On the day after leaving Vellore, the general sent an orderly to request the Rajah and his nephew to ride with him.
"I have not had an opportunity of hearing of your scouting expedition," he said to Dick, "and shall be glad if you will give me full details of it." Dick related the adventure, from the time they had started.
"You were wonderfully lucky, in getting back safely," the general said, when he had finished.

"At least, luck is not the proper word, for your safety was due to your quick wittedness and courage; and your escape with your companion from the guard house, the manner in which you got through the fort in the pass, and your defence of that hut, until the Rajah's troop arrived to your rescue, were all of them admirably managed." He then proceeded to inquire further into the object for which Dick had come out to India.
"I heartily wish you success in your search," he said, "and sincerely hope we may obtain news of your father.

I do not know what your intentions may be, afterwards, but should you wish to enter the army, I will at once nominate you to a commission, in one of our native cavalry regiments." "I am deeply obliged to your Excellency," Dick replied, "but as, if we learn nothing of my father during the war, I am quite resolved to spend, if necessary, some years in Mysore in the search for him, I must therefore be free to devote my time to that." "At any rate," the general said, "if at any time you should feel free to accept my offer, it will be open to you.

In the meantime, I will appoint you one of the interpreters to the army, during the expedition, and will attach you to my own staff.

It will give you a recognised position, and it is only right that, as you are doing good service, you should receive pay.