THE FUGITIVES OF BUDRAGAON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2088, 1 March 1894, Page 39

THE FUGITIVES OF BUDRAGAON.

.» . . A STORY OF THE INDIAN MUTINY. By Colonel Mobbis. Chapter VI. Rajoo's Story. I grandfather, sahib, was a descendant of the old Rajahs of the Northern Circars, and when the great Wellesley Sahib called for recruits to form one of his new regiments my grandfather presented himself with 50 men from his subah. These were enrolled as a knmpani in the new regiment, and he was appointed the aubadar in command. The regiment saw plenty of service against' the Peishwa and Mahrattas. They were engaged at the battle of Assaye, and to this day the regiment carries the elephant on their colours. As long as the war lasted my grandfather was bappy and contented. The pay was not much, but then there was always plenty of loot and free living. When days of peace came he retired to his old fort. He coald not stand garrison duty, bat he sent one of his younger sons — my father — to take his place. My father remained on as a native officer until he was old and his pension was due, bat most of the well born natives left the army, and men were raised from the ranks to the higher grades of native officers. My father was too poor to go, and he was told that he was provided for, and not wanted in his native village. In due course I also entered the same regiment as a private. I may say now, sahib, I was a smart, active man, and, as many of the men were from our country and knew my birth and descent, I was looked up to and respected ; so that whilst still a young man I was promoted first to naik and then to havildar. At this time I was sent by my father to my own village to get a wife, and one — indeed a relative — was given to me. What can I say of my Lutchmemah ? She was fair as the full moon, and my heart turned to water with love for her ! I carried her back with me to Hyderabad, where my regiment was then stationed, and for some months we lived like the bulbul and rose.

" Sahib, I had one great passion, and that was for shikar. To stand before an angry tiger — to glance along the long barrel of my matchlock, and then just when be was about to spring to lay him low with a ball through the brain. This was to me such joy that I cannot express it.

•' There was one officer in the regiment to whom I especially attached myself — Captain Barker sahib. He was a man after my own heart. He was never so happy as when out alone in the jungle after the elephant, buffalo, and bison, or helping the poor villagers by ridding them of some man-eating tiger which kept them in constant fear for their lives. He was the captain of my kumpani, and whenever he went out shooting I always accompanied him, and generally carried his second gun, although if the sport was especially darigerous he would allow me instead to take my matchlock and assist him. Every yeai we would go away for two or three months, now north now south, visiting the Nirlum jungles in Central India or the great jungles in Travancore.

" One year, one unlucky year when my evil star was in the ascendant, we had been away a long time in the Wynaad and returned late at night, making a forced march to get to our homes. I set off at once for my house, anticipating the joy of once more clasping my Lutchmemah to my breast. Conceive my horror, sahib, when I found the house black and shut up. My aged father met me at the door of his house where, I went for intelligence, and forbade me to enter. My wife, sahib, had gone off with another man. The wife of a Razu ! Until the dishonour was wiped off my name I was an outcaste 1 My father's bouse and those of my blood were closed tome. I tore off the sacred thread I wore as a kshatrjab, and vowed that I would never return until the disgrace was wiped out with blood 1 I took nothing with me but a native talwar, bound a handkerchief over my turband, and set out on my quest. The guilty couple knew the peril they were in and had taken every precaution to hide their trail ; but, sahib, I was like a hound on the track of a deer — untiring, persistent, and with all my senses keenly alive. I followed the faintest clve — months I pursued after them, and at last, at last, I tracked them to a distant village near Oonjeveram. You may be sure I did nothing to let them know of my presence, or they would either have fled once more or called in the neighbours.

" The house was at a distance from any other. At midnight I crept to the door. With a mighty effort I burst it open, and in a moment I towered above the wicked pair ! Sahib, the man simply fell on his knees without a word, his tongue clove to the roof of bis mouth from fear. ' Die ! die 1 vile adulterer,' I cried ; ' thus a Razu avenges his honour!' and with one blow I almost

