Terrible Times. A tale of the Sepoy Revolt ... With illustrations, etc

Chapter I Parade

was over for the day, and, with a sigh of relief, the officers of the 199th Bengal Native Infantry saluted their colonel, returned swords, and hurried away to their quarters to change into mufti without delay. There had been an exceptionably good drill that evening, and Colonel Douglas felt very well satisfied with himself and his men, as, after exchanging a few words on the subject of the parade with the adjutant, he turned his horse's head in the direction of his bungalow, which lay about a mile's distance from the cantonment. A fine soldier was Colonel Douglas, and there was not a more popular commanding officer in "John Company's" service. The 199th had a well-deserved reputation for smartness, and it was undoubtedly their chief who had earned them that reputation. He spared no pains to make his men thoroughly efficient, he interested himself in all they did, and let them see that he took a pride in them, one and all.

For some months past there had been a great deal of discontent among the native regiments — a discontent that had been growing day by day. A rumour had spread abroad that the English had been seeking to undermine the faith of the native soldiers by compelling them to use cartridges greased with the fat of oxen and pigs, the very touch of which was sufficient to cause them to lose what was to them as precious as life itself, namely, their castes. The sahibs logue were hated throughout the whole of Central India, and, glad of an excuse for a new grievance against them, the sepoys nourished the report ; and it soon became evident that before long India would be the scene of what the Irish call a "rookawn." The behaviour of the native regiments considerably deteriorated, the sepoys went about with sullen looks, openly expressing their hatred for the "cursed Feringhees," and the whole country seemed to be under a cloud which would surely burst, sooner or later, with disastrous effects !

Whatever happened, Colonel Douglas felt con vinced that his men would remain true to their salt, and though other commanding officers had their doubts as to whether, in event of a general rising, their regiments would remain faithful, he felt quite easy in his mind about his own. " I would trust them with my life," he said to himself, as he walked his horse slowly up the long, steep hill leading to his bungalow. "After all these years of faithful service they would never prove traitors ; I am convinced of that ! " Even the longest hills have an ending, and presently the colonel drew rein before a long, low building, almost concealed from the road by the mass of tropical vegetation surrounding it. " Mookta ! " he shouted, springing out of the saddle, and bestowing a hearty slap on the "Czar's" glossy neck.

"Here, Colonel sahib; " and a small, wiry little Hindoo seemed to suddenly spring from nowhere. "You rascal !" exclaimed the colonel, delivering the horse into his charge. "Where were you hiding yourself? You've been up to some mischief, I'll warrant ! " The boy grinned, and led the Czar off to his stable, while the colonel entered the compound, or garden, and, having cleared a fairly broad flower bed at a leap, sprang up the few steps leading to the verandah, which, as in all Indian residences, surrounded the bungalow. As he did so, a lad of sixteen jumped from out of the depths of an easy chair, and ran forward, exclaiming — "Dear old dad, here I am at last, you see! " ' ' Harry, my boy, I am glad to see you ! " cried Colonel Douglas, seizing his son's hand and shaking it vigorously. "I had quite given you up.

How is it you arrived so late ? We expected you before tiffin." "The gharry broke down about ten miles from here, and as we couldn't get any other conveyance I was obliged to walk. I was about tired out when I arrived here an hour ago, but a bath has set me to rights, and now I feel as fit as a fiddle." "Well, better late than never, old chap. Where are the others ? " "Having some tea; I had a hurried meal at a dak -bungalow this afternoon, so I sat here and waited for you instead of joining them. I say, dad, I have a thousand and one questions to ask you. Up in Gorrumbee a fellow never hears anything of what is going on down in the plains. What is the upshot of all this fuss concerning the greased cartridges ? I saw they hanged that fellow, Mungul Pandy." " I'll answer any question you like to ask this evening after dinner," rejoined the colonel.

"Just now I am off to change into mufti." " I'll come with you and haul your boots off, as I used to do. Dear old dad, it is grand to be home again ! " " So you have left school for good, Harry," remarked the colonel a few minutes later. " I suppose I shall have to see about getting you a commission very shortly, eh ? " "I want to go to Sandhurst, dad, if you will let me." $ We'll discuss that later on, Harry ; only remem ber my interest lies with the Company. If you are very keen on the Queen's service I don't think I shall make much objection. I have been thinking lately of sending Claude to one of the big public schools, and it would be nice for you to be in England together. But, as I said before, we'll discuss all this later." " Now I feel comfortable," he continued presently, having changed his uniform for a cool, white linen suit.

