bring their infernal Dragoons down upon us. No! cut the throats of the
men, and as there are but twenty of us, and only five of these women,
tell off one of them to each four of us, and let us begone, for we must
put the broad plain, at the foot of the Khandish Ghaut, between us and
this place ere night fall, and on our camping for the night, each four
can decide what is to be done with their prize." This suggestion was
received with applause, and they immediately prepared to act upon it.
Already two or three had dismounted and drawn their creeses to slit the
throats of their male prisoners, when a youth, about eighteen, son of
the fellow called Shumsodeen, cried out, "Do as you please with the
women among yourselves, but I will have yonder curly headed cutcha
butchee for my prize, come what may," and he took a few steps in the
direction of the Collector's daughter, who was still clinging to her
parent for protection; but ere he reached her, a loud, clear voice at no
great distance rang out, "Fire! gentlemen, and charge!" Then came from
between the leaves and bushes a withering volley of bullets from rifle
and revolver, striking down the youth, and emptying three saddles, the
riders falling lifeless to the ground. In another instant the branches
parted, and Arthur Carlton, with his six companions, cleared the low
brushwood, and sword in hand dashed into the centre of the ruffianly
group.

Although taken completely by surprise--for they had not calculated upon
being interfered with, especially at so early a period of their
proceedings or by so formidable a foe--the mutineers instantly prepared
to give their unexpected assailants a fierce and bloody reception. They
fought frantically with a courage born of desperation, well knowing that
to cut through their foes and escape by flight was their only chance;
for should they not perish by the sword in the present contest, a
halter, or to be blown to fragments from the cannon's mouth, would be