"
"What think you of that, Anwar?" the Rajah exclaimed to the captain of
the troop. "My nephew and Rajbullub's son have shown themselves brave
fighters, have they not?"
"It is wonderful," the captain said; and exclamations of admiration
broke from the men standing round.
"Tell us all about it, Dick," the Rajah went on.
"It is a long story, Uncle; but the real news is that Tippoo, with his
army, has left the head of the western passes, and has gone to
Seringapatam. He is going to march down one of the passes, this side,
at once. Provisions have been collected for his army to consume on the
march. No one knows yet which pass he will come down by; but it will
not be far from here, for they are buying up cattle in the villages at
the top of the ghauts."
"That is important, indeed, Dick, and we must ride off without delay;
but first, I must have a look at this fortress of yours."
He entered the hut, the soldiers crowding in after him, and examined
the defences at the windows, and the loopholes; while Dick explained
how the bars had been arranged to defend the door.
"We began on the other side, Uncle. We had a fight with four men who
came up with us there. Only one of them got away--and he left his gun
behind.
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