In ten minutes he stood
before the charred stumps that marked the site of his bungalow. As
he did so, a figure advanced to meet him.
"It is you, sahib. I was expecting you. I knew that you would come
this evening."
"I don't know how you knew it but I am heartily glad to see you."
"You want to see Por Sing? Come along with me and I will take you
to him; but there is no time to lose;" and without another word he
walked rapidly away, followed by Bathurst.
When they got into the open the latter could see that his companion
was dressed in an altogether different garb to that in which he
had before seen him, being attired as a person of some rank and
importance. He stopped presently for Bathurst to come up with him.
"I have done what I could to prepare the way for you," he said. "Openly
I could for certain reasons do nothing, but I have said enough to
make him feel uncomfortable about the future, and to render him
anxious to find a way of escape for himself if your people should
ever again get the mastery."
"How are things going, Rujub? We have heard nothing for three weeks.
How is it at Cawnpore?"
"Cawnpore has been taken by the Nana. They surrendered on his solemn
oath that all should be allowed to depart in safety. He broke his
oath, and there are not ten of its defenders alive. The women are
all in captivity."
Bathurst groaned. He had hardly hoped that the handful of defenders
could have maintained themselves against such overpowering numbers,
but the certainty as to their fate was a heavy blow.
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