He had only recently heard that Ted and the two sepoys had also been saved from destruction, and he did not know what account of the incident Ted had given to the world, neither was he aware that his cowardice had been reported by Ambar Singh.
He told the story of his escape with unusual caution and deliberation, and painted in more glowing colours the services rendered by Pir Baksh, to whom he gave credit for risking his life in order to save Tynan's. His audience opened their eyes, and Munro interposed:
"But Russell distinctly stated that Pir Baksh was one of the ringleaders."
"So he appeared to be, sir, but he was forced to play that rôle. He tried to save us in the fort, but Russell would not trust him. I felt sure that he was genuine, and was doing his best to hold the others back."
"Oh, indeed!" said the major drily; "yet Russell informed us that you told him and Lowthian that you saw Pir Baksh shoot the colonel."
"Russell told you that, sir!" Tynan replied with an air of great surprise. "He must have misunderstood me completely."
Tynan had forgotten his unlucky remark, and bitterly he repented the cowardice that had landed him in this net. It was the old story of the first easy lie that had to be supported and buttressed by innumerable untruths.
"Not Pir Baksh, sir," he continued hastily. "It was Abdul Din who shot Colonel Woodburn. I think I see how it was. When they were attacking us, Abdul Din stood by the side of Pir Baksh, and when I pointed, saying, 'That's the fellow who fired the shot!' they must have thought I meant Pir Baksh."
His hearers hardly knew what to think. Tynan's tale was plausible enough, and Ted might easily have been mistaken. Perhaps after all Pir Baksh had been judged too hastily, and had been less of a scoundrel than they had imagined. He had always seemed a friendly fellow, apparently proud of his regiment.
"And after your rescue by the Gurkhas?" asked Colonel Woodburn.
"I had the fever for at least a fortnight, sir. My first thought when I heard that Aurungpore was saved was to report myself, and I received orders from Colonel Bratherton at Jehanabad to take Pir Baksh with me, as an investigation of his conduct must be held by his C.O. We were to have accompanied the 49th Punjabis, but at the last moment they were ordered to Delhi, so I was told to wait for this draft and bring them here."