Part 55 (1/2)
”I quite agree with you. I'd let him see that we feel more independent, too.”
”How?” asked Wyatt.
”Do not accept the offer of an elephant and party. Ride there with an escort of our own men in full review order.”
”Well done, counsellor,” said Wyatt. ”Excellent.”
”You will go this time,” said Hulton.
”I? Oh, no; he must be content with you, Darrell here, and the doctor.”
”No,” said Hulton firmly; ”you have not been there yet, and I think you ought to be present instead of me.”
”Think so?” said Wyatt, hesitating.
”I do. Stubbs will be with me, and I feel strong enough to take command for the few hours you are away. Besides. I feel sure that we have been fidgeting unnecessarily. We have only to act decisively, and do as we please.”
”I think you are right,” said Wyatt, ”and I believe if we liked we might seize the whole of the place.”
”But we do not want it--only the Rajah's faithful alliance with the Company.”
All was done in accordance with the little conference. The message was sent, and in due time twenty men turned out in full review order, under the command of one of the newly-arrived sergeants, and the escort dashed up to the palace in their best style, to the surprise and excitement of the people and the Rajah's followers, taking up the position of guards on either side of the entrance when their officers entered, while the Rajah's guard drew back.
The reception of the three officers was warm in the extreme, the Rajah appearing perfectly frank and gentlemanly when they met, and walking with them out into a balcony from whence he could see the escort drawn up by the entrance.
”I am glad you came like this,” he said. ”Your people are grand. I like the people to see your strength, and I congratulate you on the safe arrival of your fresh men.”
He led the way back into the reception-room, and when they were seated he turned to d.i.c.k.
”I'm afraid you have thought me very neglectful, Mr Darrell.”
”Well,” said d.i.c.k, ”to be frank, we began to think that there was something very wrong, as you seemed so changed towards us.”
”Not changed in the least, Captain Wyatt,” he said, turning now to his other guests.--”A man situated as I am, Doctor, cannot do quite as he pleases.”
”I suppose not, sir. Even our King cannot at home.”
”I am glad of that,” said the Rajah, smiling, and he addressed Wyatt now. ”You see, I could use force, but I shrink from slaughter, for I think I can achieve my ends without playing the tyrant who delights in blood. And there is my mother. After that cowardly attempt upon the old palace, I determined to try a fresh means of securing peace and the full alliance of all my leading people with the English Company, as I wish; and at last, just when I felt that there must be war and the destruction of all who oppose me, the leaders of those against me in political matters have given way. Gentlemen, you know how English I wish to be, and how hard I have fought to win my mother's old friends to my way of thinking. I have succeeded now. You will meet my mother, the Ranee, who gives up her old-world prejudices, and will act like an English lady by receiving you at dinner this evening in company with her old ministers, the Wazir and the chief Brahmin from the great temple.”
The visitors murmured their satisfaction, and, at the first opportunity, Wyatt caught d.i.c.k's eye with a look which that gentleman interpreted to mean, ”I wish the these people were at the bottom of the sea!”
Wyatt coloured guiltily the next moment, for the Rajah turned to him, saying:
”I am very glad to have your company at last, Captain Wyatt. It has almost seemed as if you would not come.”
”Your highness praised the discipline of our men,” he replied.
”Yes; it is perfect.”
”It is, sir; but it is only arrived at by the officers giving up social pleasure to constant duty. I should have come before if I could have spared the time.”