"Our tale, that we are shikarees, will not do here.

Had that really been our object, we should have stopped at the first place we came to, and, at any rate, we should not have come beyond the jungle.

We might still say that we are shikarees, but that tigers had become scarce on the other side of the hills, and, hearing a talk that Tippoo and the English are going to war with each other, we made up our minds to go to Seringapatam, and enlist in his army." "That would do very well," Surajah agreed.

"They would have no reason for doubting us, and even if the officer here were to suggest that we should enlist under him, we could do so, as there would be no difficulty in slipping away, and making off into the jungle again." They waited until the sun set, and then walked on into the village.
They had scarcely entered, when two armed men stopped them, and questioned them whence they came.
Surajah repeated the story they had agreed upon, and the men appeared quite satisfied.
"You will be just in time," one said.

"We have news that the sultan has just moved, with his army, to Seringapatam.