Brace was on the _qui vive_ at once, and we stood there listening and trying to pierce the gloom when a dimly seen white figure stole up; and I was thinking how easily a daring party of natives might rush in amongst us, and, in a few minutes of surprise, cut us up, when the figure spoke, and I recognised Dost's voice. "What news?" cried Brace, eagerly. "I got right in among the people," said Dost, quietly. "They hardly noticed that I was a stranger, most of them taking me for one of the rajah's followers." "And what have you learned?" said Brace, eagerly--"that they march to-morrow!" "No, sahib, they stay here to drill till the maharajah is satisfied, and then they go to join the other chief." "Yes, yes," said Brace. "But you are sure they stand fast here for the present?" "As sure as man can be, sahib," replied Dost. "The rajah says that he will stay; but if he learns that you are here he will either attack you, or go at once." Brace remained very thoughtful as soon as Dost was dismissed, and quite a little council of war was held, to which Haynes was summoned, and after much talking, we could only come to the conclusion that an attack would be full of the risk of failure. Such an attempt would be unsatisfactory, Brace said, unless we could thoroughly scotch the rajah's power by carrying off all the horses and guns, and to do this seemed impossible in the face of such strong odds and the careful watch kept by the enemy. "Can any one suggest a ruse by which we could capture them?" "What about a night attack with lights and plenty of shouting?" said the doctor. "We have no lights," replied Brace; "and if we had, we should scare the horses as well as the enemy, and send them galloping over the plains." "Better keep to my own profession," said the doctor grimly. "Haynes, can you suggest anything?" said Brace. "No; I leave that to you. But what you ask me to do I'll do with all my might." "I know that, old fellow; but I want some suggestion. You, Vincent, can you propose anything?" "Only for us to steal up to their quarters, cast loose the horses, and then carry them off some night--to-night, if you like. The guns would be of no use to them without horses, and, once mounted, we could cut them up." "Good!" said Brace, patting me on the shoulder. "But how are we to get at the horses without being discovered?" "By the help of Dost and his spying." "Yes, it must be somehow in that way; but I cannot see the scheme yet in a successful form. Well, we shall do nothing to-night. Let's rest, those of us who can. But about rations; how long can we hold out?" "Till to-morrow night," said Haynes. "By that time, sahib, I shall be able to get a donkey load or two of food. I know this country, and to-morrow I can go to the villages away to the east, and buy rice and cakes." "About water?"