Soyera was carried in a dhoolie, and followed close behind the troopers.
That evening they descended the Ghauts into the Concan and encamped there and, on the following day, rode into Bombay; where Mr.Malet took them to an hotel, principally used by natives of rank visiting Bombay.
"You had best stay here, till I send for you," he said, to Harry.
"I shall see some of the Council tonight.

No doubt there will be a formal meeting, tomorrow, to ask my opinion about the probability of the present state of things continuing at Poona.

I shall, of course, tell them your story; and they will likely request you to go, at once, to see them; therefore, do not leave the hotel until you hear from me." Sufder had not previously visited Bombay, and the next morning early he went out, with Soyera as his guide, to inspect the European part of the town.

He was much struck with the appearance of neatness and order in the fort, and the solidity of the buildings.
"It is a strong place, assuredly," he said to Harry, on his return.
"In the first place, it would be necessary for a force attacking it to cross over the narrow isthmus, and causeway, uniting the island with the land; and that would be impossible, in face of a force provided with artillery guarding it.

Then, if they succeeded in winning that, they would have to make their way through the native town to get on to the maidan; and this would be defended by the guns from all the batteries and, in addition to the artillery on land, it might be swept by guns on board ship.