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"SHE STOOD ADMIRING HERSELF FOR A LONG TIME"]
A Soldier's Daughter
AND OTHER STORIES
BY
G. A. HENTY Author of "With Buller in Natal" "The Lion of St. Mark" "The Young Carthaginian" "In Freedom's Cause" &c.
_ILLUSTRATED BY FRANCES EWAN_
BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED LONDON GLASGOW DUBLIN BOMBAY 1906
CONTENTS
A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER:
Chap. Page
I. A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION 7
II. ATTACKED 20
III. HARD PRESSED 34
IV. PRISONERS 48
V. ESCAPED 62
VI. ROUGH TRAVELLING 75
VII. A SKIRMISH 90
VIII. DARLINGER AGAIN 104
HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM TOOK GOLDSTEIN 115
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 171
ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
"SHE STOOD ADMIRING HERSELF FOR A LONG TIME" _Frontis._
"I WISH I HAD BEEN A BOY INSTEAD OF A GIRL," NITA SAID 9
"SHE SUDDENLY SAT DOWN ON THE NEXT BED, FAINT AND SICK" 30
"NITA HAD ONE SHOT LEFT IN HER REVOLVER, AND SHE DIRECTED THIS AGAINST HER FOREHEAD" 51
THE ESCAPE FROM THE CASTLE 156
EFFIE GIVES THE ALARM 192
A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
CHAPTER I
A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION
On the North-West frontier of India stood the little fort of Darlinger.It had been erected two years previous to the opening of this story,and was occupied by three companies of a Punjaubi regiment under thecommand of Major Ackworth. It was intended to act as a check to theincursions of the fierce tribes across the frontier. One of these raidshad recently been made, and the major was about to start with two anda half companies and two field-guns to punish the invaders. He wasa strict officer but not unpopular, being very particular about thecomfort and well-being of those under his command; in other respects,however, he was a silent and reserved man. He had lost his wife ayear before, and this had completely broken him down; the only beinghe seemed now to care for was his daughter Nita. Nita's mother hadintended to return to England with her daughter just before death putan end to the plan.
The major talked often of the necessity of sending Nita home, but sofar it had only been talk. "I have quite made up my mind at last, Nita,when I return from this expedition, to pack you off to your uncle inEngland; you are getting a great deal too old to be knocking about in abarrack-yard, and there are no ladies here who would keep you up to themark. I know that you are a favourite with all the officers, but thatonly makes matters worse. You have been a regular tomboy for the lastfive years, and it is quite time that you were taught to behave as ayoung lady."
"I can behave like that now when I like, father, and I am sure I don'twant to grow up a young lady like the colonel's two daughters, who usedto walk about as if their feet were pinched up in wooden shoes, andsimper and smirk whenever anyone spoke to them. Then there was CaptainMann's wife, who seemed to think of nothing but dress, and expected tobe waited on by all the officers."
"I WISH I HAD BEEN A BOY INSTEAD OF A GIRL," NITA SAID]
"That is all very well," the major said. "I admit that they were notfavourable specimens of their sex, and I by no means advise you to takethem as models; you know well enough that I should not be sending youhome to England unless I was absolutely convinced of the necessityfor so doing. I shall miss you very sorely, and shall count the daystill, in three years' time, I shall take my leave and come home to you,to bring you out again when I return. You must admit yourself thatyour accomplishments are not strictly feminine in their character.You are as good a shot as there is in the regiment both with rifleand revolver, you can fence very fairly, you have a very good idea ofcricket, but you know nothing of music."
"Well, father, you know you have said many times that you don't likemusical women."
"No, I am not fond of them, though I like a woman who can play anaccompaniment to a good old English, Scotch, or Irish song; but as fora woman who is always strumming on a piano, I think that she is a boreof the worst kind, so we won't say much about the music. Then you couldnot make a garment for yourself to save your life, and there is no morenecessary accomplishment on the frontier than for a woman to be able tomake her own clothes. You can cook very decently, I admit; but as foranything else you know no more than a child of ten. I am afraid thatyour uncle will be sadly shocked at your ignorance of everything exceptbarrack life."
"I wish I had been a boy instead of a girl," Nita said.
"I rather wish so too, Nita; but as a boy, you would have been obligedto go home and work desperately hard to get a commission. No, I thinkyou had better be contented with matters as they are, and if we can'tturn you out a soldier we can, at least, make a lady of you."
Nita made a little grimace which showed that the prospect did notdelight her. "What is the use," she said, "of my being able to hit theace of diamonds ten times following at twelve paces?"
"It is not impossible that it may be of use if you come out here again.It is more than probable that you will be a soldier's wife, and in acountry such as this, it is by no means unlikely that your skill witha pistol may be of use to you. You remember in the mutiny how womenfought at the side of their husbands. There has been more than onemassacre since we have been here, and such an event might occur again.At the present moment the tribes are restless, and may break out in ageneral insurrection at any time. However, that is as it may be. YoungCarter will take his leave and go down country in a month's time, and Ishall place you under his care."
