Chapter 5 Summary

The lancers herd the deserters into Seringapatam, and they see how heavily fortified it is. High walls surround the entire city along with various defensive structures meant to deflect cannonballs and give soldiers protection. The lancers turn the deserters over to a detachment of guards who lock them in a guard house. The next morning they are taken into a large courtyard in which six large tigers are chained. Colonel Gudin introduces himself.

Gudin questions Sharpe and Lawford about their reasons for desertion. He determines that the deserters have no useful information and calls for a doctor to treat Sharpe's flogging wounds. Tippoo arrives with McCandless and talks about the deserters with Gudin, then challenges Sharpe to shoot McCandless as a test of sincerity. Sharpe loads the offered musket, walks straight up to McCandless and pulls the trigger. The musket does not fire...