After his companions had gone, Reginald seated himself by Nuna, and took the opportunity of recounting his history, and explaining to her who he was. She listened to him with great astonishment. At length she answered—
“I now understand why I have been brought up in a manner so different from the other women of rank in this country. My mother taught me her own religion, which she was allowed to enjoy; and she charged me, with her dying breath, should I ever marry, to teach my children the same. But I fear I really know little of its truths. I must get you, my brother, to instruct me, and tell me all about the country of our mother’s ancestors.”
While they were speaking Dick hurried up, exclaiming—
“Hurrah, sir! I see a body of sepoys with some English redcoats among them coming this way. We need no longer have any fear of the rebels.”
“Are you certain that there are English soldiers among them? For if not, the men you take for sepoys may be the rebels themselves,” observed Reginald. “It may be safer for you, my sister, to take shelter in the tower till we ascertain the truth; and we shall be able to defend you, as only one man at a time can force his way up.”
Scarcely had Nuna ascended a few steps when half a company of sepoys, with a corporal and five English soldiers, and led by a British officer, appeared in front of the building.
Reginald shouted out to them that he was an Englishman, and that having rescued the rajah’s daughter from a band of rebels, he was returning with her to her father.
“I don’t believe you,” answered the officer. “On, my lads, and capture the young fellow! From the information I have received, he is himself a rebel.”
A second glance at the speaker showed Reginald that it was his acquaintance, Captain Hawkesford; but in another instant the gates were burst open, and the soldiers, rushing in, captured Dick, who was making his way to the foot of the steps on which Reginald stood with Nuna behind him, while Faithful crouched by his side glaring at the assailants.
“Back, I say—back; you are mistaken, my men,” cried Reginald, drawing his revolvers. “Your lives be on your own heads, if you advance.—Fly up the steps, Nuna. Fly under shelter: in case they should dare to fire, the bullets may strike you.”