"That tunic is confoundedly hot, my boy. Halloa! why, what is this ? " he added, taking up a small, very clumsily-folded note, which had hitherto escaped his notice. He opened and read it with a somewhat puzzled expression on his face. Then he uttered a startled exclamation, and Harry noticed that he had turned deathly pale. "What is the matter, dad ? " he asked. "Have you had bad news ? " For answer Colonel Douglas handed him the paper, which ran as follows : — " Take warning, colonel sahib ; place no faith in your regiment. The troops at Meerut will rise to morrow night and murder all the English. Your men will follow on Monday night, two hours after simset. Be warned in time, colonel sahib, and save those you love while you can. Neither the mem-sahibs or babas will be spared. " "What can it mean?

" cried Harry, when he had read the foregoing. " It must be a hoax ! " " Of course it is," returned the colonel, who, however, looked pale and anxious. "Some scoundrel is trying to shake my faith in my men ! But I will never believe that they would prove traitors to the Company." As he spoke, Mrs. Douglas entered. "Oh, there you are," she began. " I thought I heard your voice, Tom, I — But what is the matter ? You are looking quite pale, my dear ! Have you had bad news ? " "No — no," replied her husband; "but I have received a thing I hate more than anything on earth — an anonymous letter. Read that, Maggie." She took the note, and, having read it, handed it back without a word. " What do you think of it? " asked the colonel "Of course it is a hoax." " I don't know what to think," replied Mrs. Douglas.

" I am afraid, dear, there must be some reason for it." " Of course there is," returned the colonel irri tably. "It is written by one of those confounded fanatics who go about the bazaars spreading mischief among the native troops." " It is undoubtedly written by a native," observed Harry, who had been intently examining the letter. " The writing is most eccentric, and then there are several Hindoo expressions. Dad, I believe it is genuine." " My dear boy, but it implies that my regiment is on the eve of mutinying ! Now, I cannot believe that, Harry. I would not insult them by even thinking of such a thing. Their general behaviour points out that such an idea is absurd ! " "Perhaps they are only acting so as to put you off the scent. Father, I feel convinced that this is no hoax. I have noticed the strange behaviour of the natives on my journey here.

They seem to no longer hold us in the respect and awe that they used to, and yesterday I saw a case of a sepoy deliberately omitting to salute his officer. I am convinced, dad, that there will be a big row before very long. At anyrate, couldn't you send the mater and Daphne away for a time ? " " My dear Harry, you surely don't imagine that I would leave your father? " cried Mrs. Douglas. " But, mother, think how dreadful it would be if anything happened ! Fancy you and Daph having to undergo all the horrors of a war ! " " Even if I did consent, where could we go? If there was a general rising, travelling would be un safe, and it would be better for us to be together in times of peril than separated." " I cannot believe this ! " the colonel burst forth. "Every regiment in the Bengal Army may rise before I'd believe my men guilty of base treachery towards myself and officers."

At that moment the door opened, and a native servant entered and announced that dinner was on the table. " Why didn't you say you were there, Issuree ? " exclaimed Colonel Douglas. " I call, colonel sahib, one, two, three time," replied the man, edging away and bringing the palms of his hands together in the supplicating manner so common among the Hindoos. " You not reply, I think you no hear, so I enter " — "After listening to all we had to say. You are a lying rascal, aren't you, Issuree Sing?" " Who am I, that I should contradict the words of the burra sahib. He is all wise, and must there fore speak the truth." " Very well, then, go, and don't listen again. Let us forget this unpleasant letter for a while, my dear," he added, turning to Mrs. Douglas. " I will go down to the mess bungalow after dinner, and see Swinburne and ask his advice. If he thinks there is anything in it, we must put our heads to gether and see what can be done."

Chapter II Though

nearly midnight, Colonel Douglas had not yet returned from the mess, whither he had departed after dinner, in order to discuss the mysterious communication he had received that evening with his senior major, who was his right hand in all matters connected with the regiment. On the verandah, sat Harry and his brother Claude, neither of whom felt inclined for bed, as they were both anxious to hear Major Swinburne's opinion on the subject of the mysterious letter. "I am afraid there is trouble in store, Claude," observed Harry. " From what you have been telling me it seems certain that there will be a row with the natives before long. What is to become of all the ladies and children if there is a rising? " "I should think they would be pretty safe. The niggers would scarcely harm them." "I tell you what, old boy," said Harry; "if there is trouble you and I will have to volun teer."

