“Why particularly so?”
“I never had the sense to use my pistol.” He took out his Deane and Adams revolver and fingered it regretfully, adding to the orderly as they turned back towards the Martinière and again joined their comrades:
“We owe our lives to your courage and skill, Ramzan Khan. You are bleeding. Are you hurt?”
The Mohammedan grinned, showing his even teeth and the whites of his eyes.
“It is nothing. I owed you a debt, sahib, so let there be no talk of thanks. It was for this purpose that my father sent me to ride by your side.”
“I thank you no less,” Ted assured him; and added, “You can use your sword.”
“Ah! my father taught us. He is indeed a swordsman. He will be pleased that I have proved of service.”
As they drew near to the Martinière Claude exclaimed:
“Hullo, there’s our friend of yesterday! Why, of course it’s Peel! What duffers we were not to guess!”
Peel! Captain Peel of H.M.S. Shannon, commanding the famous Naval Brigade with the big guns from the man-of-war at Calcutta. Yes, he it was who had shown them the position of the Residency. Right glad were the troops in Ladysmith of the aid of the sailors and their splendid guns, and glad were the raisers of the Lucknow siege when Peel and his jolly tars came to bear a hand.