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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont fiimte en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernilkre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboies suivants apparaitra sur la derniire image de cheque microfiche, seion Ie cas: Ie symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", ie symbols V .^ignifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte A des taux de rMuction diffirents. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, ii est fiimA A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant Ie nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 6 h' NED FORTESCUE; K^/e / 1 OR. aii^Iiittg If x^ixm^ jblE A STOKY FOUNDED ON FACT. BY E. W. F(iKJ a:8T, LATK HKK MAJKHTV'.S INDIAN AUMY. SECOND EDITION. PRINTED FOR TIJE AUTIJOIl UV JOHN LOVELL. 1871. th of life \m b( ^niiil of the ill tlie 8^p o: Entered according to Act of Parliaimut of Caiiadn, in the year 18G0, li g^^j.^.^ E. W. FouuEST, in the Ollice of the Minister of Agriculture. PRItl'ACH. he year 18G0, riculture. the following pages I have endeavored to portray a i)]iase of life upon Avliich many romances have been founded, and it Ims been my object to give the reader, who may be unac- (]piainted with tlie Vie Bohemienm' of the Army, a true idea fthc feelings and circumstances as felt and seen by a soldier the " ranks," who gradually wins his way from the first step of the ladder to that position from whence most other story-tellers start when they adopt a military hero. Many chapters in this book relate to what is now matter of Mstory, and the whole are the experience of a hfe of active soldiering, with the uninteresting and dry details of General Orders left out. The guard-tent and barrack, instead of the iness-table and ante-room, has supplied me with material for many of my scenes. In this I have deviated from the beaten titck, and hope the reader may find that in so doing I have not injured the interest of the narrative. The Author. JRS varioi out si horses bfoth( nunbl Lpndc tlirouf B^noi ttl» lei minds fe|ctio #rtc Bsed CO Hi we isou NED FORTESCUE; OR, liorcHixfj IT Tnuorcjir lifk. CHAPTER I. " Omno bene sine pnpnii Tempus est ludoudi ; Veiiit liora iihstjuc iiionl, Liliios deponendi,' Burst joyfully from the tliroats of at least a dozen youths of various ages, from eight to eighteen, Avho crowded the in and out sides of the smart stage coach, Avith its splendid four grey horses, on the morning before Christmas. Among this happy group, figured conspicuously my brother and your humble servant, comfortably located in the rumble, which afforded us an excellent view of the surround- ing country as we bowled along the turnpike road to London. As we turned out of the little village of Pinner, through an opening in the now leafless trees, we caught sight of the numerous gables and rjuaint old chimneys of the Manor House, where, for the past six months, our preceptor, the learned Dr. Bogue, had endeavored to inculcate into our minds the beauties of Johnson, Lindley Murray, vulgar frictions, and scraj^s of classic lore. The glimpse was bu't a short one ; and, as the scene faded away in the distance, it pwsed from my memory— my thoughts being turned to th» coming festivities, the pantomimes, and the sights that we were usually indulged in during the vacation, at this setsou of the year. 1 ' ( 6 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, Oil reaching tlio metropolis, wo -were met 1»y my fathi ^ c and conveyed liomc ; not to the one ■wc liad left in ti Oft k summer, but to one of more moderate pretensions in Clielsi Uifn, The reason of this change Avas not ex})lained to us, nor tlii to Ih think of enquiring, being engrossed in my own anticipate otf^cr of coming jjleasurcs during the holidays ; the greater port! twy, of which I was to spend with my grandfather and uncle, w ©lyoy •were merchants, and had their establishment at the ^V' cufto End of London. alwa.y At the termination of the holidays it turned out ti ftCguii wc were not to return to school. Some financial difficult iFoi having arisen — some speculation in Avhich my father vCX^ei engaged, by which he was a considerable loser ; so mucli oM^os that his affairs became somewhat embarrassed — and he ca:^WiBt: to the determination of (putting England, in hopes of rebiii^*^© di ing his fortune in one of the colonies. After sevc^o'®!©' pros and cons it was decided that the family should proci"*© Du to Canada, early in the summer. This being the caO©g^n it was not deemed expedient or necessary that we sliii**W>y return to school ; and I was permitted, much to my dcli:'*^'^ to remain at my grandfather's. A few days prior®? ^ the departure of the family for the colonies, an arrangernJ'*®^ had been entered into by my relatives for my remainiiiL'''S' England. This suited me exactly. The pleasures of a L'^ <^ci don life had more attractions for me then than a trip^^^sc the New World, and so I remained behind. My uncle of a cheerful turn of mind, and fond of public amuseni'^"^ ^ and exhibitions generally. When visiting these })laces 1 usually his companion ; conse([uently I soon acquired a u for such things (so natural in youth). My grandfather one of the old school, plodding, methodical, and punctua*^'")!"^ his business, to which he devoted all his energies, sel^^T^' relaxing on the score of pleasure ; a man of strict integr^S?^ ci r( li es RoraiiiNG IT THROUGH life. by my fatlv 90 cxomidiirj father, and a thorough good man every way, ad left in tl On ►Sunday mornuigs he regiihirly attended Divine Service ; ons in Chelsi U)fn, after dinner, his custom was to stroll out of town to us nor did tollornsey, Ilighgate, IIami)stead, Uattersea, Kew, or some m anticipatii' ^^^ ^^ ^''*^ suburban localities, and in some quiet little hos- "•reater povti tcfry, snugly ensconced in a shady nook or bower, he would and uncle, w eiyoy his glass of ale, and smoke his long clay pipe, as was lit at the AV' cuftomary among men of his class some thirty years ago. I alwi'other, some eighteen months older than myself, and iblic amuseiii'^^ ^^'"^^ chosen for his profession the service of the hese places I ^^^^^"*^ ^larine, arrived with his vessel in the London I acfiuired a t;,^^^- '-^'^"^ ^^'^^ ^ source of much pleasure to me, as ' grandfather ^^l"^^"^'^^^ ^^^^ ^^ remain in dock all the winter. Of course ami punctuaO^i^^"^^^^^^ ^^^^ anxious to hear and see all that could ener^nes sel.® ^^" ^^ London life during his stay, having been at school ,f strkt inteji^y ^^^ ^^^^ ^""^' V^^^"^ ^^ the family's departure from 1 8 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, Enj^hnd, not h.aving cnjojcd the same facilities thn- had for witnessing the gaieties of that very gay city ; I became his chaperon, and a right joll; lime we had «»f Frequently, when his duties compelled liim to remain board by niglit as well as by daj', I would keo}» company ; and in the comfortable cabin, with a c: and some wine, would I listen to his funny yarns a' Canada and the Canadians. His description of dilfcrent ] he had visited liighly interested me, and I began to ask niv whether it would not bo much pleasanter to go to ti places and sec for myself, than to loiter uselessly a' a manufactory from day to day, whence no possible f>' g^'v- good could be derived by me. But how could tlr Mqu and dffvo har to m tilOu^ amoi ratpr filled at;^cli bfrd, a |uit managed ? To travel requires carOi, and although my gi; father and uncle supplied me with a liberal allowance ^. pocket money, I knew well that they would not .« ; me a sufficient sum to carry out my wishes. I mcnti this difficulty to my brother. '' Why," said he, " the thi: easy enough ; why not go home to Quebec ? They w ill a happy to see you. You can then decide what step y*'"!^!^ next take. I know that the ajjcreement with our ffrandtii oan a T*im( Bfly e was, that if you wished at any time to rejoin the ii^mic-^ Canada, he was to provide you with a passage out. . ' , course you cannot sail until the spring ; and, if you tak^L^. . advice, you will acquire as much knowledge as practicaL^ll the working of a ship, and the various duties re(iuired (v^^: officers and men, while on your passage across the Wo>j^_^ Ocean ; it may stand your friend some day, if you -|l^ a roving turn of mind. I will teach you how t* and steer a boat, during our stay in the docks.'' j*^j he kept his word. We went out in the ship's jolly boattn^ , I very nearly came to grief at the outset. The boatiA alongside, with a quantity of water in it, and my bi'.^^^ ui •■a ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. d vonld kecj -svith g^jji^iug out fur the first boat, I got in, and from thence on rt- could tlib jjg|j.j^ where I took off my clothes and 'lad them i . od — usinj^ ;hough my gi ^^ jp^-j. ^g- ^^y i,,, .^hcr's for the time being. However, ral f^^^'^^^'^^^*-''- nothing tlnunted, into the boat wo got, ard pulled ai)0'it for would not \j^^^j.al days at different times, until I could manage the ics. 1 ^^^'lomjl and use the yoke lines. We then went on to the 1 he, the t " fjjj^jjjos, and had many a good row to Battersea or Richmond. • -l^'^^y ^^*' 'EmtIj in the spring I broached the subject of departure to my vhat step jon^^^-y^g . ^j^^^ j^|. g^.^^ objected, but seeing my mind was th our granil jj^q ^p^ they consented, and procured me a passage on the join the iai'^'g^^ clipper barque " James Holmes," and bidding farewell passage out. t^pgiations and friends, also paying a last visit to my favorite id, if you tal^'ij^j^ts — for it might be many years before I again returned ;e as pi'^'^ctica^^ ^j^^^^ ^^^^ of the world — I went on board, on a chilly morn- les re(iuire(l ' jjg,jj^ ^p^.;!^ ^I^out 11 a.m., the tide served, and as the cross the >\ *'i(^.gates of the dock opened, out we floated into the Thames day, it you _^^vn the pool, winding our way in and out between the you how tn yj^yg craft with which that famous river is at all times he docks. itt|4ded, and dear old London was soon lost in the distance, lip's jolly boa.|jj^ ^^^ being raw and blustering, I did not remain long on et. The boai|^^ 1^^^^ took refuge in my snug little state-room, and busied t, and my '^Qjnelfin arranging my books, writing materials, etc., until li'! ii' 10 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, the steward came and announced dinner. I had a appetite and enjoyed it very much, but it was the last mci y^^ could eat for many days. The weather was squally, witl.ft /jQ fair wind, and we made good running all that night. 'J next morning I began to experience that great drawback ocean travelling, " sea sickness." I suffered very severely : tfj^ several days, and we were far from land before I co.^liigj leave my berth and go on deck. ^^ ^^^ Being the only passenger, I received all the attention froelta the oflficers and crew that I required, and I had not b ©^^^ more than a month on board before I knew the name of cvel^jeg, rope and sail, and the purposes for which they were intemlMji-g I had also been several times up aloft in fine weather. I mij ^ acted on my brother's suggestion, and brought on bci)fl|^ti several pounds of tobacco, and by judiciously distributing i J)u acquired a great deal of useful information on nautical repent ters. From the chief officer, I learned to " box the C||inp]i pass," heave the lead, and keep the daily log of the slti^e progress. I was also permitted to take the wheel and sJie fii the ship — of course, under the supervision of the helmsimclto or one of the officers. I do not remember much of the talar( age until we arrived at the banks of Newfoundland, ^inwirtr we had to keep the ship's bell constantly going as a waifitile] to the fleet of small vessels engaged in fishing in that ro^yi^il We heard the bells of several ships, but so dark was|ii^( ■ atmosphere, that they were generally invisible. It was)f'C( great satisfaction that, one fine evening, I received froiiSbld I captain the cheering intelligence that by daylight, the fi^trjiei ing morning, we should reach Grosse Isle, distant only tnul miles from Quebec. This turned out to be the case, aifin^ii an early hour we were boarded by the medical officer, vii^ i duty it was to inspect the passengers and crew to asco^iuiel if there waa any sickness or epidemic amongst them. Hat^iiisl I ■N. ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 11 I had a g'^^^lean Bill of Health we were allowed to proceed up the 3 the last mca tfj^er. s squally, witl ijpn arriving at Quebec I landed at the Cul de Sac. I cted my steps towards my father's office, the whereabouts bat ni"2:ht. T 3at drawback of "which I had been made acquainted with previous to quit- v'cry severely tfii^ England. On crossing the end of Mountain street I before I co ojjierved my father coming towards me. He recognized me atonce, and calling a caleche, we drove home to a neat little he attention fr0^agc in St. John's suburb. My unexpected arrival creat- I had not b €#quite a sensation in the family circle for some days. My the name of ev^l^gt sister, a beautiful and interesting girl some three ey were intemlytijp's younger than myself, hailed my appearance with delight, le weather. I ttii many a time and oft did we ramble together through the rought on bc()fl|j|itiful and romantic spots for which Quebec is so celebrated, y distributing i During that summer, except when on a visit to Montreal, I in on nautical i^peiit most of my time in shooting and fishing, and frequently to " box the cjuj^lied our table with fresh fish from River St. Charles or y log of the slJLiipe Beauport, which were ray favorite haunts for capturing le wheel and sJi^^nny tribe. But the appearance of hoary winter put an I of the helrasuiMito that sort of thing. The snow fell thick and fast, and all r much of the ia||re was shrouded with a white mantle — all verdure disap- iwfoundland, vil)i|j|ing from view for several months. I had never liked the going as a war.|^i|er season, even in England, and therefore felt that the hing in that re^^i|rity of the climate was a death-blow to all pleasure — for it so dark waspipec, at that season of the year, is completely ice-bound, nsible. It waslfl^ourse, to those born in the country, the ice and snow [ received froiiMp considerable amusement. Sleighing and tabogganing daylight, the toifths ^^'^ much enjoyed by the Canadians generally. I was of skating, and there was a great field for that healthy iso, although not then entered into so generally, nor with spirit, as at the present day. Few of the fair sex ever d crew to asceij^led the skate — the weather on the St. Lawrence being so Longst them. HatHllsely tjld — and covered rinks not having yet come 3, distant only t^ be the case, ai ledical officer / y Y iiiii ^2 NED FORTESOUE ; OR, fashion. Since that day I have seen beautifully illuminai rinks, crowded with from fifteen hundred to two thousand p sons, of all ages — emperors, mailed knights, queens, sultar Turks, fairies, demons, and every conceivable charactcr.^g gorgeous and grotesque apparel, gliding smoothly and ^xi^q^ fully about on the polished ice, in a seemingly confused iii|g| to the soul-inspiring strains of some two or three regimeiggj bands, — the fair ladies waltzing, and the gentlemen tra^^^m strange figures and devices. These carnivals certa;By,v remind us of what we have read concerning " f^u j Land." ^e,^ My education, for the past four years, had been somerty j neglected, so I made a virtue of necessity, and durin^iiJ^y. long winter evenings resumed my studies under the dire'^Qj of my father, who was an excellent scholar, and whose U manship was the best I have ever seen, before or since. e]lg At length this, to me, gloomy season passed ; skJuJ^j Spring unfolded her generous presence of sunshine and ttom the snow disappeared, the floating ice was carried fromg i rivers by their rapid currents, to the far away north, aiiith i harbor was soon alive with shipping. I had obtahitd dl appointment in my father's office, but close confinememssol desk wafj ill-suited to a roving disposition like mine, imifl longed for a change of scene. at, I Just about this time, troubles began to arise betwoepuM government and a certain portion of the population. Di!I3iB tion and disloyalty appeared, and soon openly avowed rclctafl was seen throughout the land. Fresh troops were ori J^ out from England, the militia called out, and a draftoaiH upon all males between the ages of sixteen and thirtj-fthiH quell the rising, and support the government and the Q. H authority. Not wishing to embroil myself in a politic* dH test for a country whose climate I so much disliked, I w^L ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. Id fully illuinma:(ped to leave it on the first favorable opportunity that present- two thousand ir^tself. queens, sultai :|yhi3 I had not long to wait for. The nature of my occu- ible charactcv.pi^on threw me a great deal among the captains of sea-going lootlily and gvsfi||els. One day I mentioned casually, in course of conver- y\y confused nvngjpn with the captain of the brig " Isidore," bound for r three regime^jp||land, and from thence to the West Indies, my desire to a-entleraen tva'jg(j§e Quebec. He said that he would be happy to forward carnivals certa^||§news, and that if I would accept the post of supercargo ^ncerning *' I^mlkis vessel, the appointment was at my service. Matters fOf soon arranged, and after an affectionate leave-taking of had been soitie"ty||amily, I, on the 27th of August, reported myself for *ity and durinj;i|| on board the " Isidore," outward bound, for the port of 5 under the dire.hSu, in Ayrshire, Scotland. Dlar and whose The hour of seven tolled upon the evening breeze from the >efore or since, sllf of the different churches in the upper and lower towns, 'on passed ; snhill the silver moon arose majestically, in all its splendor, )f sunshine and ttoa behind the forest-crowned heights of Pointe Ldvis, shed- was carried froingits refulgent light upon tower and steeple, showing forth away north, aiutJi< vivid brilliancy the tin roofs and cupolas,with which the I had obtaiutd^ty abounded. I stood leaning over the taffrail of the close confinemeir>88d, watching the scene with deep interest, for a few tion like mine, innles, until we were borne beyond its influence by the cur- at, and the light breeze that filled our swelling sails and to arise betwcep«8ed us onward towards the gulf. « population. Di^Bl^ weather was delightful. We set our studding sails nenlv avowed rcl«Blopposite Groase Isle, and did not take them in until we , troops were ori«jrossed the broad Atlantic, which we effected in the then out and a draftwAablyshortrunoftwenty days, sighting the Skerry Rocks, teen and thirtyt^ Irish coast, on the evening of the sixteenth of Septera- ment and the Qv ^s the night closed in, the south-west breeze died away self in a politic* 4(iad calm. Dark, heavy, murky clouds surged up from much disliked, 1 ll^zon, passing fitfully across the young moon, which f I'l ! '.Ill I If" ' ii i t ,iii- I :' I 1' lii; 14 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, soon disappeared, leaving all in pitchy darkness. A tlii drizzling rain continued to fall for some hours, when a li^' breeze sprang up from the laud, and continued to increa The sea rose with it. Our studding sails were taken in, t royals stowed, the top-gallant sails clewed up, and the flyi jib lowered. We endeavored to beat up to windward, but wind increased with such violence that we found it neces?;: to furl the top-gallant sails, and double reef the fore and iii^' top-sail. The storm still increasing — it blowing a regn north-easter — the storm trysail was set, and every haljaji clewUne, and preventive brace set and properly secured, to no purpose. The sea, lashed into fury by the violenc the storm, was now making clean breaches over us. The : sea of any note that we shipped came over our starb^ bow, carrying away the galley ; next our flying jib-b snapped short off at the cap. A little before dayliglit main expunge mast went by the board, wrenching off the st ing rigging. This caused the vessel to keel over consil bly, but a few blows from the boatswain's axe cut it i away, and we righted, although for a short time only, next heavy sea struck our starboard quarter, unshippin:' rudder ; the ship became unmanageable ; and there nothing left but to take to the long boat, as the brig was setthng down in the trough of the sea. We had shipped so much water that it was impossiK get below to save our effects. Fortunately for me, I hail morning before, taken out of my chest my best suit of i to brush and give it an airing ; after so doing I wrap] up in a piece of old sail-cloth, and stowed it away in stern of the long boat, until I could have an opportuni: taking it below ; and so accidentally saved it. After sc ineffectual attempts we succeeded in launching the boa our larboard quarter ; it was well for us that we had ROUGHING IT THROUGH IIFE. 15 kncss. A thimioceeded, for we had hardly pulled out more than fifty yards irs, when a li^w||n the brig pitched heavily forward, and went down head lued to incrcafoij|most. We were now in an open boat in a heavy sea — no ere taken in, :?e^ pleasant position, truly — but the storm shortly after had ip, and the flyiojdjpiusted its fury, and the sea went down, much to our vindward, but ttS^t I very much doubt, however, if any of us could have Dund it neces?Te||hed the shore alive but for theHimely arrival of a coasting the fore and miwg|er that bore down upon us. By the exertions of their (lowing a regia^ we got on board, when she immediately shaped her [\d every halyaJoglBe for Dublin, erly secured, ?; by the violeiic 3ver us. The t ver our starb . f flying jib-b efore daylight f shing off the st 5el over consid 3 axe cut it c •t time only, ter, unshipping ; and there IS the brig wfi? was impossib;^ ■f for me, I hail y best suit of 1 doing I wrapp ved it away in 3 an opportunit 3d it. After sd nching the boa IS that we had 16 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, CHAPTER II. ( <,'i It was with no small degree of satisfaction that I beheld- we rounded Ireland's Eye — the Bay of Dublin, with the si little harbor of Kingstown, the romantic view of old Dun ry, and the Hill of Ilowth, rising, as it were, out of ocean ; all looking so tranquil and picturesque on that : clear autumn morning. The wind and tide being against 2[ we had to kedge our way up stream after the foUo^t^^ , fashion : the jolly boat, with a small kedge anchor in it, , sent some fifty yards in advance, and the anchor ■ effect from the water. I noticed some remarkably fine (-{^^mu on which were situated the Custom House, Trinity Hc' ^sL the Four Courts, and other public edifices. The l j^^ quays, on the south side, were used principally for colli ti while those on the north were crowded with merchaiKc. from all parts of the world. I was much pleased with my visit to Dublin ; the pt 'n q seemed hospitable, good humored, and pleasant, and fl'>Q«.>» my stay I had ?n opportunity of seeing a great deal oi wit and humor which is the peculiar characteristic of a le a I astfc arge ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 17 paoplc. My stay at the Irish Capital on this occa3ion was of short duration, for Captain Millett succeeded within a foftnight in obtaining charge of a brig bound to the Port of TfiBbon, in Ayrshire, some nine miles distant from Irvin, his nifive place. He requested that I should accompany him, stiting that on his arrival at the latter place he could obtain tW command of a fine vessel in the West India trade, in wUch he would give me employment in the tropics during that I be^^^^-t^ coming winter. To this I acceded, and sailed with him ilin, with the si^ Scotland. The weather being rough and unfavorable, it ew of old I>uii ^ several days before we made the port of Troon, a small were, out o ^^^ depot in Ayrshire. It was scarcely daylight when we gque on a ^jj^g ^^ anchor, and everything was made snug before 7 I being agamst^i^i^^^,^ rpj^^ ^^^^^ ^f ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ permitting any fires on fter i^h6 TO o^^jj^^ jj^^ ^^gg^lg j^^ harbor, we had to go on shore for our anchor in i , mg|jg . ^\^q captain took the crew with him to get their anchor ^^'<^ri|)i^kfast, leaving the chief oflScer and myself on board until m hauled upoi,.j^^^ gl^^^^j^l ^.^^^^^^ ^l^-^j^ ^j^^^ ^^^ j^ ^^^^^ ^^ Yiowt. The ip to the boat ,jjg|g ^^^t^ j ^i^^^^ started in the direction of the house pointed L this way, ^^^fc© |is by the captain ; the knocking about at sea had worked mroun^h the cit^^ appetites to a keen pitch, and visions of beef-steaks, eggB, coffee, hot rolls, and buttered toast, rose to our hungry some troops Yi^ies, but there also we were doomed to disappointment, had a very pr|^|a time at least. On entering a large room — clean, and irkably nne ^l^thlifloor covered with white sand, all comfortable enough — ise, Trinity H;^i|^ere followed by a short, stout, " red-headed " little lady, ifices. ine yj^ announced herself as the landlady of the establishment. ;ipally for colli ^^^ Captain ]Millett, of the * Rob Roy,' ordered break- with merchaii>^^ f^^, ^^ » enquired I, bowing politely to the dame. " If JO, I should like to see it." Dublin ; the pt lifQuite right," replied she, " and there it is, all ready for leasant, and dy^,, pointing, as she spoke, to a side table, where stood a a great deal (^^^ ^^^^^ ^f oatmeal porridge, into which were thrust two laracteristic of ^ w li j 0'. IS KED FORTESCUE ; OR, i;if :! li'l i; P 'hi III''' I'll!, I spoons ; and on each side of the said bowl was a small baj of milk, and a plate of " oat cake " known to the initiated] " snap and rattle " from its brittleness. The mate an:! eyed the composition for a few seconds, then turning to : red-haired mistress of the house enquired whether she t us for a couple of sucking pigs — that were to be fatti.> . on milk and meal, and fed out of one trough. The loo, t^ bewilderment that spread over her features assured us -^^ , she considered the repast prepared for us was all that ^^i^ one could require. Not fancying an outburst from wonii^j j^ j natural weapon, we bout ship and started on a fresh tiugLj further into the town. After some difficulty we succcc jMq, in obtaining an excellent breakfast of " Finnan haddi J^j, fresh eggs and soft bread, good butter and some ca]j-^, coffee — nor did we fail to try, on our host's recommenda')^-|ij.j some of his real old '* Glenlivat." »fn«ai Whether Captain Millett had over-rated his interest,,j^Q_ ^ was in ill luck, I know not, but he did not succeed in get^ j^^ the vessel he anticipated, or any other, so after a sojour (f^if few small trinkets, which added a little to my very ^^| capital ; them set out at a brisk walk along the London :j||| and soon left that great shipping port far behind. I c t J^\ ued walking until about nine p.m., when observing a i|'f||^ light a little distance from the road, near the entrant J 0|, small hamlet, I went over and found it to be a kiln, in ^^'M bricks were burning, with only a lad near, whose duty ifgi^ to attend to the fire during the night. I sat do\viifnj|j warmed myself, then made a hearty supper of poik>oi^ biscuit, some of which I gave to the boy, who in retunmeT me there was plenty of clean dry straw in the shed, cloji I ^] where I might sleep if I chose. I did choose, bcini,' »»t^ with my long walk, for I had accomplished twenty milo>Joi^ leaving Liverpool, and was very glad of the bed, :yjjg though it was, and soon fell fast asleep. ^j^y^ The sun was shining brightly when I awoke. After itjh^ a hasty toilet I breakfasted, then started with a light (qj in hopes of shortening my journey by twenty-five ^et before nightfall. I found the people, small farmci^ others, very hospitable ; frequently when I stopped t ;ejg or ask for a drink of water, beer, cider, or milk, with ,|)j^ and cheese, would be offered me. My dress and ji w^ appearance proved me to be no beggar, and on niore^^ one occasion I was asked to take supper, and remain all ... u The parties appeared to be well satisfied, and much iute with the account of my shipwreck, and the numerous dotes I related to them, which I had picked up durii stay in Scotland and Ireland. One family wished , IlU prib Ani ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 21 )lecc of boiler] gjpn several days with them, but my object was to get to y for a day or 'jn^n before my brother's ship left for Canada, so I went Felt grateful t ^ n^ -way, sometimes getting a lift in a waggon or market rt*| I had arrived within a few miles of Coventry when a Liverpool. T on^torm overtook me; the day was bitterly cold, and the E5 to my very oififrozc as it came down. I had only a pair of very thin- ig the London ;^§Mlong-quarted shoes on, and felt the cold exceedingly, r behind. I o(}J|trudgcd on until I came to a tavern in the outskirts of I observing fil|.ijj|y. Benumbed with cold and quite worn out, I entered, ir the cntrancil ijjdered supper, and a bed. About midnight I awoke be a kiln, in ii'^olcnt pains in my feet and legs ; by the morning they lv, whose duty ir«> much swollen that I could hardly manage to hobble t. I sat dowiifiillairs. Being severely frost-bitten, walking was quite supper of porkioi^ihe question ; the landlady very kindly bandaged them ^, who in retuninlij which gave considerable relief; but what a position in the shed, clo;| I then placed in, without friends or acquaintances, unable L choose, being piralk, and with only eightpence then in my pocket — barely icd twenty milo>ioiaiit for one day's subsistence. 1 of the bed, yi^e cogitating on my rather forlorn condition, and eavoring to shape out some course that would steer mo awoke. After iV)||gj|i the present difficulty, a gentleman entered the ;d with a light lor, covered with snow, for it had fallen fast since the by twenty-five jot afternoon, and was much deeper than had been J, small farmery^ for many years ; in fact, it was one of the most severe en I stopped t^jg ever known by that ancient individual, the oldest , or milk, with ,bititnt. y dress and r p^jjirful ^veathcr, sir," said he, addressing me; "did ;ar, and on morc^^j^j. g^^ anything to beat it since you were born ?" ', an 1^"^' / IiiHeed, I have seen the snow lying six feet deep in :1, and much "itCp^j^^j^j ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^.^.^^^^ ^^^.^ ^^ ^^^^^ „ I the numerous j^ • i,, ^u ^ i 9>. -^i i -.i • • . i^^-.Aw* where might that be :" said he, with surprise pic- f ., • i^g/i ,i ^ his now gloAving countenance, for he was standing iS NED iORTESCUE; OR, 'f, , I'l. before the fire, imbibing a stiflf bumper of steaming hot and water. " It was at Quebec, in Lower Canada/' was my reply. " At Quebec," said he, hastily putting down his gl *' have you really been there ? Toll me, did you kno gentleman of that city named S ? he married my ( sister a few years ago, and for several months I have he nothing of them." Now it fortunately so happened t although not personally acquainted with the parties, I k sufficiently of them to give him all the information required concerning their whereabouts. He was dcligli and insisted on my joining him in a bumper of his favo beverage. Nothing loath, I consented, and thinking thi: opportunity not to be lost, I candidly told him of my uu: tunate position. " This is sad, indeed," he replied ; *' I sorry that bushiess compels me to visit a neighboring t for several days, or I could have entertained you at bachelor establishment ; but," added he, after thinking f moment, " the best thing I can do for you under the circi stances is to drive you at once to the City Infirmary ; b an alderman I can procure you immediate admittance ; tL you will meet with all the assistance, medical and othcrw that your case demands, and as soon as you are convalesi'i call on me, and I will see what can be done towards warding you to London." This kind offer I cheerfully thankfully accepted : he imn ediately called the landl settled his bill, and mine likewise, then, with the assist of the ostler, I was seated in the gig, and in less than hour comfortably domiciled in the excellent institution i; tioned by the worthy alderman, where I remained imj was sufficiently recovered to be able to walk. y One morning, while looking over the London Tini'i noticed that my brother's vessel was still lying in the Lotj ROUaHINO IT IIIROU(iH LIFE. 23 earning hot as my reply.; down his lid you knov married my lis I have hcJ happened t!^ ! parties, I b information | 3 was deligliijj er of his favo] thinking tlii:j lim of my unj replied; " I neighboring t:( ained you at er thinking f j nder the circi Infirmary ; btj dmittance ; tU %\ and othcrwj are convalesci lone towards I cheerfully ed the landlj ith the assista L in less thaii| t institution remained uiil k. London Tinii ng in the Lotj Ik. Without delay, I wrote and informed him of my ition. In a few days I received a letter from him, gaining a bank note of sufficient amount, which enabled procure what few necessaries I required, and book my ige in the London stage. I called at the house of my id, the alderman, but did not succeed in seeing him, he engaged in his office in town. Having nothing further in that good city, the next morning I entered the coach, [soon was bowling along the turnpike road as fast as the I horses of [ler Majesty's royal mail could carry us. ^e entered London early on the night that the fine old jture on Cornhill .'^♦^he Royal Exchange) was destroyed re. I passed the spot just as the great tower fell in, the ;al clock of which was at the time playing the old Scotch There is no luck about the house, there is no luck at all.'* fl argued was a bad omen for my future success in the city. As I wended my way westward along Cheapside, lown Ludgate hill, through Fleet strcet,and up the Strand, thousands of people flocking towards the scene of the igration. lad been but a few days in London when my feet became inful that I was compelled to enter St. George Hospital, [yde Park. I was nearly six weeks an inmate of that lent institution before I was sufficiently recovered to of my applying for any employment. However, a few [after I became convalescent, I was fortunate enough to a situation in the finu of Messrs. Fraser, Dunn, and ts. Italian warehousemen, who had an establishment near rer Square. This suited me at the time exactly ; the salary [ot a very large one, certainly, but it was sufficient for fescnt wants, for I possessed the valuable tact of know- )w to live frugally, but well, and dress fashionably, if iborately, on a very limited income. urim W ( • A K ' I 24 NED fortescue; or, There is no place in the world Avhere things can be obtai of first-rate quality for so trifling an outlay, if you but I the knowledge where to procure them, as in this great c*' This knowledge I possessed, by what means obtained ; not necessary here to say. The hours of business suitcj very well, being from 8 a.m, to 5 p.m. ; thus I had the av of the evening and the greater part of the night tu >: which way best suited my tastes and inclinations. I .<*.! went to bed before 12 o'clock. The old adage that one li sleep before midnight was worth three after it, I could n believe in. Being now well fed and dressed, with all the ^jjmi^ and the greatest attention paid to " cut and fit," I he;:a:p||j look around to see how I could obtain the greatest i>o ^^ ^ amount of pleasure compatible with my small means. i:.fc|vri] I was particularly fortunate. Two of my relations, 01.3^ , father's side, held the honorable position of yeomen oi^yij. j Royal Guard, but were of that select number who are oii.jqijjj^), duty when Her Majesty appears in State. ^to , On these occasions they always attended her. To tli jg ^^^^ was indebted for admission to the ante-room leading t e gm presence chamber in St. James' Palace, whenever theivftjiis a levee or drawing room, from whence I could beholu peers of the realm in their robes, stars and garters, and h^j^q shals, generals, admirals and ministers, from every co Christendom, in gorgeous uniforms, bearing on their 1);**?%' crosses, medals, orders and ribbons, (honorable souveii'd services performed in camp or cabinet, )peeresses,noble (lift R England's aristocratic daughters, as they swept by i:k0fp pride of their resplendent beauty, blazing with diamond^f Jt d from beneath whose waving plumes the bright gems of f I%1 coronets gleamed and flashed as they passed into the pnt ofi of their sovereign. old A sight the most brilliant that can be conceived. Xntof| fi ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 3 can be obtai , if you but n this great c: tns obtained )usiness suite s I had the ^v le night to s] latious. I so! fre that one li«i it, I coukl Hi d, with all the dfit," Ibega| LC greatest pos lall means. lu y relations, oi B were Hkewisc connected with the Theatres Royal ,Drury and Adclphi, and had some interest in the management ,uxhall Gardens. To all these places of amusement they nted me with free admissions, Avhcnever I requested to do so, which was very frequently. These orders ,ed me to admission behhid the scones ; I had thus an tunity of becoming acquainted with many of the stage litics of the day — likewise those of lesser note. I found , as a body, remarkably pleasant people, and I took a fancy to acting and theatricals generally. About this he Louthcr Rooms, on King William Street, were opened ilect (juadrille parties, which were just then all the rage, one of the lady patronesses with whom I M'as acquainted insi: met her brother in Quebec — I received a season as a present. Eeing passionately fond of dancing, I of yeomen o;^y||. missed a night during the season. On one of these )er who are oiilj|jJ|ions a very pretty young lady appeared in white satin )0||, with gold fringe round the tops— pretty, 'tis true, but d her. To tlujg^^as an innovation — slippers only being recognized at •oom leading te^Jme in a ball room. While drinking Avith some young svhenever thei':80|rs in the sailed mcvi(j<)', I talked loudly in praise of the could behold((5i|gjlady and her boots, ond got showed up for my foolishness d garters, aud.(|pewspaper called the 'loivn,vf\\\c\i noticed my infatuation om every ecu iiH following manner : — [n<^ on their l^'^w^e advise the young Canadian, residing not one hundred norable soja'f^'cillBfrom Soho Square, not to talk so emphatically about cresses,noble il kjjj^obinson's white satin boots." This caused me in future ey swept by >''l(|ip niy mouth sliut ; so wliat with sights at the Palace, fire- with diauiondHfl^isplays, the tlicatre, and dancing, I Avas enjoying my- ri'dit gems oi'lMghly. But I was not satisfied with this ; my aim Avas to sed into the pi'i til intimate terms Avith some good families, by Avhich I ill^ obtain the privilege of entering into the social circles of conceived. )'W<>f the country gentry, Avho oomc up to London for the n i!(iW i' :■ !i 2G xNED FORTESCUE ; OR, season only, and have no time to enquire particular!)' y^^ one's standing in society. Chance gained for me Avi.x> i could not have otherwise obtained. il} i After leaving St. George's Hospital, I took up my qiia:»fle| at a quiet little coffee house, close to Soho Square — iii.onfl from the East India Company's recruiting depot, and HowiMli Hotel, the head waiter of which was a brother of my landl tifyji and a very good fellow to boot — after I entered I'heii & Co.'s employ, where I boarded but did not sleep, retained my little attic room for more reasons than the c^j finance. Being constantly at the different public pl;vi amusement I became acquainted with several young fell » gl^ good standing, and frequently made appointments with if n, to spend the evenings together, who if they had known n occupation, or whereabouts, would never h^,vo done ki arranged with my friend Stephens, the " major-doiii Howard's, who for a small consideration, consented to r messages and notes, and answer all inquiries, which led v to imagine that I occupied rooms in the establishmcii: course "when anyone called to see me, I had just gone o might be expected in about an hour. Thus I had the of living at a first-class hotel without the expense att it, and my assumed position remained unquestioned. S for management. One afternoon, while returning from the city, wher been sent on some business for the firm, and while in: of crossing Cockspur Street, a gentleman advancing f: opposite side was knocked down by the horse of a . cab driven furiously along, and would have been ru: and in all probability much injured or killed, had I n^t forward and seized the head of the animal, and f n ^vith a sudden jerk back upon his haunches. The j3cramblcd as best he could from beneath the horsc'^ ROUCiUING IT THROUGH LIFE. 27 ! particularly ^^ relinquished my hold, and cabby, fearful of being called ed for mc av1» account for his furious driving, made himself scarce with 1,11 Jjossiblc speed. I then assisted the gentleman to rise, and ok up my fiua:ii||^d him my arm, which he gladly accepted. He was not 10 Square — iv aa^ hurt, but a great deal shaken by the fall. I accom- lepot, and Honv Lcr of ray la^'^^ V I entered 1 d not sleep isons than the c ent public \^m 'eral younn tell him to his rooms close by, in Spring Gardens, saw him up stairs, handed him over to his valet or factotum, turned to depart ; but this he would not hear of, and ly requested me to remain, that he might have the tunity of thanking me, and learning to whom ho was ted for such an essential service. He directed his man vf me into the sitting room, then excused himself for a .ointments witli #l|iiinutcs Avhilo he repaired the damages to his toilet. I bey had kno^vll ifim an assent, and throwing myself carelessly into an easy rer b/^-ve done napK awaited his reappearance. :ie " major-doffi , consented to r ries, which led v^^ le establislmuni: had just gone o: Thus I had the ^1 the expense ati unquestioned, b n the city, whei' m, and while in' nan advancing ft the horse of a 1 1 have been vur.! kiUed,hadInot I animal, and I'orf' haunclies. The icath the horse's* nmmmm 28 NED fortescue; or, CHAPTER III. As soon as the valet closed the door, I commenced a sud of the region into which I had been thus unexpectedly throJ It was a handsomely furnished room, and the large bow vj dow at the end commanded a fine view of St James' Park;| the right could be seen the Duke of York's column, th3 Co of St. James, and the marble arch in front of BuckingL Palace ; to the left Bird Cage Walk, and the Horse Guarl while stretching away to the front was the enclosure witlij beautiful shrubberies and majestic trees, over the tops of avI might be seen the square towers of the Ancient Abbej Westminster, and here and there you could catch a glancj the ornamental waters, studded with little islands, on \s\ hundreds of foreign and domestic water-fowl made their nci and swam among the aquatic plants, to the delight of the loungers, and troops of merry, laughing children, who quented that charming spot. A cheerful fire blazed in the burnished grate, whicli parted a feeling of comfort to the apartment, in the corner! which were to be seen cricket bats, balls, stumps, sbj fishing rods, and rifles, with fencing foils and boxing-gloj The side-table was strevm with pets of the ballet, new mtj pipes, meerschaum and cutty, cards and notes in profuji and some unpaid tradesmen's bills ; all jumbled togethe| one confused mass. On the centre table were newspapj pamphlets, magazines, Coke upon Lyttlcton, Parliamcuj Blue Books, and other reading matter. ROUflHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 29 mencecl a sui pectedly thro B large bow v James' Park; olumn, th3 C'j [; of Buukiii e Horse Gua sn closure 'svitli the tops of Av Lncient AhhQii catch a glane slands, on w made their nc lelight of the lildren, ^Yho grate, which , in the cornerl stumps, ska| [id boxing-gloj )allet, new rati otes in profu!| Qflblcd togethej vere newspa[l n, Parliamcir^ had just concluded my inspection when the owner of this ellaneous collection entered, in dressing gown and slippers, was a good looking young fellow, apparently about three twenty, rather above the middle height, with a fair com- ion, dark blue eyes, and a profusion of dark brown curly and whiskers. The moustache, imperial or goatee he not affect, as in those days such appendages were only ted by men of the highest ton, the army and the numerous y-looking foreigners who frequented the Sahlonniere, similar estabUshments in Leicester square and its vicinity. By George," said he, laughing, as he dropped into an chair, " I fancy I was more frightened than hurt ; but ainly, had it not been for your timely assistance, I should been a fit subject for Highgate Cemetery, or the opera- knife. Do me the favor to lunch with me," he added, servant entered with a well-filled-tray of Stilton cheese, sandwiches and cold chicken. Try some sherry, or will you allow me to recommend capital old ale to your notice — it always does me an lense amount of g^od when I feel a little shaky — it was that my governor sent up ; it was brewed when I was , and not tapped until I came of age." did try it, and certainly it was the best that had ever down my throat. Over our ale he informed me that he the son of Sir Lewis Archer, of Stanley Hall, Sussex — specimen of the real old English gentleman, who hated on cordially, but who nevertheless came up to town for uple of months every year that Lady Archer and her aughters might enjoy the height of the season. 'ou see," said he, " that being an only son. Sir Lewis lot hear of my engaging in any profession, but being heir lanley Park, and its broad acres, he wishes me to enter lament, and sent me up here, w^here I have been for the liHIWIf" 30 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, i ; i!i,i' last eighteen months cramming myself with legal and Pari mentary lore, for I am to stand for the county at the spri elections ; a bore, is it not." " But you appear to relieve yourself from this drudge occasionally '' replied I, pointing to the colored engraviii,- the Pets, and other trifles before alluded to. lie lauglif gay laugh, and with a courteous inclination of the he said : 1^ *' May I ask whom I have the honor of thanking for t good service." Pushing my chair a little round, I tooki; pen, and Avrote on a slip of paper, " E. W. Fortescue, II ard's Hotel, Soho Square." " There," said I," that addi, will always find me while in London ; as for who I am, v I am nobody. My family settled in Quebec, Lower Caiia some years ago. When I was about eighteen I conceive] desire to come and see modern Babylon. jNIy governor in no objections, and you behold me here ; I have done ne all your public institutions, theatres, etc, ; but you En,;: are such an exclusive set that I cannot get an introduc mto society. The only relations of my family in this com do not reside here ; besides an old feud would prevent from seeking their assistance for that purpose. We man these things differently abroad." " My dear fellow," said he, " allow me to be your fri in this matter. I belong to an old English family, and I proud to say that we still possess that unfashionable, tli %|te truly English feehng, family affection, and I am certain Wi|s, Sir Lewis and Lady Archer, and my sister, would ncvcr^wr give me if I did not allow them an opportunity of thaiiifl|ni you personally for the obligation rendered to myself." ^IH^^ no intention of refusing his polite offer, so bowed an ackJp|ea ledgment. tbfllt " Her Ladyship gives one of hor evenings to-morrow i or» t ill 0] sh re E 1 ■ ( On fill sc ea( to re r ( tci r ( eu( el pc cd he eo if n< lu ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 31 ill pick you up at Howard's at oi^^lit o'clock, and drive you ortland Square, althougli they do not receive before nine, sh to get the introduction and that sort of thing over re the crush comes," said he, as we parted. Do tell me, jNIr. Fortescuc," said Lucy Archer, a pretty brunette of seventeen, as Ave sat conversing together on ottoman, in the elegant drawing room of the mansion Ortland Square, some half-hour after my introduction to liimily, " is it true that the people in your country paint selves before going into battle, like the ancient J3riton3 ead about in our early history ? When cousin John went to join his regiment at Toronto, he sent us word that red men,' as he called you, dressed themselves up in and feathers, and brandished their tomahawks to ten our soldiers ; but I think he was only amusing himself r expense ; he was such a strange, odd fellow, endeavored to set her right by explaining the character e Indian tribes, and to assure iier that the Canadians, people, were as civilized and pohshed as their more ed neighl)ors in Europe. For in those days Canada he Canadians were little understood by the generality of iGople in England. " But," said I, as the band struck ' the quadrilles are forming, permit me the pleasure of ng the first set with you." She smiled an assent, and her to the ball room. Iter in the evening as I sauntered through the card L am certain >01B|s5 I stopped to look on at a table where Sir Lewis and would uevci&!|§r Bradley, of the artillery, assisted by two elaborately tunity of thai.fftli^Gd dowagers, wore engaged at whist. " You are a to myself." laflildian, I understand, sir," said the major to me, during bowed an. acb^ ileal. " llow are aflfairs going on in Canada ? Any pro- kbyity of a general rising throughout the Province, and arc "•s to-morrow i ^J** troops likely to be called for ?" ■ o;al and Pari J at the spii I this drudgcij cd engravin,. He laughf II of the lie hanking for t; .und, I took IV Fortescue, Hj I,"thataddi ' who I am, v , Lower Cana; en I conceive ly governor mi bave done nc but you Ell,: t an introduc ily in this com ould prevent t)se. We mam to be your fr family, and I ashionable, tl •v 82 NED FOUTESCUE ; OR, ,1 CO: ted " Not at all," replied I, " Ilcr Majesty has not more loj subjects than the Canadians in any part of the world. So: disaffection has shown itself in both sections, and collisi' have taken place bctwv i the insurgents and the troops ; ' the whole affair is now subsiding, and, in my opinion, Avo:j have died out long before this, but for the American clenie which is ever ready to inflame the minds of the lower on against the government, with a view to ultimate annexati but they will never succeed in that." .^^ Before leaving, I received a carte blanche to visit tluijj when I felt so disposed, and Sir Lewis insisted that I sh spend a few weeks at his seat in Essex during the shoot: season. I was likewise introduced, during the evening several other wealthy families on whom I promised to q dine, and so forth. This sort of thing lasted for about ij weeks, and certainly I never experienced a more plca.^y, time. One evening, at a concert, I met my old schoolfell.j Charles Melton. We were equally pleased to meet again. .Jji having seen each other for three or four years. After •) concert I invited him to sup with me at my quiet coffee h. g^i; q Having no object in concealing fi-om him my real positioi.iy^ ^11 related to him what had happened to me since we both part jgj|Q|^e and, in return, he informed me that his father had died, a'^ ^q left the business to his management ; but having no taste '^ such matters his affurs became somewhat involved, and t he thought of selling off and engaging in some pursuit m c congenial to his taste and habits. n At an opposite table were seated a party of non-conms sioned officers belonging to the East India Company's rccrc ing depot, Soho Square. One of whom, it appeared, vr pointing out to a couple of country-looking lads the advanta. Tile q that were to be gained by entering the military service of ;Wrvice retire on an allowance of eighty pounds per . Besides these, there are a great many advantages deserving soldier, not to be met within otiier services.'* quiet and gentlemanly manner in which this statement |oade, led me to believe there was some truth in it. It ,'^, ■:\\\m S4 NED rORTESCUE; OR, being now midniglit my friend left, promising to meet again in a few cveninirs for a ni;;ht'3 amusement, autumn now closing in, the Arclicrs, anil most of the fam with whom I was ac(]uaintcd liad already left town, aiid others were about to do so. I again began to feel ^vli: very slight hold I had on the position of a gentleman, pace at which, for the last few months, I had been gf totally unfitted mo for the plodding humdrum routinfl business life. One Saturday afternoon, on going to the counting-houj was informed that in consequence of the firm being abo;] dissolve partnership, my services in the establishment tv be no longer required. This was as unexpected as incon ent to me, for I mucli doubted if I could procure an api- ment that would suit me as well as the one I was now lea — and so it turned out — for a whole fortnight I sought great diligence for some suitable employment, but wii: success. My funds were now getting low, and I knew I could no longer keep up the appearance that I had hit': done, and I resolved to do that which had more than flashed across my mind since I had listened to the conTi tion of the recruiting party of the East India Company previous to carrying out this ideal determined to mix^' more among the gay and glittering throng. I paid fa visits to those of my acquaintances who still remained in f and then drove down to Essex, where I was most ho?|;| received by the Archers at Stanley Ilall. I found mm guests, many of whom I had met in London. So wlia;^ shooting in the morning, riding parties in the afternor: assemblages at night, my time was fully occupied, an:' manner Avhich could not fail to give me the utmost sa; tion and delisht. This sort of thinii could not last Ion; m»\ made a virtue of necessity by informing my friends that J gotya lOQi 1 ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 35 ing to meet nusement. i st of the farm: eft town, fiiid in to feci ^vllil [Tcntleman. had been gf idrum routiii:' sivcd an appointment abroad, and must leave England in a days. All expressed their regret at my short visit, but ed me every success in my voyage to the East. n reaching my lodgings in London, I soUl off my wardrobe the exception of the suit I then wore, then sought out my d Melton, and without mentioning my plans or intentions m, engaged him in a round of visits to our old haunts for a le of nights ; then saying it might be some time before we again, I left him and seeking the sergeant-major of the uiting depot, I enlisted in the Company's service, hoping, ly general knowledge of the world and the education I received, to bo able to carve out for myself a competency 11 back upon in my old age, should I siu'vive the difficul- ,nd dangers attending a military life for so long a period at unhealthy climate. few days after, behold me, with some score of others, rking on board one of those small steamers that ply een London Bridge and Gravesend ; for we were bound at port. With the early dawn set in a cold drizzling rain, ering the street anything but pleasant to walk on. As ay grew older the sky became overcast with a dull leaden , the rain :'n.ine down in torrents, and the waters of lanies looked l)lack and swollen. There were few per- on the wharf to witness our departure. With the excep- f a half-dozen watermen huddled for shelter under the uding eaves of the old-fashioned warehouses that over- tho river, from the pointed gables of which the rain down, drop, drop, drop, with a chilly monotonous sound, those whose duty it was to attend to the unmooring of |vessel, not a soul was there to say a farewell word to i leaving that great city, perhaps for ever. A deck pass- L1V.V "'"" Jj^'"g0J^a9 all that was allowed by the authorities on this occa- ioQ| which, considering the heavy rain fall, was not the counting-houf' I'm being abo'i! ;ablishment w cted as incoir. rocure an appi I was now lea' light I sought ment, but wii ^r, and I knew that I had hit d more than 3d to the com idia Company, -rained to mix ig. I paid far il remained in *■ was most ho?p; I found mm don. So wha:' 1 the afterno^. r occupied, an the utmost sa: Id not last Ion ny M 36 NED rORTESCUE ; OR, most comfortable quarter in the world. There is nothing likJ travel, it enables us to suit ourselves more contentedly witJ such situations as we may be placed in ; and I availed mysq of the knowledge I had acquired by it to improve my pcrsoiu comfort. Mentioning my idea to a tall, good-looking youii; man — whose well-worn garments of faded black were wor with the air of one that had seen better days, and from who;^ general appearance I felt inclined to know something more i — we sought out the purser and by paying the differencij between deck and cabin, soon found ourselves comfortabli located in a snug little cabin, through the agency of a silvej key. The steward produced two tumblers of that beveragr known as hot gin toddy, and supplied us with a couple cJ dried cabbage-leaves, which the unsuspecting cockneys arJ deluded into believing to be nothing else but real Cuba. iJ this manner we sipped and whiled away the time until d were informed that we were opposite Tilbury Fort, and tliaj it was time to go on shore. Very little delay was made at Gravesend, and although th^ rain continued to fall, we started on our very disagreeably journey, hoping to reach our destination before night-fall. We| through, spattered with mud from head to foot, and tire^ with our long tramp — for it was late in the evening before m entered the little town of Brompton, on the banks of the rive^ Medway, in which place was located the depot of the Honj East India Company — our pr,rty were billetted at the differ! ent public houses ; myself and three others finding comfortl able quarters at a snug little tavern, whose creaking sign, a-{ it swung backwards and forwards in the cold wind of thai winter's night, informing all who cared to know that it ^vaij the " Shepherd andS hepherdess, kept by W. H. Brown," bu| we found that the said W. H. B. had been gathered to fathers for some time, and that the establishment was presidel ROUGHING IT THROUGn LIFE. ^7 jr by his blooming widow, assistcrl bj two very presentable lusjhtcrs. |Scatcd in the bar parlor, in which blazed a cheerful wood 5, we did ample justice to the meal that had been prepared us, which, together with some good old ale, and the (rmth of the logs completely dispelled the fatigue that we on our arrival. After a few games at cards we betook rselvcs to bed, very well satisfied with our present quarters. le next morning, being Christmas Day, we were permitted [remain out of barracks, and enjoy the last day of our civil jrty in such a manner as would suit our tastes and pockets. Lftcr breakfast I and my three companions compared notes, examined the contents of our purses, which being found iciently flourishing to warrant the outlay, we agreed to ie with our hostess and daughters, and, if possible, to have [egular jollification and keep up Christmas, perhaps for the time in England, after the fashion and manner of good cs in English country towns. The necessary funds having bn handed over to the landlady, we started out on a cruise [ough the town to take a look at the quarters we were to jr the next morning, and receive the first lesson in our new Ifossion. We were very well pleased with our Christmas tivities. The dinner was all that could bo desired, to say ling of the plum-pudding, mince pies, fruit, nuts, and ^etmeats, nor was there any lack of wine and spirits, [n the evening several neighbors and friends of the widow [pped in. One of these, who was no mean performer on the in, tendered his services which was duly accepted. Sing- and dancing were kept np without intermission until day- it warned us to seek our beds for a few hours. After ikfast we were marched into barracks, inspected by the imandant, told oiF, and posted to our different companies. m followed the hair-cutting, bathing, and shaving. The Rm 08 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, latlor process, I must saj, was much needed by the greater! portion of our party. This business gone through, wc donncij the uniform, and were soon made to understand the utihty oj the goose seep, extension motions, and setting up drill, anj other positions thouglit necessary for the well-being of tl recruit generally. From many of the fatigue duties incident to a military lifol I managed to escape. The necessary, though to me diss greeable, task of cooking, 1 evaded by an exchange, preferriiij to mount guard to ruling the roast in the mess kitchen. SueJ labor and fatigue as carrying sand, I also escaped. Tliij necessary article had to be brought from the opposite bankj: the Medway. Here my nautical experience assisted inJ The staff-sergeant of my company, learning that I had beej at sea, appointed me coxswain. The only duty I had to li on these occasions was to steer, and take charge of the bo;i:j while the others were digging and filling the bags. A sli- time after my arrival, while ascending the steps leading to iii| barrack room after evening drill, a voice exclaimed : " Caiil be possible, is that Fortoseue ? What on earth brought you ;| this place." " I think I may ask you the same (juestion, f()r I certain.j never expected to see you here," said I, recognizing my o.| schoolfellow and friend, Charley Melton. Mutual exjlaiii tions followed, and we agreed to stand by one another as Luj as we should be in the service. At Chatham, which v. about one mile from Brompton, were stationed two regimoii^ of the line, between whom and us a great deal of good-natiiM chaffing went on, at each other's expense. Wc were provlJel with three good meals a day ; they only breakfast and dinm] The regiments of the Company's service never returned fr India ; those of the line changed stations frcjuently. (j meeting each other in the town the Royals would call uuj ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 39 by the greaterj i2;h, wc (lonnci cl the utiHty oil rr up drill, an ll-being of tht| a military lifo- jh to me disj mge, preforrid kitchen. SueJ escaped. Tliij )ppositc bankj e assisted w\ that I had bcej uty I had to I'i rize of the hoaJ bags. A'shnrl )S leading to rej limed : " Can;] li brought you i| Halloo, Jack Company, when does your regiment come lome ?" The usual response would be, " When your's gets its ipper." I had been in barracks about five weeks when an order Irrived to despatch a draught of recruits to Indir , A parade ras ordered and the requisite number called out from amongst liose who had been longest at the depot, myself among the lumber. We were paid up and directed to hold ourselves readiness to march to Gravesend next day. 1, for I certalui ognizing my oij Mutual explaiiJ 3 another as lorj lam, which ^v:j ;d two regimciil [ of good-natuii Ve were provitl'| kfast and dimKJ er returned fi'i frequently. i| i woiild call ouj 40 NED fortescue: ok. CHAPTER IV. It was a clear cold morning ; a hoar frost hung on the treei! and hedges, and the shrubs and nettles that grew by the Avaj side were coated with tiny articles of ice that glittered ancj sparkled in the rays of the early sunlight. The road, r, macadamised one, was in excellent order, with many a leu - and turn, disclosing here and there the ivy-mantled towers some ancient church, or a view of the Thames, as it flowei onwards towards the sea. Our detachment consisted of two hundred and fifty-sii] men of all ranks, and had been accompanied to the outsk'it^ of the town by the band of the depot, followed by the usua concourse of servant girls, young fellows, the acquaintance^ of an hour, and a crowd of boys, drawn together by the musieJ and the bustle and excitement of the scene. The distance t! the place of cmbarcation was al)out twenty miles. IIalf\va| we were halted at a httlc public-house on the roadside, aiu regaled with bread, cheese and beer in lieu of dinner. "\V| then pushed on and arrived at Gravesend a little past mirl-daTi Here wo were joined by the married men, their wives aiii ftimilies, and commenced embarking immediately. As nouj but those belonging to the di aught were allowed to go off (.