I think it most likely that my brother will send down one of his
officers to meet us, or possibly may come down himself.
"You heard what they were all talking about, at dinner, Dick?"
"Yes, Mother, it was something about Tippoo attacking the Rajah of
Travancore, but I did not pay much attention to it. I was looking at
the servants, in their curious dresses."
"It is very important, Dick, and will probably change all our plans.
Travancore is in alliance with us, and every one thinks that Tippoo's
attack on it will end in our being engaged in war with him. I was
talking to the officer who sat next to me, and he told me that, if
there had been a capable man at the head of government here, war would
have been declared as soon as the Sultan moved against Travancore. Now
that General Meadows had been appointed governor and commander-in-chief,
there was no doubt, he said, that an army would move against Tippoo in a
very short time--that it was already being collected, and that a force
was marching down here from Bengal.
"So you see, my boy, if this war really breaks out, the English may
march to Seringapatam, and compel Tippoo to give up all the captives
he has in his hands."
"That would be splendid, Mother.
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