones,
Surajah thinks, are very valuable. We don't know what to do with them,
and wanted to know whether you could arrange to send them down to
Tripataly for us."

"I would not undertake to do so, if they are valuable," Pertaub said.
"The prospects of fresh troubles are stronger every day, and the roads
are so closely watched, especially those through the passes, that it
would be running a terrible risk to trust valuables to anyone."

"In that case, Pertaub, we thought you might bury them in the ground
under your house. But first, look at some of the stones, and tell us
what you think of them."

The Hindoo opened Surajah's casket, and undid many of the little
parcels.

"Assuredly they are valuable," he said. "Some of them much more so
than others; but if all are like these that I have opened, they must
be worth at least fifty thousand rupees."

"Now look at this casket, Pertaub."

The Hindoo uttered an exclamation of surprise, as he opened some of
the packets, and, taking out some of the larger gems, he exami