severed his head from his body. I then turnei to the guilty woman. Sahib, my liver turned to water as I gazed on her — she who had lain on my breast, whose lips I had kissed so often. My heart failed me, and 1 threw down the sword. I seized her by the hhoulders — as she looked up into my face her eyes starting and her pretty lips half open ! All the old love surged back on me I •Oh Lutchmemah 1 Maimoonah ! light of my eyes and soul of my soul, what is this thou hast done ? ' Then she caught at my jacket. • Sahib, I was mad— l was possessed I ' she cried. •It was thee, thee only, that I loved 1 Ob, my lord, my lord! why wert thou so frequently absent? That coward, villain used charms. He sent a devil into me, and hence I fled with him. Oh, slay me not, my lord 1 I will ever serve thee as the meanest slave I ' As she spoke, Khodawand, she smiled into my face. She thought she had conquered me with her charms ; but the thought orossed my mind that just so she had smiled on the vile carrion at my feet. My eyes were filled with blood ; all grew red before me. I I pressed my lips again and again on those pouting red lips, and then I shouted, 'ARajoo's wife must be pure, or die ! ' and my hand closed on the throat I had fondled so often and choked out the life I would have given my own to save 1 " Here the old man stopped, overcome with bis recollections, whilst all sat silently and compassionately by. " I know not what happened afterwards, sahib. I was senseless. When I came to myself I was in the middle of Mysore — hundreds of miles from the scene of the tragedy. My hair was long and matted, my beard long and unkempt, my nails like bird's claws — wretched, thin, and in rags. I had been kept alive by the charity of the villagers, who regard one visited by madness as under the special protection of God. After some days I started and beggei my way to Hyderabad. The regiment was still there, and late one night I found my way to Captain Barker's house. He had just returned from Mess. I crawled to his feet and told him all my story. Sahib, his heart was filled with heavenly pity for me. I saw it well up into his eyes, and fall in tears upon me. I seized his ankles with my hands and laid my head on his feet. He raised me from the ground and spoke. ' Rajoo,' he said. • You must not go near the regimental lines. You have been reported as a deserter, and warrants are out for you. If you are taken you will have to account for your absence. Already you are suspected of killing your wife, for her death is known in the lines.' He went to his desk and returned with a bag of rupees. 'Here, take this,' be said, 'you remember the village among the Ghonds, near Nirmu, where we killed the man-eating tigreas ? Find your way there and wait for me. Tell the villagers that I am coming shortly. You will be quite safe there in the midst of the jungles, and when I arrive we will see what can be done.'

" There were no less than 50 rupees, sahib, in the bag, and I had no longer any reason to beg. I started at once, and with an occasional lift from an empty cart, found my way to the village he mentioned. When he arrived, sahib, he told me that I could not return to Madras, for the pursuit was hot after me ; bat he bought for me this matchlock you see. He would have given me an English gun, but what should I have done for cartridges or percussion caps, and he advised me to live in the jungles and earn my living as a shikaree. A little powder and lead was aft that I required. And then we went out shooting together. One day, when we were out in the Berar jungles, my master, my lord, was following a herd of bison. We were separated, but not far apart, when we came to an open glade in the jungle, and there was a large solitary bull. I need not tell you, sahib, that these solitary bulls are more dangerous than others. He lurned and faced Barker sahib, who at once fired at him. The ball struck him on the ridge of bone between the horns. Three inches lower, and it would have penetrated to the brain ; but the bone is thick there. The bull fell on bis knees, but in a moment rose again. The captain sahib, fired again. Just as he fired the brute lowered his head, and the ball scored a long furrow along his back, and then the brute charged. The captain sahib, held out his hand for his second gun, but the lascar who carried it bolted. May his grave and the graves of his ancestors be defiled I "

And as he spoke old Rajoo spat on the ground.

11 Oh, why was not I there in my proper place with that second gun?" he wailed. "Had I been there my lord would have stopped the beast in his charge ; but God's will be done! How can I tell yau, sahib, what happened. My lord waited for the charge, and as the bull drew near he sprang to one side. Alas! alas! his foot struck against a stone or root, and the sahib fell. Before he could recover himself the bison was on him. I heard the shouts of the people, • The sahib is killed— is killed I ' and I ran to the spot. That bull killed no more sahibs 1 I shot him with my matchlock, and burnt his heart and liver in the fire I But my master, my friend, my lord, was dead 1 He was trampled almost out of recognition. I had the body placed in a litter, and sent it down by his servants to the nearest station, and then I shouldered my matchlock and wandered north. I built myself a hut in the jungle in Bundlecund, and for some 12 or 13 years lived peacefully there. I had no difficulty in making some money. The sirkar paid me well for my tiger and cheetah skins, and the sahibs would buy my peafowl or ducks and snipe.

