them to pass, and then rode back to the troop.

"Four bullock-carts full of wounded, sahib."

"The very thing," Major Warrener exclaimed; "nothing could be more lucky."

Orders were passed down the line that they were to ride along until the
leaders were abreast of the first cart, then to halt and dismount
suddenly. The drivers were to be seized, gagged, and bound. The wounded
were not to be injured.

"These men are not mutinous Sepoys, with their hands red with the blood of
women," Major Warrener said; "they are peasants who have fought bravely
for their country, and have done their duty, according to their light."




CHAPTER IX.

SAVE BY A TIGER.


The drivers of the bullock-carts were startled at the noiseless appearance
by their side of a body of horsemen; still more startled, when suddenly
that phantom-like troop halted and dismounted. The rest was like a dream;
in an instant they were seized, bound, and gagged, and laid down in the
field at some distance from the road; one of them, however, being
ungagged, and asked a few questions before being finally left. The
wounded, all past offering the slightest resistance, were still more