A few seconds sufficed to give the soldier (who was no other than our friend John Blunt) an idea of what was wanted; he raised his lance and waved it wildly towards his comrades, some of whom instantly spurred up to join him; while Henry implored one of the soldiers to dismount, lend him his horse and sword, so that he might be on the spot to rescue his sister. The good-natured fellow consented; Henry hastily buckled on the heavy sabre; jumped into the saddle; joined Blunt and three others who were advancing on the hackery at a rapid pace, and began to feel that at last. there was a chance of salvation for both of them. In a very brief time they had come up parallel with the hackery. Blunt counselled their getting in advance of it, lest if Sooltan saw them following he might suspect something, examine his cargo, and murder the girl in revenge. Then they made for a tope of trees, which they were fortunate enough to get round without being observed, and placing the lad behind them, in order that his dress might not be recognised, they advanced towards the hackery as if they were a scouting party returning to Ghuznee from a reconnaissance. But when they got within a short distance of Meer Sooltan, the sharp scoundrel detected Henry Merton's Affghan disguise. Quick as thought he jumped off his cart with a loud cry of treachery; seized from under his seat a sharp-edged tulwar,* and rushed to the back. "Forward!" shouted John Blunt, clapping spurs to his horse on the first suspicious movement of Sooltan; but quick as he was, the brother was quicker; his light weight was nothing on the fine troop-horse that carried him; he dashed far ahead of the lancers; and just as the brutal Meer Sooltan had raised his tulwar to murder Amy in the fearful revenge of his heart at being outwitted, he was cut to the ground by Henry Merton, and the twins of Ghuznee were saved! Blunt, who first came up, drove his spear through the Affghan as he lay on the ground, weltering in his blood, thus giving the coup de grace to one who deserved no better. Henry jumped off his horse to free his sister, and in a few seconds she was in his arms, and folded to his heart. There is little more to tell. The strangely-recovered pair were escorted back to Ghuznee by Blunt and another lancer, were handed over to the main-guard, and in another hour were claimed by their father who formed one of the invading force, and who welcomed his children as only a father can after such a time of peril and danger. In his tent, too, they found the faithful Nanoo, who had travelled day and night until *Tulwar, i.e., native sword, of excellent temper and edge. |