t," the Major said, struck with the
gravity with which Bathurst spoke. "It must be something important, or
Doolan would never have routed you off like that."

"It is very serious, Major," Bathurst said, in a low voice. "May I
suggest you had better go into the tent to read it? Some of the servants
understand English."

"Come in with me," the Major said, and led the way into the tent, where
the lamps were still burning on the breakfast table, although the light
had broadened out over the sky outside. It was with grave anticipation
of evil that the Major took the paper from its envelope, but his worst
fears were more than verified by the contents.

"My Dear Major: The General has just received a telegram with terrible
news from Meerut. 'Native troops mutinied, murdered officers, women, and
children, opened jails and burned cantonments, and marched to Delhi.' It
is reported that there has been a general rising there and the massacre
of all Europeans. Although this is not confirmed, the news is considered
probable. We hear also that the native cavalry at Lucknow have mutinied.
Lawrence telegraphs that he has suppressed it with the European troops
there, and has disarmed the mutineers. I believe that our regiment
will be faithful, but none can be trusted now. I should recommend your
preparing some fortified house to which all Europeans in station can
retreat in case of trouble. Now that they have taken to massacre as well
as mutiny, God knows how it will all end."

"Good Heavens! who could have dreamt of this?" the Major groaned.
"Massacred their officers, women, and children. All Europeans at Delhi
supposed to have been massacred, and there must be hundreds of them. Can
it be true?"

"The telegram as to Meerut is clearly an official one," Bathurst said.
"Delhi is as yet but a rumor, but it is too probable that if these
mutineers and jail birds, flushed with success, reached Delhi before the
whites were warned, they would have their own way in the place, as, with
the exception of a few artillerymen at the arsenal, there is not a white
soldier in the place."

"But there were white troops at Meerut," the Major said. "What could
they have been doing? However, that is not the question now. We must,
of course, return instantly. Ask the others to come in here, Bathurst.
Don't tell the girls what has taken place; it will be time enough for
that afterwards. All that is necessary to say is that you have brought
news of trouble