The elder cousin was full of a natural curiosity concerning Jim's engagement, soon persuading the ensign--and in truth it was no difficult matter--to give his opinion of Miss Woodburn, her accomplishments and attractions. "Hullo!" interrupted Charlie, as the boy waxed particularly eloquent on the subject. "You're sure it's Russell Major who's in love, and not Russell Minimus." Ted blushed, laughed outright, and sought to change the subject; but Charlie was determined to extract further information relating to his cousin's love affairs--a matter on which he was conventionally facetious. "So you really think that old Jim's done well--eh, young Solomon?" Dorricot resumed after a few moments' reflection. "I tell you he's a jolly lucky chap!" declared the ensign emphatically. "Jolly lucky, I should say. You should just have seen her when she whipped her pistol out as soon as that beggar had knifed me in the _bazar_!" "What was that, Teddy? You never told me about that." So our ensign related the incident with great gusto, and the elder cousin whistled as he heard of the girl's coolness. "She's the right sort for Jim," he agreed, as Ted concluded the narration. "But I must be toddling off to bed now, I'm badly in need of some sleep. By-bye, young 'un!" "Good-night, Charlie! It's just stunning to see you again. Jim'll be downright glad when he comes; he's bound to be here in a day or two now." "His men must be rattling good marchers if he is! I hardly think it possible." With a hearty handshake the cousins separated, the ensigns returning to their own quarters in the highest possible spirits, looking forward with great eagerness to the coming struggle. A few days later General Barnard advanced and gave battle to the enemy at Badli-Ka-Serai, six miles from the city. Not a soldier there but was burning to meet the traitors, but none was more keen than the little Gurkhas, who, to the delight of the amused Tommies, turned somersaults and played leap-frog when they heard that an attack was to be made. The multitudes of sepoys fought with courage and fierce determination, but were hurled back by the little army, which occupied position after position as the mutineers recoiled. At his cousin's request Ted was allowed to act with the Sirmur Battalion until the arrival of the Guide Corps, whose absence the boy greatly regretted.