“If you ride on a mile, sir, you will see,” said Hulton coldly.
“Where are the Wazir’s men?”
“Part dead, part scattered among the mountains,” replied Hulton. “Why are you here, sir? What do you propose?”
“Then I have come too late,” said the officer, with a disappointed look.
“If you meant to join the Wazir—yes,” said Wyatt sharply; “but we are ready for an engagement with you at once.”
“Engagement? With me?” said the officer, staring. “I came to help you. As soon as the Rajah heard that the Wazir had left with a strong body to cut you off, he was in a rage. He said it was treachery to him as well as to you, when he had given orders that you should depart unmolested: and he bade me get together all the men I could trust, and fly to your help.”
“And you have brought the two regiments we helped to raise.”
“And my own guards, sir. They can be trusted to a man. Then we must pursue the Wazir and bring him back.”
The English officers looked searchingly at the speaker.
“The Wazir is dead,” said Hulton slowly.