before arriving at the main entrance through the walls. We should require
petards to blow in gates, and ought to have field guns to drive them out
of the gate-houses. I do not say it would be absolutely impossible,
because before now British troops have done what seemed impossible in
India; but the difficulties would be so enormous, the risk of failure so
great, and the loss certainly so crushing, that I should not be justified
in undertaking such a desperate adventure on my own responsibility, and
for my own private ends. We have no right, boys, to cause the loss of some
thirty or forty of these fine young fellows, even to rescue the girls. An
attack by surprise is the only possibility. At present we don't see the
way, but something may turn up to help us. Failing that, our only plan is
to wait till the rajah starts with his following and the girls for Delhi,
and then to attack them on their way. The drawback to this is that he may
not leave for days, and that at any moment we may be discovered. Besides,
there is the difficulty of feeding the horses and ourselves. Now, boys,
you know as much as I do. Think it over while I have a talk with Dunlop
and Manners."

"Manners is at the other end of the wood, father, half a mile away. We
found, after you had gone, that the main Delhi road ran through the
further skirts of the wood, so Manners suggested to Lieutenant Simmons
that he should go with ten men and hide there, so that they could see who
went along the road and perhaps intercept some messenger between Delhi and
Nahdoor."

"A capital idea," Major Warrener said.

Two hours later Captain Manners returned with his party, bringing in two
prisoners.