The White Dove of Amritzir. A romance of Anglo-Indian life

Front matter

i THE WHITE DOVE OF AMRITZIR. *'AT THE FIRST SOUND OF HER STEP, DOVES OF ALL SHADES CAME FLYING DOWN." 1/ THE WHITE DOVE OF AMRITZIR. H "(Romance of Hnglo=3noian Xife. BY ELIZA F. POLLARD, AUTHOR OF "ROGER THE RANGER," "TRUE UNTO DEATH," " BROWNIE," ETC, "If love is not worth loving, then life is not worth living, Nor aught is worth remembering, but well forgot; For store is not worth storing, and gifts are not worth giving, If love is not." Christina Rossetti. LONDON : S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO., 8 & 9, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. CONTENTS. CHAP. pAGE I. A TRIO ........ 7 II. THE WHITE DOVE . . . . . 19 III. THE SHRINE OF AMRITZIR . . . .26 IV. TWO ENGLISH MAIDENS . . . . 38 V. "MY LITTLE GIRL" . . . . -47 VI. YOUNG MEN AND MAIDENS . . . -53 VII. THE FIRST SORROW . . . 6 1 VIII. STRANDED ....... 7° IX.

EXPERIENCES . . . . . . . j6 X. A PATIENT SUITOR . . . . .86 XI. A CHARGE . . . . . . -93 XII. THE WHITE RANEE . . . . . . 102 XIII. A ZENANA . . . . . . .112 Xrv. A BARGAIN . . . . . . -123 XV. THE DACO'ITS . . . . . . -133 XVI. A STRANGE GUEST . . . . . . I4I XVII. A FIRST LOVE ...... I47 Contents. 6 CHAP. PAGE XVIII. FEARS . . - • • • • J53 XIX. LOVE'S POWER . . . . . .l62 XX. A MUTUAL CONFESSION . . . . I71 XXI. A DIFFICULT POSITION . . . . 17$ XXII. THE OUTBREAK . . . . . . 187 XXIII. "din! din!" ...... 194 XXIV. THE NINE . . ... . . . 2C>5 XXV. THE SORROW THAT KILLS . . . . 2IO XXVI. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING . . ' . -215 XXVII. MUST THEY DIE? . . . . .221 XXVIII. MARTYRS ....... 225 XXIX. FRESH DIFFICULTIES ..... 235 XXX. DESPAIR ....... 24O XXXI. THE PRINCESS'S DREAM . . . .2 247 XXXII.

FALSE. ....... 253 XXXIII. TO THE RESCUE ...... 258 XXXIV. A HARD RIDE ...... 264 XXXV. LOVE-BOUND ...... 274 XXXVI. A WELCOME MESSENGER .... 282 XXXVII. AT LAST ....... 288 XXXVIII. AIMEE ....... 294 XXXIX. NICHELSEYN's UNSEEN GOD . . . . 30 1 XL. LOST 304 XLI. THE WHITE DOVE'S MISSION. . ,

Chapter I

A TRIO. KASAN SINGH, how dare you ! " and the speaker sprang up from before the table, at which he had been working, and looked down with an expression of mingled anger and pity at a man, crouching at his feet, muttering words in a strange tongue, but which, never theless, conveyed to the mind of the hearer a distinct idea of prayer and incantation. Far from being repulsed by the angry ejaculation, Kasan Singh's voice rose, as he dragged himself to where the officer stood, and then prostrated himself on the ground until his forehead touched the Englishman's feet. It was truly a strange scene. The first rays of the early morning sun, penetrating through the uplifted canvas, which formed the doorway, lit up the interior of a large, military tent. A huge Pathan, whose dark face was rendered still fiercer by his long hair, heavy black whiskers and moustache, stood at the entrance, a revolver in his hand, whilst in a corner half a dozen natives, clad in yellow robes with blue turbanned heads, crouched with outstretched hands, gazing in the direction of their comrade and of the man he was evidently adoring.

