“I ordered half of them to come up,” said Wyatt, and then, as loud shouts and cries arose, he signed to his companion to draw; but Dick rushed through the door, to find some twenty of the Rajahs guard ready to oppose the artillery-men, who were about to rush up, sabre in hand.
“Halt!” shouted Dick, and then turning to the guard, who faced fiercely round, he said in Hindustani:
“Your Rajah says you will be faithful to him. Join with our men in defending the palace against his enemies and ours.”
The men looked in doubt, but Wyatt spoke out now.
“The Rajah has been poisoned,” he said. “Six of you go to his door, and let no one but the doctor and servants pass. The rest of you guard the palace gates. Where is your officer?”
Their leader stepped out, tulwar in hand.
“Call out the rest of the men,” he said. “You must help us to defend the palace against all who come. But these two must be kept safely;” and he pointed to the two ministers within the room.
A minute or two before, the place was all passing into a state of wild confusion, but the short, prompt words of the two officers sufficed; and when Dick, after a word or two with Wyatt, gave a fresh order, it was plain to the guard that they were working with friends, and in a very few minutes every gate was closed and held.
Dick’s orders were that four of the Rajah’s men should guard the Ranee.
This done, leaving Wyatt impatiently waiting for some sign of the coming troop, Dick made his way to the Rajah’s room, into which he was allowed to pass at once.