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But his country, his capital, and his forts are all in the hands of the English; and he stays near here because it is, at present, the safest place for him." On the 23rd of March, the British cavalry returned. For a month no attempt had been made to renew the siege, but the camp still remained as a threat against Bhurtpoor, and the time had not been lost.
Many of the men of the 5th Native Cavalry were in the crowd, and these shouted welcomes to their comrades; while several English officers ran up and shook Harry by the hand. "I have been a prisoner in Bhurtpoor," he said, in answer to the questions. "I have been extremely well treated, but I cannot tell you more now. I am here on a mission to the general."
"I should be very glad, indeed, Abdool, if I thought that I was likely to return to camp soon. But in such peril as this, it is but a small satisfaction to know that he is safe." "What do you think of our chances, sahib?" "I don't think the Rajah of Bhurtpoor will harm us.
Curious to ascertain the cause of the cheering, General Lake appeared at the entrance of his tent, just as Harry rode up. "Why, Major Lindsay," he exclaimed, "where did you spring from? We had all given you up as dead, long ago!" "I have been in Bhurtpoor, sir, and am now here in the character of the rajah's ambassador." "That is good news. But come in and tell me, first, about yourself."
As Harry had thought possible, Lord Lake had treated the capture of Bhurtpoor as if it had been but a little hill fort.
At any rate, he determined to obtain a three years' leave; and before the end of that time, he could finally make up his mind on the subject. A month, therefore, after the siege of Bhurtpoor was concluded, Harry had an interview with Lord Lake, and requested three years' leave to go to England. "You have well earned it, Major Lindsay.
"Still, although unable to take Bhurtpoor, General Lake knows well enough that he can easily repulse all attacks on his camp. He knows, too, that the greatest efforts will be made to send up reinforcements. Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta will all send every available man and, ere long, his losses will be much more than counterbalanced by the forces that will join him.
The path was fairly firm, and Harry had no doubt that it was used by fowlers, in search of the game with which, at certain seasons of the year, the lakes and morasses abounded. When they arrived at the edge of the swamp, where the others were awaiting them, Harry handed his sword to their leader. He and his party then mounted and, surrounded by the Jats, rode to Bhurtpoor.
These circumstances afforded the only excuse that can be made for a fresh attack upon Bhurtpoor. It was even more disastrous than those which had preceded it.
On the day of the arrival of the army before Bhurtpoor, Harry who had now been gazetted to the rank of major was sent to Agra, thirty-four miles distant, with orders respecting a convoy that was about to be sent off from there. He was accompanied by Abdool and ten troopers.
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