It was all plain enough now. Knowing from spies that Nussoor was weakly guarded, and having lost his own city, Ny Deen was hurrying on to seize and entrench himself in another; one which would form a centre where his adherents might flee. Just then I caught my father's eyes, and saw in them a terrible look of agony, which made me think of the horrors which had been perpetrated at these places where the mutineers had gained the upper hand. It had been horrible enough in the past; but now the rajah's men were smarting from a sharp defeat. And I felt that they would make fierce reprisals on the hard-pressed garrison, all of whom would certainly be put to the sword. CHAPTER FIFTY TWO. In the eagerness of pursuit but small heed had been paid to the rajah's course, and hence it was that my father, who knew little of this side of the city, had been so taken by surprise as to its being so near. And now, when every pulse was throbbing with agony, and one wish only was in his breast, he was forced to call a halt, and wait for three or four hours till the heat of the day was past, and the men had rested and refreshed their horses by a huge tank covered with lotus, and whose cool dark waters were evidently deep. He had kept on for a long time, but the halt was forced upon him by the terrible heat. Men were staggering in the ranks, one poor fellow dropped from his horse, and he unwillingly gave the word as we reached the tank where the men threw themselves down, while others schemed all kinds of contrivances to keep off the scorching heat. "We must rest for a few hours," said my father. "It would be like courting defeat to throw the poor fellows against the rajah's mob utterly exhausted by a twelve-miles' walk through this fearful sun." It was agreed that it would be madness for the infantry; but Brace proposed at a little council that was held, that he should hurry on with his troop, and that the officer in command of the cavalry should go with him in support. I saw my father hesitate for a few moments, while all eyes were turned upon him, and then he rose. "Yes," he said; "it will create a diversion, and give hope to the poor creatures who are making so brave a struggle. What do you say, Brooke?" Mr Brooke, who was the commissioner of the place, exclaimed eagerly-- "In Heaven's name, send them! It will show them that help is near." "An hour's rest first," said my father, "and then go." "But the men, sir--" protested Brace. "I am not thinking of the brave fellows," said my father, "but of their poor dumb beasts." "Yes," said Brace, "you are right;" and he went to see that the horses were being carefully tended--almost an unnecessary task, for our men were very proud of their mounts, and I followed him silently till he heard my step, and faced round to look at me angrily. "What do you want?" he said. "To ride with the old guns again," I faltered in a choking voice.