"Two years ago I thought it would be well to get another wife. My hut and garden were quite large enough now, and if I fell sick or grew old I bad no one to attend me. I therefore) went down south once more. I avoided the places I had once known, and as I had some 500 rupees with me I had no difficulty in finding another wife. With Ohiniamah I have been happy for two years, and God has blessed us with a little son, and had it not been for these rascally Bepoys (whom I spit upon," suiting the action to the word) " all wonld have been well. Now sahib, I have to prepare another home somewhere after, with God's help, we shall have brought you safely amongst your own people." " Well, Rajoo," returned Scott as the old man ceased to speak, "you have had hard times of it, and I do not blame you over much. The fact is we English make one great mistake, We impose upon you laws

which are good and wholesome laws in themselves, but we forget or ignore the fact that you have already laws of your own, and often when in following the unwritten, but thoroughly well-known, laws of your custom you infringe our English laws, we hold you as a lawless race."

•'Well, perbap3 so, sahib," returned the shikaree. "By the custom of our caste the husband is not only permitted, but expected, to visit with death unfaithfulness on the part oE a wife. Had I failed to avenge my honour I would have remained an outcaste. Now, however, I have regained from the Brahmin priests my sacred thread," drawing it up as he spoke from under his coat and showing it. " For all that, sahib, had I been taken and tried the English judge would have condemned me, and I should certainly have been hanged 1" " Well, Raj 00, as far as that goes you are liable to trial now, so I need not caution you not to tell this tale to others. With us you are quite safe —we owe you too deep a debt of gratitude to betray you." "Yes, sahib, yes I I know an English officer can always be trusted." " Well," muttered Scott below his breath, " I wish they could ; but I am afraid it is not always the case—mores the pity." The day dragged on its slow length. The small party, rested and refreshed by* the quiet and uneventful day, together with an ample supply of food cooked and brought to them by the smiling Chuniamah, were quite prepared to start for what they hoped would prove the last of their midnight marches, as Seonie was now distant only some 15 miles.

.• Chapter VII. Safe at Last. All through that night they marched steadily on without meeting any opposition, and after travelling for some six hours, about 3 a.m. they knew they were within but a mile or so distant from Seoni. Suddenly they heard the sound of many voices, and round the turn of the road there came a number of men, women, and children, with pack bullocks and ponies laden with all their household goods and chattels. These as soon as they saw our wayfarers shouted to them: " Go back 1 go back 1" " Why ? " asked Rajoo. " Why should we turn back 1 We are going to Seoni." "You will be killed! There is a great war! Bullets are flying like hail, and we have fled to save our lives." " A great war 1" asked Rajoo, as though in astonishment. " Why, who is fighting ? " 11 The Feringhees are shut up in the killa (fort), and yesterday the sepoys came, and firing began; to-day they will begin again, so we have cleared out. If you want to save your lives go back!" All this was said without stopping, and soon the whole band had passed, followed by a few stragglers, from whom they ascertained that all the villagers, seized with panic, had vacated the village. Our fugitives pulled up to consult. : "Unfortunate that we did not arrive yesterday," said Price. "We would have got in unmolested. But what are we to do now 1 I have never seen the place." " I know Seoni well, sahib," returned Rajoo. " The small killa is some distance outside the village on the south; the road from Jubbalpore to Allahabad runs past it; whilst this road runs into it through the middle of the village. We don't know the strength of the sepoy force, or if the killa is surrounded or not, If not, we might manage to get in, supposing we can arrive before the attack begins; or we might leave it altogether and try and strike the road lower down, and make for Jubbalpore." This last proposal was not at all agreeable to our fugitives, as they had made up their minds to join the party in Seoni, and moreover it would entail another long journey by night such as they had just come through. " I vote," said Price, " that at anyrate we make the attempt to get into Saoni; those villagers might be mistaken. They seemed in such a funk that half a dozen sepoys would frighten them away 1" " Well," said Sinclair, thoughtfully, " you see I must think of my wife. If it was only ourselves, I would say ' Let ua make a rush for Seoni'; but I will leave it to you fellows to decide. lam sure you will consider my poor wife, and I am not an unbiassed judge." " Considering all things, I think we ought to make an attempt to get into Seoni," said Scott. "It is very doubtful if we could get as far as Jabbalpore, which is a long way off. At the same time we might get to the village, and as it is empty, might hide there if the sepoys are nob very numerous, or at least put Mr 3 Sinclair in a safe place, whilst we look round and see what we should do." To this all agreed, and they pushed on at once as fast as they could, but before they could reach the village the rattle of musketry fell on their ear. The day was just breaking as the sepoys made their attack. At once on reaching the village they turned into a large courtyard which had been hastily vacated. Here Mrs Sinclair, the pony, and Chuniamah were left with Sinclair to protect them. They were placed inside an empty cowshed, where they would be quite safe except from, an especial search, and then, after loading their muskets, the remaining three started out to reconnoitre. The village was a large one, and they were pleased to find that this end, at least, was entirely free from sepoys. It waß now quite light, and it was therefore necessary to be very circumspect how they advanced. Carefully advancing from cover to cover, they pushed on to the further end of the village. All this time the firing was continued —now fierce, and now falling to a dropping fire. As they avoided the main streets, and advanced along the backs of the houses, they at length found themselves in a courtyard with a 6ft mud wall, which was on the skirt of the Allahabad road. Here for tho first time they came within the sound of voices. " What is the good of staying here wasting our time over jthis little killa ? We ought to get on to Allahabad; that's where the loot is. At any rate we can there join the other regiments, and be strong enough to fight the Feringhee. But now we are only few in number."

