Draw Swords! Part 69

"With the two regiments of cavalry we have drilled to help him," cried Wyatt fiercely. "I begin to hate the Rajah for a coward and a fool.

Fancy! we have been teaching these mounted men the quickest and surest way to cut our throats."

"The escort will be waiting in half-an-hour," said Hulton sternly.

"Quick! Let them see how smartly we can turn out with all we have."

"Yes," said Wyatt. "There is one good thing to be said, though--we can hold the old palace now that d.i.c.k here has shown us how to stop the leak. I should like to use that pa.s.sage for carrying a few kegs of powder to blow the temple about the old Brahmin's ears."

Within the half-hour the troop was on parade in the great opening in front of the palace, a couple of wagons holding all that the officers and men had brought in the way of extras. The escort, a hundred strong, was waiting, every man looking sullen and morose, but not unfriendly towards their charge; but at the far end there was cause for uneasiness in the gathering of a strong force of horse and foot, holding quite aloof.

All was ready, and the troop waited the order to march, when, after a few words together, Wyatt and d.i.c.k rode up to the captain of the guard, who was sitting like a statue in the front of his men.

"Send in word to the Rajah, sir," said Wyatt, "that we are ready to go, and ask him if he wishes to see us before we depart. Quick," he added in a low voice; "who commands those men yonder?"

"The Wazir. Beware. My men will not attack their friends," said the captain, making believe to calm his restive horse. Then aloud for all to hear:

"The Rajah's commands are that the English officers go at once. He has nothing to say."

"Come, d.i.c.k!" said Wyatt laconically, and the pair rode back, communicated with Hulton, and an order or two was given.

A dozen of the escort took their places in front, the trumpet was sounded, and the men with their guns began to move off; while a movement amongst the Wazir's men at the other end of the open parade-ground showed that something was intended.

But the next minute the main body of the escort had closed in behind, and Hulton saw directly after that a mounted man came galloping up to the officer of the guard to make some communication.

It was the Wazir's move on the great chess-board, but it was met by the captain of the guard obeying the orders he had received from the Rajah himself, and not giving way to the Wazir's men; while, fully aware of the peril that would await if the artillery were caught by charging hors.e.m.e.n in the narrow streets and lanes, the order was given by Hulton for two of the guns to go on at a gallop and take up position on either side of the street in front of the palace, to cover the rest of the troop, which was to follow at a trot.

This was brilliantly carried out, d.i.c.k being sent forward with the two guns, which were unlimbered, loaded, and stood ready as the head of the little column came up and filed rapidly in through the old palace gates.

There was barely room for the troops to pa.s.s, but ample for the two guns to block the street now as they were left free, just as the Wazir's men came on with a roar of shouting as if to charge.

The effect was magical as the front ranks crowded forward and began to check their horses at the sight of the guns and the men's smoking linstocks. A loud shouting and yelling followed, and the pursuing force turned and fled in confusion.

"Such a chance, sir," grumbled one of the sergeants reproachfully to d.i.c.k. "He could have got two rounds of grape into 'em before they were clear."

"Wait a bit," said d.i.c.k, smiling; "the game has not yet begun."

The words were spoken without thought, and their utterer wondered afterwards what he meant. Were they really likely to have a fierce encounter with the Wazir's party?

He had no more time for musing, for the orders came for the guns to be withdrawn within the great gates, which were directly after closed and manned, the troop standing ready for any emergency; while d.i.c.k played guide to show Wyatt the entrance to the temple pa.s.sage, in which a mine was laid and guards set, so that an explosion might, if necessary, completely close the opening against any attack.

"For we will not blow it up yet," said Wyatt. "It might prove useful."

This done, the officers made a tour of inspection of men and quarters, but everything was ready for any emergency. Forethought had seen to that. Rations, provender, water, ammunition--all were there, without counting what might be done in the way of foraging; and at last Hulton said, with a smile:

"We can't do much in the way of attack, but their hors.e.m.e.n are useless against us in here; and if things go against us now, we are ready for a little siege."

CHAPTER FORTY.

THE WAZIR AT WORK.

Events moved fast now for the little, isolated troop. Hardly had the inspection been finished when there was a challenge from the roof over the gateway. The sentry announced the coming of horse, and Wyatt frowned.

"Oh, if we had a gun up there!" he said.

"Only a waste of fire," said d.i.c.k. "We are so out of place here."

"Yes, I know, my dear boy," replied Wyatt; "but we are surrounded by enemies now through that wretched, childish trap they laid for the Rajah, and I feel as if I must hit some one."

The next minute the head of a strong body of horse was halted in front, and all doubt as to its purpose was at an end, for the captain of the guard rode up to the gate and demanded to see Captain Hulton.

A quick movement was made in the courtyard, and then orders were given for the gate to be opened, and the captain rode in, giving a quick glance round, and there was a look of satisfaction in his eyes as he noted the state of military readiness around, as he walked his horse up to where the little group of officers sat mounted.

"I am the bearer of the Rajah's commands, sir," he said loudly to Hulton, after a quick look of recognition at the others.

"Or the Wazir's, sir?" said Hulton sarcastically.

"The Rajah's," said the captain, "given to me from his own lips, and with the Ranee standing at his right hand. He bids me say that he has no further need for the services of the English artillery troop, and he desires that it evacuates the old palace and leaves Soojeepur at once."

"Indeed!" said Hulton coldly; "and how am I to interpret the words 'at once'?"

"Directly," was the laconic reply.

"But our preparations--stores? The Rajah must give us two days for preparation."

"His highness grants no time for preparation," replied the messenger.

"I and my guard, one hundred strong, have his commands to protect you and see you right out of the city, a quarter day's journey upon your road back, and to see that none of the people attack you."

"It will be awkward for the people if they do," growled Wyatt menacingly.

"Yes," said the messenger, with a smile; "but the Rajah desires that the great Company's troops shall return as they came, in haste, and you must ride out now in less than an hour."

"Then we will," cried Hulton, "and he must answer for it to our general.

We will shake the dust, as you would say, of this ungrateful place from off our feet; and maybe we shall return."

"In an hour, then?" said the captain.

"Yes," said Hulton, whose pale face lit lip; and in spite of his long and wasting illness, he looked very much the man again. "In an hour, and before we have gone long he will bitterly repent his act--when he is at the mercy of this bigoted Wazir and his weak mother."

"Yes," said the officer, giving him a meaning look as he spoke in a low voice; "and would that I could surround him with his guard and the two regiments you have drilled so well to bring him away too. He cannot help himself; he is driven. You will hear soon that he is dead."

"Tell him from me," said Hulton, "that if he will give the word and come to our help, even now we will place him firmly upon his throne."

"It is too late," said the officer sadly. "He would not fight against his people and the priests."

"In spite of his brave words?"

"You do not know the hold they have," replied the officer sadly. "Even now I feel as if I am behaving like a traitor to my Rajah and the people here."