It was not long before they heard a trampling of horses, and a moment later the Rajah's voice exclaimed:
"Why, what is this? Here are a dozen dead bodies. They are Mysoreans, by their dress."
"All right, Uncle," Dick shouted, "we will be out as soon as we get these bars down. We have been standing a siege."
It did not take long to remove the bars. The Rajah and his men had dismounted, as soon as some of the latter had gone round the hut, and had brought back the report that there were five more dead on that side. As Dick and his companion stepped out, the Rajah exclaimed:
"What, are you alone?"
"Yes; there is no one with us, Uncle."
"Do you mean to say that you two have defended this place alone, and killed sixteen of the enemy, besides some I see lying farther up the road?"
"Yes, Uncle. You see, it was a pretty strong position, and we had time to block up the doors and windows, and to make loopholes to fire through."
"What think you of that, Anwar?" the Rajah exclaimed to the captain of the troop. "My nephew and Rajbullub's son have shown themselves brave fighters, have they not?"
"It is wonderful," the captain said; and exclamations of admiration broke from the men standing round.