John Nicholson was of commanding presence, over six feet in height ; his face was perfectly colourless, and he wore a long black beard ; but the most remarkable feature in his face were his eyes. They were large grey eyes, with black pupils, which, under the excitement of the present moment, were dilated and shone so fiercely that they resembled a tiger's at bay. There was another occupant of the tent to whom we must needs introduce our readers — Sir Hubert Penning ton, who was seated at a table opposite the one from which Nicholson had just risen. He was a younger man than his companion by six or seven years, with a handsome, thoughtful face, fair hair, and long yellow moustache. At the present moment he was leaning back in his chair, smiling a quizzical smile, evidently much amused at the scene which was being enacted before him, and the smile broke into a laugh when Nicholson exclaimed, — " Faith ! and it's more than a man who calls himself a Christian can stand !

" Then the frown deepening on his brow and his eyes glaring fiercely, he continued in native dialect, — " You know the penalty of your sin, Kasan ; I am weary of telling you it is a sin, and a monstrous one, to worship a man who is no better than yourself, nay, perhaps not half as good. If reason will not prevent your making fools of yourselves, then there is nothing left but the cat-o'-nine tails. Three dozen strokes ! That was what I announced publicly as the punishment of idolatry, and such idolatry ! It is perfectly revolting ! As I have said, it must not be allowed ; I will not pardon." He turned his back on the man who crouched at his feet, and who still muttered in tones of rapture, — " My lord is very gracious thus to chastise his servant. He is heaven-born, and knows our sins and short-comings."

A Trio 9 Then rising from the ground he salaamed low, retreating backwards towards the entrance of the tent. He was followed by his companions, Mirza the Pathan bringing up the rear. When they had disappeared, Nicholson threw himself into a low wicker chair, and groaned aloud. Sir Hubert watched him curiously for a few seconds ; then he said, — " You do not really mean to have the fellow flogged ? " " Not mean it ! " exclaimed Nicholson passionately. " Do you suppose I would have given the order if I had not meant it to be carried out 1 For what would those fools take me, if I were not as good as my word ? " " But " began Hubert Pennington. " I know what you would say," interrupted Nicholson, " that it is an excessive punishment for a mere breach of discipline. I allow it is ; but they were warned, the thing must be put a stop to, and the fellows know I never retract.

There ! I am disgusted with the whole business," saying which he rose, and began pacing up and down the tent. " I wish I were you, Pennington, going on leave. Indeed, I have a great mind to throw the service up altogether, go home, and get some appointment in England. I have just missed the Crimea, worse luck ! " " You would never do that," said Pennington. "Why not?" answered Nicholson, stopping in his impatient walk and looking at Pennington. " Because you are a personage out here — I might say a necessity," answered the younger man; "your influence is unbounded with the natives. If ever there should be a row, which we all know may happen any day, I believe the Sikhs would follow you to a man." " I believe they would," said Nicholson, softened, and there was even a certain satisfaction in the changed tone of his voice ; " but at the same time," he continued, " I do not appreciate the form their devotion takes ; it is abhorrent to me."

Pennington laughed. "Why take it to heart ? " he said ; " if it pleases them to believe their prophet Gourou Govind has been re incarnated in you, it does you no harm — in fact, it is highly complimentary. Certainly the idea from our point of view is absurd, but you have done nothing to encourage it : rather the contrary. And seeing, morally, you are not responsible, and that evidently nothing you can say will drive it out of their heads, the only advantage to be obtained from it is, that as long as they are con vinced of your double existence they will follow you to the death. Why should you not make the most of this idea ? Your influence is good, you do not deceive them, you can do no more. Listen ! " And rising he went to the opening of the tent, and withdrew the curtain. There came wafted towards them on the clear, fresh morning air many voices, intoning a sort of hymn in which the most distinguishable words were, " Gourou Nikkal Scynes."

