The Rajah's Fortress — page 242: what you’re looking at

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

THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. 229 Taking him by one arm and half dragging him along. Topee started on the return journey. He traversed a yard or two, and then came to a sudden halt. This he repeated twice. He had lost his bearings. In the meantime the noise without had swelled, and was coming closer. All was silent in the corridor, and the guards, terrified half out of their wits, had no doubt re- treated outside. The wretched Chinaman made another effort to find his way, and this time bumped into the cannon. Guy, obedient as a child, submitted to be led. Still deaf from the explosion, and half choked by the floating dust and powder, Topee grasped the cannon wheel and confusedly tried to recollect which was the right direction. It was nouse. He was plainly lost. Doubly lost indeed, for rapid footsteps and confused voices were heard close at hand. At this most exciting moment an unexpected thing happened. The curtain was suddenly flung back, revealing to Topee’s delighted gaze the open- ing in the wall, lit up by the gleam of the fire beyond. Chauner, instead of seeking safety in flight, had bravely come forward to investigate, and had thus unconsciously become their salvation. With a low sound, expressive of satisfaction, Topee half rose and dragged Guy behind him to the entrance. COLUM 1OOO SS co