"I am ready," declared Claude stoutly. "For my part I would rather enjoy a little bit of fighting; I have always envied the fellows one reads about, who go into action." "Perhaps you wouldn't find it as pleasant as you think," observed Harry. "I know that the pater says he felt in an abject state of funk when waiting to go into his first action." "Oh, I can understand that; the suspense must be awful. But think of the glory afterwards ! Of the medals, and — and — all that sort of thing," he added rather tamely. "But you always were a peaceable sort of chap, Harry. I'll be bound you never fought a fellow the whole time you were at Gorrumbee ! " "Well, you are right for once, old man," replied Harry, laughing. " But then, you see, the youngest there was sixteen, so perhaps we considered our selves rather above that sort of thing."

"I wish the pater would send me to a public school in England," said Claude; "Rugby, for instance. I was reading Tom Brown the other day, and it makes me long to go. I " — "Hush! Not another word," interrupted Harry in a loud whisper. " Look there ! " "What is the matter?" asked Claude in surprise. Harry silently pointed out into the compound, which was flooded by moonlight, and there, creeping along in the shadow of the cactus - hedge, which separated it from the road, Claude saw a white figure making stealthily for the farther end of the verandah. "Who on earth can it be?" whispered Claude. "Be careful, old man," he added, as Harry slipped off his shoes and prepared to meet the intruder. " It may be a thug." " Not likely," returned Harry. "It is some thief after the silver, more likely ; come with me, but take off your shoes, as they make a noise on the pave ment."

They silently crept along the verandah, finallv pausing outside the window of their mother's room, in which she lay peacefully sleeping, little dreaming what was going on within a few feet of her. "Look, there is that scoundrel, Issuree Sing," whispered Harry, as the figure of their kitmutghar appeared and joined the supposed robber. "What can he be up to ? No good, I warrant ! " " Hush, they are talking," said Claude in a whisper. "Let us crouch behind here and hear what they are saying. I always distrusted Issuree." Close by was a large cane lounging-chair, and stooping down behind it, the two boys eagerly listened to the conversation between the two natives, both of whom were squatting on the verandah floor within easy hearing distance. "The colonel sahib sleeps, so we need have no fear," said the kitmutghar; "speak, Peer Bux, is all arranged ?

" "Everything. I have but just returned from a meeting of the faithful, in the old palace on the Meerut road. The soubadhars, Assim Ali and Persaud Sing, were there, and they say that the sentence on the eighty-five troopers of the 3rd Light Cavalry has been carried out to-day, and they are now in the Meerut Jail. Such is the reward of the faithful ! But to-morrow night at sunset their comrades will rise, liberate them, and then the work of vengeance shall commence ! Not a Feringhee will be spared — men, women, and children are all to die ! Soon not a white face shall be seen in India ! " "Allah is good ! " ejaculated Issuree Sing. "The rising at Meerut will be the signal," continued Peer Bux; "before the end of seven days every regiment in the Bengal Army will be up in arms. The sepoys here are to rise in a day or two, and as soon as they have killed all the English, will march straight for Delhi, where there is to be a general gathering of those ready to free their country from the hands of these cursed Feringhees."

"Allah is good!" exclaimed Issuree Sing again. " He has delivered the enemy into our hands. The sahibs logue have been our masters for more than a hundred years, and during that time have treated us as dirt beneath their feet ; but now our turn has come. We will grow rich and fat on what they have gathered for themselves. We will live in their palaces ; their wives and daughters shall become our slaves and playthings ! " "Be careful that the colonel sahib suspects nothing," said his companion. "He places the utmost faith in his men, and would trust them with his life ; but a careless word might " — "Ah, some meddler has already given warning," interrupted Issuree Sing. "I heard him talking with the mem - sahib and the Harry sahib. I listened, but could not gather much beyond that he had received a mysterious letter."

"There is a traitor at work!" exclaimed Peer Bux. "Well for him if he does not fall into our hands ! If he should, I myself will slit his throat from ear to ear ! " "Chut! What is that?" ejaculated Issuree Sing suddenly, as a footstep sounded in the compound. "Allah! 'Tis the colonel sahib himself! Fly, Peer Bux, it would not do for him to find us here ! " Peer Bux did not stop for further conversation, but slipped away as noiselessly and swiftly as a cat ; while Issuree Sing darted off to his own particular portion of the verandah, where several of his fellow servants were sleeping, their bodies having the appearance of a number of mummies as they lay tightly rolled up in their blankets in the moonlight. "Well, of all the scoundrels, I'll back those two against any ! " exclaimed Harry, as he rose from his somewhat cramped position.

