Each rebel urged his neighbour to face the fire of those death-dealing muskets; each man knew that the end was at hand, and preferred to hold himself back that he might share in the plunder. Now that they were no longer a glorious regiment but a mere mob of rebels, none was ready to give his life for the cause. The garrison also knew that the end was drawing near, and were in no way deceived by the momentary calm. "Hullo!" Ted cried, and stared open-mouthed. "What's that for?" A white cloth tied round the barrel of a musket had been poked round the corner. "A truce, sahibs!" a voice called in Urdu. "We wish to treat with you and save your lives. May I step forward in safety?" "One man may," Tynan replied, "but he will be a dead man should there be any sign of treachery." "Sahib, there will be none; I give my word of honour." So saying, Pir Baksh stepped round the bend, armed only with a smile that he doubtless intended to be ingratiating. "Ye are gallant warriors," he began, when Ted, interrupting the flow of words, ordered the rascal to speak in English, not Urdu. The subadar showed the whites of his eyes as he smiled, and grimly shook his head. For the benefit of the Rajputs he resumed in the vernacular: "Ye cannot hope to hold out much longer, so let there be no further bloodshed. Surrender the fort and we will spare your lives." "What do you think, Russell?" Tynan hurriedly whispered. "Do you believe they mean it?" "Not they!" was Ted's scornful reply. "Perhaps they do, though. I'll ask him what they intend to do with us." "Why, you can't mean to give up the magazine under any conditions?" our astonished ensign demanded, his eyes contracting as he stared at his senior officer. "They'll have it all the same if they kill us, though," Tynan muttered, lowering his eyes, unable to meet his comrade's gaze. "So what's the odds. May as well save our lives while there's a chance." He thereupon made answer to the jemadar. "If we surrender, what will you do with us?" "We will keep you captive, but promise you your lives," came the prompt reply. "Will you allow us to join our friends over yonder? If not, we shall still fight, and we are not so helpless as you think." Tynan was not quite a coward, and he used the threat with some show of spirit. "I cannot promise that without consulting my friends." So saying, the subadar retired for further instructions. Ted had had time for reflection. "Tynan," he announced, "I sha'n't agree to surrender. We've no right to do it! Look what a lift it would give them if they could get all these arms and ammunition."