Читать книгу A Desert Bride - Hume Nisbet - Страница 11
ОглавлениеIN THE TURRET.
There was a stronger feeling than surprise in full possession of the boys as they stood on that narrow platform overhanging the stone-paved court, fifty feet below, with the yawning and ominous blackness of the open door in front, and the ruddy, if faint, light from the blazing, far-off houses behind them, making of them such splendid targets to whoever might be watching them from that cavity.
A full moment they stood thus, leaning against the low, carved, bronze hand-rail, without considering the weapons which they had let fall to their feet, paralyzed, and unable to make any effort at defence or escape; only one sensation gripped them both with an icy clutch, deadly fear, out of which evolved the thought: when would the blow come, and where would it fall?
A moment of chilled horror, during which they glared with dilated eyeballs into that open doorway, imagining shapes, seeing lights like phosphorescent eyes shifting about, and waiting for the death-stroke.
Then the brave young blood rushed once more through their veins as they heard the voice of Mrs Bangles from below,—
"Jack, Ronald, are you there and safe?"
"Yes, mother," replied Jack, stooping quick as thought, and possessing himself of the axe and a loaded horse pistol. "We are all right; only be careful as you come up, and bring a lamp with you, for I think there is someone in the tower before us."
"Have you arms?"
"Plenty for the whole company."
"Then hold on where you are, and we'll be up in a moment."
Both Ronald and Jack felt all right now, for as the inmates hadn't tackled them before, they did not expect they would do so now with this added force; therefore they bravely advanced right up to the door, and stood there with their weapons ready.
A glance downward showed them the confused mass of fugitives in the courtyard, while up the steps came some of the men, Mrs Bangles following them and bearing a small oil lamp, which she was shading with her hand.
As the men reached the platform, they armed themselves from the mound of weapons lying there, and then took their stand beside the lads.
"What makes you think anyone is inside?" asked the chaplain.
"Because we left a load of provisions on the platform, and when we returned with the arms, the provisions were gone."
"That's conclusive; but we shall soon be positive. Give me the lamp, Mrs Bangles."
The clergyman was a brave man, for, armed only with an Afghan knife, he took the lamp from Mrs Bangles, and, without a pause, went inside, the others following closely at his heels.
An apartment of about thirty feet square met their eyes, destitute of any other furniture except a large telescope which stood on a raised platform in the centre, its end pointing from an open sky window.
The walls were smooth and bare, and the roof above was flat, while leaning against the aperture was a ladder, there being no signs about the floor of either provisions or abstracter.
"Whoever it is has gone on the roof," remarked the chaplain, as he held the lamp up and looked round him carefully.
In a moment Jack and Ronald were climbing up the ladder, while the others waited below anxiously, to hear their report.
After another minute of suspense, with a merry laugh Jack showed his face at the skylight.
"We have found the thief and the provisions."
"Who is it?"
"A big monkey, and so tame that Ronald and he are already cuddling each other. Bring up the women, mother, for it's all right; we'll be down presently with our prize."
Soon after this they were all safely assembled in the tower chamber; the monkey, one of the most sacred species, sitting demurely in their midst, gravely examining the company, yet making no effort to escape. He had evidently been a much petted favourite with his former master, and well accustomed to strangers, for he seemed to know the clergyman, as he approached him with quite a human expression of interest and welcome.
"Ah, Falko, you rascal, so you are the only survivor, are you?" said the chaplain, as he tickled the neck of the animal, "I might have known that Falko would be here, if I had considered for a moment, for this is where he spent most of his time; his poor master, Mr Duncanson, who lies below, was a great student in astronomy, and Falko acted as his attendant; a wonderful monkey this, I can tell you, my friends, for sagacity."
Falko nodded his head gravely, as if he understood what was said to him, after which he returned to the two boys, with whom he seemed to have sworn a sudden friendship.
"Can he use a pistol?" asked Ronald.
"He can do almost anything, yet I think I would hardly trust him so far."
"What an addition to our troupe he would be," murmured Mrs Bangles speculatively.
The clergyman heard her, and at once said,—
"All his former friends lie murdered below, Mrs Bangles; and as he seems to have taken to your boys, there is no one left to contest him with you; therefore, if he will go with you, and we manage to escape this evil night, I would say take him by all means, for he is a clever little chap, and almost leads one to believe in the humanity of his species. My friend Mr Duncanson has trained him to a very high state of perfection."
"Jack," said Mrs Bangles resolutely, "cultivate the friendship of Falko, for he may be of more use to us in the future than the most lovely breakdown ever invented. Now, sir, let us consider what is to be done meantime for our own safety; the city seems to be given over to the mutinous demons to-night."
"In the city, yes, they have it all their own way, but the fort holds out, although that will not help us much, as it is already environed," returned the clergyman a little gloomily. "And this is only the beginning, I fear; Delhi and Meerut have fallen into their hands already, besides a number of other stations. Perhaps we are, after all, as safe here as anywhere, for in no place throughout India lies safety to the handful of British who are left to face these rabid hordes."
"But Cawnpore and Lucknow?"
"Are surrounded by rebels thirsting for the blood of those within; it is the most awful uprising which India has ever experienced, as I foresaid it would be, although the commanders and officers would not listen to me. There remains only one plan, and that is, to get to Calcutta if we can."
"Yes," replied Mrs Bangles thoughtfully. "If that can be accomplished, it will be the best for you, until order is once more restored; but we intend going on towards Persia."
"Good heavens, Mrs Bangles, that is madness!"
"No; my son and his friend Ronald have made up their minds to see this country, and I must go with them."
"But the route lies right through the ranks of the rebels."
"Yes; then we will be rebels while we pass through, that's all," returned Mrs Bangles, with a smile. "We can act our part fairly well, but before we go, I want to see you all safe, and this is my plan."
"Yes," replied the chaplain, while the others came closer to listen, for the thunder of cannon and yellings of the populace, though distant, filled the air with a horrid din.
"Jack!"
"Yes, mother."
"Go on guard, and watch the stairs."
"Yes, mother," answered the obedient Jack, going at once outside, followed by his friend Ronald and their latest addition, Falko.
Mrs Bangles' plan was a repetition of her first idea—to go forth and see how the fortress was holding out, while they remained in their present position until she came back with her report.
It was the only thing to do under the present crisis, for the streets below them were crowded with savage insurgents, and illumined by a hundred fires, where a European, once seen, would be instantly pounced upon and slaughtered; and although even the most timid of the women agreed that it was their only prospect of ultimate escape, they saw the little woman go forth on her self-imposed mission of danger with the same feelings that a party of soldiers might watch the exit of their general. While she was with them she inspired them with courage; without her, they felt strangely weakened.
Swiftly, in her disguise, did Mrs Bangles dart down those narrow steps and disappear within the shadows of the gardens, while the women crouched inside the darkened chamber, and the men waited close to the door, the foremost party getting a glimpse of the ruddy lights beyond the trees, the two boys, with the monkey, lying side by side on the top platform, and listening for suspicious sounds, while they watched the courtyard below them.
