from his horse and seizing them by the hand. "My dear boys, this is joy."
The men set up a cheer, which was caught up by the main body as they came up, and in another minute the boys were in their father's arms.
The young Warreners had been mourned as dead, for no one doubted that they had been carried to Cawnpore, and had shared the fate of the garrison of that place; and the joy of their father therefore was intense, while the whole corps, with whom the boys were general favorites, were delighted.
After the first rapturous greeting Major Warrener took off his cap reverently, and said a few words of deep gratitude to God, the men all baring their heads as he did so. Then Captain Kent said:
"Shall I push on to the Ganges, major, with my troop? or perhaps your sons can tell us what we are ordered to find out?"
"What is it?" Ned asked.
"Whether there are any bodies of troops pushing down by the river. It would not do for them to get behind us and threaten our communications."
The boys were able to affirm that there was no body of mutineers near the Ganges below Futtehpore, as they had just come down that way.
"Then we can ride back at once," Major Warrener said. "Major Renaud was on the point of marching when we started, and he will be glad to have us back again. First, though, what have these natives done for you?"
Ned in a few words explained that they came by the instruction of their master, and had been with them for three days.
The major made them a handsome present, and sent a message to the zemindar, to the effect that his kindness
