However, there was no choice in the matter, and Surajah cheered him by saying: "You must not mind, Dick.

Has not everything turned out for the best?
And you may be sure that this will turn out so, also." It was, indeed, but two days later that Dick congratulated himself upon the change, for Surajah was sent by Tippoo with an order for the execution of four English prisoners.

Dick knew nothing of the matter until Surajah, on his return, told him that he had been obliged to stop and see the orders carried out, by poison being forced down the unfortunate officers' throats.
"It was horrible," he said, with tears in his eyes.
"Horrible!" Dick repeated.

"Thank God I have been put to other work, for I feel that I could not have done it.

And yet, to have refused to carry out the tyrant's orders would have meant death to us both, while it would not have saved the lives of these poor fellows.