"We have queer stories about the big battles around," added her brother. "There was a heap of fighting all over this country, and the natives say, it is full of hidden treasure—guarded by devils."
"Yes," agreed Beaufort, "there is the grave of an English officer about twenty miles out, with the date 1809; I've seen it. He is worshipped as a demon, and natives bring him brandy and cheroots."
"That is true," corroborated Tara. "I sometimes ride that way, but I think they only offer arrack, and bazaar tobacco now."
"And I can tell you something," added Blanche, with wide-open eyes (Blanche who was extremely superstitious). "It is said, that in some directions, at sundown, or by moonlight, you can see great big camps, with men, and horses, and elephants, and standards, and hear shouts and bugles, and drums," and as she concluded, she gazed at Mallender, and shuddered affectedly.
"I've heard the drums!" was Tara's unexpected remark.
"Tara child, what nonsense you are telling," protested her mother, "you make me quite ashamed."
"No, no Mummy, no fear of that, you will never be ashamed of me," and she patted her arm affectionately. "Now shall we go into the next room and play bridge—we can have two tables to-night, no cut-throat!"
"Oh, all right, that will be so nice," agreed the Beaufort girls, in a breath, rising precipitately; but alas, their expectations were speedily extinguished.
"Let me see how we will play?" said Tara, looking about her. "Captain Mallender, Captain Beaufort, Jessie and I, and you two girls may have Tom and mother," and so it fell out! It was evident by many little signs and tokens, that the youngest Miss Beamish dominated the company, and was the lawgiver in her own household. They all seemed devoted to the girl, and so naïvely proud of her grace and beauty.
Two card tables were quickly arranged, and as they sat down and cut for partners, Tara announced: