s," said the Major. "They haven't gone off
in the heat, have they? No accident?"

"No, sir; but there won't be nobody left to see them pop."

CHAPTER TWELVE.

SEE THE CONQUERING HEROES.

The line closed up, and marched "easy" back towards the upper end of the
parade-ground, with not a single stranger to represent the spectators,
and, half ironically, they were received by the band with "See, the
Conquering Hero Comes." The review and sham-fight were over, and as the
officers and weary men were dismissed, and the officers gathered where
the ladies and others of the station were assembled, one of the first
upon whom they set eyes was the young Rajah Hamet, who had just joined
the Resident.

"Well, Dallas," said the Major, who was mopping his forehead, "what did
you think of our charge?--Ah, Rajah Hamet," he continued, as he caught
sight of the young man, who approached to hold out his hand, "what did
_you_ think of our sham-fight? Did you see it all?"

"Magnificent, sir; every bit."

"Where were you?"

"Down yonder, sir, in front of my elephants and men."

"Then you didn't run?"

"No, sir; I have been to Aldershot and seen a review before."

"I am afraid we scared your men," said Archie, to whom the young Rajah
turned a few minutes later.

"Well, wasn't it quite enough to scare them?" replied the Prince. "It
seems to me that a body of men, to whatever nation they belonged, would
require a good deal of hardening before they would stand firm and
receive a bayonet charge."

"Yes," replied Archie. "As far as I know, there are not many who can.
It was rather comic, though, to see your men run."

"Well," replied the young Prince, "I don't think my men ran any faster
than Suleiman's."

"Not a bit," cried Archie hastily. "I say, I didn't mean to insult
you."

"Oh, I am not insulted," said the young man quietly. "I should have run
too if I had not known that your men would pull up at the last moment.
Well, good-bye."

"You are not going?" cried Archie. "You will stop and be our guest
to-night? You were invited, of course. There are all the sports to
come, and the illuminations and fireworks."

"Oh no, I must go," said the young Rajah. "I have got to rally my men,
and see them safely back."

"Well, but some of your officers will do that, and bring them back."

"I doubt it," said Hamet, smiling. "If I know my people, they will not
stop till they get home."

"Oh, surely not! They will al