nearly broke the arm. The Hindoos began to shout "Sacrilege!" as the
Mussulman drew his pistol. Before he could fire, however, his comrades
threw themselves upon him. At this time it was the policy of Hindoos and
Mussulmans alike to drop all religious differences, and the troopers knew
that any assault upon a holy fakir would excite to madness the Hindoo
population.

The furious Mohammedan was therefore dragged away by his fellows, and Ned
calmly resumed his seat. The Hindoos brought a fresh supply of food for
the holy man expiating his sin in so strange a way, and then left the
fakir to his meditation and his rest.

Half an hour later the Warreners were on their way, and before morning
congratulated themselves upon having done more than half of the two
hundred and eighty miles which separate Lucknow from Delhi. The remaining
distance took them, however, much longer than the first part had done, for
Dick cut his foot badly against a stone the next night, and was so lamed
that the night journeys had to be greatly shortened. Instead, therefore,
of arriving in eight days, as they had hoped, it was the 3d of September--
that is, thirteen days from their start--before they saw in the distance
the British flag flying on the watch tower on the Ridge. They had made a
long detour, and came in at the rear of the British position. On this side
the country was perfectly open, and the villagers brought in eggs and
other produce to the camp.

Upon the 25th of August the enemy had sent a force of six thousand men to
intercept the heavy siege train which was on its way to the British camp
from the Punjaub. Brigadier-General Nicholson, one of the most gallant and
promising officers of the British army, was sent out against them with a
force of two thousand men, of which only one-fourth were British. He met