The Rajah's Fortress — page 175: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

164 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. be turned on the foe if they once got under the walls in boats. There was no danger of a sudden surprise, for two of the savages were on duty at a point up the valley, where the approach of the enemy could be easily discovered. Melton was really anxious to leave the castle, believing that he could reach the Chindwin in safety. He felt that Bolton was in serious peril on his account, and at times almost made up his mind to deliver himself up to Pandy on condition that no harm came to his host; but he never stuck to that determination long at a time. It was early on Saturday morning that the dacoit messengers had paid their visit. Sunday was passed very quietly and with due regard to the day, for Bolton produced a well worn Bible, and read it with more earnestness, perhaps, than he had ever done before. It seemed as though imminent peril was hanging over them, and the night was a long and restless one. Monday dawned without alarm, and the day wore on slowly. No word came from the spies up the valley, so it was reasonable to suppose that the enemy were yet distant. Not for an instant did Bolton imagine that Pandy had given the affair up. He knew his nature too well for that. As evening approached, he grew un- easy about his spies. Well as he knew these sav- age dacoits, he had under-estimated their cunning. Even while he stood on the stockade looking up COLUM 1OOO SS co