"I will explain to you later on," Carter said, "At present I want to go to the major's tent. I hope he is here."
"Yes, he is here, poor fellow, but he is quite a changed man. He is frightfully cut up at the loss of his daughter."
"Did he find her body?" Carter asked innocently.
"No, it was doubtless among those destroyed by fire in the mess-house. We thought that you were there also, for on uncovering the ruins we found nothing but a charred mass of bodies utterly unrecognizable. There, that is the major's tent. He is standing at the door, waiting, no doubt, to ascertain the cause of the hubbub."
As Carter approached the entrance to the tent, the major stepped forward, having gathered from the shouting who the ragged figure approaching him was. He shook the lieutenant cordially by the hand.
"I am glad, indeed, to find that you are alive, Carter," he said. "Everyone thought that there was not a single survivor of the massacre; though we hear now that the havildar and one of the men were taken prisoners, and only last week we sent off into the mountains to offer terms for their ransom."
"I will enter your tent, if you will allow me, major. I have something of importance to tell you."
The major entered, followed by Carter, with Nita three or four paces behind him. The major, who had not before noticed the lieutenant's young companion, looked at the youthful figure in surprise. Then he staggered a pace or two back as Nita, holding out her hands, exclaimed, "Don't you know me, father?"
With a hoarse cry the major held out his arms and Nita ran into them, while Carter at once left the tent.