The corporal was evidently
tired of lying in front of his captives, and probably proposed to
himself an improving game of geography over a mug of cider in the
kitchen, for he had risen and unlocked the door. Serlizer stood by it
with a stout handkerchief in her hand, in the middle of which was
knotted a somewhat soft and unsavoury potato. As Mr. Rigby slipped out,
after a glance at his shackled charges, that potato went across his
month, and was fastened in its place by the handkerchief, firmly, though
quickly, knotted at the back of his neck. The terror of Russians and
Sepoys struggled for liberty, but he was a child in the arms of the
encampment cook. Halters, ropes, and chains of many kinds were hanging
up, and with some of these the Amazon secured her prisoner in a stall.
Then she searched him, retaliating upon the constable the indignities he
had practised on his former victims. Handcuff and padlock keys were
found in his pockets, and with these she silently freed her venerable
father, who, in his turn, delivered young Rawdon from his bonds. "Now,
you two," said the rescuer, quietly, "go round the end of the stables,
cross the road into the bush beyont, and leg out fast as ye can.
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