^ the ship, all leavctaking had to bo got through prior to Ica^^^ ing the pier. Having no relative or friend to wish me Gu speed, or say a farewell word, I sat down on aheap of bagga.| to wait for my turn for the boat, for I was glad to escafj rec^.LTnition by any passer-by. Here I wicuess''.^d scveriii —• £i ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 41 on the trceij w by the Avai glittered anci The road, many a ^^eiv; tied towers s, as it flo^ve| and fifty-siJ the outskirtl ;1 by the iisua acquaintancej r by the musica 'he distance t| les. Ilalfwa:^ roadside, aiu f dinner. ^V| e past mid-daTj leir wives aiii ely. As noul ^cd to go off t| h prior to lea| I wish me Go^ leapofbagga:! glad to escaij iieas-jd scver^ ?cting separations, the parent looking on his child for the time ; sisters and brothers parting, perhaps, never again leet. Few of all that throng now leaving, in the pride of lir health and strength, would ever again set foot on their live sliore. There was the careless, good-natured adieu, )ld fellow, I wish you good luck, of course you will write," Ithc schoolfellow or village friend ; the boisterous grief of ic Hibernians, who were kissing and hugging their kinsmen ^r the fashion of their country ; and also that quiet leraonstrative sorrow that gives no utterance, and S[)oaks Ifarewell ; for as the old song says, " the heart feels most ^n the lips move not, and the eye speaks the gentle good- i% was past two o'clock before we all got safely on board. I a time all was noise and confusion ; messes being made up men to each, and quarters assigned to the married people. orlop deck was divided into berths for the use of the linder of the men ; who were told off into squads under respective non-commissioned officers, and a certain mt of order and discipline was soon established, which more effective and permanent as the voyage progressed. I Heave undpaul," shouted the hoarse voice of the boat- Tl.e Cci|>stan bars flew round to the music of a violin, Ihic'i i uc ol thb crew was performing Jim Crow, and other liar airs. As the ponderous anchor rose slowly from its iy ted, the jibs were run up, and the bow of the India- swing round. The topsails were sheeted home, and superb ship, with its living freight, dropped down the her white canvass swelled out by a light westerly wind lifted and curled the sea-green waters into mimic waves. ^f porpoises bared their backs, and gamboled in the [Ci. t'") seti'ng sun, as we swept majestically on towards >o\,i;i on our out vvard-bouud passage to Bombay. 42 NED fortescue; or, At roll-call that evening, Captain Woodgatc, commanfjir, the detachment, came between decks and inquired if the were any present "vvho understood the slinging of haminocfc] if so, to step out. " I can sling a hammock with the be man in the ship," replied I, in a confident tone, as I fell c and saluted the captain. He turned to me, saying. " Ye good, my man ; I wish you to commence at once and hai. every man's hammock. Take six men, that the sergeai major Avill detail for that duty, and instruct them in all tl concerns if. Do this for t\\o or three days, I will then ord: a parade f*. ourposc of explaining to the detachment t: way it is to he \iq ; after which every man must sling his oiv Pay attention to this, and you will find that you shall not a loser by your willingness to make yourself generally usefu! On the fourth evening I had been engaged with the ha; mocks, and had nearly finished, when I had occasion to go deck for a few minutes. I called my friend Charley Melt' and asked him to sling the rest. This he undertook to i During my absence Cajjtain Woodgate came below, and goi up to Melton said, *' Thank you, my man, I am much obli: to you for the trouble you have taken ; the men in future m do it themselves. What is your name." It was accordiiij given, and the Commanding olficer went to his cabin- The iiJ morning at ten o'clock the sergeant-major read out the folic ing order : " Private Charles Melton to be corporal and lai sergeant, and to be borne on the strength of the detachni: as such until absorbed by casualty." And thus, by a iii accident) I lost my first chance for promotion. In the d of the evening my friend Charles had been mistaken for and to the day of his death nobody but himself and I ki to what he owed his rise, or why I had been passed o'j without some acknowledgment of my service. I of con: could have oxj>lained matters, and had the order cancu ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 48 comraandirJ Hired iftlie^ if haminocfcj with the bej , as I fell c >rhig. " Vd )nce and haiJ the sergeai] cm in all tlij vill then oi'dj etachment til t slinghisowj )u shall not I icrally useful with the liaj icasion to goj Iharley Mc.'lt:| idertook to }low, and goli] n much obH: , in future mj ,vas accordiui 3abin. The iiJ out the foUoj 'poral and larl the detachnil hus, by a iiij n. In the d] listaken for iself and I bj een passed o| cc. I ofcoiif order cancull as it was my friend that derived the benefit I kept dark I the subject. few days after sea-sickness made its appearance, pros- [ting the greater portion of the men, and putting drill out Ihc question for a time. As for myself, having been sub. ted to it previously, I was fortunately exempt. Nearly je weeks passed before this malignant enemy disappeared, poor young fellow, named Stewart, of a very delicate istitution, suffered long and severely. B^me other com- Int seized him before he recovered from sea-sickness ; and he ly sank loAver and lower, until one morning he was reported Id l»y the medical officer. All were sorry, for he had been lict, good-natured, harmless young fellow. Preparations \c immediately made for the funeral service that evening ; I body was sewn up in a hammock, leaving the face exposed pew, until the last moment ; it was then placed on a grat- and carried up to the forecastle, and partially covered the Uuioft Jack. At sunset the funeral service was to read, and the body committed to the deep. All on board otliorwise engaged, were at that time assembled to less the last sad rites. The Oommandiug officer had led the prayer-book Avhenthc sail-maker stepped forward jomiilete his work, that of closing the open part of the block. In doing this he drove his needle either by design [ccident into the tliroat of poor Stewart. In an instant )nvulsive movement was perceived in the body, and began to flow from the wound. Quick as lightning Id Sails" ripped open the rough shroud, restoratives were iediately applied, and to the surprise and delight of all |ent, Stewart recovered consciousness, and was taken Before we had crossed the line he was reported fit luty. Twenty years after I met him, a stout robust man, |ihM;an appointment in the commissariat department. 44 NED FORTESCTE ; OR, As wc passed into warm latitudes various amusements wcr entered into for killing time. We had an excellent librar on board, a -weekly newspaper was started, cards, backhaul mon, and draughts were indulged in every afternoon anj evening,. Each man was allowed one quart of porter per diemi lime juice was also issued daily. One afternoon a sudde excitement arose ; a sail had been reported in sight, and tlJ officers had been on the look-out for her. "AYliat is it ?'' enquired Captain Morris, of the chief o! cer, who, for several minutes had been intently gazi through his glass at a small ol)ject on the distant horizon. " I cannot quite make her out ; she is evidently a snial vessel, out still too distant to distinguish her course," Iil replied, as ho closed his telescope. " Then jump aloft ; you will get a better view from the toj mast cross trees," suggested his superior, who, by this timJ had rested his own glass on the quarter boat and brought: to bear on the object in question. He soon gave up scrutiny, as he could discern no more than had been reports by Mr. Howard. " Well, coiildyou make out anything mon of her?" he continued, as tliat officer descended from tL mainriiriiina;. *' She is about four miles off on our Aveather quarter, has| large hull, and small sails, looks like a schooner and is runniiij parallel with us. There is a light fog rolling down towuK us that Avill shut her out for a while, but when that clears wj shall have a nearer sight of her, or I am mistaken," was reply, as he descended the companion ladder, it not bein^ watch on deck. The appearance of a strange sail always creates a certaJ amount of excitement, especially on board a passenger or troi ship, and we were not the exception, for speculation was ri as to what sort of a craft she mi«^htturn out to be. Thematd ^'^ ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 45 sements wer ;ellent librarj Is, backgaJ fternoon an] tcr per dicinl )on a sudtlej idit, and ttl the cliiefiiij tciitly gaziiij horizon, lently a snial r course," lil V from the to , by this tini' and brought gave up been report anythhig mo .ded from tl| quarter, had and is runniii! down towud that clears w| aken," was t not being l\ eates a certaj senger or tro')| lation was ri be. Themat«| tJ )rds had been overheard by the L?entry on the cabin door and ily promulgated through the ship ; witli a little addition* kcording to the inventive genius of the narrator, as it was Lndcd about from one to the other. In about a couple of [urs the fog lifted, and sure enough there was the scliooner, a i"-, black, rakish-looking craft, Avith an immense hull, capable Ihokling a great number of men, and apparently pierced for guns ; but her ports were closed. She was about two les a head on our weather bow, which she was crossing and )wed S^Ycdish colors on her main peak. I*' There she is, there she is," Avas shouted from a dozen voices \m different parts of the ship, and immediately every glass levelled at the stranger. Presently the boatswain, an old lor who had formerly served on board a man-of war, after dng a good squint at her from the top-gallant forecastle, liked up to the captain and suid ; r That is the ' Tarentella,' commanded by the pirateDavoust. mow the cut of her jib, and trim of her sails, and many a 5e we had after her Avhen I was in the ' Wasp,' a ten-gun belonging to the West India squadron. [' Are you quite certain ?" enquired his commander. [' Quite certain, sir, there ain't another hull like that afloat." the ansAver of the old salt. I' Then tell the chief officer I Avish to speak to him, and come krself. I think Ave shall need your counsel." CaptainWood- [e, Avith his subalterns, together Avith all the ship's officers, assembled in the fore cabin by the request of Captain Jrris, Avho thus addressed them : '' Gentlemen, Avith your )peration, Ithink Ave can have considerable amusement, if the affl\ir be managed carefully and quietly, some it likewise, for there," said he, pointing through the open of the cabin towards the schooner, Avhich, by this time tacked about, and Avas standing toAvardsus, '' that felloAV ■■■MMIItllHBqil 40 NED FOKTESCIE ; OR, ;'",i.. ■! I am informed, is the celobratofl pirate Davoust. He i^ French Creole, a native of Martinique, and possesses all t| cruelty of the negro with a strong dash of the polished cuiuiri and knavery of his white associates. A large reward been offered by the government for his capture or dcstructiuJ cither of these desirable events, I believe, wo can attain, if ■ act promptly, and with caution. lie evidently mistakes character of our vessel, and fancies us unarmed, and likelvi become an easy prey. Mr. Block, the boatswain, knov.S; tactics and mode of attack. Now to be forewarned is toi forearmed ; what say you gentlemen ?'' An unanimous approval followed this suggestion of captain's, and several plans of attack w'cre proposed, ami J following was finally adopted. Under cover of the awninj which were braced tightly down, two guns were to be got the forecastle loaded "with round shot. Mr. Block was! take charge of these, and at the proper time open fire on; piiate, and endeavor to cripple her by cutting away her maJ and rigging. Two other guns were to be placed on the oil deck ; these were to be managed by some of the artillt| recruits, many of whom had eighteen months gunnery practj at the depot previous to coming on board. Their instructij were to blaze away at stcnpost and rudder, and try to \m them away, and thus render the vessel unmanageable ; v\ the inflmtry, about two hundred and fifty strong, were sweep her decks by a continuous discharge of muskeij Cutlasses, pistols, and boarding pikes, were served out to; crew, who, under their officers, were to act on the defensij if the pirates should attempt to board us. If we were succosj in crippling the vessel, our helm was to be jammed harj port, and avc were to run her down by cutting her in two. Quietly, and without noise or confusion, everything wasl ready for the reception of the sea-robbers. When within tlii ROUGIimU IT TUROlOn IJFi:. 