of mutineers were moving about, cooking, smoking, and conversing.

"It is hopeless to attempt to get through here," said Ned.

"We will go on to the road leading to the iron bridge," the guide replied;
"we can follow that to the river and then slip aside."

Here, however, they were foiled again, as fires were lighted and there
were sentries on the road to forbid all except those on business to pass.
Presently a body of men came along, bearing shell upon their heads for the
service of the batteries on the other side of the river.

"Whence are they fetching these?" Ned asked the guide.

"From the king's magazine, a quarter of a mile away to the right. They are
taking ammunition, now, for the bridge is within four hundred yards of the
Redan battery, and they cannot cross at daylight under fire."

"Here is a party coming back," Ned said; "let us fall in behind them, go
to the magazine and get shell, and then follow back again till we are
close to the bridge, and trust to luck in getting clear."

The guide assented, and they followed the Sepoys down to the magazine,
keeping a little behind the others, and being the last to enter the yard
where the loaded shell were standing.

Each took a shell and followed closely upon the heels of the party. In the
dark no one noticed the addition to their number, and they passed the
sentries on the road without question. Then they fell a little behind. The
natives paused just before they reached the bridge; for the British