Three days after the Meerut revolt Colonel Woodburn addressed his men on the subject of the crisis. Assuring them of the mighty power of England, and of the terrible punishment that would be meted out to rebels, he reminded them of their glorious regimental history, and asked if they would willingly tarnish their good name. Ted's heart glowed as he listened to the stirring speech, and the men broke into a shout of enthusiasm, cheered their colonel, and Pir Baksh, stepping forward, expressed their willingness to march against the mutineers. At mess the officers congratulated one another, overjoyed at the splendid spirit animating those under their command. With renewed courage and in the highest spirits they buckled on their swords for the next morning's parade. "I hope we shall get orders to march against the mutineers," Ted confided to Paterson as they walked towards the parade-ground in front of the arsenal. "And what would happen to our countrymen and country-women at Aurungpore if the regiment left?" his chum asked with a laugh. "Would you make the rebels a gift of the fort and arsenal?" Ted was crestfallen. "Oh! I'd forgotten them," he replied. "Still, half the regiment would be enough to defend the town. I'm jolly glad our men are showing such a good spirit, but I'm afraid for Jim and Spencer. I don't suppose their Guides are likely to remain loyal very long." "I've been thinking of them all morning," Alec observed musingly, "and of all Spencer was telling us the night he was here. I don't think there's much doubt but that those fellows will sell themselves to the highest bidder, and he will be the emperor at Delhi. They may pull through all right though, if they are within reach of Nicholson. He and Edwardes will be towers of strength along the frontier." "Don't it make you mad to think of the way they bungled it at Meerut? Whoever was responsible for such a fiasco ought to be kicked out of the army." "Now, Ted Russell, you know nothing about it," the cautious Scot reproachfully asserted. "It's very easy to say afterwards what ought to have been done, but we don't know all the circumstances. Here's the colonel. He's a fine-looking man, and no wonder the sepoys are proud of him." The companies were called to attention, numbered, and wheeled into line. Before the wheel was completed a sepoy suddenly levelled his musket and pulled the trigger. Two officers at once rushed towards the would-be assassin, but were met by the fire of some twenty men of the same company, and fell riddled with bullets. One-half of the sepoys stood irresolute--some fingering their triggers menacingly; others, taken by surprise, screamed, "No, no, we must not slay our officers!" "Nay, slay them all!" roared a subadar, "whether we love them or not! If we do not kill them they will persuade us against our will!" And a shrill clamour approved the advice.