The rain had ceased; the moon was shining through the clouds.
"It will be down by twelve o'clock," Tollemache said.

"I should think, most likely, they will wait for that.

They will think that we shall not be able to take aim at them, in the darkness; and that they will manage to get to the foot of the hill, without loss." When they reached the platform in front of the pagoda, their syces took their horses.

Meinik had begged Stanley to let him take his groom's place on this occasion and, laying aside the dress he ordinarily wore, assumed the light attire of an Indian syce, and had run behind the horses with the others.

He had a strong desire to see the fighting, but his principal motive in asking to be allowed to accompany Stanley was that, although greatly impressed with what he had seen of the drill and discipline of the white and native regiments, he could not shake off his faith in the Invulnerables; and had a conviction that the pagoda would be captured, and therefore wished to be at hand, to bring up Stanley's horse at the critical moment, and to aid him to escape from the assailants.
Fires were burning, as usual, at several points on the terrace.