BEFORE THE STORM
"I hope so," remarked the Commissioner. " But this
morning I heard that the troops at Bareli had revolted
and seized the place."
"A band of marauders," added the soldier lightly. They will be hanged when caught, every one of them. For my part, I fail to perceive how these scattered out- breaks are likely to affect us in Jhansi."
"Yes, indirectly they may," the Commissioner per- sisted. " Now look here, Vane. Think a moment seri- ously, if you can do such a thing. Here we are a paltry hundred and fifty odd Europeans in the heart of India, far removed from the least chance of assistance."
"We shall not need any," remarked the soldier emphatically. " If the people hereabout should create any disturbance, my men will soon deal with them. They have sworn to a unit that they will stand by their salt oath of allegiance. I have implicit confidence in them."
"Granted ! Granted that what you assert may be true," rejoined the Commissioner, " but to my mind the element of danger here lies in another direction."
"Where pray " ? demanded the other dubiously.
They had passed the gate and were traversing the almost deserted bazaars.
"Where pray " ? he asked again, glancing along a row of empty stalls. " I confess, 1 fail to note any sign of it."
"Perhaps not," rejoined the Commissioner, " but it is in evidence nevertheless. I refer to the Rani."
"What, to that girl, the Rani," the officer exclaimed.
