Draw Swords! Part 73

"Yes," said Wyatt sternly, "with fresh men; and if the Wazir's folk can see them where they are now, we shall be attacked again from front and rear."

This appearance of a fresh body of the enemy seemed to completely overset the plans just made, for the prospect of reaching the city now that the way was blocked seemed small indeed.

"I don't like it--I don't like it, d.i.c.k," growled Wyatt as he rode alongside of his brother-officer at a gentle pace, in full marching order now with all their wagons, of which, however, they were prepared to disembarra.s.s themselves in time of need.

"Neither do I," said d.i.c.k, "for my head is dreadful."

"Poor old lad! I am sorry; but you must grin and bear it. I say, though, what about the Wazir's sword? We ought to have brought that."

"I told one of the men to take it, sheath, belt, and all, and put it in the wagon with Bob Hanson. He ought to have it."

"Humph!" growled Wyatt, and he was silent for a few moments as he rode on, watching the approaching enemy.

"How many are there of them?" said d.i.c.k.

"Seven or eight hundred, my lad. Plenty of work cut out. I say, I told you I was spoiling for a fight."

"You did."

"Well, I've had all I wanted for one day, and I'm getting stiff, but we shall have to go through the rest of it. We've only one chance."

"What's that?"

"To go at them and let them see the stuff we're made of. We shall be all right again as soon as we get warm."

They rode steadily on a little farther, with the long column of hors.e.m.e.n coming on in excellent order, very different from those who had followed the Wazir and his chiefs, and Wyatt's face grew darker.

"I say, little one," he said suddenly, "if you don't feel equal to this next scrimmage, you had better stop in the rear with the wagons when we go into action."

"Thank you," said d.i.c.k quietly. "Will you stop and keep me company?"

Wyatt laughed softly, and leaned over to grip his companion's arm.

"Feel giddy now?"

"No; getting clearer."

"Well, sit fast, lad, and take care of yourself. I'll tell old Stubbs to keep an eye on you. I can't stop near."

"You let Stubbs see to his men. He has enough to do. Burnouse will take care of me. I wish I knew how Bob Hanson was getting on."

"No time now. Hah! at last."

For the trumpet called a halt, the wagons were cast off again, and, with every man he could muster, Hulton gave the word and the troop went off at a canter, to reach a knoll a few hundred yards away, where the guns were unlimbered, loaded, and the horses rested while the enemy was awaited, the intention being to give them two or three rounds to throw them into confusion as they formed up, and then gallop away.

Anxious glances were directed back at the rugged elevations they had now left far behind, but not one of the Wazir's men could be seen.

"Not one, d.i.c.k," said Wyatt, closing his gla.s.s. "So I don't mind so much. We shall have time to devote ourselves to our fresh visitors," he said grimly.

"They're startled already," replied d.i.c.k. "They're halting."

"Smell powder, like the black crows they are," growled Wyatt. "Don't care for the look of the guns. Why, d.i.c.k, look at them! They're the two regiments that we have drilled. See how they are forming into squadrons. Bah! it is horrible. They'll beat us by manoeuvring."

"The two regiments and the Rajah's bodyguard," cried d.i.c.k. "I know them by their white puggrees. Look, look! A white flag."

"Same as white feather," said Wyatt as three hors.e.m.e.n, magnificently mounted, came sweeping across the plain, leaving the squadrons drawn up in position. One of them bore a small white flag at the end of a lance, and as the pair sat watching Hulton joined them.

"What does this mean?" he said.

"Treachery, as likely as not," replied Wyatt. "But we shall soon see."

"It's the captain of the guard leading," cried d.i.c.k excitedly; and a few minutes after their old acquaintance dashed right up to where they sat.

"I heard the guns," he cried excitedly. "What has happened?"

"If you ride on a mile, sir, you will see," said Hulton coldly.

"Where are the Wazir's men?"

"Part dead, part scattered among the mountains," replied Hulton. "Why are you here, sir? What do you propose?"

"Then I have come too late," said the officer, with a disappointed look.

"If you meant to join the Wazir--yes," said Wyatt sharply; "but we are ready for an engagement with you at once."

"Engagement? With me?" said the officer, staring. "I came to help you.

As soon as the Rajah heard that the Wazir had left with a strong body to cut you off, he was in a rage. He said it was treachery to him as well as to you, when he had given orders that you should depart unmolested: and he bade me get together all the men I could trust, and fly to your help."

"And you have brought the two regiments we helped to raise."

"And my own guards, sir. They can be trusted to a man. Then we must pursue the Wazir and bring him back."

The English officers looked searchingly at the speaker.

"The Wazir is dead," said Hulton slowly.

"Dead?" cried the captain excitedly. "Then there will be peace in Soojeepur at last. His head? Where is his head?"

Wyatt smiled grimly.

"We do not take our enemies' heads, Captain," he said.

"No--no, I forgot," cried the officer; "but it must be taken back to the city that the people may see. It means peace to our troubled country, and the end of his party now. Hah!" he cried, with a smile, "it was my own head that was not safe. I feel as if I live again, and now my master may, for if the Wazir had won this fight there would have been an end of the Rajah's rule. Gentlemen, you must come back with me; the Rajah is at heart your friend. Let me escort you in triumph now."

"We were on our way back," said Hulton, smiling, for there was not a doubt of the officer's honesty of purpose; and once more the teams cantered off to bring up the wagons, while d.i.c.k sent the sergeant to fetch the sword that had been taken to the hospital-wagon.

Stubbs returned with the sheathed weapon, just as the captain of the guard had despatched his two followers back to where the three bodies of horse were drawn up, and he turned in wonder as d.i.c.k held out the beautifully jewelled tulwar.