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 sepoys he had defeated 14,700 rebels; 2,153 of whom had been killed, 1,223 wounded, and seven taken prisoner. Only the last item of the report was really true; but the captain felt as if he had won the battle of Blenheim. His excessive pride in this achievement caused him to strut about with the air of a conqueror. And so he advised Mr. Dunniworth:

"I have quelled the rebellion. Now you may send for your wife and children at Calcutta."

"Splendid advice indeed," Mr. Dunniworth answered. "But, please stay here for another ten days. Let the country get quieter still, and then I shall send for them."

Mr. Dunniworth's pantry was full of rare and delicious foodstuffs, and he had an expert cook. So Captain Thomas cheerfully began to take the fullest advantage of Mr. Dunniworth's hospitality.

Bhavan, on the other hand, was becoming impatient to conquer Captain Thomas, and thus acquire the title of Sambarari II. "We are sure to destroy these alien aggressors some day," Bhavan said to himself. "Let them gather together as they grow in number. We must stay away from them, and they will grow even more careless." So the Children did not display even a sign of their existence. And the Captain ate and drank plentifully and slept well.

Captain Thomas was exceedingly fond of hunting. Occasionally he ventured forth into the jungles around Shibgram. He was a fearless man. In strength and courage he was unrivalled among the English in India. Once 146