"
"I think that will be a very good plan, Pertaub, and will certainly
carry it out."
A month passed, without any change in their work. They rode, with
other officers, behind Tippoo's palanquin when he went out, which he
did almost every day, to inspect the progress of the fortifications;
and were among the brilliant circle behind his throne, when he gave
orders.
By this time, they had come to know most of the other Court officials,
and were able to inquire cautiously about the prisons. They could
learn nothing, however, of any English prisoners in Seringapatam, save
those they had seen in the hut in the fort.
Six weeks after their appointment as Palace officers, Dick and Surajah
were sent for by Tippoo.
"I am about to employ you," the sultan said, when they appeared before
him, "on a mission. You are strangers here, and are unconnected with
any of my officers; and I can, therefore, place greater reliance on
your reports, than upon those of men who have other interests than my
own to serve. I desire you to go and inspect the hill forts, to see
how the repairs of the fortifications injured by the English are
progressing, and to make sure that the cannon are in good order, and
the supply of ammunition plentiful.
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