bout half a hundred smaller tents were destined to receive the
retinue and servants. Behind them again was a whole herd of camels and
elephants, which had carried the baggage and material for the tents. The
bleating of countless sheep mingled with the hundred-voiced din of the
Indians as they busily ran hither and thither, and Heideck computed the
number of buffaloes and tethered horses which grazed round the camp at
more than three hundred.

The Maharajah of Sabathu regarded the Russians, who had here made
halt at his invitation, as his guests, and he discharged the duty of
hospitality with genuine Indian lavishness. He had so many sheep and
other provisions placed at the disposal of the soldiers that they could
now amply compensate themselves for many a day's privation in the past.
But the officers were solemnly bidden to the banquet that was to take
place in the Maharajah's tent.

Heideck's hope of meeting on this occasion the Maharajah of Chanidigot
once more, and of perhaps finding an opportunity of conversation with
him, was disappointed.

On returning from a walk through the camp, in which he did not discover
anywhere a trace of Edith, back to the Russian bivouac, Heideck learnt
from the mouth of Prince Tchajawadse that the Maharajah of Chanidigot
had met with a slight accident in the hunting excursion that day, and
was under surgical treatment in his tent, whither he had been brought.

It was said that the tusks of a wild boar, which had run between his
horse's legs, had inflicted a severe wound on the foot, and it was in
any case certain that he would not be visible that day.

On this occasion Heideck also learnt the circumstances to which the
meeting with the two Indian Princes was due.

The Maharajah of Chanidigot, who knew full well that the English had
sentenced him to death for high treason, had fled from his capital. With
a hundred horse and many camels, carrying the most precious part of
his movable treasures, he had advanced northwards out of the sphere of
British territory into the rear of the Russian advancing army. He
had visited his friend, the Maharajah of Sabathu, who was likewise a
Mohammedan, and both Princes had for their greater safety proceeded
hither to the foot of the mountain chain, where, for the present,
despite the exciting times, they could pursue the pleasures of sport
with all the nonchalance of real gentlemen at large.

The treacherous despot of Chanidigot would probably have