"Shure, yer honor, I was kilt entirely, and my arms were pulled out of my sockets. Holy Mother, who'd have thought 'twould be so difficult to come down a rope! The sailors are great men, entirely." "Now, Tim, lie quiet. I will turn you on your back, and swim across with you." The moat was some twenty yards wide. Charlie swam across, towing Tim after him, and taking the greatest pains to avoid making the slightest splash. The opposite side was of stonework, and rose six feet above the water. As soon as they touched the wall, a stout rope was lowered to them. "Now, Tim, you climb up first." "Is it climb up, yer honor? I couldn't do it, if it was to save my sowl. My arms are gone altogether, and I'm as weak as a child. "You go, Mister Charles. I'll hould on by the rope till morning. They can but shoot me." "Nonsense, Tim! Here, I will fasten the rope round your body. Then I will climb up, and we will pull you up after me." In another minute, Charlie stood on the bank, and grasped the hand of his faithful follower. Hossein threw himself on his knees, and pressed his master to him. Then he rose and, at a word from Charlie, they hauled Tim to the top. The rope was taken off him and, noiselessly, they made their way across the country. Not a word was spoken, till they were at a considerable distance from the fort. "Where are you taking us, Hossein?" Charlie asked, at last. "I have two peasants' dresses, in a deserted cottage a quarter of a mile away." Not another word was spoken, until they reached the hut, which stood at the end of a small village. When they had entered this, Charlie first thanked, in the warmest terms, his follower for having rescued them. "My life is my lord's," Hossein answered simply. "He gave it me. It is his again, whenever it is useful to him." "No, Hossein, the balance is all on your side, now. You saved my life that night at Ambur. You saved it that night at Calcutta, for, without the water you brought us, I question whether we could have lived till morning. Now you have procured our freedom. The debt is all on my side now, my friend." "Hossein is glad that his lord is content," the Mohammedan murmured. "Now, what will my lord do?" "Have you any place in the town to which we could go, Hossein?" "Yes, Sahib. I hired a little house. I was dressed as a trader. I have been here for two months, but I could not find where you were confined, although I have tried all means, until I saw your cap." "It was foolish of me not to have thought of it before," Charlie said. "Well, Hossein, for a little time we had better take refuge in your house. They will not think of searching in the city; and, as Calcutta is in their hands, there is nowhere we could go. Besides, I must discover, if possible, where Miss Haines is kept a prisoner; and rescue her, if it can be done." "The white girl is in the zenana of Rajah Dulab Ram," Hossein replied. "Where is the rajah's palace?"