47 st. He ii« 3essc3 all til islied cuuni'J 3 reward lA ; dcstructio'j attain, if mistakes tj , and likely lin, knov.sJ [irncd is to] ^cstion of posed, audi the awniiiJ c to be got Block ^Ya3 pen fire on :| iway lier mrJ d on the ofl )f the artillJ nnery pracii eir instructij id try to knj [igeablc ; ^vlJ ong, 'VYcrel of muskc;| rved out to ; Q the defeiisil were succciij ammed liarj her in two. ry thing was I en within tlij bi'tcrs of a mile she showed her true character, clewed up |r sails, hauled down the Swedish colors and ran up the pira- lal black flag, with the famous death's-head and cross 103, opened her ports, showed her teeth and fired a shot ross our bows. h' That is a hint for us to heave to : shall I i:ive the order V piircd Mr. Howard. I*- Not yet," was the captain's reply ; '" our object is to get near as possible to her before we a2)pcar to become aware Ihcr meaning or intention." " The next shot will be through our mahisail," ejaculated boatswain ; and while he was speaking, a puft" of white lokc curled from the bow of the buccaneer ; a flash and )ort followed ; and a round shot passed between our fore mainmasts doing us no damage, but buryhig itself in the to windward. [' Heave to," shouted the captain at the top of his voice. seamen sprung to their stations, and the ship was hove-to [bout further delay ; but although the vessel's head-way was 3edcd, we were quietly drifting towards the piratical looner. Enthusiasm and excitement ran high throughout ship ; every one was anxious to secure the prize that beared now almost within our grasp ; yet everything was [ried on with perfect order, and there Avas nothing to indi- externally that we were anything but what we appeared )c an outward-bound East Indiaman and unarmed. The itcs seemed to be perfectly satisfied on this point, for they lowered a boat, which was soon tilled with men armed to teeth, cut-throat looking dogs, doubtless, as those gentry illy are ; but before they had pulled a stroke from the seFs side, a violent commotion a})i>eared to be spreading )ng the crew. They scrambled hurriedly on board, the It was hauled up, the vessel's course altered, and in less 4B NED FORTESCUE ; OR, I'i-'J,: time than I have taken to -svrite this she was flying before t: •wind, with every stitch of canvas that CQuld be set cro\v( on her. This was a contingency we had not anticipated — all ( visions of prize money in doubloons quietly disposed of—! there was no help for it. Mr. Block treated them to a fa well salute from his two guns, one of which struck her bulwai amidships, and sent the splinters flying in all directions- other ploughed along her deck, but with what effect we coi not find out. The two orlop guns likewise blazed away, I either from want of practice in naval gunnery, or that distance was too great, they both fell short. And thus the a: ended, for by sunset not a vestige of the flying craft was be seen, though the horizon was swept bysome of our glasses. During the evening the hasty and undignified flight of pirates was thus accounted for. It transpired that one of women, who was quite unaware of what was going on — foij was kept as quiet as possible from the soldiers' wives- amusing herself by cleaning with pipe clay the red jack her husband, which when completed, she thrust out of oiii the port holes to dry in the sun, unintentionally attrac the notice of the pirates, who, at once discovered our t: character and hence their speedy retreat. Matters then into their ordinary routine. We had the usual amounil squalls and experienced some heavy weather, while rouii the Cape of Good Hope ; but on getting into the war latitudes, things wore a brighter aspect. As on alll voyages, a great deal of monotony was felt at times. How^ an incident occurred one day, not long after our advcn with the pirates, that served to amuse us for the time boi:. The stifi^ breeze that had been blowing for several li during the earlier part of the morning had lulled complex ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 49 mizzcn had been brailcd, the mainsail clewed up ; the |vy foresail hang down, occasionally flapping slowly against mast ; the huge yards creaked and jarred as they swung :wards and forwards ; the top sails •were of very little ser- 5, but the top-gallant sails and royals were gently swelled liglit wind that impelled the vessel at about three knots [hour, through the now calm and flittering waters, from jh ever and anon the albicore sparkling like molten silver, d spring into the air in the morning sunlight. was Sunday, the ship's bell had just struck four bells, our commanding officer appeared on deck. " Captain [ris," said he, " will you dome the favor to read the morn- I service to my men. I am suffering from an attack of ^natism, and Lieutenant Iluland is likewise somewhat sposed this morning." Certainly, with much pleasure," replied the captain of Ivessel. "Boatswain," continued he, addressing that tionary, " pipe the carpenter's crew aft and rig the quar- (eckfor church." Soon the shrill notes of the old seaman's tic rang through the ship, the Union Jack was thrown [the capstan, and quite a number of planks were made scats by being placed on small kegs. The bugle now led church parade, and in about a quarter of an hour all icn off duty, together with the officers and ship's crew their seats. Jergcant-major, are all the married women present?'* Ired the commanding"officer. "I believe so, sir," he ;rcd glancing hurriedly over the assembly, and saluting ipcrior officer. As Captain Morris was about to open )k, and commence the morning prayer, Mrs. Ann Reede, )f one of the recruits,^ made her appearance on deck the fore-hatchway, dressed to kill, but instead of coming [ds us, she deliberately mounted the forecastle steps, (J 60 NED FOllTESCUE ; OR, climbed on the bulwarks and jumped overboard, without ut! ing a single "word or cry. So unexpected was the act that fur a moment no one stim then a simultaneous rush was made ; many ascending thcriJ ing, while others crowded the bulwarks, forecastle and oij favorable points that commanded a view of the 1' object. " Cut away the life buoy ; back tlio fore an., yards ; clew up the top-gallant sails and royals," rangoiul deep clear tones of Captain Morris' voice, with that coolri and promptitude so characteristic of the practical seaman.! orders were obeyed instantly, and the vessel's headway d ped ; then turning to the second mate, he said, " Lower a| the quarter boat, take six men, pull astern, and endeavoj pick up the poor woman." The boat soon dropped from its davits, and was oft'cd way to the rescue. By this time she was half-a-milo as:j although scarcely ten minutes had elapsed since sb her flying leap into the deep. Considerable exciten. manifested during the absence of the boat, every glass broj into use, and from enquiries it was ascertained that somcj ■words had taken place between Mrs. U. and her husbaij few minutes prior to the bugle sounding for church pari He was astern, morose fellow, and somewhat jealousi uiJ It appeared that he had forbidden her to parade in ceij feminine elegancies in the shape of bonnet ribbons or which he asserted were not for him, but for the gratificil of a blue jacket, with whom she was, as he said, onl familiar terms. The boat reached her just as she was ing ; fortunately her skirts, which were rather extensive, ported her until help came, but she was brought on boaj almost an exhausted condition. Being a fine, handsome m sympathy ran high in her favor. Restoratives, in the sil of hot brandy and water, and mulled wine, were adminisi| im. fyoj luld cl he cd "L[ I ROl'OIIINO IT TlIKOUiill LIFK. 51 stle and oij f the 1' fore an. ," rang out I h that coolij ;al seaman. 1 headway i\ ^ " Lower a^ ,nd cndcavc d was off 01 ]f-a-milo as;| since sV exciten. ry glass bro'J d that somei her husbai church par] Lt jealous Avi ,arade in cd ribbons or J the gratificil he said, oiij 13 she was :r extensive,! ught onboa:] landsome wo: ves, in the : ere adminisil her, and she was soon all ri;^ht again, but she was cau- lod by the commanding ofticor not to repeat the dangerous >crlmcnt. if course she was the heroine of the hour aniunir her ipauioiis. On the following Sunday morning, about the le time and place, namely the commencement uf divine 'ice, we were about to be treated to a similar scone, but [oi'tunatcly for the principal actress, it had a very differ- dcnoiiement. A sharp, ill-favored little woman, whose litioii was greater than her stature, became jealous of the iricty attained by her sister-in-law, and was determined, if lihle, to bring herself to public notice by a similar act, in IS, no doubt, of obtaining her share of the general patron- and becoming the recipient of certain liquids known as [edical comforts," for which, if report spoke truly, she a decided predilection. This little personage interrupt- Iho morning service, precisely as the former party had ; but instead of mounting the bulwarks from the fore- Ic she made a sudden dart for the first open port, out of ih she thrust herself. A seaman who was standing near id hold of the skirts of her dress, and held on till assist- came, when she was hauled on board. The disappointed •ant for fame struggled to free herself from the grasp of that held her, but in vain, when she resorted to that line expedient, tears ; but with as little success, for there 10 fascination in her eye, no beauty in her cheek. |Make way there, men," cried Captain Woodgate, and (diately the crowd fell back, as he appeared. "And so, im, you thought to indulge in a little sea-bathing, at the >f your life, and regardless of the trouble and annoyance |uld create throughout the ship," said he, in the severest he could assume. Then, speaking to those who held her, " Lash her to yonder wooden gi-ating and lay her full- i 52 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, length on the deck." This was at once done. " Now p along a dozen buckets of water." These were dashed full iip| her to the no small mirth of many of the lookers-on. "\Yli thoroughly drenched, and half suffocated, she was reloastj " There ma'am," said the commanding officer, " that willl you as much good as if you had been overboard for an lioij You may now go below. Quartermaster-sergeant, let her daij allowance of beer be discontinued for ten days." " Land ahoy," shouted the look-out from the mast-heail-l the blue waters assumed a greenish hue, sure indication ofoJ proximity to land — and soon after the top of Peter Eoi Mountain, and the Island of Madagascar, loomed up in tlj distance on our starboard bow. ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 53 CHAPTER V. E remainder of the day we ran along the coast, so close t we could St 3 a great part of the island. Cattle were zing or browsing on the hill-side, and in little shaded nooks re were huddled together quite a number of small bamboo s, the inhabitants of which would hasten to tlie nearest point ook at our vessel, as she sailed past, the flag of old England ng proudly from our mizzen peak. As the shades of night sed in, we lost sight of the island. The weather was now iglitfully fine, being early in the month "of June, and the niiigs we usually spent on deck. Groups were formed in lerent parts of the ship, some engaged in smoking and listen- to tough yarns from some old soldier or sailor ; in another t the tones of the flute and violin, with the quick stamp of foot announced that the jig or reel was in full operation. c six or seven of our best singers would be on the quarter k, performing a variety of songs in their usually happy lo, for the cabin gentry ; and in this manner 've managed ihilc away the long evenings. hie night while lying awake in my hannnock, thinking of land I had perhaps left for ever, and the one I was now liixious to reach, I was aroused from my reverie by a great ic and shouting on deck. Wishing to know the cause, I jtoiied up the main hatchway ladder, and the first thing I |ccd was an immense light, apparently at no very great dis- :e right ahead. Tliis I soon learned was the light-house on liiilaudof Colaba, at the entrance of the harbor of Bombay 54 NFD fortescue; or, Here "vvas ;;ood news indeed ; a long innirisonment witliiu \\ wooden walls come to an end at last. As the captain IiJ never been here before, he thought it advisable not to go iiij night, so we stood off and on until daylight, then ran in uni] easy sail. A pilot came out ^o meet us, the boat was taken in tow, a:j that responsible officer came on board and took charge of ship. The boatmen, some twelve or Ixtccn in number, )I| homotans by caste, and nake I as when they ''■•^re born, \4 the exception of a small cloth scull cap, ;> .1 dripping Ii| water spaniels, swarmed up the bulwarks and squatted on taffrail, chattering like monkeys. Those were, then, speciiiifj of the people among which, if I lived, I should have to sm so many years. I must confess my first impression of tj natives was not favorable, but one gets accustomed to alraj anything, and the effect of their scanty clothing soon pasy away. We were now entering one of the finest and most coraiiil dious harbors' in the worh\ On our left lay the Island Colaba, connected with that of Bombay by a velard or caiiJ way, where, looming above the tall stately palm trees, wasij light-house, on a rock, at the l)ase of which was placoa thirty-two pounder signal gun, to warn off vessels that mi.j be approaching too close to a dangerous reef of sunken roe] called the Prongs, th.'it stretched across Back l?ay to Mala'' Point. This bay is often taken for the harbor by persons Vi have not previously entered tlie port, and consequently niaj a vess'4 is lost on that reef, by their commanders blunderi: in at night, or without a pilot. Snugly embosomed anioJ the cocoa nut groves, could be seen the Infantry Bar.aeij the Observatory, Gun-Carriage ^lanufactory, and that larj range of buildings at Artha Bunder called the Cotton Sen J where the cotton that comes down from the interior luosl ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 56 ran in urn] iked is compressed or screwed by hydraulic power into luare bales for shipment to Europe. ]0n our right lie the Islands of Henry and Kenry. With a iht breeze and shortened sail, we were piloted through the [merous shipping that lay at anclior in the stream. Passing Dockyard, Custom House, Castle, and ^lint, we came to [clior in front of the Artillery Barracks in Fort George, and irly opposite the Island of Elephanta. At no great distance the main land — the coast of Malabar, — with its numerous ks and mountains, rising apparently to the clouds. As our ssel had been signalled while entering the harbor, it was not ig before a party of non-commissioned officers of the Artil- came to take cliarge and conduct us to their barracks. landed at the Custom House Bunder, where a number of ;k bullocks were waiting to carry our bedding and knapsacks. lile passing one of these, the brute raised his foot and ^ked me on the knee-cap, causing much pain. Mentally signing the beast to a place much hotter than even Bombay, Imped away to purchase some milk, fruit, and other things, to lich for so long a time I had been a stranger. ls we entered the town, I was much struck with its crowd- and ever-varying aspect — Banyans, Parsees, Persians, lbs, and people of every caste and color, in every variety jtlie Oriental costume — all so entirely new to me — winding jir way quietly along, either for business or pleasure — the liropean merchant or staflf officer dashing along in shigeorm Ipalkce to their country house or office, as the case might -here and there a party of sailors on shore for a few hours, idcring about, following some crowing native boy that ildspoak a Uttle English, to the diftercut taverns, and such Lt places of resort, where sailors do most like to congre- tc. But there were none of the European fair sex to be }i\, ladi-"^ never shewing themselves abroad until near sun- 66 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, set ; nor were the British soldiers allowed out between ttl hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., except in cases of emergency, duty, on account of the extreme heat. All the orderlies b. longing to the different government or military officers, m\ men belonging to the native regiment stationed there, and ve smart and soldier-like they looked, well set-up, and dressed their best uniform. Passing along the principal bazaar, m reached Fort George, where we were to remain until our I: dian clothing could be issued to us, for that which we h brought with us was unfitted for the climate. Likewise di tribution rolls had to be made out for the various corps tl; required men to fill vacancies. Just at this period a new re ment was in process of formation, and I, with nearly two-thir of the draft,' was posted to it, and ordered to proceed to liei| quarters at Poena, where a nucleus had already been for by some officers and men from other corps. A few days previous to our leaving Bombay, we had a fori taste of the south-west monsoons. The day had been excee ingly hot and sultry, and when night flung her sable maiid over the earth, the atmosphere became thick, heavy, and o; pressive. Neither moon or star lit up the dark vault \ heaven ; a thick darkness prevailed, that could be almost fei: Towards midnight the heavy clouds parted, the rain descend in torrents, the vivid lightning flashed, and the thunder rolli peal after peal, vibrating among the neighboring hills, lili] discharges from heavy artillery ; the wind swept up tl narrow streets, and in at each portcullis embrasure .th greij violence, overturning sentry boxes, unroofing buildings, an moving all things portable. Our barrack-room commanded view of the harbor, which was frequently lit up with flnsln of broad sheet lightning, disclosing a wild scene. Vcsse] breaking from their moorings, and hurled by the violence i the storm against one another, or driven ashore on the sainij ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 67 ;ach aljove the town. Minute guns, the signal of distress, [ere constantly heard from some unfortunate craft, and the in at the lighthouse frequently boomed out to warn them to jcp off from the dangerous reef of sunken rocks near the itrance of the harbor. I had been told that the monsoons lasted without intermis- )n for about four months. " If," thought I, " this is a ^mple of the rainy season, what a delightful climate I have )t into." The morning broke clear and bright, the storm id spent its fury, leaving in the sky no trace of its visit ; but the coast a very different spectacle was to be seen. A [tie after daybreak orders were issued to the troops for every m off duty to be marched to the beach to render such sistance as might be required of them. Each one was rected to take what could be spared from their knapsacks the shape of clothing, for the use of such of the unfortunate [fferers that might need them ; for by this time it became kown that two large ships, the " Lord AVilliam Bentinck, |th recruits from England, and the *' Lord Castlereagh, )m Karrack, in the Persian Gulf, had been wrecked on the [•ongs during the fearful storm of the preceding night. All j>ng the beach, from Artha Bunder to the rocks at Malabar [int, could be seen evidences of the ruin that had been )ught during that fearful gale. Broken masts, spars, prels, bales, cabin furniture, ship's timber, and hundreds of ler articles, were strewn about in all directions ; but by far most appalling sight was the numerous dead bodies that [re constantly being discovered amongst the clefts of rocks I on the sands, some fearfully lacerated, and some without a lise. The life-boats and catamarans of the pilot service — ' said catamarans are bamboo rafts which can live in any -were successful in rescuing many a poor follow from a [toiy grave, but not a single female was saved. One young c2 »> ?) 