So Rama and Hoonamunta, with all their monkey host, took up their march for Lunka.

When they came to the sea (which is the Gulf of Manaar) there was no bridge; but Rama mounted the back of Hoonamunta, and called to the host to follow him; and all the monkeys leaped across.

Then immediately they fell upon Lunka; and Rama slew Rawunna, the Monster, and rescued the delighted Seeta.

And now those three sit together on a throne in heaven,—­Seeta, the faithful wife, on the left hand of Rama,—­and Hoonamunta on his right hand, the shrewd and courageous friend.

Who would not be a monkey in Hindostan?

* * * * *

THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW.

  Oh, that last day in Lucknow fort! 
    We knew that it was the last,
  That the enemy’s lines crept surely on,
    And the end was coming fast.

  To yield to that foe was worse than death,
    And the men and we all worked on;
  It was one day more of smoke and roar,
    And then it would all be done.

  There was one of us, a corporal’s wife,
    A fair, young, gentle thing,
  Wasted with fever in the siege,
    And her mind was wandering.

  She lay on the ground, in her Scottish plaid,
    And I took her head on my knee: 
  “When my father comes hame frae the pleugh,” she said,
    “Oh! then please wauken me.”

  She slept like a child on her father’s floor
    In the flecking of woodbine-shade,
  When the house-dog sprawls by the open door,
    And the mother’s wheel is staid.

  It was smoke and roar and powder-stench,
    And hopeless waiting for death;
  And the soldier’s wife, like a full-tired child,
    Seemed scarce to draw her breath.

  I sank to sleep; and I had my dream
    Of an English village-lane,
  And wall and garden;—­but one wild scream
    Brought me back to the roar again.

  There Jessie Brown stood listening
    Till a sudden gladness broke
  All over her face, and she caught my hand
    And drew me near, as she spoke:—­

  “The Hielanders!  Oh! dinna ye hear
    The slogan far awa? 
  The McGregor’s?  Oh!  I ken it weel;
    It’s the grandest o’ them a’!

  “God bless thae bonny Hielanders! 
    We’re saved! we’re saved!” she cried;
  And fell on her knees; and thanks to God
    Flowed forth like a full flood-tide.

  Along the battery-line her cry
    Had fallen among the men,
  And they started back;—­they were there to die;
    But was life so near them, then?

  They listened for life; the rattling fire
    Far off, and the far-off roar,
  Were all; and the colonel shook his head,
    And they turned to their guns once more.

  But Jessie said, “The slogan’s done;
    But winna ye hear it noo,
  The Campbells are comin’?  It’s no a dream;
    Our succors hae broken through!”