The interval was spent in a search for food; then arms were hunted out, we officers finding that our quarters had not been plundered, and hurriedly changing our hunting garments for service uniform; and somehow as I stepped out again into the dark night, with sword belted on, and pistols ready to place in my saddle holsters, the helpless despairing feeling began to wear off. By this time the horses had been saddled and bridled, and all were ready for the next move, but the doctor did not return, and while we were waiting a faint shouting arose from below in the city. We had been well over the barracks and learned the worst, Brace sharing my surprise that so little plundering had been going on; and whilst we were standing once more in the court with the men drawn up, a picket at the gate, and one of the horses laden with provisions and ammunition, Haynes turned to me. "It's terribly un-English," he said; "but they would have no mercy on us." "What do you mean?" I said. "They have declared war on us, and they ought to take the consequences." "Explain yourself," I said, as I felt as if I were listening to him with one ear, and for the return of our absent men with the other. "Well," he said, "I feel as if I should like to give the scoundrels a lesson. The magazine is half full of powder, and to-morrow the wretches will be up here plundering and destroying." "Well, what then?" "It would be so easy to lay a trap for them. Plant all the powder behind the gates, after carefully barricading them; lay a train; wait till they were all crowded together, and trying to get in, and then fire the train and blow them all to destruction." "And who would fire the train, Haynes?" said Brace, who, unnoticed by us, had heard every word. "I feel as if I could enjoy staying behind on purpose," said Haynes. "Hah! I've better work on hand for you," said Brace, quietly. "It would do no good, and only be destroying a mob of the greatest ruffians in Rajgunge. Hah, there is the challenge at last." In effect the doctor and the men with the dhooly came back just then. "Where's Dost--staying with the major?" cried Brace. "No, sahib, I am here," came from the interior of the dhooly, out of which Dost stepped as the men set it down. "What does this mean?" said Brace, angrily. "His ruse to save us," said the doctor. "We got poor Lacey safe into comfortable quarters at the house of two of the women who washed for the men, and they are to be trusted, I think. I can do no more for him, but see to his wounds to-morrow. As soon as I had seen him right, we were coming back, when, as luck had it, we got into a narrow lane, and half-way along it, heard a noisy party coming shouting along from some festivity. Retreat was impossible, and I gave the orders to the men to draw and cut our way through, but Dost here stopped us by proposing to get in the dhooly." "Why?" said Brace, angrily.