deceive the enemy. You will start tonight if possible. I leave it to you
to arrange your disguises, and have ordered the guide to be at your
father's tent at nine o'clock--that is, in an hour and a half's time--so
that if you can be ready by that time, you will get well away before
daybreak. There is a small boat four miles up the river, that the guide
crossed in; he hid it in some bushes, so you will cross without
difficulty; and even if you are caught crossing, your story that you are
Sepoys who have been hiding for the last few days will pass muster. Now,
good-by, lads, and may God watch over you and keep you!"

Upon their return to Colonel Warrener's tent they found their friends
Captains Dunlop and Manners, and two or three of the officers most
accustomed to native habits and ways, and all appliances for disguise.
First the boys took a hearty meal; then they stripped, and were sponged
with iodine from head to foot; both were then dressed in blood-stained
Sepoy uniforms, of which there were thousands lying about, for the greater
portion of the enemy had thrown off their uniforms before taking to
flight. Ned's left arm was bandaged up with bloody rags, and put in a
sling, and Dick's head and face were similarly tied up, though he could
not resist a motion of repugnance as the foul rags were applied to him.
Both had a quantity of native plaster and bandages placed next to the
skin, in case suspicion should fall upon them and the outside bandages be
removed to see if wounds really existed; and Dick was given a quantity of
tow, with which to fill his mouth and swell out his cheeks and lips, to
give the appearance which would naturally arise from a severe wound in the
jaw. Caste marks were painted on their foreheads; and their disguise was
pronounced to be absolutely perfect to the eye. Both were barefooted, as
the Sepoys never travel in the regimental boots if they can avoid it.

At the appointed time the guide was summoned, an intelligent-looking