The Rajah's Fortress — page 286: what you’re looking at

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

THE RAJAHS FORTRESS. 271 that had served at many a banquet in Nana Sahib’s stately palace in those careless days of revelry that preceded the mutiny. Wine cups that had touched the lips of brave men and fair women, lips that one short week later were silenced forever by their treacherous host. ‘‘There is enough treasure here to enrich a whole army,’’ said Loyd. ‘‘Treat your eyes, for it’s not likely you’ll ever own any of it.’’ ‘*Put it away,’’ said Guy briefly. This was the last chest. Some long wooden cases remained, and these, when opened, turned out to contain claret and hock, spoils plundered from some military station. There was also a case of English biscuit that were seized on eagerly. The day was now far advanced. All seemed quiet outside. No attempt at an attack had been made, and fortified by the possession of the biscuit and the soda water, they dared to hope that some escape would offer yet. Chauner’s condition was more favorable. He had taken a little nourishment, and under Loyd’s care his wound was free from inflammation. Loyd himself had received a bullet in the fleshy part of his left arm, but it gave him no trouble. The treasure chests were piled up in one corner of the room, and Topee at once appointed himself their special guardian. It was strange how the greed for money had stifled the Chinaman’s fear. In the intoxication of having all this treasure within his grasp—for he was not at all backward in letting it be known that he claimed a share in it, and indeed he deserved it—he gave no thought to their desperate and hopeless condition, for in spite of Forbes’ confident predictions of aid, it was hope- ess. In the surprise and wonder which they felt over COLUM 1OOO co