I at once felt that this message applied to me.

I had been longing to find myself at Delhi, and lived in perpetual dread of its being captured before I could get there; now at last my hopes seemed about to be realized in a legitimate manner, but, on the other hand, I did not like the idea of leaving Nicholson--the more closely I was associated with him the more I was attracted by him--and I am always proud to remember that he did not wish to part with me.

He agreed, however, that my first duty was to my regiment, and only stipulated that before leaving him I should find someone to take my place, as he did not know a single officer with the column.

This I was able to arrange, and that evening Nicholson and I dined _tete-a-tete_.

At dawn the next morning I left by mail-cart for Delhi, my only kit being a small bundle of bedding, saddle and bridle, my servants having orders to follow with my horses, tents, and other belongings.
[Footnote 1: One Cavalry and two Infantry.] [Footnote 2: Native Adjutant.] [Footnote 3: A name applied by the Hindus to any Rajput who has, or whose ancestors have, been converted to Islam.