"But surely, major, we might prevent their scaling the walls. It is not likely that they would attack on all sides at once, and without artillery they could do little." "They will have artillery," said Captain Wilkins, an officer, who had served for some time in Oude. "These talookdars have all got artillery. They were ordered to give it up, and a good many old guns were sent in; but there is not one of these fellows who cannot bring a battery at the very least into the field. By to-morrow night, or at the latest next day, we may have some thirty or forty pieces of artillery round this place." "It will not do to be caught like rats in a trap here," Major Warrener said. "For to-night it is a shelter, after that it would be a trap. But about Bithri; I don't like to give up the idea of rescuing our country-people there. Still, although the matter has been left to my discretion, I cannot risk losing the whole squadron." "What is the castle like, Warrener? have you heard?" Captain Crawshay asked. "A square building, with high walls, and a deep moat. Beyond the moat is another wall with a strong outwork and gate. There are believed to be a couple of guns on the outwork, and eight on the inner wall." "Do you think they will attack us to-morrow, Wilkins? You know these Oude fellows." "They will muster strong, no doubt, and be prepared to attack us if we sally out; but I should think if we remain quiet they would wait till next day, so as to gather as many men and guns as possible." "Then you think we ought to be out of this early?" Major Warrener asked. "I don't say we ought to be, major; I only say we ought to be if we intend to get off without having to fight our way through them. I suppose the Bithri man is sure to come out to attack us?" "Oh, no doubt," Major Warrener answered; "he has openly declared against us." "The thing would be to pop into his place, just as he is thinking of popping in here," Captain Dunlop said, laughing. "That's a good idea, Dunlop--a capital idea, if it could be carried out. The question is, is it possible?" Then gradually the plan was elaborated, until it finally was definitely arranged as afterward carried into execution.