STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY.
I could just make out the great looming figure of an elephant, as wemarched slowly on, when I was startled by a low sort of wimmering noise,followed directly after by a grunting on my right.
"What's that?" says Captain Dyer. Then in an instant: "Threes right!"he cried to the men, and they faced round, so as to cover the women andchildren.
There was no further alarm, though, and all seemed as silent as couldbe; so once more under orders, the march was continued till we were outfrom amidst the houses, and travelling over the sandy dusty plain; whenthere was another alarm--we were followed--so said the men in the rear;and sure enough, looming up against the darkness--a mass of darknessitself--we could see an elephant.
The men were faced round, and a score of pieces were directed at thegreat brute; but when within three or four yards, it was plain enoughthat it was alone, and Measles says aloud: "Blest if it isn't old_Nabob_!"
The old elephant it was; and passing through, he went up to where HarryLant was calling him softly, knelt down to order; and then climbing andclinging on as well as they could, the great brute's back was coveredwith women and children--the broad shallow howdah pretty well taking thelot--while the great beast seemed as pleased as possible to get backamongst his old friends, rubbing his trunk first on this one and then onthat; and thankful we were for the help he gave us, for how else weshould have got over that desert plain I can't say.
I should think we had gone a good eight miles, when Measles ranges upclose aside me as I walked by the elephant, looking up at theriding-party from time to time, and trying to make out which was Lizzy,and pitying them too, for the children were fretful, and it was a sadtime they had of it up there.
"They'll have it hot there some time to-morrow morning, Ike," saysMeasles to me.
"Where?" I said faintly, for I was nearly done for, and I did not takemuch interest in anything.
"Begumbagh," he says. And when I asked him what he meant he said: "Howmuch powder do you think there was down in that vault?"
"A good five hundredweight," I said.
"All that," says Measles. "They'll have it hot, some of 'em."
"What do you mean?" I said, getting interested.
"Oh, nothing pertickler, mate; only been arranging for promotion forsome of 'em, since I can't get it myself I took the head out of one keg,and emptied it by the others, and made a train to where I've set acandle burning; and when that candle's burnt out, it will set light toanother; and that will have to burn out, when some wooden chips willcatch fire, and they'll blaze a good deal, and one way and anotherthere'll be enough to burn to last till, say, eight o'clock thismorning, by which time the beauties will have got into the place; andthen let 'em look out for promotion, for there's enough powder there tostartle two or three of 'em."
"That's what you wanted the matches for, then?" I said.
"That's it, matey; and what do you think of it, eh?"
"You've done wrong, my lad, I'm afraid, and--" I didn't finish; for justthen, behind us, there was a bright flashing light, followed by a dullthud; and looking back, we could see what looked like a littlefire-work; and though plenty was said just then, no one but Measles andI knew what that flash meant.
"That's a dead failure," growled Measles to me as we went on. "Ibelieve I am the unluckiest beggar that ever breathed. That oughtn't tohave gone off for hours yet, and now it'll let 'em know we're gone, andthat's all."
I did not say anything, for I was too weak and troubled, and how I keptup as I did, I don't know to this day.
The morning broke at last with the knowledge that we were three miles tothe right of the tank Captain Dyer had meant to reach. For a fewminutes, in a quiet stern way, he consulted with Lieutenant Leigh as towhat should be done--whether to turn off to the tank, or to press on.The help received from old _Nabob_ made them determine to press on; andafter a short rest, and a better arrangement for those who were to rideon the elephant, we went on in the direction of Wallahbad, I, for mypart, never expecting to reach it alive. Many a look back did I give tosee if we were followed, but it was not until we were within sight of atemple by the roadside, that there was the news spread that there wereenemies behind; and though I was ready enough to lay the blame uponMeasles, all the same they must have soon found out our flight, andpursued us.
The sun could never have been hotter nor the ground more parched anddusty than it was now. We were struggling on to reach that temple,which we might perhaps be able to hold till help came; for two men hadbeen sent on to get assistance; though of all those sent, one and allwere waylaid and cut down, long before they could reach our friends.But we did not know that then; and in the full hope that before long weshould have help, we crawled on to the temple, but only to find it sowide and exposed, that in our weak condition it was little better thanbeing in the open. There was a building, though, about a hundred yardsfarther on, and towards that we made, every one rousing himself for whatwas really the last struggle, for not a quarter of a mile off, there wasa yelling crowd of bloodhounds in eager pursuit.
It was with a panting rash that we reached the place, to find it musthave been the house of the collector of the district; but it was all onewrack and ruin--glass, tables, and chairs smashed; hangings and carpetsburnt or ragged to pieces, and in one or two places, blood-stains on thewhite floor, told a terrible tale of what had taken place not many daysbefore.
The elephant stopped and knelt, and the women and children were passedin as quickly as possible; but before all could be got in, about a dozenof the foremost mutineers were down upon us with a savage rush--I sayus, but I was helpless, and only looking on from inside--two of ourfellows were cut down in an instant, and the others borne back by thefierce charge. Then followed a desperate struggle, ending in the blackfellows dragging off Miss Ross and one of the children that she held.
They had not gone many yards, though, before Captain Dyer and LieutenantLeigh seemed to see the peril together, and shouting to our men, swordin hand they went at the black fiends, well supported by half-a-dozen ofour poor wounded chaps.
There was a rush, and a cloud of dust; then there was the noise of yellsand cheers, and Captain Dyer shouting to the men to come on; and it allacted like something intoxicating on me, for, catching up a musket, Iwas making for the door, when I felt an arm holding me back, and I didwhat I must have done as soon as I got outside--reeled and fainted deadaway.