Batoor was waiting for Jack at the camp. "I thought the Rajah would throw you to the elephants," he said.
"So did I." Jack forced a smile.
"What happens now, sir?" O"Neill asked.
"We try to ransom the prisoners." Jack lifted his head. "Can you hear firing?"
"Yes, sir. It"s been going on half the night. Not constant, just every half hour or so and then it fades away again, maybe depends on the wind."
"That might be our boys," Jack said. "I heard musketry earlier but thought nothing of it. As far as I"m aware, the only British unit near here is Elliot. Forget the prisoners for the present, O"Neill. We"re heading to the temple."
"Yes, sir. How about the camels?"
"We"re taking them too; I"ll be damned before I give the pandies a present of our loot."
O"Neill grinned. "Yes, sir. The pan
