There is no hurry for it." By this time, the Rajah had become convinced that it was useless to try and dissuade either his sister or Dick from attempting the enterprise for which they had come over.

Possibly, the earnest conviction of the former that her husband was still alive influenced him to some extent, and the strength and activity of Dick showed him that he was able to play the part of a man.

He said little, but watched the boy closely, made him go through trials of strength with some of his troopers, and saw him practise with blunted swords with others.

Dick did well in both trials, and the Rajah then requested Anwar, who was celebrated for his skill with the tulwar, to give him, daily, half-an-hour's sword play, after his riding lesson.

He himself undertook to teach him to use the rifle and pistol.
Dick threw himself into his work with great ardour, and in a very short time could sit any horse in the stable, and came to use a rifle and pistol with an amount of accuracy that surprised his young cousins.
"The boy is getting on wonderfully well," the Rajah said one day to his sister.