" Hew I " called out another voice from a distance, " the subadar says you are all to come on." " What for ? " " What for 1 Why, to join in an attack on the killa. He is going to make an assault if he can get the men together." • " Oh, well, he won't gee me. I don't want to be shot down by the Feringhees before I get to Allahabad and Benares, and get some fun and loot." A laugh followed this, and it was evident the men had no intention of obeying their commandant, or of risking the danger of an assault on the mud walls of the fort. Our officers felt almost inclined to laugh at the utter want of discipline displayed by the sepoys, and saw that this augured badly for their fiual success. For a long time, as it seemed, the two officers and Rajoo waited patiently under the wall. The fire had gradually fallen off, and at length ceased altogether, and then the sound of an approaching number of men could be heard. There was first a confused babel of voicss, and then a sentence here and there could be more distinctly heard. "Ho, Havildar Jeel this does nob look well. Here we are, three to one, and we can't turn those European devila out of that tumble-down old fort 1 Why, man, how i s it we could not get the men to join for an assault ? " "Ah, Subadar sahib, times are different now I Look at these medals here. They were won at Meanee and Chillianwalla. We stood then — aye, and charged the seikbs, too, but then these very English officers led us, and with them before us we were ready to follow. But now the men can't trust each other. I know that I myself, old as I am, would be ready to attack, but these fellows would not support me, so I would not attempt it," and then the voices died away, proving that the mutineers had given up the attack on Seoni and had gone on to Allahabad, where there was more chance of fun and loot. For a time our friends awaited patiently, but as the silence proclaimed that all their enemies were really away, they hastened back to the cowshed and courtyard where the rest of the party were awaiting. ' I need hardly say how joyfully the news that the way to the fort was now open to them was received. Finding all quiet— the village almost as silent as a village of the dead — they sallied out, and hastening down the village street, turned into the Grand Trunk road. As they did so, some three or four sepoys, laden with spoil, came out of a large brick house, evidently owned by some wealthy native. It was clear that they had stayed behind the body of rebels to plunder. The 'two parties for a moment stood and gazed in astonishment at one another, then the shikaree shouted : "Kill them! kill theml Let not one escape 1 " The mutineers threw down the bundles they carried, and seized their muskets ; but the English officers were too quick for them. In a moment the shots rang out, and one oE the number fell; the others took to their heels and fled. " We must hurry on now, sahib," cried the shikaree. "Thoße fellows will bring the rebels on us without fail, and the fort is still a quarter of a mile away. See, there it is," pointing to a high wall which could be seen in the distance ; then, turning to Mr 3 Sinclair, and telling her to hold on tight, he Blapped the pony on its flank with the palm of his hand, at the same time shouting to it to get on, and the whole party started off at the double, the pony shambling along under its burden. There was no time for talking now as they hurried on. The walls first and at length the gate of the fort grew plainer and clearer to them, but whilst still several hundred yaids away they heard shouts in their rear followed by several shots. It did seem hard after all they had undergone to be now, within sight an^ almost within reach of the haven they were bound for, recaptured. Looking back, they saw a party of ac least 20 eepoys running after them, most of them carrying their muskets at the trail, whilst now and then one would fall out and atop to fire at them. Hampered as they were with the women and t&e old pony they could not hasten faster than they were doing, and it was inevitable that they must be overtaken before they could reach the gate of the fort. They then were passing a small native hut, which was surrounded by a small garden hedged in with a low mud wall. " Turn in here," cried Scott, and, suiting the action with the word, he led the way into the open gaps in the garden wall, and at once throwing his musket on the top of the wall prepared to fire; an example followed by the others, whilst the women and pony placed themselves in safety under the wall. The sepoys seeing them at bay stopped for a moment, and then, trusting in their superior numbers, began to advance. 41 Now, two only fire at a time," cried Scott ; "the others reserve their fire till they reload. Rajoo and I will fire first. Now, Rajoo I " and, both firing together, two of their assailants fell. Tois seemed to cool the ardour of the others, and they at once retreated some 80yds to consult. " Now," cried Scott, " these muskets only carry well for about 50yds, so aim high and into the brown of them," as be rapidly rammed down another cartridge. Price and Sinclair now fired, and a commotion could bo seen in the crowd of sepoys, showing that the shots had told. Hastily retreating still further, after a few minutes more consultation the sepoys seemed to have decided upon their plan of attack. They opened out into skirmishing order, and then, as though on parade, keeping their line and distance, they slowly advanced, keeping up a steady fire at the heads of our friendß as they showed over the wall. One by one they fired, giving each other time to reload bstween each sbot, and taking careful aim, so as not to throw away a shot. More than one of the sepoys wai seen either to fall or retire hurt, but the rest kept on, and had now approached very near. " Oar one chance is that our people in the fort, hearing the firing and seeing the attack, may sally out to rescue us," muttered Scott. "If not, God help us 1 for there goes the last of the 25 cartridges," firing as he Bpoke, and knocking over the man nearest to him. Our party were now at their last extremity, as with empty muskets they waited to sell their lives as dearly as possible.

