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Updated: May 21, 2025
Abdool Rachman is about twenty-six, a Malay of Capetown, speaks Dutch and English, and is supposed to be studying theology at Cairo. The letter is written by the prettiest Malay girl in Capetown. I won't enter upon my longings to be home again, and to see you all. I must now see to my last commissions and things, and send this to go by next mail.
It was tied round the neck of a gun, and Abdool at once slipped down. There was a pause, then a slight dull sound, and the rope hung loose. "The knot at the end is ten feet from the ground," Abdool said, in a low tone. "That is near enough," Harry replied, and then he swung himself over. When he came to the last knot, he lowered himself to the full length of his arms and let go.
One such order had been placed there that morning. A sentry marched up and down in front of it, lest any insult should be offered to the paper. Satisfied that this would suit his purpose, he called Abdool to him, and explained what he wanted. "It will not be till this evening, for I want, before that step is taken, to collect a party of ten horsemen to ride with me to Ahmednuggur and back.
There was no occasion for any great haste, for it was certain that some little time must elapse before Holkar could march from Muttra; and he accordingly stopped for the night at Coringunga, having ridden about fifty miles. He speedily secured a room, and Abdool at once set to, to prepare a meal. While it was being cooked, there was a sound of a body of horse entering the village.
When they came across cultivated ground they walked; but a great portion of the country was a sandy waste; with the ruins of villages and temples that had, in the palmy days of the empire, stood there. Across this they went at a trot, for the sand was generally compact enough to sustain their weight. "We shall hardly get there before day breaks, sahib," Abdool remarked.
He gave an order, and the four troopers were brought out, and placed in a line. Four natives took their places behind them, kris in hand. "They are going to murder them!" Harry exclaimed, in horror. "Now, Abdool, there is not a moment to be lost; it will be our turn, next." Their guards had all risen to their feet, watching what was going on. Three of the bamboos were plucked up in a moment.
The rope will be long enough there or, at any rate, there will be but a very short drop." They entered the tower through the door communicating with the wall. Abdool led the way. "Keep close to me, sahib. I went down here this morning, and can find my way in the dark. I did not think that there was much chance of our coming this way, but it was better to find out all about it."
"Now, Abdool, we ought to get them up easily enough." With their united strength they pulled up a bamboo, replaced it in its position and, one by one, got the other three up, put them in again, and lightly filled in the earth. "Now we can go, at a minute's notice," Harry said. "At any rate, we had better wait till it is dark." The sun had just set, when they saw the rajah come out of his hut.
Harry and Abdool had both armed themselves with a kris and spear. Behind them were the torch bearers, arranged four abreast. It seemed an age before the sound of a horn rose in the air. Instantly they dashed through the opening, followed by the men and, at full speed, crossed the cleared ground.
There were two high walls on either hand, loopholed for musketry; and Abdool said that there was a platform, wide enough for two men to pass, along the whole length of it. The road terminated in a heavy gate, some forty yards above that through the outer wall. A bastion covered it so that, were the lower gate carried, an enemy would not be able to bring guns to bear against it.
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