as pressed down harder now, close up to the man's
throat.

"That's right," said Smithers. "Now drop it."

There was a few moments' hesitation, and then the revolver fell softly
upon the earth just beyond the shelter of the attap mat.

The next moment Smithers had raised his foot and kicked the pistol
aside, but with an unexpected result, for one chamber exploded with a
loud bang.

"I've done it now," said Smithers to himself. "As for you, you lie
still;" and he held his piece pointing still towards his prisoner while
he cleverly retrieved the revolver. "Look here," he said, "I had orders
not to fire, only if it was wanted particular. Well, I haven't fired,
but they will hear that shot and be coming down before you know where
you are."

"What!" cried the prisoner, starting up in a sitting position.

"Look ye here," cried Smithers; "do you want me to have an accident?"

"No, no; I want you to let me give you many dollars. You must let me go
before your officers come."

"Nothing of the kind, sir. You must talk to them when they come. You
are my prisoner, so just lie still."

As the sentry was speaking the notes of a bugle were ringing out upon
the silent night. Hurrying feet could be heard, and it was evident that
the night alarm had set the occupants of the cantonments buzzing out
like the bees of a hive.

"They don't know which sentry it was," thought Smithers, and he was
raising his piece to fire and bring the relief to his side, when it
struck him that he should be leaving himself defenceless if his prisoner
should make a dash to escape.

"Second thoughts is best, says the missus," he muttered, and taking the
revolver from his pocket, he fired it in the air, and after a short
interval fired again.

"That's done it," he said to himself.--"Hullo! what's the matter with
you?" For his prisoner was rocking himself to and fro as if in pain,
and grinding his teeth.

Directly after there was the light of a lantern showing through the
trees, shouts were heard and answered by the sentry, and a strong party
of the men, led by Captain Down and Archie, surrounded them.

"What's wrong, Smithers?" cried the Captain eagerly.

"Took a prisoner, sir."

"Corporal, a light here," cried Archie; and the man doubled up to throw
the rays of the lantern upon the prisoner's face as he now rose to his
feet.

"The Count!" cried Archie.

"Yes, sir. Your stupid sentry, he make a John Bull blunder--a mistake."

"A