Chapter 12: A Murderous Attempt.
Handsome rooms, with a suite of attendants, were assigned to Charlie
in the rajah's palace; and he was formally appointed commander of his
forces. The four Sepoys were appointed to junior ranks, as was also
Tim Kelly; who, however, insisted on remaining in the position of
chief attendant upon his master; being, in fact, a sort of majordomo
and valet in one, looking after his comforts when in the palace, and
accompanying him as personal guard whenever he rode out.
"You niver know, yer honor, what these natives may be up to. They'll
smile with you one day, and stab ye the next. They're treacherous
varmint, yer honor, if you do but give 'em the chance."
At first, Charlie perceived that his position excited some jealousy in
the minds of those surrounding the rajah. He therefore did all in his
power to show to them that he, in no way, aspired to interfere in the
internal politics or affairs of the little state--that he was a
soldier and nothing more. He urged upon the rajah, who wished to have
him always by him, that it was far better that he should appear to
hold aloof, and to avoid all appearance of favouritism, or of a desire
to obtain dominance in the counsels of the rajah.
Pages:
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214