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Hossein threw off the rug, and there, severed in pieces, lay the writhing body of a huge cobra. Tim soon recovered, under the administration of water sprinkled in his face, and brandy poured down his throat. But he was some time, ere he thoroughly recovered from the effects of the trying ordeal through which he had passed.
"I will write," Charlie said, " fortunately I have a pencil telling him that we can lower a light string down to the moat, if he can manage to get underneath with a cord which we can hoist up, and that he must have two disguises in readiness." "I don't think Hossein can read," Tim said, "any more than I can, myself." "I daresay not, Tim, but he will probably have friends in the town.
Charlie willingly agreed. When, on the night of the 13th of March, the army halted a few miles from the town, Charlie, disguising himself in a native dress and accompanied by Hossein, left the camp and made his way to the town. This he had no difficulty in entering. It extended a mile and a half back from the river, and consisted of houses standing in large gardens and inclosures.
That's Hossein, sure enough, but it don't bring us much nearer to getting out." "The first thing is to communicate with him in some way, Tim." "If he'd come up to the side of the moat, yer honor might spake to him." "That would never do, Tim. There are sure to be sentries on the walls of the prison. We must trust to him. He can see the sentries, and will know best what he can do."
Mother of Moses, what a shindy there would be, in the streets of Cork, if I were to show myself in such a state!" Charlie now lay down for a sleep till morning; while Tim, who had had three hours' repose, settled himself for a comfortable chat with Hossein, to whom sleep appeared altogether unnecessary.
The man threw up his arm with a gesture which, to a casual observer, would have appeared accidental; but which the watchers had no doubt, whatever, was intended for them. He was still too far off from them to be able to distinguish his features, but they had not the least doubt that it was Hossein. "And what's to be done next, Mister Charles?
Not another word was spoken, until they reached the hut, which stood at the end of a small village. When they had entered this, Charlie first thanked, in the warmest terms, his follower for having rescued them. "My life is my lord's," Hossein answered simply. "He gave it me. It is his again, whenever it is useful to him." "No, Hossein, the balance is all on your side, now.
Hossein, who would fain have shared his master's fortunes, was forcibly torn from him, when the English prisoners were separated from the natives. The day had been unusually hot. The night was close and sultry, and the arched veranda, outside, further hindered the circulation of the air. This was still heavy with the fumes of powder, creating an intolerable thirst.
During the fight Tim and the faithful Hossein, now fully recovered and promoted to the rank of an officer, had remained close beside him; and were, with him, the last to leave the town.
Tim, now that his master could dispense with his services, transferred his attentions to the bedside of Hossein, and was unremitting in the care and attention with which he kept the bandages on his head cool with fresh water, and wetted his hot lips with refreshing drinks. It was another week before his illness took a turn. Then the fever left him, and he lay weak and helpless as an infant.
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