"Quite as good. You'll soon see, sir," Ted confidently assured him, whilst the Pathans slowly looked the Carabineers over from head to foot, and evidently approved of the inspection--a compliment returned by the British troopers. Together they entered the camp.
General Anson, Commander-in-chief in India, had died a few days previously; his successor, General Barnard, received and read the despatch in silence.
He then looked up with stern face, but twinkling eyes. "Do you think, young gentlemen, that it shows good judgment to charge seventy horsemen with only six?" for the captain of the Carabineers had reported the incident to his chief.
Ted stammered out, "We didn't think, sir."
"Think! I should imagine not. You must learn caution, if ever you hope to get on in your profession."
The boys saluted and turned to go, when the general continued:
"Let me see; which of you was it who blew up the magazine at Aurungpore?"
Ted blushed as Alec replied. The general rose from his chair, shook hands solemnly as with an equal, and the ensign departed, his heart nearly bursting with pride. No amount of praise could have pleased him so much as did this simple act.
The dragoon captain found sleeping quarters for them and for their men, and they made a tour of the encampment. In the camp the British soldiers (for their six men were the only dark-skins), horse and foot, were gathered in groups talking over the strange changes that had occurred, and eagerly discussing the latest tidings. The slaughter of the helpless ladies and children in the city before them had maddened the men, and all vowed vengeance on the cruel foe.
"There's not a black regiment to be trusted, I don't care who they are," declared one.
"Oh, there may be some who are all right! we mustn't condemn the lot," replied another.
"Indeed! Who are your precious heroes, then?" sneered a third.
"Well, I don't know," the more hopeful red-coat replied; "but they say that the Guides and the Sirmur Battalion of Gurkhas are coming to help us."
"Guides and Gurkies be blowed! You'll just see; the niggers'll come as far as it suits them, then they'll kill their officers and march into Delhi. They ought to have been disarmed, Guides and Gurkies and everyone else, straight away."