Nita laughed. "I should rather say, father, that you would place himunder my care, for he is the most stupid man in the regiment."
The major smiled. "He is not popular, Nita, but he is a good honestyoung fellow; he doesn't say much, certainly, but as you talk enoughfor two I have no doubt that you will get on very well when you areonce in a railway-carriage on your way down South, and he will beable to look after you when you get to Bombay, and see all about yourpassage, and make general arrangements for your comfort. I do not knowany one in the regiment to whom I would rather trust you."
"Well, father, as you say so, of course I must go. If it were onlyfor six months I should not mind, for I want to see the sea, and theshipping, and of course it will be all new to me in England. I haveno doubt that my aunt will be very kind and make allowances for mydeficiencies, but it will be terrible work saying good-bye to you whenwe have never be
en separated even for a day. I will promise you that Iwill do my best to be trained up to be a lady. Shall I have to go toschool?"
"Certainly, dear; I shall ask your aunt to find a first-rate finishingschool to which you can be sent for the three years that you are inEngland, except for your holidays."
"The girls will all think that I am a little savage. I have heard yousay that they go out for walks two by two, like an awkward squad beingdrilled, and they never run races, but have to walk along with theirarms down by their sides, and their feet turned out. Oh dear, it willbe dreadful!"
"Not so bad as that; I believe there are schools now where girls playgames--hockey, football, and cricket, and have gymnastics; and I shallask your aunt to choose one of that sort."
"That will be better," Nita said more cheerfully; "at any rate, I thinkthat I shall be able to hold my own."
"I dare say you will feel very happy when you have been settled therefor a time. The great point is to make the best of things. You area big girl for your age. You are as tall as many village girls atsixteen, and if you are bright and cheerful you will soon make yourselfliked. Naturally in every school there are one or two disagreeablegirls, but there will be no reason why you should quarrel with them."
Nita threw back her head. "They had better not quarrel with me," shesaid; "you know that I have had lessons in boxing."
"Why, you little savage," he said, "you don't suppose in a finishingschool for girls they use their fists against each other! I gave youpermission to learn to box, for I think it well that every man orwoman should be able to protect themselves if necessary. Moreover,boxing gives quickness of thought, and doubtless improves the pose andfigure. If you were to hit a girl at school, it would lead to yourinstant expulsion. Women fight with words, not with fists. I thinkafter your constant verbal skirmishes with the officers that you willbe able to hold your own."
"I think so, father," Nita said; "oh, yes! I think I shall get on verywell at school."
On the following day the major marched away, and he told his daughterthat he should probably be back in a fortnight. "Take care ofyourself," he shouted as he waved his hand before giving the order tostart; "I expect to hear, when I come back, that you have been doingjunior subaltern's work to Lieutenant Carter."
As soon as the force were beyond the gate she went up to thelieutenant. "You heard, sir," she said, saluting in military fashion,"that my father has deputed me to act as your sub?"
The young man looked at her in surprise. "I understood that the majorwas joking, Miss Ackworth."
"Partly in jest, partly in earnest, sir," she said calmly; "one whiteofficer to fifty men is quite enough under ordinary circumstances,but it might not be enough here if we were attacked in force by thePathans. I might not be of any use in directing the men's movements,they have their own native officers for that, but in case of troubleI could keep watch and carry orders for you and act as hospital nurse,and do no end of things."
"I trust that there will be no necessity at all for your efforts in anydirection."
"Look here, Charlie," she said; "if that is the way you take mywell-meant offers, I shall withdraw them." This she said in a tone ofcontempt.
"I think you are quite right to do so, Miss Ackworth. I do not thinkthere is the most remote chance of your services being called intorequisition."
"I don't know," she said; "somehow or other I have a sort of uneasyconviction that there is trouble brewing."
The lieutenant's face changed its expression instantly. "Have you anyreason whatever for such an idea?" he asked, with a sharpness anddirectness differing widely from his usual manner.
"No, I cannot quite say that I have; still, there are sundry littlethings which might afford some foundation for it. To begin with, youknow that thirty of the camp-followers went off a week ago. Why shouldthey have done that? They are always well treated. There has been nogrumbling among them, and yet, without a moment's notice they stoleaway, just before the gates were closed at night."
"Yes, Miss Ackworth, we discussed that matter among ourselves, and cameto the conclusion that the men thought they wanted a change and hadgone off to their villages."
"Yes, of course, it might have meant that. I heard you talking it overwhen you were sitting in the veranda outside our bungalow. I thoughtyou were all very stupid, because you only seemed to have one ideabetween you. Why, I could have given you several reasons at least.
"The men all belong to the hill tribes, and, I have no doubt, had aninkling that an expedition was going to start, and so went to jointheir friends. They took, I heard, half a dozen rifles with them, whichwould certainly seem to show that they had no intention of returninghere.
"Well, that is one solution. The other is that the raid that my fatherhas gone out to punish is really a feint to get him to take the greaterpart of the garrison away, and during his absence to fall upon us toothand nail."