" I wish they would stop their noise ! " exclaimed Nicholson. " Let be," said Pennington ; " we all have our ideals, even we cold-blooded northern men, who are unwilling to be credited with the most shadowy virtues. These Sikhs look upon you as the wisest and bravest of men, and worship you as the ancient Greeks worshipped the gods and demi-gods : it is a sort of hero-worship, by no means to be despised." " I do not agree with you," answered Nicholson. " It is humiliating. I feel myself far from being the most shadowy of heroes," A Trio 11 Sir Hubert did not answer; he was thinking how little the man knew his own value. For the last two years he had been John Nicholson's daily, almost hourly, com panion. Sent by Government into the hill country immediately after the annexation of the Punjab, in a semi military, semi-political capacity, Nicholson wielded almost unlimited power wisely and so well that he effectually brought the wild tribes into submission, often without bloodshed.

His rule was firm and just, but above all things it was merciful, and the Sikhs, until then untame able, had submitted to his authority, had endured his discipline and training, and, strange to say, had grown in time to worship him. Only those who have studied the character of this strange people can conceive the possibility of such a position, can enter into it, and realise that it is by no means imaginary. There are only two levers strong enough to overcome prejudice and break down social barriers — namely, religion and love; these two working together accomplish miracles, and no power can withstand their influence. In that wild life, amongst that wild people, John Nicholson had shown himself bravest amongst the brave, merciful to the fallen, not crushing the conquered, but wise in his judgments ; so they loved him, and he became their master, and they yielded him willing obedience.

Sir Hubert Pennington was in point of fact as devoted to his superior officer as the very humblest Sikh ; he admired and believed in him ; but such feelings in Englishmen seldom find expression in words, and so the two men to outward appearances were nothing more than good comrades. Sir Hubert Pennington was about six-and-twenty, and, as we have said, Nicholson's junior by several years. He succeeded before he came out to India to his grandfather's TJic White Dove of Amritzir. 12 title and estates, and was the last of his race. Until he became acquainted with Nicholson he had lived a superficial life, having no family ties to call strong feelings into play. He had never known his father, and hardly remembered his mother. When not at school he had spent his time in the old Bedfordshire home with his grandfather, Sir Roger Pennington ; the old man had suffered much in his affections and his pride, seeing his children die off one by one until only this grandson remained to him.

One can never account for the vagaries of human nature, and unnatural as it may seem, Sir Roger, to use a common expression, did not "take" to his grandson. He seemed to feel a sort of angry jealousy against this boy, his heir, in default of the noble sons whom he had so proudly sent forth into the world. He felt he should never live to see him grow into a man ; his soul was bitter within him ; and the boy, with all a child's strong instincts, was keenly alive to the fact, and resented it. His grandfather took but little notice of him, suffering his presence, and letting him come and go, without showing either pleasure or pain. Only when Hubert intimated his intention of becoming a soldier like his father he turned round upon him, and said bitterly, — " If you do this thing, when I am gone, what will become of the old house ?

" He could not realise that his heir had no attachment for a place which had never been home to him, except in name. " Oh ! I shall come back some day, I suppose," he answered carelessly, " but I must see the world first." His grandfather looked at him from under his shaggy eyebrows, and said, — " Good ! go and see the world, and die as your father did, leaving your heritage to strangers." A Trio 13 It was his solitary protest ; he sent his grandson to Haileybury, and afterwards to the Rev. W. Clifford to prepare for Woolwich. It was at this time that his grandfather died and the young man succeeded to the title and estate ; this fact did not, however, alter his determination. " What should I do alone at Basset Hall ? " he said to Mr. Clifford, when that gentleman asked him his inten tions for the future.

" I wish to live, not to vegetate. Being the possessor of a few thousands a year will not suffice to turn me into a country squire. There are enough of them in the land already. I desire to be something more." So he went to Woolwich, and came out amongst the highest. This was partly owing to his unusual abilities, and partly because he was by nature ambitious. The desire to succeed was born in him ; he had never been satisfied with a second place when there was a possibility of winning the first. He went out to India in the Royal Engineers, and before long his chiefs were agreed that if he got the chance he would make his mark. In his second year of service he was ordered to the Punjab, and came under the command of Captain Nichol son, political agent for the newly annexed province. The Punjab being a non-regulation province, military and civil appointments were frequently held by one and the same man, who was expected to do the work of two ; and generally did manage to accomplish his multifarious duties satisfactorily.

