next morning. Fortunately a large field of Indian corn bordered one side
of the wood, and from this both man and horse had satisfied their hunger.

Every detail of the plan was carefully considered and discussed, so that
no mistake could occur; and each of the principal actors in the piece had
his part assigned to him. The two native guides, who had themselves served
as soldiers in native regiments, consented willingly to perform their
parts, and just at sunset the two officers and men rode off to Nahdoor,
bearing the letter from the prince of Delhi to the rajah.

There was high feasting in Nahdoor that night. The rajah had received with
all honor the officers from Delhi. The letter from the prince had promised
him a high command in the army which was to exterminate the last infidel
from the land. It had thanked him for the capture of the white women, and
had begged him to bring them on with him to Delhi, and to come at once
with his own force. From the officers the rajah had heard how the mutiny
was everywhere a success, and that at Lucknow and Cawnpore the troops
would rise in a day or two and massacre all the whites. The evening ended
early, for the officers from Delhi were fatigued with their long ride, and
being shown into a little square marble-lined room off the great hall
where they had supped, were soon apparently asleep on the cushions and
shawls spread for them. The rajah retired to his apartments, and his
officers to their quarters; and although for another hour talking and
laughing went on round the little fires in the courtyard, presently these
too were hushed, and a profound stillness fell upon Nahdoor. Then,
barefooted, the officers from Delhi stole out of their apartment and made
for the outer wall. As they had anticipated, they found no one about;
beyond a sentry at the lower gate there would be no watch kept, and they
reached the watch-tower on the wall without the slightest interruption.
Here two other figures had already arrived, and after throwing down some