in that afternoon from Dollah. We saw at once that resistance was useless,
and we were, moreover, without arms. Had we had them, I have no doubt we
should have fought and been killed. As it was, we were bound and marched
into the camp at Sandynugghur. It was resolved to take us in triumph into
Delhi; and we were marched along with the regiment till you saw us. We had
talked over every conceivable plan of escape, and had determined that we
would try to-night, which will be the last halt before they get to Delhi.
It is very unlikely that we should have succeeded, but it was better to be
shot down than to be taken to Delhi and given over to the mob to torture
before they killed us. I am convinced we had no chance of really getting
off, and that you have saved our lives, just as Dunlop and Manners saved
mine, at the risk of their own, on that first night of our flight. And now
let us be on the march."

They had not gone far before the three officers found that it was
impossible to walk in their Sepoy jackets. They accordingly took them off,
and slung them from their muskets. Ned and Dick were fairly fitted. They
halted for the night near the river, about ten miles above Delhi. In the
morning they were off early. By nine o'clock they stood on the bank of the
river, five miles higher up.

The river is wide, or rather the bed of the river is wide, half a mile at
least; this in the rainy season is full to the brim, but at other times
the stream is not more than half that width. After crossing the river they
would have fifteen miles still to traverse to arrive at Meerut; and it was
probable that the whole intervening country was in the hands of the
Sepoys.

"Had we not better keep this side of the river for a bit, father?" Ned
asked.