They often laughingly called them selves, "Jacks of all trades." It was a good school for a young man, though often a hard one ; fortunately the chiefs who held the highest posts were men of rare moral excellence. From the first hour of their acquaintance Hubert Pennington conceived an intense admiration for John Nicholson, which developed into a devotion such as is never experienced for a fellow man twice in a lifetime. To remain with him, he willingly sacrificed more than one chance of preferment, desiring nothing better than to take him for his model, and be a hero even as he was. Nicholson fully appreciated not only the young engineer's personal devotion, but his superior talents and the zeal he manifested in his profession. His powers were put fully to the test, for the work of surveying the new hill country, making forts, bridges, and roads, and bringing tribes into subjection, was no child's play ; it demanded great self-denial and the endurance of many hardships without flinching ; and Sir Hubert Pennington had proved himself equal to the occasion.

But after several attacks of fever it was thought advisable that he should take a short furlough, and go home to recruit ; about the same time Nicholson had been nominated deputy commissioner at Lahore, and at the present moment they were on their way to that town. " Here comes Futtih Singh," said Pennington, throwing away the end of his cigar ; " he must have heard that there has been a row, and is, as usual, bent upon making peace — a rare quality in one of his race." " There is not another man in all the native tribes to equal Futtih Singh," said Nicholson. " I have a great friendship for him." As he spoke he stepped out of the tent and went forward to meet his guest. It was early morning ; a soft, fresh breeze was blowing ; the camp had been pitched on an immense flat plain, to the north of which rose the mighty Himalayas, with their crown of lasting snows glittering and sparkling in the early sunlight.

Tents of every size and description A Trio. 15 were scattered over the plain, suitable to the needs of the various tribes and native chiefs assembled there under British rule. From his tent the tall figure of the rajah, Futtih Singh, was seen advancing. He was a handsome man, in the prime of life, muscular and agile, the beau ideal of a Sikh warrior. He wore the blue pagio (turban), consisting of a long narrow piece of linen ; and the hair, which by the Sikhs (in contradistinction to the Mohammedan usage) is allowed to grow long, is gathered into this cloth, and fastened either on the front or on the side of the head, in such a way that neither end nor knot is visible, whilst the other end hangs half-way down the back. A jewelled aigrette ornamented the front of the turban ; the heavy black whiskers and thick moustache were brushed up towards the eyes, giving a fierce expres sion to a face which otherwise would have been strangely sad and pathetic.

His dress consisted of the angraka (coat), which, fastened over the chest with enormous jewels, reached to the knees ; beneath it long full trousers fell in folds to the ankle ; over the whole was thrown a mantle lined with leopard's skin. The Sikh colours, yellow and green, were predominant in these garments. Heavy gold and emerald rings hung from his ears, and strings of emeralds and diamonds were coiled round his neck, to which were attached costly pendants. Altogether, he had a dazzling effect as the rays of the morning sun poured full upon him. At a short distance from his tent Nicholson met and saluted him; the chief responded with frank courtesy, saying in his soft native dialect, — " Sahib, you have been offended again. I am grieved." " I am grieved also, Futtih Singh," said Nicholson, "more especially as I have been obliged to resort to harsh measures ; for you must understand it is against the rules of our religion to suffer any man to bow down and worship us, and I cannot sanction it.

