'No, my General. They forced us away with them, and to save our lives, we went on—escaping one by one, and banding ourselves together, for we hoped in a few days to meet your Excellency. But before we went we provided for the escape of those in your Excellency's house, the mem Sahib, and the Miss Sahibs. The house was on fire and the fiends were yelling round it, crying to the servants to throw out to them the Sahib-log, and let them deal with them as they would. We forced them away and put out the flames, and carried the ladies to a place of safety within the walls. One was hurt. I know not which. I carried her in my arms and she moaned with pain.'
A groan broke from the General. 'This is true?' he said; 'you are not deceiving me?'
'True by the Prophet's beard, your Excellency! Why should Sufder Jung deceive you?'
'But where were our own troops? Did they look on like frightened children?'
'The English were taken by surprise, your Excellency.'
'Do you mean to tell me they were slain, every one of them?'
'Pardon me, my General. Some were killed; but there are still a thousand men within the walls of the city.'
'A thousand, within the walls, doing nothing! Now I know that you are lying, Sufder Jung.'
'Let his Excellency have patience, and he will see whether his servant has spoken the truth. I hear, from friends of my own, that to-morrow a detachment will set out for Delhi.'
'To-morrow!' burst out the General. 'To-morrow! and how long has Delhi been in the hands of the rebels, Sufder Jung?'