Part 37 (1/2)
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
SERGEANT STUBBS OPENS HIS EYES.
Hulton was sleeping and the men were lying fairly restful, but the doctor was awake and eager to know of everything that had been done.
d.i.c.k told him as much as he could, the doctor nodding his satisfaction.
”Good,” he said at last. ”Your father must be a clever man, Darrell.
Now, do your duty by me.”
”How?” said d.i.c.k, smiling.
”Tell me to leave off talking and go to sleep, so as to lessen the fever that is sure to supervene.”
”I'll ensure that by going away, and leaving this man to keep watch,”
said d.i.c.k: and the next minute he followed Wyatt out into the yard, where the men of the troop were seeing to the cleaning up and oiling of the guns and carriages, while the syces were busy over the horses, which were dry now, and none the worse for the galloping they had gone through, save two which had bullets in their haunches. Fortunately the bullets were small, and had penetrated but a little way, and the farrier of the troop had decided that the poor animals would be fit for work in a day or two.
While the officers were inspecting the horses, the fire that had been going on by the bridge gate slackened, and then died out, but scattered shots which had been heard at intervals on the other side of the city increased now to a roar, broken by the rattle of musketry.
News soon came in that the enemy had been making a fierce attack upon the other gate, and had been repulsed, while now the firing died out, and it was evident that the fighting was over for the day.
Soon after the Rajah, followed by a retinue of his officers, made his appearance at the great gates, and was challenged by the sentry. The guard turned out, and a message was sent to Wyatt, while the Rajah sat frowning in his howdah, and the officers who accompanied him scowled and looked furious, each man seeking the Rajah's eye, as if asking leave to cut down the insolent Englishmen who blocked the way into the Rajah's own palace, the place where his father had held his court.
But they were not kept waiting long; Wyatt and d.i.c.k came quickly out to the gate. The Rajah and his retinue were ushered in, and taken about the old place, where everything had been so rapidly transformed.
It was evident that the Rajah and his followers were duly impressed by the orderly and businesslike appearance of men, horses, and weapons; and, after the way all had behaved that day, some of the scowling officers' faces showed that, if they were not friendly towards the new-comers, they were at least disposed to treat them with respect.
It was not deemed advisable for Hulton to be disturbed, and the Rajah was content to dismount and enter the mess-room, where he warmly thanked both officers for the help they had rendered that day.
Wyatt did not mince matters; he questioned the Rajah at once as to the possibility of a fresh attack that day or night, but he was told that such a thing was highly improbable.
”But,” said the Rajah, ”we shall most likely have a renewal of the fighting to-morrow. I may count upon you?”
”Of course, sir,” said Wyatt quietly; ”that is why we are here. But I cannot help thinking that it would be better if you refrained from leaving the city. You have guns and ammunition. Why not content yourself with waiting behind the walls?”
The Rajah looked at him in astonishment.
”Would you do so?” he said.
”I belong to the Flying Artillery,” said Wyatt quietly; ”my work is on the open plains.”
”So is mine, at the head of my hors.e.m.e.n,” said the Rajah, with a look of pride. ”If I were to do as you propose, Rajah Singh would think that I was afraid: and, what is worse, my people would think so too, and refuse to obey a king who was a coward.”
Wyatt bowed.
”If he comes to-morrow, he will find me with my hors.e.m.e.n drawn up, waiting. You will come?”
”Of course,” said Wyatt quietly; ”but I should advise that your general should hold a body of your cavalry ready to attack each time our fire has thrown the enemy into disorder.”
”Yes,” said the Rajah, ”that shall be done. It would be wise.”