"I was a sportsman, in my young days. But I think I should have been
more frightened at the thought of taking a peep into the sultan's
zenana, than I should have been of fighting the tiger."
"I did not think anything about it," Dick said, "until it was all
over. I heard some women scream, and, being quite close, went to their
assistance, without a thought whether they might be the ladies of the
zenana, or servants of the Palace. But indeed, I saw nothing save the
tiger, and only vaguely observed that there were women there at all."
"It was well that the sultan took the view he did of the matter," the
governor said. "I have known men put to death, for deeds that were but
trifles in comparison to looking into the zenana.
"Now, Colonel, I will send for my artillery officer and the horses,
and we will ride round the fortifications on the brow of the hill,
inspect the two forts closely, and will point out to you the spots
where it appears to us the defences ought to be strengthened."
Chapter 14: A Surprise.
Dick was much pleased with the governor. He was evidently an outspoken
old soldier and, though rough, his bearded face had an honest and
kindly expression, and he thought to himself, "If my father fell into
his hands, I don't think he would be treated with any unnecessary
hardship, though no doubt the sultan's orders would be obeyed.
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