If, now that you have all
arrived upon the ground, the preparations were canceled, there
can be no doubt that the natives would come to the conclusion that
something very serious had taken place, and it would be all over
the place in no time."
"Thank you, Bathurst. Then we will consider that arranged. Now we
will get the horses in as soon as possible, and be off at once."
Ten minutes later the buggies were brought round, and the whole
party, with the exception of the Doctor and Bathurst, started for
Deennugghur.
CHAPTER XII.
"Let us be off at once," Dr. Wade said to his companion; "we can
talk as we go along. I have got two rifles with me; I can lend you
one."
"I shall take no rifle," Bathurst said decidedly, "or rather I will
take one of the shikaris' guns for the sake of appearance, and for
use I will borrow one of their spears."
"Very well; I will do the shooting, then," the Doctor agreed.
The two men then took their places on the elephants most used
to the work, and told the mahouts of the others to follow in case
the elephants should be required for driving the tiger out of the
thick jungle, and they then started side by side for the scene of
action.
"This is awful news, Bathurst. I could not have believed it possible
that these fellows who have eaten our salt for years, fought our
battles, and have seemed the most docile and obedient of soldiers,
should have done this. That they should have been goaded into mutiny
by lies about their religion being in danger I could have imagined
well enough, but that they should go in for wholesale massacre,
not only of their officers, but of women and children, seems well
nigh incredible.
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