and saying to Ahrab, "It is very hot, and they are only boys," removed the
veil from her face. "You make very pretty girls, only you are too white,"
she said.

"Lady, if we had some dye we could pass as natives, I think," Ned said;
"we have done so before this, since the troubles began."

"Tell me all about it," the ranee said. "I want to know who you are, and
how you came here as if you had dropped from the skies."

Ned related their adventures since leaving Delhi, and then the ranee
insisted upon an account of their previous masquerading as natives.

"How brave you English boys are," she said. "No wonder your men have
conquered India. Now, Ahrab, tell these young sahibs what we propose."

"We dare not leave you here," Ahrab said. "You would have to be fed, and
we must trust many people. We go to Cawnpore to-morrow, and you must go
with us. My son has a garden here; we can trust him, and he will bring a
bullock-cart with him to-morrow morning. In this will be placed some
boxes, and he will start. You must wait a little way off, and when you see
him you will know him, because he will tie a piece of red cloth to the
horns of the bullock; you will come up and get in. He will ask no
questions, but will drive you to the ranee's. I will open the door to you
and take you up to a little room where you will not be disturbed. We shall
all start first. You cannot go with us, because the other women will
wonder who you are. Here is some stuff to dye your faces and hands. I will
let you out by a private door. You will see a wood five minutes along the
road. You must stop there to-night, and do not come out till you see the
ranee and her party pass. There is a little hut, which is empty, in the