Page:The Wreck.djvu/115

THE WRECK

III

e those of a party like our own returning from a Adding. They are Rajputs of our own race and are orting a bride to her husband's home with an armed tinue. The road is unsafe so they crave your High- mess's protection and pray that you will convey them a part of the way.'

"The prince answered, It is a righteous duty to succour those who seek our protection; let us defend them to the best of our power,' and so the two parties joined forces.

"The third night was the last of the dark fortnight. Ahead lay a range of hills and behind was a thick forest. The weary soldiers were soon deep in repose, lulled to sleep by the chirping of crickets and the sound of falling waters.

"Then in an instant such a din arose as startled them all from their slumbers. In the Madura camp horses were galloping about madly for some one had cut their picketing ropes. Here and there a tent was blazing and its flames reddened the moonless sky.

"The warriors perceived in a moment that they had been attacked by brigands. A desperate melee fol- lowed. In the darkness it was difficult to distinguish friend from foe and hopeless confusion was the re- sult. Under cover of the tumult the brigands sacked the camp and disappeared into the mountains with their booty.

"When the fight was over the princess was nowhere to be seen. She had fled in terror from the camp and had joined a party of fugitives in the belief that they were her own people.

"As a matter of fact these fugitives belonged to the other bridal party. In the confusion the brigands had carried off the bride whom they were escorting, but they assumed that the princess Chandra was their charge and marched off with her at top-speed to their own land.

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