"Lookl They are going I" cried Rajoo, and as they gazed open-eyed at their assaillants, they saw them all looking towards the fort, which was hidden from themselves by the hut on their right hand, and then hastily run together and begin to retreat in good order.

"The garrison have sallied out," cried Scott, and instantly they dashed out into the road, when they saw a party from the fort, mostly composed of Europeans, doubling up towards them.

They gave out one loud, heartfelt English " Hurrah 1 " and hastened back for the pony and women, with whom they went to meet their deliverers.

As they approached the party of English and came near enough for their faces to be seen the party halted, and the officer in command shouted out :

" Turn hon hai ? " (who are you ?)

" British officers I " shouted Scott in reply in English, and they were at once admitted into their midst.

There was no time for further questioning now. The women and pony were sent on ahead, whilst the party began to retreat upon the gate. The sepoys, who had retired, and were still more than twice as strong ia numbers, advanced as the others retreated, opening a heavy fire, which, however, did no execution, as they would not venture within 80yds or 100 yds. On the other hand, the riflas with which many of the English were armed succeeded in laying low some of their number. As the gate opened and admitted the English the mutineers sullenly retreated, and in a few minutes had all disappeared in the wake of their brethren.

As soon as the gate closed on them, without waiting to reply to any of the questions which poured forth from all sides, the three officers rushed to Mrs Sinclair and helped her off her pony. In a moment she was in her husband's arms, and then she received almost as warm an embrace from his two friends. Now that the strain which they had endured during the past few days was removed, they were almost beside themselves with joy, whilst the tears which they could no longer restrain showed how deep was their thankfulness for their escape.

It was some time before the gentlemen and ladies — for there were ladies also present — could understand who and what the natives were, who. were behaving as they had never seen natives behave before, but when it was known that they were the only members of the garrison of Budragaon that had escaped from the general massacre, and of the perils of the way, they were cordially welcomed, not the less so that four more strong hands and willing hearts were added to the strength of the small party within the fort.