" Who is that ? " asked Colonel Douglas, surprised at hearing voices at that time of night. "Why, boys, not in bed yet ? " he added, as his sons came forward. "Don't say anything just yet," whispered Harry to his brother. "No, dad," he said aloud. "We were rather anxious to hear what Major Swinburne had to say." "He is afraid the letter is genuine," replied the colonel, seating himself. "Boys, I have had a shock to - night. I have been told that the soubadhars, Assim Ali and Persaud Sing, are in the habit of attending seditious meetings in the old palace on the Meerut road." This was no news to Harry and Claude. "I placed the highest confidence in those men," continued the colonel, "and now I know they are working against us, my faith in the regiment is decidedly shaken. It drives me mad to think of what your mother and sister are to perhaps shortly undergo.

There is no time to send them away, for if what the letter said is correct, in a few days the country will be in a state of revolt, and travelling would be unsafe ; so, Harry, I have been thinking of a safe place for you all to escape to in event of an outbreak. You see, it might so happen that I was absent at the time of the rising, and it is well for you to know what to do in the event of that. Directly you hear the sounds of firing, or see signs of anything unusual, leave the bungalow instantly, and make straight for the wood in which Captain Wilson shot the tiger last year. There is a path leading through it, but it is so long since it was used that I am afraid it is now more than half defaced. How ever, follow it as best you can, and after a time you will come upon the ruins of a small temple.

They will afford you an excellent hiding-place, for the place is little known hereabouts, and, having the reputation of being haunted, it is consequently held in fear and terror by those who are aware of its existence. If I escape, I shall join you there as soon as possible, if — if — well — if I am prevented, you must wait a day or two until things have quieted down a bit, and then make the best of your way to Meerut, where there is a large European garrison." " But, father, they say the native troops there will mutiny to-morrow night!" exclaimed Harry. "It would be a case of ' out of the frying-pan into the fire ' ! " " My dear boy, there are three English regiments at Meerut, so any attempt at a rising will soon be squashed." "But what shall we do for food during those two days ? It will not be safe to go out and buy any.

"I have thought of that. In the little cupboard in my dressing-room I shall keep a bundle containing a supply of food, and also the dress of a Mussulman, which, in event of my not turning up, you will have to don, and then go to the town to procure disguises for the others, for of course they could not go all the way to Meerut in the dress of Europeans. It will be a dangerous undertaking, my boy, for the least slip might betray you ; but as you are very much the build of a native, and speak the language like a native, I should think that with a darkened skin you might pass anywhere." "You may rely on me, dad, to do my best," said Harry quietly. "I am willing to run greater risks than that for the mater and the others." "I know that, old boy," said the colonel, placing his hand fondly on his son's shoulder.

"Pluck is not a quality you are lacking. After all," he added, "these precautions may prove unnecessary; but a soldier should always be ready in cases of emergency, you know." "I am afraid they won't, dad," rejoined Harry. "Indeed, Claude and I have just overheard a con versation which leaves very little doubt as to the fact that there will be a terrible row before very long." And he proceeded to relate, almost word for word, the conversation between Issuree Sing and his un known friend Peer Bux. " The rascals ! " exclaimed Colonel Douglas, when Harry had done. "I'd put a bullet through that fellow Issuree, with pleasure ! Whatever you do, boys, don't mention a word of this to your mother ; she has enough to worry her as it is. Of course those two niggers may have exaggerated, but they have said sufficient to make me feel considerably uneasy ; at the least we are in for a very severe row.

Peer Bux must have had some authority for what he said." " I wonder what more we should have heard, had you not come and disturbed them," observed Claude. " The treacherous brutes ! I longed to jump out on them and give them a taste of my riding-whip ! " "Well, I shall send Master Issuree to the right about on Monday," said the colonel. "And now, boys, we shan't do much good sitting here till daybreak, so I think you had better turn in. We'll discuss this matter more fully to-morrow. By the bye, it will be as well if you sleep with your revolvers handy in future." " We will, dad. Good-night." And, after a hearty hand-shake, Harry and Claude retired to their room, where it was not long before they were sleeping the sleep of the just and innocent !

Chapter III Sunday

had come and gone, and now Monday morning had dawned bright and clear. In spite of the fact that the sun had hardly risen, all the occupants of Colonel Douglas's bungalow were up and stirring. The horses had been brought round to the verandah, and, attired in riding-breeches and gaiters, Harry and Claude were waiting for their sister Daphne, who had not yet put in an appearance. "Late again, Daph," remarked Claude, as pre sently a pretty fair-haired girl of fourteen or there abouts, joined them. " Do you know we have been waiting exactly ten minutes by my watch ? Now, what have you to say for yourself? " " I am very sorry," said the culprit, whose looks, however, belied her words. "So you ought to be," retorted Harry. " I tell you what, Miss Daph, I see it is high time I came back. You have got into bad ways."

