“Look out,” said Wyatt quickly. “Treachery, perhaps. He may thrust.”
“It means his death if he does,” said Hulton firmly, for two sentries had run up and caught the horseman’s reins.
As he spoke he took the paper from the point of the lance, unrolled and read it aloud to his companions:
“‘To Captain Hulton.—My spies bring word Rajah Singh with strong force approaching fast.—Doon.’”
“That’s plain English,” said Hulton sharply. Then to one of the sentries he shouted the one word, “Trumpeter!”
The men were already on the alert, the dashing in of the messenger having brought them out from barrack-room and stable, and there was no need to search for the youth whose presence was needed. Foreseeing that his services might be required, he had been to fetch his instrument, and now came running across the courtyard, received his orders—and the messenger’s dark eyes flashed with excitement as he sat up like a bronze statue, keenly watching everything. Then the trumpet sounded its call, making the walls echo, the first blast seeming to electrify the place, as it drew forth sounds even from the stables, where the horses whinnied, snorted, and began to stamp.
“Now, gentlemen,” said Hulton sharply, “I want the Rajah to see how quickly we can turn out.”
To one unaccustomed to such a scene, it would have been marvellous in its celerity and freedom from confusion. A few minutes had scarcely elapsed since the coming in of the messenger before the horses, already harnessed, were being led out and attached to the gun-limbers, and the officers’ chargers were being hurried by the syces to the flight of steps leading up to their quarters.
But the buzz of preparation was not confined to the old palace, for already there was the trampling of horses in the streets outside, and armed footmen were hurrying by the gate as if to a gathering of troops elsewhere.
“The alarm comes soon, Wyatt,” said the captain, buckling on his sword, “and it is a pity that we are so strange. The Rajah has generals, I suppose; and we know nothing of where the attack is expected.”