"You had best go into the mess tent, and hold a durbar." The tent was soon filled with the officers, with the exception of the chief of the staff, who had been sent for by the general.
"In the first place, Lindsay," one of the officers said, "we take it that you have come on a mission from the rajah.

Does he mean to surrender ?" "He is willing to surrender, if the terms are not too onerous." The announcement was received with a loud cheer.

There was not one present but believed that the next assault would be successful, but the cost of the previous attacks had been so great that it was believed the city would not be taken, unless with great slaughter.
The unhealthiness of the country had told upon their spirits, even more than the repulses; and the news that they would soon be able to march away created the deepest satisfaction.
"And now, for your own adventures, Lindsay." "My adventures began and ended in a swamp.

It was four o'clock before the convoy left Agra, and I then rode on fast till it was night, when I was still five or six miles from the camp.

It was pitch dark, and we lost our way and, presently, found ourselves in a deep swamp, and could discover no way of getting out of it." Then he told them of the attack; how they had been obliged to surrender and had been guided out of the morass.
"When we reached the rajah's palace, all our troubles were ended.