The boys at once agreed that, to prevent suspicion, it was safer to occupy
this, and they soon transferred enough of the fodder from below to make a
comfortable bed. Then, feeling secure from discovery, even if by chance
some passer-by should happen to glance into the shed, they were soon deep
in a sounder sleep than they had enjoyed since they left Sandynugghur.

The next day, when the old man came to see them, he was accompanied by
Kate. She looked pale and wan.

"How is Rose?" was their first question.

"She is as bad as she can be, dears. She has been delirious all night, and
is so this morning. I did not like to leave her for a moment. But this
kind old man wanted me to go with him, as I think he has something to say
to you."

"Have you any news?" Ned asked him.

"My servants tell me that the Sepoys are searching the whole country, some
of the officers have escaped from Sandynugghur, and also from Nalgwa,
where the troops rose on the same night; some of the residents have
escaped also. There is a reward offered for them alive or dead, and any
one hiding them is to be punished with death. The white lady is very ill.
She is in the hand of God; she may get better, she may die. If she gets
better it will be weeks before she can go through the hardships of the
journey to Meerut. I think it better that you should go on alone; the
white ladies will be as my daughters. I have told my servants that my
daughter is ill, so that if they hear cries and voices at night they will
think that it is she who is in pain. You can do no good here. If the woods
are searched you may be found; if you are found they will search