We worship one God, none other." " I know you have told me so," said Futtih Singh ; " but you do not understand my people and our faith. Will you listen while I make clear to you, O great Sahib, the high honour which has fallen upon you, and which you do not recognise as such ? " " I will listen," said Nicholson, " though I pretty well know all you have to say ; " and he led the way into his tent. The Sikh salaamed to Pennington and then seated himself on the carpeted floor, whilst the two Englishmen threw themselves into low wicker chairs. " Sahib," said Futtih Singh, " when the breath departs from your mortal frame, whither think you goes that essence which we call Life ? " A puzzled look came over John Nicholson's face, and he answered somewhat sharply, — " I am no theologian. I believe what my mother taught me, but the mysteries of the other world I do not even strive to fathom.

To do my duty, to serve my Queen, my country, and my fellow-men, to be honest and true — such is my code ; and when I come to die, be it on the battle-field or in my home with those I love around me, I shall pray for God to have mercy on my soul, not for my own merit, but for the Christ's, my Redeemer." "And you will go hence and be no more ? " asked the Sikh. " I shall go hence," answered Nicholson reverently, " but I shall still be — my soul cannot die ; more than this is beyond human knowledge. But why do you ask ? In what can my faith in the unknown future affect you ? " A Trio. 17 he exclaimed impatiently, angry at being called upon to speak of hidden feelings to which so few men care to give utterance. In the rajah's dark eyes a glow of light had shot forth. " You will come back," he said in a tone of assurance, " even as you have come back.

You do not know, but we know ; you are not what you seem." "I wish he would stop that," said Nicholson; "it is uncanny. He is going to make out I am somebody who lived hundreds of years ago." "If that is all," retorted Pennington, " and it can make him happy, let him have it out ; it can't hurt you. Go on, Futtih Singh," he continued ; " tell us who Nicholson is according to your idea." " He is Gourou Govind Singh ! It was revealed to Kasan Singh in a dream," answered the rajah. " Oh ! " said Nicholson, " will you explain how this happens ? " The Sikh shook his head, " It was revealed, I tell you. Kasan Singh saved your life in battle ; in return you saved his son Mirza's in that last fray, when you carried him through the enemy's ranks on your saddle-bow. From that hour Mirza was set apart for your service, and not only he, but every Pathan watches over your life ; you are sacred in their eyes."

" That is pure gratitude. What has it to do with your Gourou Govind ? " answered Nicholson. "You do not know the history of our great prophet," said the Sikh. "Listen. Gourou Govind slew a Pathan by pure accident, and his remorse at having taken a man's life, except in battle, was very great. He sent for the son of the murdered man a nd made him costly gifts. Not satisfied with that, he told him it was his duty to avenge his father and to slay him. The youth, knowing who Govind was, respected his person and fled ; but one day, meeting him by chance, Govind so insulted him that in desperation the youth, drawing a dagger, plunged it into his tormentor. Even then the wound might have healed, but Govind, weary of life, frustrated the surgeon's skill and died." " And you mean to say I am that Govind ?

" asked Nicholson. . "Aye, verily," replied Futtih Singh, "we believe it, and would do you honour accordingly." " Well, I am sorry for you," said Nicholson ; " I can merely repeat what I have already tried to impress upon you — namely, that I am a man like yourself. And I do hope you will let me see and hear as little as possible of this superstition. I cannot prevent it, but I will not sanction it. If it were possible, I would absent myself from amongst you all, until you came to your senses." Futtih Singh smiled again. " Govind left his people, travelled and fought, and suffered ; when he died they built the shrine at Amritzir, where they worship him. The holy never die ; they are only unseen for a time, until they are born again." He ceased speaking, and bowed ; his forehead nearly touched the ground.

" There, let him have his own way, Nicholson," said Sir Hubert. "What is the use of arguing? I daresay Govind was a very good sort of fellow, and that you may consider yourself highly honoured. Let us ride to see how the bridge over the ravine is getting on. Will you come with us, Futtih Si ngh ? " The rajah rose and ans .wered courteously that he would gladly accompany the I '.nglish officers. Half an hour later, well escorted, the t' iirte men rode out of the camp,

Chapter II. The White Dove

WE have already said that Futtih Singh was of high rank ; his father had held office with the late Maharajah Runjeet Singh, and he had succeeded to almost fabulous wealth. Before the annexation of the Punjab he possessed vast tracts of land under the protection of the British, besides those awarded him by Runjeet Singh, amounting almost to the area of a province. In the neighbourhood of Lahore and of Amritzir his palaces excited the wonder of all beholders, but round the one at Amritzir a strange mystery hovered. A white marble palace lay hidden amidst a grove of trees, invisible from beyond the surrounding walls, and resembling a substantial English summer-house. At a little distance rose the square towers of a tikana, or underground dwelling-house, which was reached from the palace by subterranean passages.

