“Shumsodeen is right,” called out another.  “There is both truth and reason in what he says.  But there must be no firing, it might attract the notice of any straggler from the camps of those dogs of Kaffirs, and bring their infernal Dragoons down upon us.  No! cut the throats of the men, and as there are but twenty of us, and only five of these women, tell off one of them to each four of us, and let us begone, for we must put the broad plain, at the foot of the Khandish Ghaut, between us and this place ere night fall, and on our camping for the night, each four can decide what is to be done with their prize.”  This suggestion was received with applause, and they immediately prepared to act upon it.  Already two or three had dismounted and drawn their creeses to slit the throats of their male prisoners, when a youth, about eighteen, son of the fellow called Shumsodeen, cried out, “Do as you please with the women among yourselves, but I will have yonder curly headed cutcha butchee for my prize, come what may,” and he took a few steps in the direction of the Collector’s daughter, who was still clinging to her parent for protection; but ere he reached her, a loud, clear voice at no great distance rang out, “Fire! gentlemen, and charge!” Then came from between the leaves and bushes a withering volley of bullets from rifle and revolver, striking down the youth, and emptying three saddles, the riders falling lifeless to the ground.  In another instant the branches parted, and Arthur Carlton, with his six companions, cleared the low brushwood, and sword in hand dashed into the centre of the ruffianly group.

Although taken completely by surprise—­for they had not calculated upon being interfered with, especially at so early a period of their proceedings or by so formidable a foe—­the mutineers instantly prepared to give their unexpected assailants a fierce and bloody reception.  They fought frantically with a courage born of desperation, well knowing that to cut through their foes and escape by flight was their only chance; for should they not perish by the sword in the present contest, a halter, or to be blown to fragments from the cannon’s mouth, would be their doom if made prisoners, consequently they rained down their blows frantically, and made several desperate attempts to break through or divide the small party that opposed them.  But the cool and determined courage and thorough discipline of the Dragoons, and their friends was too much for them, fighting as they did, for a time, on the defensive; warding off the cuts of the dusky villains, and giving only a few thrusts here and there, when it could be done with fatal effect.  Many of their number had already bit the dust, and, as yet, no impression had been made on the gallant little band, the Soaws being still two to one.  Thus Carlton and his party were still fighting under a disadvantage as far as numbers were concerned.  Had the combatants been less pre-occupied with their deadly strife, they might have observed,