Chapter Twenty Six.
Brace and the infantry officers passed between the guns, and took a few steps forward to meet the bearer of the flag of truce, who came forward alone and saluted them, but with a haughty, contemptuous look.
“Well, sir,” said the colonel, “have you a despatch or message?”
As the colonel spoke, I saw that a larger party of cavalry had collected behind the little group which accompanied the officer, and one of the infantry men at a window above my head whispered down to me that there were more behind.
This put me on the watch; and I spoke to my men not to make the slightest movement, but to be ready.
All this was almost momentary, and the next instant, as I kept a keen eye on the enemy, I was listening to the sowar officer speaking.
“His Highness the Maharajah Ny Deen, who has with him now an army, many as the sands of the holy river, surrounding you on all sides, bids you lay down your arms and surrender.”
“Yes; and what then?”
“His highness will treat you as prisoners, but kindly; and your lives will be spared. But you must lay down your arms at once, and march out.”
“For his bloodthirsty band of cut-throats to fall upon us, and treat us as they do all unarmed men.”