The Jungle Fugitives | Page 6

it," was the reply of the doctor. "I know the breed; I
have twice been the means of saving his life through my medicines,
and Mary nursed him for three weeks when he was suffering from a
fever."
"Yon may be doing him an injustice," ventured Jack Everson, to whom
the judgment of his friend seemed bitter.
"I wish I could think so, but, Mary, if you can provide us with
something in the way of food, Mr. Everson and I will get the things
together that we are to take with us."
Dr. Marlowe wisely decided not to burden themselves with
unnecessary luggage. Jack took from his trunk a few needed articles
and stowed them into a travelling bag whose supporting strap could be
flung over one shoulder. Though a physician himself, admitted to
practice, he had brought none of his instruments with him, for the good
reason that he saw no sense in doing so. Into the somewhat larger bag
of the elder doctor were placed his most delicate instruments and
several medical preparations, mostly the results of his experiments.
They were too precious to be lost if there was any way of preserving
them. Mary packed her articles in a small travelling bag, the strap of
which she, too, flung over her shoulder, though Jack asked to be
allowed to relieve her.
It was after the hurried meal had been eaten by lamplight that the three
completed their preparations for departure. That to which they paid the
most attention was their means of defense. Jack Everson had brought a
plentiful supply of cartridges for his superb breechloader; and the belt
was already secured around his body. Dr. Marlowe never allowed his
supply of ammunition to run low, so that the two were well supplied in
that respect.

Jack was pleased to find that the revolver belonging to Mary Marlowe
was of the same calibre as his own, so that the cartridges could be used
indiscriminately.
"I remember," he said to her, when the parent was just beyond hearing,
"that you were quite skillful with your weapon."
"Not specially so, but what skill I gained is due to your tuition."
"Not so much to that as to the aptness of the pupil."
"Your remark is more gallant than true, but I hope I shall not be called
upon to use this weapon as you used yours awhile ago."
"Such is my prayer, but if the necessity arises do not hesitate."
"Be assured I shall not," she replied, with a flash of her fine eyes and a
compression of her lips.
CHAPTER V.
COMPANIONS IN FLIGHT.
Everything needed having been gathered, the lamps were extinguished,
and with the physician in the lead, the three passed out of the front door
to the veranda. The doctor decided to leave the door unfastened, since it
was useless to secure it.
Suddenly, when the doctor was about to give the word to move, he saw
a shadowy figure in the direction of the river.
"Sh!" he whispered; "it looks as if we had waited too long; some one is
approaching. Be ready to use your gun or to retreat into the house if
necessary to fight it out there."
"It is a white man," said the daughter in an undertone; "he may be a
patient."
It was clear by this time that the stranger was not a native, for he was

dressed in civilized costume and his gait was that of a European. He did
not perceive the silent figures until within a few paces of the veranda,
when he paused abruptly, as if startled.
"Good evening," he said in English. "Is this Dr. Marlowe?"
"It is; who are you?"
"My name is Anderson; I was looking for you."
"In what way can I serve you?"
"You have heard the news, I suppose," said the man, keeping his
position, and looking up to the three, who were now all on the edge of
the veranda; "the native soldiers at Meerut mutinied yesterday, killed
most of their officers, plundered the city, slaying every white person
they could find, after which most of them hurried to Delhi."
"You bring dreadful tidings; I had heard nothing definite, but suspected
all that you have told me. Are you alone and why do you come to me?"
"I fled with my wife and two other families, Turner and Wharton, from
the outskirts of Meerut as soon as there seemed a chance for us. We
made our way to the river, found a boat and paddled to this place, for
we had no sail and there was scarcely any wind."
"Where are your friends?"
"I left them by the edge of the river in the boat, promising to rejoin
them in a few minutes."
"Have you no companions, but those