The number of Europeans within the fort did not exceed a dozen, and most of these were civilians, a joint collector, a judge, a civil surgeon, and so on, with a few of their East Indian snrbordinates, and some people who had proved faithful. The collector had for some time foreseen that a disturbance was probable, and he had quietly strengthened the old fort, and had transferred to it arms, ammunition, and supplies, together with the treasury, so that when the outburst came and all the detachments and garrisons around had revolted, he gathered together his friends and subordinates, and they had taken refuge in the fort, in which they were prepared to defend their lives and the Government treasure committed to his charge.

It would appear that op to the day before the arrival of our fugitives they had been unmolested, and that the body that had attacked them were the mutineers from Hewah.

Now that I have brought the fugitives into' a comparative place of safety my work is nearly done. The mutineers who promised themselves to [return from Allahabad and crußh the small party at Seoni who had given them so warm a reception failed to do so, for the very good reason that they had met and been defeated by Colonel Neill and the Madras Fusileers a few days afterwards.

At length a column of Madras troops marching from Nagpore relieved the defenders of Seoni and escorted them down to Allahabad. Here poor Mrs Sinclair parted with her husband on board a Ganges steamboat bound for Calcutta, bub not for loDg. He joined Havelock's small army, and fought in many fights through Cawnpore to Lucknow, where he had to remain besieged until " November, when the relief of Lucknow was effected by Sir Colin Campbell, and then, broken down by the hardships he had gone through, he was ordered off to Europe. Captain Price had suffered more than the others in the escape from Kalinjah. He had made light of it at the time, but his exertions and privations on the top of the severe beating he had received necessitated his immediate departure from the country, and by order of the medical officer he accompanied Mrs Sinclair to Calcutta. With regard to Scott, his knowledge of the country, the natives, and their language made him too valuable an officer to be relegated to regimental duty. He received thorefore a commission to raise and equip a body of irregular cavalry; and in a few months by his energy and persistent drilling • Scott's Horse " became one of the best known and most useful corps in the service. In this work he was greatly aided by Bajoo, whom he had created a "Duffadar," but whose chief duty appeared to be to follow his leader like his shadow.

The fugitives had not failed to draw up a detailed account] of all the old shikaree had done for them and forward it to the Gover-nor-general in Calcutta, and in spite of all the arduous work that fell upon him in that trying time, a letter was received by Kajoo thanking him in the name of the Government of India for his aid and assistance to British officers in their extremity, and asking him how he would like to be rewarded — whether by a grant of land, free of rent fcr three generations, or a lump sum of rupees by way of capital. To this old Rajoo replied in the following terms : — "To Ihs Great Lord Sahib Bahander, Governor-general of India, &c, &c. — Your lordship's slave, named Kajoo, has received and understood the contents of the gracious letter your lordship condescended to send him. This slave's heart is fit to burst with gratitude and pleasure at your lordship's gracious words, which will ever be engraved on his slave heart, and the letter be preserved for ever as the most precious heirloom by him and his descendants.

"This slave wishes to express to your lordship that his action in helping the British officers was done by him to gratify the intense respect and honour in which he holds them, and not jor the sake of reward, and your lordship's slave begs therefore respectfully to decline either a grant of land or of money. If his lordship would instead grant his slave a medal which he could show to others as a proof that the Great Jan Kumpani Bahauder was satisfied with him, then he would be pleased and happy indeed, and for your lordship's health, wealth, and prosperity he will ever pray." In accordance with this modest request, old Rajoo received one of the Mutiny medals with his name inscribed on the rim, and the crimson and white ribbon. The medal also carried with it a pension of 25 rupees a month, to be continued to his son, at his death, for his lifetime. That pension is now enjoyed by his son —the little infant that Mrs Sinclair carried for so many weary hours in her lap— now a Rissaldar, or native officer in the regiment once known as " Scott's Horse." Many of Colonel Scott's old friends can remember, however, how for years a fine old man, slightly bowed, with the Mutiny medal proudly displayed on his breast, would at mess stand behind the colonel's chair. Incongruous as he appeared amidst the crowd of bustling kidmutjar and other Bervants, yet no one smiled, for all would remember the faithful old man's courage and devotion to his master and his master's friends when they were The Fugitives of Budragaon. [Finis.]