Making their way straight through the town, which covered a large extent of ground, they reached the palace, a noble building built upon a rock that rose abruptly from the plain.

Ascending the steep path leading to the gate, the party entered the courtyard.
Here the captives remained in charge of the horsemen, while the leader went in to report to the rajah.
[Illustration: View of the Rajah's Palace, Bhurtpoor.] Presently he came out, with four of the rajah's guard, and these led Harry and Abdool into the audience chamber.

The rajah, with a number of personal attendants, entered and took his seat.
"You are an officer in the English army.

What is your rank ?" the rajah said in Mahratti.
"I am a major." "Of what regiment ?" "I am on the personal staff of the general." "And this man ?" "He is a native officer, at present commanding a portion of the general's escort." "How was it that you were alone, last night ?" "I had ridden to Agra, the day before; and was too late, in starting back, to gain the camp before it was dark.

I lost my way and, finding that we were in the heart of the morass, we were obliged to wait till morning." "It is well that you did not try to get out.