But most of all, I did not try to escape because I found that, if I did so, it would certainly cost my companions their lives.

That was the way that scoundrel Tippoo kept us from making attempts to get off.
"Well, soon after the last of the other captives was murdered, we moved away to Kistnagherry, which was a very difficult place to escape from; and besides, very soon after we got there, I heard of the war with our people, and hoped that they would take the place.

It was, as you may suppose, a terrible disappointment to me when they failed in their attack on it.

Still, I hoped that they would finally thrash Tippoo, and that, somehow, I might get handed over to them.

However, as you know, when peace was made, and Kistnagherry had to be given over, the governor got orders to evacuate it, without waiting for the English to come up to take possession.
"Well, since I have been at Savandroog, I have thought often of trying to get away.