"Then my task is done," she said. "Mr Harley, pray give me your help, and my people shall be ready should evil days come, as they did when I was a mere girl, and the English were in peril of their lives." "Princess, I will do my best," he replied; and at a sign from their lady the women rose and stood ready to follow her back to her boat. "Good-bye," she said, simply, and she held out her hand, placing it afterwards upon Captain Hilton's arm, as if she wished him to escort her down to the landing-stage. This he did, followed by Chumbley, and on reaching the boat the rowers leaped to their places with the alacrity of well-drilled and disciplined men. The Princess stood aside till the last of her attendants was in her place, and then she turned to Hilton. "Good-bye," she said. "Good-bye, Princess," he replied, shaking her hand. "I hope we shall have orders to come to your help." "So do I," cried Chumbley, as he took the Princess's hand in turn; and as he uttered his earnest words he involuntarily raised her hand to his lips and kissed it with profound respect. The Inche Maida's eyes flashed as she glanced at him, but they turned directly after with rather a regretful look at Hilton, as she seated herself beneath the awning. Then giving a signal with her hand, the rowers' paddles dipped, the swift boat darted out into the stream, was deftly turned, and began to ascend rapidly; the two young men standing upon the stage where the guard had presented arms, both of them a good deal impressed. "I say, old fellow," cried Chumbley, speaking with animation, "that's an uncommonly fine woman, in spite of her coffee skin." "Yea; you seemed to think so," replied Hilton, laughing. "Did I?" said Chumbley, with his eyes fixed on the retreating boat. "Yes; I never saw you so polite to a woman before." "Didn't you? Well, but she is in trouble, poor thing; and I say, hang it all, old man, how well she spoke out about her people--her children, and her wrongs." "Yes, it seems very hard, especially as I don't think Harley will get instructions to interfere on her behalf." "Not interfere!" cried Chumbley. "Then it will be a damned shame. My dear old man, if we don't get orders to dress that fellow down, I'll go up and see her myself, and instead of tiger-hunting I'll try if I can't punch the blackguard's head." "Why, Chumbley, old boy, what's the matter with you!" cried Hilton, laughing. "Matter? With me? Nothing at all." "But you seem all on fire to go and help the Princess." "Well, of course," said the lieutenant, warmly; "and so I would any woman who was in distress. Why, hang it all, a fellow isn't worth much who wouldn't run some risks to protect a woman." "Hear! hear! Bravo! bravo! Why Chumbley, you improve." "Stuff! nonsense!" cried the latter, ashamed of his warmth.