58 NED fortescue: or, lad J, daughter of a rich old Nawah, who was returning frorJ Englandjwhere she had been sent to finish her education,offcre[ to give her whole fortune, and marrj the man who would savJ her. — Several tried hard for the prize, but perished in tlij attempt. Many were twice wrecked. The " Bentinck" wgeJ to pieces first, and several swam to the " Castlereagh," ari were hauled on board, but in a very short time she also T\eij| to pieces, and thus they were again cast upon the treacheron bosom of the angry waters. Those who had been saved were at once sent to the ]ios[j tal, and comfortably cared for. Several small guard rooms \yer[ converted into temporary dead houses to receive the bodii as they were brought in, until arrangements could be raaiij for one general interment. A rather amusing incident occul red at one of these places. The body of one of the recruits M just been brought in and laid on the guard bed, and a sontrt placed at the open door to prevent the corpses from beiJ mutilated by rats or other vermin. He was walking quieij up and down his beat when a sepulchral voice from witli called out : " Sentry, what o'clock is it ?' ' Scared beyr measure, he fled to the guard- room and reported what he 1 heard, and of course got reprimanded and laughed at for pains, and again placed on his post. The corporal looking!; the room and finding the body in the same position it 1 been left returned to his guard. A few moments elapsed ^TllJ the same voice cried out : " Sentry, give me a drink of water! The poor sentry could stand this no longer, and again boltj to the guard-room. The sergeant, thinking there must be son thing up, visited the place, and there sure enough was i| supposed dead man sitting up straight, and calling for watj It appeared that on coming to, he had sat up, and, noticing! sentry, asked the time, but the exertion had been too niii| for him, and he had fallen back and fainted. In a little wii ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 69 arning froul ation,offcre: I would savJ ished in M itinck" well 'cagli," anl le also Aveii i treacheroDi to tlie liosfJ d rooms weij re the bodii fuld be nial .cident occil } recruits m and a sentn s from beid liking quieij from ■^•itt cared bcycd L wbat he 1 led at for il looking iii| losition it elapsed ^vll^ ink of wateil ;I again boliJ must be soa ough was t| ing for wati] d, noticing 1 )een too iiiii| n a little v\ again came round and managed to assume the sitting pos- lon, in which he had been found by the sergeant ; iind many I good laugh was afterwards had at the sentry's expense. The following week we received orders to start for Poena, id such of the " Bentinck" men as were sufficiently recovered [ined our detachment. The first day's journey was performed large covered boats up a beautiful river, winding in and out long the hills, and we arrived atPanwoll, some seventy miles )ra Poena, and twenty from Bombay, late in the evening. [ere we halted for the night, and at daybreak the following lorning we commenced the first day's march to Choak, distant |»out ten miles. Next day we reached Campoola, at the foot ' tiie Bore Ghaut, which forms a part of that range of moun- f 119 that runs throughout Western India, dividing the Dekan 3m the Conkas ; at which place wo remained for a couple of Lys, in order to allow the baggage to go forward and ascend steep and difficult road up the Ghaut, the height of which IS several thousand feet above the level of the sea. The scenery was wild, grand, and romantic. On each side the narrow road were deep ravines, with perpendicular irps, and covered with thick jungle, the haunt of the tiger, [d other wild animals, which, at that time, were verynumer- 3, and committed great havoc among the droves of cattle it passed up and down the road, and not unfrequently rrying off some unfortunate native traveller. After some ir hours' toiling up this rugged declivity, we arrived, tired |d foot-sore, at Kandalla, the halting stage at the summit of Ghaut. Here a magnificent scene burst upon our view. the distance could be discerned the bright waters of the jan ; at our feet the fertile plains spotted with small villages, lich looked like small specks in the distance. iThe remainder of the day and night sufficed to put us again marching order, when we started en route for head-quarters 60 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, »». which we reached by easy marches, about ten miles per da;, and then drill and discipline commenced in real earnest. The lii| of a recruit is anything but a sinecure in India, incessant drii and fatigues are his portion, until fit for duty, and long afte: with the thermometer at ninety-six in the shade. Unfort; nately I had almost double drill to go through, for I was sooner acquainted with the mode of priming and loading, aoj other manoeuvres of Brown Bess, as the old flint-lock wcap;i was called, when the new percussion musket was issued to is and the new drill which this necessitated had to be mastcrel this kept us hard at it for upwards of twelve months. 1 had entered the service with my head crammed full romantic ideas of the glory and promotion that was to 1^ attained by deeds of valor on the battle field, or the forloi hope, and planting the flag of Old England on some Indis fortress. This I wildly fancied was all that was expected us, but this notion was soon dispelled, and a round of parad guard-mountings, and other duties, awoke me to the real of my position ; but there was no help for it, so I set to woi with a good will and soon acquired a tolerable proficiencj my profession. Our station was one of the largest and wi fashionable in the western division of the army, and what m; amateur theatricals, races, cricket matches, and other amuji ments, I soon brought myself to turn my thoughts away frc the home beyond the seas, and make myself as comforta'& as circumstances would allow in my new line of hfe. I had been but little more than a year in the country ^vlii my regiment was ordered to Bombay, where, after doing doi for some eight months we were sent to Kurrachee,in Soiii' to assist in the conquest of that country under the famous > warrior, Sir Charles Napier. My regiment formed a part the army of reserve during the battles of Meanee and Hyde; bad, graphic accounts of which have already been given ROtGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 61 be woi'M, renderin;^ any comment of mine on tlie subject ineccssary. Wo remained in Scinde several months, when le TN'cre reHoved by the Seventy-eighth Highlanders, and fdcrcd to Belgaura, a most beautiful locality in the southern [aliratta country ; and right glad was I to exchange the JId plains and barren sand hills of Kurrachce for such lii^litful quarters. We had not been many months here when the whole sta- )n was thrown into a state of excitement, intelligence having packed us that Babagee Nikum, a Mahratta chieftain, who aid large tracts of land under the East India Company, ^bject to the usual conditions, had not only refused to pay le annual tribute, but had resisted the functionaries whose ity it was to collect the said revenue. He had gathered followers together, armed them, taken possession of the rong fortress of Saraunghur — long considered impregnable the natives, situated on one of the largest of that range hills about twenty miles north-east of Belgaum, near the rge native town of Sunkeshwa — and threatened to maltreat kl oppose any parties that might be sent to coerce him into lyment. I The news of these proceedings having reached the govern- jnt at Bombay, instructions were forwarded to the military Immandant at Belgaum to despatch a force sufficient, in his [inion, to support the civil authorities in carrying out such jasurcs as might be thought most expedient for the collec- b of the land dues ; and if necessary, to escort the pugna- ^us Mahratta to the seat of government to answer in person having disturbed the public peace and violated the law the country. I At the time when the above occurred, the native troops bre noted for their obedience to their European superiors, kd the faith and loyalty of the Sepoy was proverbial. The 62 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, presence of a comparatively small mmiber of British troo[j only -was necessary to keep up the pluck and stamina of tliJ army, whose prowess and achievements for the last hundrej years, had contril)utcd so largely in placing the East Iii'Ij Company in the proud position they then held, as masters ar. rulers of a miglity empire. Little coidd imagination tliej picture the scenes of outrage committed by those very trooJ some years later, when rebellion, with all its horrors, sweij the country like a plague, leaving starvation and death in ta place of peace and plenty. The major-general commanding lost no time in putting ini execution the instructions he had received from governnienj To carry out such an object a more efficient, zealous, ail energetic officer than General D could not have beej applied to. His high military qualifications and long residciJ in India ; his thorough knowledge of the language, manncrj customs, and habits of the natives, rendered him more im usually competent in such a case as the present to deal m the bold unscrupulous, yet haughty Mussulman descendants along line of Moslem conquerors, but now dwindled downi mere petty rajahs, or with the more subtle and crafty Braliniia who — in their capacity of priests and advisers — sway til minds of thousands of Hindoos of all castes and classes, v\ acknowledge their influence, and render implicit obedience: their behests. Orders were at once given for the formation of a li^^J brigade, to be composed of the following troops : one win,:^l my regiment — this young corps, for it had scarcely beJ formed five years, was in a high state of discipline ; the m young, active, well-drilled, and burning with impatience ij an opportunity of distinguishing themselves in the field, earn the proud triumph of placing the first honor on our jj maiden colors — a light field battery of four six-pounders, aJ BOUGIirXG IT TIIROrGII LIFE. 68 Jrltish troi.J mina of tlisj last hundrep e East Iivii 3 masters aJ filiation thel e very trooJ Qrrors, sweij I death in ttj 1 putting iiii governincnJ zealous, anj )t have bee! ong resiclencj ige, maunerj im more thai b to deal will lescendantsi idled down; afty Bralinii'J •3 — sway dl d classes, m t obedience I on of a li^l : one wingi scarcely betl line ; the m mpatience fj the field, aij lor on our \\ -pounders, aJ howitzers, witli a company of the M.idras European killery, whose skill in evolutions, and rapidity and accuracy |firo, had often spread death ami terror amid the ranks of enemy ; three srjuadrons of native cavalry ; a strong tachment of native rilles, and two battalions of Sepoys, the lors, emblems and devices on their standards and colors jwing how oft and nobly these regiments had distinguished jmsclves on many a well-foughi field. A party of native Uppers and Miners, under European commissioned and war- it officers, were likewise attached to the force, the whole rength of which amounted to about two thousand five hun- |ed men with their usual complement of officers, all under command of Brigadier W , an officer of great promise Id undoubted courage. His orders were to hold himself in readiness to march at |e shortest notice with this force, and after accomplishing object of his mission, to return to quarters with as little ^lay as possible. Although the monsoons, or rainy season, is nearly over, the swollen conditions of the numerous lall rivers, which it was requisite we should cross to reach ir destination, rendered the marching of our brigade tcecdingly troublesome, and would cause much delay and jonvcnience. While these warlike preparations were going rward, the political agent at Belgaum, made overtures to ie Samunghur chief, to induce him to come to terms without le interference of the military ; he, over-confident, and fan- Kng he could defy all authority, and acknowledge no will but 18 own, refused to listen. Many who were but ill-calculated judge of the difficulties which would beset the party, pre- |ctcd a six Aveeks' campaign. How far their conjectures jre realized, the sequel will shew. This, thought I, is the opportunity which since entering the krvico I so ardently desired, and I determined that no amount I 64 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, of dan^^er shoiiUl deter mc from bringing myself to cspci notice, should any engagement of importance take plal between our forces and those of the rebellious chief of Samuij hur. ROUGHiNo IT Timouaii life. 66 CHAPTER VI. Tood folks of Bel^iaum were roused from their slumhers ^he first dawn of day by tlic booming of tlic station gun, )sc echo had scarcely ceased to vibrato among the numc- ncighboring hills, when might be heard borne on the ruing air the sweet sound of many a popular melody [led forth by the bands of the different regiments, which )mpanicd the corps and detachments to their place of lezvous, a largo open space. This was in front of the icipal gate of the fort of Belgaura. As detachment after icliment arrived from their different quarters they -were m up in the following order : my regiment in column of livisions, right in front ; the two Sepoy corps in sections ; detachments of native Rifles in sections of fours ; the It field Bullock Battery, then the light Cavalry in sections Ihrocs. The party of Sappers and Miners had been sent In advance at an earlier hour. LS the sentry at the main guard struck the hour of five Itlie gurrie or gong, the sharp quick tones of the ladier's voice rang out : " The