"Anyway, I am ready now," said Daphne ; " and suppose instead of talking, Harry, you were to help me to mount." Harry lifted his sister into her saddle, and soon the trio were trotting off towards the town, which lay about a mile away. The town of Chuzrabad was like most of its kind, that is to say, a realisation of the old saying that "distance lends enchantment to the view." From the cantonments it had the appearance of a city out of the Arabian Nights, with its white buildings gleaming in the sunshine, and the gilded dome and minarets of the principal temple glittering like gold ; but on closer acquaintance the romantic mind was apt to receive a shock, for the streets were narrow and ill-smelling, and the houses for the most part decidedly tumble-down in appearance. " Let us get out of this," said Harry, as they rode up a dirty street, rejoicing in the name of "The Road of the Seven Delights."

They turned up a side street, but found themselves worse off than before, for their appearance attracted a great deal of attention, and a small party of natives commenced to follow them, calling out insulting remarks and demanding alms. Claude was furious, and but for Harry interfering would have used his whip freely. " Take no notice, old man," he said. " It wouldn't do to have a row with Daph here." "Yes, do be quiet, Claude ! " pleaded Daph. " You can do no good by flying at them. Let us whip up the horses and get out of this horrid place. There is the bazaar just ahead," she added, pointing with her whip to a street beyond. "Thank goodness we are out of that ! " exclaimed Harry, as they presently emerged into the bazaar — the name given to the principal street in a native town. " Now, Daph, what are your commissions ?

" " It is mother's birthday to-morrow, and I want to get her something at Mohamed Ali's." "All serene; I'll do the bargaining for you or he will cheat you fearfully." They stopped before a native jeweller's, whose wares made a splendid show, it being evident that they were arranged with an eye to the picturesque as well as to business. "Salaam, Mohamed Ali," said Harry, addressing the grave-looking individual who was sitting at the entrance to the shop, puffing away at a hubble bubble. "By the beard of the Prophet, 'tis the young Douglas sahib!" exclaimed the jeweller. "When did my lord return ? " "Two days ago," replied Harry, beginning to turn over a tray containing articles in Delhi work. " Well, Mohamed Ali, how are you off for brandy? " " Hush, sahib ! " exclaimed the merchant, glancing fearfully around.

"The sahib must lower his voice. Does not the Koran forbid the use of wine and strong drinks? If I take a leetle brandy once in a while, it is but as a medicine." "By jingo! you require a lot of medicine then," laughed Claude. "What is that?" he added, pointing with his whip at a suspicious-looking bottle peeping out from among the folds of the gorgeous shawl fastened round the merchant's ample waist. "It is but a charm!" replied Mohamed Ali, hurriedly pushing the bottle out of sight. "You seem to find it a charm," returned Claude, laughing. "Claude, you are really too bad," said Daph; "you have made him quite sulky. Look here," she continued, holding up two beautifully-chased silver bangles. "These are the very kind of things I thought of getting for mother. What do you say, Harry?" "Ah, the missee baba could not do better than buy those, they are truly a fit gift for a burra mem sahib, like the lady of Douglas sahib.

They come straight from Muddeh Sookul, the great silver-smith of Delhi, and cost but thirty-five rupees." "Why not say a hundred and thirty-five? You are about as likely to get it," said Harry con temptuously. "We will give you twenty rupees, and you may think yourself lucky." "Twenty?" screamed the merchant. "Allah forbid ! Why, the sahib would ruin me ! " "All right then, there is Doolum Sing fartherdown ; we will see what he has got. Come on, Daph." "Nay, nay, sahib," cried Mohamed Ali hastily. " For thirty rupees then you shall have the bangles. I would not sell them for so little to the King of Delhi himself, but to the missee baba, who is as beautiful as the young gazelle, I will gladly " — "Sell them for twenty," put in Harry. "Thirty, sahib," said the merchant firmly; "not an anna less."

"Twenty," repeated Harry resolutely; "not an anna more ! " "Harry, how can you beat him down so?" whispered Daph. "I don't mind giving thirty rupees for them. I am sure they are worth the money." "Be quiet, Daph. I refuse to stand by and see you cheated." "The sahib will take the bangles?" queried Mohamed Ali. "Yes, for twenty rupees," replied Harry. " Say twenty-two, and they are the sahib's." "Ah, that's more like it. Here you are, Daph. I'll pay, and you can return the money when we get home." "I salute you with clasped hands, my lord," said Mohamed Ali, who was now all smiles. "May all the joys of life be yours, and may your cup of happiness overflow ! " "Thanks. You talk like a book, Mohamed Ali. As the Irish say, ' The top of the morning to you ! ' " It was perhaps as well that they did not see the look of hatred the merchant cast after them as they rode off.