"No, my boy; we will cross here after dark, and make straight for Meerut.
If we can't find a boat, we will each cut a large bundle of rushes, to act
as a lifebuoy and carry your guns and ammunition, and so swim across after
it is dark."

"Well, major, as the sun is getting awfully hot, I vote we get into the
shade of those stunted trees, and have a nap till the afternoon. It won't
do to begin even to make the raft till the sun is down."

Captain Dunlop's proposition was carried into effect; but it is
questionable whether any of the party slept much, for they were excited by
the thought that in a few hours they would be with friends, once more
soldiers instead of fugitives, with power to fight in defense of their
sovereign's dominions, and of the helpless women and children exposed to
the fury of the atrocious mutineers. With these thoughts mingled the
anxiety which was wearing them all, although each refrained from talking
about it, as to the safety of the girls, whose lives wore dependent upon
the fidelity of a native and his servants.

Over and over again, since they met the boys, had they regretted that they
had not gone back to watch over them; but the fact that Rose might be
weeks before she was able to stand, and that, as their protector had said,
the presence of Europeans near them might be detected, and would be a
source of constant danger, convinced them that they had taken the proper
course. They knew, too, that in acting as they had done they were
performing their duty; and that at a moment when the fate of British India
trembled in the balance, the place of every soldier was by the side of the
British troops who still maintained the old flag flying in the face of
increasing numbers of the enemy. Still, although they knew that they were