The young lieutenant looked at Nita gravely. "What you suggest is quitepossible; I never thought of it before, and I don't think the major canhave done so, or he would have left some more of his force here. I begyour pardon, Miss Ackworth. I see that in case this supposition turnsout to be correct you will make a very useful subaltern, and I at onceaccept your offers in that direction. I trust sincerely that your fearswill not come to anything, but at any rate I will at once take everyprecaution in my power--forewarned is forearmed, you know."
"That is right, sir," she said, saluting again; "I hope that when youare assigning a place in the defence to everyone else you will notforget me. I am as good with the rifle as anybody, and, as you know,I am a pretty certain shot with my revolver, and if it came to closefighting should not waste much ammunition."
"I will remember," he said, with a slight smile; "but I should saythat, to begin with, your place would be in one of the officer'sbungalows, which we will turn into a hospital. There will be plenty ofwork for you there if we are attacked. I again apologize for havingtreated your first proposal so lightly."
"Oh, never mind about that, Charlie! I am glad that it is you that theyleft behind, for most of the other officers would only have chaffed me,and then I should have got into a rage."
Greatly satisfied, she returned to her father's bungalow, and setherself to going through his belongings, and putting aside all oldgarments she could find that could be torn up and used for dressings.
Charlie Carter at once called up the two native officers and told themthat he did not consider the fort safe from attack while the troopswere away. The soldiers were formed up, and with these they madea tour of the walls, telling off a man to every twenty yards, andadditional men to the points that were weakest and most open to attack."You will let half the men off duty every day, but see that all areready for work at night; there will be no occasion for them all toremain on guard, but you will station a third of them at their posts,and change these three times during the night. Those not on sentrywill sleep with their rifles beside them, magazines charged, so as tobe ready at once if the alarm is given. One of you by turns will beon night duty, to see that the sentries are vigilant, and that all isgoing on quietly. The troops who are off duty will, of course, hurry totake their respective posts on the wall should the alarm be given byday."
The officers appeared in no way surprised at the orders. There had beensome discussion among them on the previous evening about the fort beingleft so slenderly guarded, and they were pleased to see that theirofficer was determined not to be caught napping. A tour of inspectionwas made, and each man was instructed in the position that he was tooccupy in the case of assault. The weakest spot was the gateway, whichwas commanded by a native mosque a hundred yards away, several lowbuildings surrounding it.
"I wish I could pull that place down," he said to Nita; "but it is morethan I can venture to do when we have really nothing to go upon. Themajor has always said that if we were going to be attacked he shouldnot hesitate to level it to the ground, but he could not venture todo so unless the danger were imminent, as its de
struction would bebitterly resented by all the people round."
"Don't you think, Charlie, that if we were to plant a couple of barrelsof powder under it, and lay a train by which it could be fired, that itwould smash it up pretty completely? We have a large store of powder,and can spare two or three barrels for the purpose."
"It is a capital idea, Miss Ackworth, and I will carry it out to-nightwhen the people in the village are all asleep. Upon my word, if it werein accordance with military discipline, I should feel disposed to handover my command to you, for your brain works quicker than mine does, bya long way."
"I am quite content to serve under you," she said. "I dare say Ishall have other suggestions to make later on; some, no doubt, willbe possible, others the contrary, but I shall submit them for yourapproval or rejection, knowing very well that some of them would beimpracticable. Now look here: I shall find it frightfully dull takingmy meals by myself, and I don't suppose you will find it lively, so Iwish you would join me on the veranda of our bungalow."
"I don't know, Miss Ackworth, whether your father would quite approveof that."
"Nonsense!" the girl laughed; "you know I am not in any way to beregarded as a young lady yet. Besides, my father was going to send mevery soon down to Bombay, and from there to England, under your escort,which shows that he considers you a prudent and trustworthy guardianfor me. If I were at home all day by myself I am sure that I should getthe jumps. My brain is always busy, and, as father's representativehere, I think I ought to be able constantly to confer with you; andI am sure it will be more pleasant for you to sit in our veranda andsmoke your pipe and put up with my chatter, than it would be for youto be moping by yourself in the ante-room. If you like I will promiseto talk as childishly as I can, and with all due respect to you ascommander of the garrison."
Carter laughed. "Very well, Miss Ackworth; it would certainly be agreat deal more pleasant for me, and you must take the responsibilitywhen the major returns."
"I will do that," she said; "my father must see that it would beridiculous for us each to be taking our meals alone all the time thathe was away."
"Do you know, Charlie," Nita said on the second evening, "I have alwaysthought you rather slow, and now I see that you are really nothing ofthe sort."
Carter laughed. "I am quite conscious that I am slow, Miss Ackworth.I am not quick in taking in ideas, or in expressing my own. I oftenwish that it wasn't so, but I have lately been getting better. I can'tchaff as most of them can, but I find myself able to join in generalconversation more easily. Some day, I dare say, I shall become quite aconversationalist."
"How very serious you are!" she said; "you talk with me as if I werea woman, and not, as most of the others do, as a little girl to bechaffed."