"I shall keep with you," I said quietly. "Let's wait and know the worst." In another couple of hours we were at the rajah's, and as the elephants halted and knelt down, Brace turned to their owner, who was conversing with a couple of horsemen. "Now, sir," he said, "I am not addressing the enemy, but the old friend and companion. You will let us have these two elephants as far as Rajgunge?" "It is impossible, Captain Brace. I would help you, but I should bring down destruction on myself and people." "Then you will lend us a dhooly for this man, and people to carry him?" "No. They would not carry him, or, if they did, they would halt on the road and attack you when you were not prepared. An evil spirit for you and yours has been going through the land for months, and now the fire has sprung up all round." Brace turned from him, and his face looked fixed and stern. "Listen," said the rajah, laying a hand upon his arm; "it would be madness to move that man. Ask the doctor. The man would be dead before you were half-way there." "I'm afraid so," said the doctor, sadly. "Leave him, then, with me. I give you my word that I will protect him. I sent for you all to come here, so that you might be safe. Stay." Brace was silent for a few moments, and then he held out his hand to the rajah. "Thank you," he said. "Forgive me for doubting you, but I cannot stay." "I tell you that you are going to your death," whispered the rajah, earnestly. "The whole city is in revolt against your people; the sepoy regiment has slain all its officers, and your own men are scattered Heaven knows where." "How do you know?" said Brace, fiercely. "Those men I was speaking with have ridden over from the town. They just gave me the news." Brace looked at the fierce-looking fellows, and knew that they were watching us intently. "I will gladly take your offer for my man," said Brace at last. "And you yourselves?" said the rajah, eagerly. Brace turned to us. "What do you say?" he said. "I shall follow my captain," replied Haynes. "Doctor?" "I am an Englishman," he said quietly. Brace looked at me. "Vincent!" he said, in a low hurried voice. "We have a painful tramp before us, and in all probability the buggies will not come to meet us. You are young and not used to such work as we have before us. The doctor will give you a few instructions, so you shall stop and look after Denny." I don't know how it was--I make no professions of being brave, but a strange feeling of exaltation came over me then, and I said quickly-- "Don't make me feel like a coward. I cannot stay; I must go with you." He looked at me fixedly for a few moments, and then turned to the rajah. "Give us bread and wine," he said. The rajah pointed toward his house, but Brace refused to turn, and, in obedience to a command, a couple of men were sent in, and directly after three of the chiefs servants hurried out with refreshments and handed them to us.