were strangers, evidently belonging to some irregular corps.  The substance of their conversation was to the effect that, about six hundred irregular horse, and a company of Goolandowz, (but without guns or ammunition) were halted a short distance beyond the limits of the cantonments ready to enter at a given signal; that all the native corps in garrison were to rise, simultaneously, about eight a.m.; an attempt was to be made to carry off the artillery guns while the European gunners were at their breakfasts; the Fort was to be carried by a sudden rush, and the town plundered; they were then to make off to the next smallest station, where they were unlikely to meet with any European force.

For some moments Arthur was undecided as to what course he ought to pursue.  “If,” thought he, “I carry this information to the Brigadier, he will pooh, pooh it as mere moonshine, besides I no longer belong to his staff, and he would not listen to anything I might suggest; it would only be time thrown away; but Huntingdon must be warned.  Forewarned is forearmed, and he is not the man to disregard a circumstance of this kind.”  He at once wrote a note relating what had been told him, and sent it by the Portuguese.

“You will deliver this into the hand of Major Huntingdon, and likewise give him a full account of all you saw and heard, and return as quickly as possible.”  The servant was soon on his way to the artillery lines.  The next thing was to start his servants’ baggage and personal effects by a road, directly opposite the one where the irregulars were said to be halted.  While dressing and arming, he resolved as to what step he should now take.  He would ride over to Edith, and, after placing her in safety within the walls of the Fort, join the other officers of the garrison under the direction of Major Collingwood and act as he deemed best in the coming struggle.  He was well mounted and thoroughly armed, and likewise carried a double-barreled tiger-rifle, slung carbine-fashion to his saddle, and was as formidable a cavalier as one could meet with in the country.  Giving his last instructions to Pedro, who, by this time, had returned, he rode out of the compound and took his way to the Bungalow, where all that he held most dear in life was, perhaps, sleeping, all unconscious of the impending danger.  When he was near the house, a few shots were fired, and a hubbub was heard within the Sepoy lines.

“I am almost too late,” thought Arthur, as he dashed up to the door.  Edith, who had seen his approach met him in the verandah.  A few words sufficed to explain how matters stood, and she hurried away to put on her riding habit, and gather together what valuables belonged to her.  Arthur lost no time in causing to be saddled one of the best horses in the stable, and had it led round to the front of the Bungalow, where, in a very short time, he was joined by Edith, fully equipped for any emergency.