scratch. They had not been present on the occasion of the taking of the
palace, for they had been at early morning on the point of going in to the
headquarters for orders, when Captain Hodgson came out. They had dined
with him on the day previous to the assault, and he came up them now.

"Now," he said, "I am just going on an expedition after your own hearts,
lads. We have news that the king and queen have stolen away, and have gone
to the palace at the Kotub Minar. I am going with my troops to bring them
in. Would you like to go?"

"Oh, yes, of all things," the Warreners exclaimed. "But we have no
horses."

"Oh, I can mount you," he said. "Several of my fellows slipped into the
town in hopes of getting some loot, and three or four were shot; so if the
general will give you leave, I will take you."

The Warreners at once went in to Brigadier-General Jones, to whom they had
been attached since the fall of General Nicholson. As they were
supernumeraries on his staff, the general at once gave them leave, and in
high delight they followed their friend--a most gallant and fearless
officer, who had greatly distinguished himself by the dashing exploits
which he had executed with his troop of irregular horse--to his camp
outside the walls. Half an hour later they were riding at a trot toward
the spot where the ex-emperor had taken refuge. Their route lay across
ground hitherto in possession of the enemy, and they rode past thousands
of armed budmashes, or blackguards, of Delhi, who had left the city, and
were making their way to join some of the rebel leaders in the field.
These scowled and muttered curses as the little troop rode by; but the
blow which had just been dealt was so crushing, the dread inspired by