It was one of Futtih Singh's summer residences. Being below ground it was always cool, and consisted of magnificent halls built of stone, with broad corridors all round, supported on massive pillars richly carved and ornamented. Around these two buildings were lovely gardens filled with the choicest trees and flowers ; the mingling scent of orange and jasmine would have been overpowering save for the waters of the numerous fountains which iy played in every direction, refreshing and cooling the atmosphere. The day was dawning ; the cooing of the doves nestling on the low roof of the marble dwelling-house was the only sound to be heard, until suddenly the stillness was broken by the rustling of the heavy silken curtains which fell across the entrance to the verandah, and a young girl stepped forth.

She was clad in pure white, her tunic richly embroidered in pearls ; strings of the same precious stones encircled her neck and bound back the soft, wavy cendre hair. Her complexion was exquisitely fair, with the very faintest rose blush just tinging her cheeks ; whilst the deep blue eyes gazed forth with a look almost of wonder on the calm loveliness around her. At the first sound of her step on the thickly matted verandah, doves of all shades, from the purest white to every tint of blue, came flying down, settling at her feet, upon her shoulders, in her fluffy hair. A tiger crouching at the entrance of the portico rose, and, stretching his huge limbs, fawned upon her. She laid her hand upon his head and smiled, such a happy child-like smile, in which there was no shadow of regret, no straining after unrealised joys.

The girl's face was simply an unwritten page ; there were no lines on the open brow, no drooping of the delicately curved lips, just parted, as if glad to breathe the sweet breath of life ; under the long, dark lashes the eyes were wide open, with something in them of a child's vague, wondering expression. She was already tall, but evidently not fully grown, her figure slim and girl-like, with only the outlines of future womanhood visible beneath her clinging robe. Such was Azile, called rather " the White Dove of Amritzir," the daughter of Futtih Singh. Her coming had been a mystery ; the Sikh chief had brought her, an The White Dove. 21 infant of a few months old, into this empty dwelling-house ; for her he had beautified it, and here she had dwelt from that time forth in perfect happiness.

She was surrounded by attendants. A native woman from the hills called Rhookia came with her, nursed her, and since had never left her. The widow of a Persian nobleman, made prisoner in the late wars, acted as governess and general manageress of the princess's household. The greatest care was taken as to those who should approach her, even in the most menial service. The grounds around the palace were so vast that she seldom went beyond their precincts ; within those sheltering walls she was, however, as free as air, and, contrary to the usual custom, the soft breeze was allowed to kiss her uncovered face and lift the locks of fair hair resting on her brow. She had no unsatisfied desire — those around her watched each look, anxious to forestall her every wish almost before she could express it.

When as she grew older she dis played unusual intelligence, which did not escape her father's notice, he procured for her a " munshi " (wise teacher), an old man named Baasha Singh, who came to dwell in the tikana and superintend the princess's education. The rajah was himself a man of high intellectual powers, and had mastered many languages — Persian, French, and even a little English. He had been, as a youth, a great deal with the French general Allard, and had dwelt much with him, thus acquiring a knowledge of Western civilisation, and therefore he caused his daughter Azile to be in structed as few Eastern maidens were. As the princess stood thus dreamily in the early morning on the steps of the verandah, there came forth from hidden nooks and crannies dusky maidens clad in soft, white robes, who gathered round her, some holding chaste silver trays filled with fruits and flowers, others dainty dishes of sweetmeats and flagons of sparkling sherbet.