"Shall I push on to the Ganges, major, with my troop? or perhaps your sons
can tell us what we are ordered to find out?"

"What is it?" Ned asked.

"Whether there are any bodies of troops pushing down by the river. It
would not do for them to get behind us, and threaten our communications."

The boys were able to affirm that there was no body of mutineers near the
Ganges below Futtehpore, as they had just come down that way.

"Then we can ride back at once," Major Warrener said. "Major Renaud was on
the point of marching when we started, and he will be glad to have us back
again. First, though, what have these natives done for you?"

Ned in a few words explained that they came by the instruction of their
master, and had been with them for three days.

The major made them a handsome present, and sent a message to the
zemindar, to the effect that his kindness would be reported to government;
and Dick scribbled a few words to Lieutenant Delafosse, with the news of
the British advance, and a kind message to the rajah.

"Now, Dick, you jump up behind me," his father said. "Dunlop can take you,
Ned; and you can give us a short account of what has befallen you as we
ride back. We must get you a couple of horses of some kind or another at
Synee. Can't you cast off these women's clothes?"

"We have got nothing to speak of underneath," Dick laughed; "we got rid of
our uniforms in the Ganges, and want a rig out from top to toe."