"We have seen none but villagers, and they have been half-starved, poor people!" said Owen, as he and the native trotted along, the latter looking a very fine specimen of humanity, for now that he was dressed in Mahratta costume, his lithe figure was seen to advantage, while he sat his horse as only a Mahratta can, with that easy seat seen amongst the Boers in South Africa, and yet with the grip a British cavalryman adopts. But the Mahratta carries himself so gracefully erect that the difference between all three, though so small and so subtle, is easy to detect. "And the sahib will find it difficult to get food," observed Mulha. "But there is a castle yonder on the hill, and there we might gather provisions." "I had my eye upon it," answered Owen. "Who would live there?" "Perhaps a small chief, sahib. Possibly a well-to-do farmer. Who can say? It may be poor, like these villages, and the walls may be but a shell surrounding the burned interior. These freebooters who fight for Scindia would spy that place miles away, and would hardly leave it." "Still they may have passed by it, and in these days when grub is so scarce----" "And the officer sahibs do not receive rations----" "Just so. We buy our own, till we reach our regiments--that's why we have to forage about for ourselves. There's a chance of food, Mulha, and we'll look into the matter." They shook their bridles and cantered across country towards the small castle, talking as they went. Hundreds of times already had Owen congratulated himself on the fact that he had obtained the services of the native, for on the road he had proved invaluable. Then, too, thanks to the fact that they often rode side by side, Owen's Mahratti had become almost perfect. On this occasion they talked in that language, and were still chatting when they arrived within two hundred yards of the castle. No one was to be seen, though there were indications that men and horses had been about. "You can see the hoof-marks of the horses even without dismounting," said Mulha. "See there, sahib. It rained during the night, and those beasts passed in some two hours ago. There are many. Can it be that they are the animals ridden by troops?" They halted to discuss the matter, while Owen, now active again, and almost without a limp, dropped lightly out of his saddle and inspected the track. "The hoof-marks are small and distinct," he said at length. "Some are pointing to the castle, and some to the plain. The horses were walking." "Then they are probably beasts owned by the man who lives here. The sahib has a keen eye. He notes the small things which make for safety, and which the careless officer overlooks. Shall we advance, sahib?"