isings, and about eighty feet
long by fifty wide. It had evidently been used as a fortress in ages
past. Along the side facing the hill were the remains of a rough wall.
In the center of a depression was a cistern, some four feet square,
lined with stone work, and in another depression a gallery had been cut,
leading to a subterranean storeroom or chamber.

"This natural fortress rose from the face of the hill at a distance of
a thousand yards or so from the edge of the plateau, which was fully two
hundred feet higher than the top of the rock. In the old days it would
have been impregnable, and even at that time it was an awkward place to
take, for the troops were armed only with Brown Bess, and rifled cannon
were not thought of. Looking round, I could see that I was some four
miles from the point where I had descended. The camp was gone; but
running my eye along the edge of the plateau I could see the tops of
tents a mile to my right, and again two miles to my left; turning round,
and looking down into the wide valley, I saw a regimental camp.

"It was evident that a vigorous effort was being made to surround and
capture the Dacoits, since troops had been brought up from Bombay. In
addition to the troops above and below, there would probably be a strong
police force, acting on the face of the hill. I did not see all these
things at the time, for I was, as soon as I got to the top, ordered to
sit down behind the parapet, a fellow armed to the teeth squatting down
by me, and signifying that if I showed my head above the stones he would
cut my throat without hesitation. There were, however, sufficient gaps
between the stones to allow me to have a view of the crest of the Ghaut,
while below my view extended down to the hills behind Bombay. It was
evident to me now why the Dacoits did not climb up into the fortress.
There were dozens of similar crags on the face of the Ghauts, and the
troops did not as yet know their whereabouts. It was a sort of blockade
of the whole face of the hills which was being kept up, and there were,
probably enough, several other bands of Dacoits lurking in the jungle.

"There were only two guards and myself on the rock plateau. I discussed
with myself the chances of my overpowering them and holding the top of
the rock till help came; but I was greatly weakened, and was not a match
for a boy, much less for the two stalwart Mahrattas; besides, I was by
no means sure that the way I had been brought