The Tiger of Mysore | Page 5

so notorious,
that "I will tell Dick Holland" became a threat that saved many a boy
from being burned.
Ten days before his conversation with Ben, his mother had said:
"Dick, I can stand this no longer. I have tried to be patient, for six years,
but I can be patient no longer. I feel that another year of suspense
would kill me. Therefore, I have made up my mind to sail at once. The
voyage will take us five months, and perhaps you may have to remain
some little time, at my brother's, before you can start.
"Now that the time is come, I think that perhaps I am about to do wrong,
and that it may cost you your life. But I cannot help it, Dick. I dream of
your father almost every night, and I wake up thinking that I hear him
calling upon me to help him. I feel that I should go mad, if this were to
last much longer."
"I am ready, Mother," the boy said, earnestly. "I have been hoping, for
some time, that you would say you would start soon; and though I have
not, of course, the strength of a man, I think that will be more than
made up by the advantage I should have, as a boy, in looking for my
father; and at any rate, from what you tell me, I should think that I am
quite as strong as an average native of your country.
"Anyhow, Mother, I am sure that it will be best for us to go now. It
must have been awful for you, waiting all this time; and though you
have never said anything about it, I have noticed for a long time that
you were looking ill, and was sure that you were worrying terribly.
What would be the use of staying any longer? I should not be very
much stronger in another year than I am now, and a year would seem
an age, to Father."
And so it was settled, and Mrs. Holland at once began to make
preparations for their departure. She had already, without saying
anything to Dick, given notice that she should give up the house. She
had, during the six years, saved a sum of money amply sufficient for
the expenses of the journey and outfit, and she had now only to order

clothes for herself and Dick, and to part with her furniture.
Ben, on his return, had heard with grave apprehension that she was
about to carry out her intention; but, as he saw that any remonstrance
on his part would be worse than useless, he abstained from offering any,
and warmly entered into her plans. After an hour's talk, he had
proposed to Dick to go out for a stroll with him.
"I am glad to have a talk with you, Ben," Dick said. "Of course, I have
heard, from Mother, what you told her when you came home; but I
shall be glad to hear it from you, so as to know exactly how it all was.
You know she feels sure that Father is still alive. I should like to know
what your opinion really is about it. Of course, it will make no
difference, as I should never say anything to her; but I should like to
know whether you think there is any possibility of his being alive."
To this Ben had replied as already related. He was silent when Dick
asserted that, desperate or not, he intended to carry out his mother's
plan.
"I would not say as I think it altogether desperate, as far as you are
concerned," he said thoughtfully. "It don't seem to me as there is much
chance of your ever getting news of your father, lad; and as to getting
him out of prison, if you do come to hear of him; why, honest, I would
not give a quid of 'baccy for your chance; but I don't say as I think that
it is an altogether desperate job, as far as you are concerned, yourself.
Talking their lingo as you do, it's just possible as you might be able to
travel about, in disguise, without anyone finding you out; especially as
the Rajah, your uncle, ought to be able to help you a bit, and put you in
the way of things, and perhaps send some trusty chap along with you.
There is no doubt you are strong for your age, and being thin, and
nothing but muscle, you would pass better as a native than if you had
been thick and chunky. My old woman tells me as you have a regular
name as a fighter, and that you have given a lesson to many a bully in
the neighbourhood. Altogether, there