killed without being able to
rescue her; and as I should share your fate, you would render her rescue
impossible. I can speak the native language perfectly, and know native
ways. I can move about among them without fear of exciting their
suspicion. If you were with me this would be impossible; the first time
you were addressed by a native you would be detected; your presence
would add to my difficulties a hundredfold. It is not now a question of
fighting. Were it only that, I should be delighted to have you with me.
As it is, the thing is impossible. If anything is done, I must do it
alone. If I ever reach Miss Hannay, she shall know that you were ready
to run all risks to save her. No, no, you must go on to Allahabad, and
if you cannot save her now, you will be with the force that will save
her, if I should fail to do so, and which will avenge us both if it
should arrive too late to rescue her. Now I must get you to bandage my
head, for I feel faint with loss of blood. I will take off my shirt and
tear it in strips. I have got a native disguise next to the skin. We may
as well leave my clothes behind me here."

As soon as Wilson, with the assistance of Murad, had bandaged the wound,
the party struck off from the river, and after four hours' walking came
down upon it again two miles below Cawnpore. Here Bathurst said he would
stop, stain his skin, and complete his disguise.

"I hate leaving you," Wilson said, in a broken voice. "There are only
you and I left of all our party at Deennugghur. It is awful to think
they have all gone--the good old chief, the Doctor, and Richards, and
the ladies. There are only we two left. It does seem such a dirty,
cowardly thing for me to be making off and leaving you here alone."

"It is not cowardly, Wilson, for I know you would willingly stay if you
could be of the slightest use; but, as, on the contrary, you would only
add to the danger, it must be as I have arranged. Goodby, lad; don't
stay; it has to be done. God bless you! Goodby, Murad. Tell your father
when you see him that I know no shadow of broken faith rests on him."

So saying, he turned and went into a clump of bushes, while Wilson,
too overpowered to speak, started on his way down country with the two
natives.

CHAPTER XIX.

Now alone, Bathurst threw himself down among the bashes in an attitude
of utter depression.

"Why wasn't I killed with the others?" he groaned. "Why was I not killed
when I sat there by