"My brother and myself have done much hunting among the hills, your Highness, and have learned that, in fighting a tiger, one needs to be quick as well as fearless."
"Whence come you?" Tippoo asked. "By your tongue, you are strangers."
Surajah gave the account that they had agreed upon, as to their birthplace, but he was quick-witted enough to see that it would not be safe to say they were in the service of the Rajah of Bhor, as inquiries might be made; and he therefore said:
"We came hither to take service either with your Royal Highness, or with one of your rajahs, but have as yet found no opportunity of doing so."
"It is well," Tippoo said. "Henceforth you are officers in my service. Apartments shall be assigned to you, in the Palace.
"Here is the first token of my satisfaction;" and he took out a heavy purse from his girdle, and handed it to Surajah. "You are free to go now. I will, later on, consider what duties shall be assigned to you. When you return, report yourselves to Fazli Ali, my chamberlain;" and he indicated a white-bearded official, among the group standing beside him.
Salaaming deeply again, they left the apartments. Not a word was spoken, until they were outside the precincts of the Palace.
"This makes a sudden change in our plans," Dick said. "Whether for better or worse, I cannot say yet."
"I was right in not saying we were in the service of the Rajah of Bhor, was I not? I thought that Tippoo would offer to take us into his service, and he might have caused a letter to be sent to the Rajah, saying that he had done so."
"Yes, you were quite right, Surajah. I had thought of that myself, and was on thorns when you were telling your story, and felt not a little relieved when you changed the tale. I think that it has turned out for the best. As officers of the Palace, we may be able to obtain some information as to what Christian captives there are, and the prisons where they are confined."