Brigade will come to itioii and shoulder.'' The next order was, " Officers in |mand will take post at the head of tlieir respective corps tvletachments." A feAV minutes later, the bugle sounded advance, and the force moved oft', leaving many a Ihoart behind them. Of those now going forth in all the [usncss of youthful spirit, who could tell how small might le number permitted to return ; and of all that mighty QG NED fortescue; or, tliroDg vfho stood to v.itncss their departure, how difforoJ must have been the feelings witli Avhich they were afFectc(l,| The soldier's wife standing with her young family arousi her, endeavoring to stifle her sobs as she gazed with strainki eyes and sinking heart on the husband she might nev behold in life again — the fair young bride who but a fej short weeks before had left family and friends to follow husband of her choice, finds him borne away, and \si\ scarcely any warning, to scenes of danger and perliail death. Standing alone at a short distance from a plaij though handsom.o carriage, from which sho had but a fej moments before alighted, was a tall, elegant girl, fast vcrgiLJ into womanhood, the affianced wife of an officer belondn*: the brijiiade. Sho had iust received his last farewell, aJ stood watching the receding troops as they disappeared int| distance with what heartfelt anguish the tightly clas[ hands and the white quivering lips too plainly told. ^ were the friends and comrades of those now leavina; station the only parties interested in the above proceediiij| numbers of natives were watching and making their co ments thereon. A little in advance of the crowd stood a tall, slight figJ dressed in a white angraka, or coat of long cloth, and peculiar shaped ti:irl)an. Ho is a Parsee merchant, a deal in wine, beer, and the general run of articles which arc sej out to India by such firms as Crosse and Blackwell, for tj use of the regimental messes ; looking on with a speculatij eye, and calculating on the chances that might arise his profit from the expedition. Some distance to the lefti a group of Banyans, persons who contract with governiiiej for thj supplies of forage, cattle and carriage, on occasi;^ like die present. They were no doubt discussing the pi'( bill tics of a campaign, in which case they would be no iucij ROUaHINQ IT THROUGH LIFE. 67 Klorable gainers. Yonder personage, mounted on a richly iparisoncd elephant, is evidently some petty rajah of a jighboring Tallook, or Zilla, watching, uith deep interest, |c troops as they pass before him, and pondering on what ly be the result to his brother chief. As the crowd dispersed, there might be scon, driving in IfferGnt directions, the dashing English barouche, with its [ancing high-spirited horses and silver-mounted harness, of |e military commander or rich civilian, the bullock gurric (htinnor of the subaltern, and the boilcc with its burden of [tive ladies and children, all richly bedizened in silks and R'cllcry, but carefully concealed from the gaze of the vul- Ir crowd by the purdah or curtain which surrounded them, vehicle drawn by a pair of Mysore bullocks. lAs the brigade wended its way across the open plain it jscrved all the discipline and precision of a parade move- but, but on its arrival at the boundary or camp limits, bugle sounded the " ^March at case." The officers then Gilt, and mounting their tattoos, a species of pony pecu- to the country, rode and chatted gaily Avitli their Jiiils, many of whom accompanied them to their first camping )und, to spend the last few liours with them, and at the le time to enjoy some excellent sport, game in the adjacent Is being very plentiful. The artillery and cavalry returned [ir swords to the scabbard, and the infantry brought their Iskots to the trail, or carried them in such a manner as most convenient to themselves. Pipes and tobacco were k^lit into active operation, and soon the song, with its Jlling chorus, burst forth amidst peals of laughter at some [ies of Hibernian wit, at the expense of some of tlicir less lunate comrades, whose unsteady gait, repeated stumbles, drowsy appearance, gave sufficient evidence that they Id nut be classed among the disciples of Father Matthew, 68 NED FORTESCUE I OR, proving that however fatiguing a day's march in a climaHl like India may be to a soldier, it has not the power of crustj ing that buoyancy of spirit -which is so natural to the sons i Albion. Nor were their dusky companions in arms a whit belilnl them in mirth and spirits ; an incessant chatter in almo;] every dialect, from the high Bengalee to the low mongrel Madrassee proved this, and the Babel of ton^rues, althoiF'l understood by a few only, was still rendered sufficieiithl exciting by gesticulation to add interest to the scene. TliJ route — for road there Avas none — ranalona; the foot of a ramj of hills, which Avas in many places intersected or covered IjJ large nullahs, or water-ways, formed by the rushing of Av.ite:] down the ravines, during the rainy season. These obstructioii caused considerable delay, and much exertion was needed t j get the guns safely over. By the assistance of the Sappcf and Miners, however, and the good-hearted pull altogether ci the Europeans, these dilHcultics were soon overcome. It Avas noAV near nine o'clock, and the poAverful rays of tliJ sun began to tell upon all, Avlien a shout from the head of tlirl column drcAV the attention of many to a beautiful green s|xJ about half a mile to our left front, Avherc beneath some niaj nificcnt tamarind trees, the tents of the staff', Avhich haJ already been pitched, Avere now distinctly visible. The coiJ missariat, baggage and tents (as usual on leaving a station had been sent on in advance the day previous. At a signal from the brigadier the officers dismounted and joined tliei. various divisions, at the same time the men bringing thoJ Aveapons to the slope, order Avas resumed, and in ten miniitej the brigade Avas draAvn up in lines on the different spotj selected and marked oft" by the Quarter-Master General anl his subordinates. The rolls having been called, and repod given in, the cavalry dismounted, and picketed their IiowcjI HOUGHING IT TimOUGU LIFi;. 69 e artillery unlimbercd and parked their guns ; the infantry iled arms and took off their accoutrements. Kow the wel- me sound for grog rang out, and in a fe^Y minutes the dorly sergeants of companies Avere seen approaching from c direction of the commissariat, with large copper camp jetties filled with arrack, a spirit made from the fruit of the te tree, and resembling somewhat in flavor and color the m used in the British navy. It is considered the most Iholesome liquor in the country, and free from all dele- rious ingredients, being manufactured by government pressly for the use of the European troops. Each man allowed to receive one dram, about the fifth part of a pint ; s he may drink neat ; but if he wishes to dilute it, he |ust bring the water with him, as he is not permitted to e the liquor away, but may drink it in front of the r;^eant. This appears rather an arbitrary measure, but it done on the score of sobriety, as there are many men in a girnent who, not caring for spirits themselves, Avould draw ieir allowance, and sell it to their comrades, hence the trietion. This little affair being arranged, pitching of tents became order of the day ; and as the reader may not be acquaint- with the usual routine observed in the operation, it may as well to give a slight idea of how it is done. The Indian ts for European troops are generally twenty feet square, ;h a pole in the centre, which supports the double top. The r walls, or sides, are attached to the inner top by loops, the whole secured by cotton ropes made fiist to wooden s, driven into the ground. The pole being in two pieces, oiued toijrether with an iron socket in the centre. About 'CO feet from the top there is a small ledge on which the er cap fits, and the inner top rests ; two feet above that a end cap is placed which supports tlic outer top, two pegs 70 NED fortescue; or, being firmly driven into the earth, against which the heel ; the pole is placed, and at a given signal, the tops are rais^i by means of double ropes at each corner, which are pcgd down as before described. Six of these tents are issued |i company, fifteen men to each. In what would appear to m uninitiated, an incredibly short space of time, up sprang town of canvas, beneath the cool shade of the surrouudij trees. The routtee, or tent of the native soldiers, are diftereiit!| constructed, aud more easily pitched, the whole being in cJ piece. They are usually twenty feet by fourteen, supportel by two uprights, about twelve feet apart, and joined in tliej centres with two iron sockets, the same as the EuiopeaEJ Avith a pole along the top, fastened to them with iron rinj The shape of the tent, when pitched, resembles the ga'jll roof of a house, with triangular pieces attached to each eii( one of which, opening up the centre and foiling back, fora the entrance. The whole is firmly pegged down thimj loops hanging at intervals around the purdah or curtain paij of the tent. The noise made by the mallets in driving tij tent pegs, and the shouts of the men, as some half-raised teJ fell to the ground, made the place ring again. While irJ ters were proceeding thus, the cooks, who were gcnoraiij speaking natives of Goa, a Portuguese settlement, on tij south-west coast near Bombay, were actively engaged preparing breakfast, and in less than one hour from tlieJ arrival, the European portion of the brigade were comforj ably discussing their matin meal. That part of the Sepoys' rations received from the Co missariat is always issued raw, as each man, according tol caste, cooks his own meal, at such time, place, and in suclij manner as his religious observances demand of him. Near mid-day I took up a comfortable position oiii ROUGHING IT TIIIIOUGII LIFE. 71 loping, grassy bank, beneath the shade of a neighboring lango tree, and was indulging in the luxury of a few whiffa the fragrant weed, when I observed a party of horsemen rossing the open space directly in front of the camp. A reater variety than these horsemen displayed, as regards rcss, could scarcely be conceived. Shooting coats of every jscription and color ; just as the Avearer may have chanced have had with him ; high hunting boots of diifcrent shapes id make, from the rough untanned, samber-hide, to the Iglily polished English calf skin, were there to be seen. [any contented themselves with tucking their trowsers into iQiv Wellingtons, and twisting the common white turban of ^e native round their foraging cap, while others, from their ig residence in the country, and greater experience in all ^at pertains to the chase, wore leather hunting caps, incased itli white cotton quilted covers, artistically bound round pi silk puggaries, which effectually protected the head and feck from the burning heat of the sun. Each carried a steel- baJed bamboo spear, about ten feet in length, and wore a [eese in his belt, which at once convinced me that they 3rc going in search of the wild boar of the jungle, ctr as le patrons of this sport term it, they were out on a pig- ^cking expedition. I As they disappeared in the jungle, the thought suddenly |islied upon me, that our own mess was unprovided with ine of any description, and that I could not while away an [ur more agreeably or profitably than by endeavoring to 3cure some. I therefore hurried to my tent, and put to- [tlier a short but serviceable rifle presented to me somo )nths previously by one of our officers, and now for con- |iiicnce carried in my bed. Thrusting my pipe and a few Jces of biscuit into my haversack, I strolled forth, and ssing through a small opening between two hills, a little to 72 NED POllTESCUE ; OK, the right of the camp, soon foiuid myself at the edge of rivulet of no great breadth and very shallow, whose bri;-!,; waters glittering in the sunlight, danced and rippled anion the numberless stones which obstructed its course alon;. rocky bed. Following the windings of this stream for a ci'i; siderable distance, without encountering any game won! throwing away a shot upon I halted, and seated myself in natural bower, partly formed by the mogree or wild jeisj] mine bush, and partly by the overhanging branches of a lar;; banian tree, which grew on the shelving bank, and wliu fibres shooting downwards, had taken root in the earth ; the were interwoven with various creeping plants indigenous the country, and formed a delightful shade. I had not been many minutes in this position, when d attention was arrested by suddenly seeing a large black biici spring from a neighboring thicket to the bank, some distanc down on the opposite side. His intention evidently was t: slake his thirst, but not liking the look of the water, or fro^ some other cause, he turned towards the direction in Avhicli was sitting, and trotted quietly along, stopping here arJ therd to nibble at the fresh grass that grew at the water] edge. Another moment would have brought him witliij range of my rifle, when he suddenly stopped, tossed his aJ lers in the air, then glancing apparently at some ol)ie(j beyond me, turned sharply round and dashed into the juii;:lt At the same instant a grunting sound, accompanied by t!i| clattering of a horse's hoofs behind, caused me to tuij sufficiently round to enable me to observe a horseman makiiij a thrust with his spear at a large jungle boar, when eithi miscalculating his distance, or not being expert enough tj missed his pohit and drove the head of the spear into t'i earth with such force that he lost his balance and fell heavilj to the ground. The infuriated animal seeing his antagoiil^ llOUaniNGI IT TUROUaH LIFE. 73 iced hrs de combat^ was making rapidly toward him with idlong speed. Not an instant was to be lost; quickly iivnng the rifle to my shoulder, and taking as accurate an as circumstances would permit, I fired, and the ball teriiig behind the right ear, buried itself in the creature's \\n, and thus saved the life of the young ofiicer — for such proved to be, and converted the jungle pig into pork. IHastily, but carefully reloading my rifle, I hurried to ider assistance to the fallen horseman, who had, by this le, assumed a sitting position, and by his bewildered look apparently endeavoring to realize something of the scene lore him. Unscrewing the brandy flask which I observed ln<^ across his shoulder, I poured some of the contents m hi'i throat; this appeared to invigorate him wonderfully, rising to his legs, with my assistance, he soon became Jy aware of the danger he had escaped. Warmly and irtily he thanked me for the prompt manner in which I come to his rescue. The report of my rifle had been rd by his friends, who now came cantering up. Matters }e explained, and they highly complimented me on the (cess of my shot, and seemed gratified at the exertion I made on behalf of their friend, not forgetting at the same |e to indulge in some good-natured jokes at his expense. Che boar's head was cut ofi" as a trophy, and they very lly ordered two of their beaters to accompany me to camp the remainder of the animal. I bid the party good Irning, and returned quite as well satisfied with my morn- [s adventure as my comrades were with the unexpected ition to their mess. I was engaged a short time after ining my gun, when Bob O'Toole, an old chum of mine, le in, bringing with him a very fine buck. The identical i, I have every reason to believe, that I had so anxiously fched in the morning, for my friend Bob informed me he p 74 NED rORTESCUE ; OR, had killed it within five hundred yards of the spot where i disappeared from my view ; so what with venison and porl| we fared sumptuously that evening. The sun was now sinking behind the distant mountaiii and the gentlemen that had accompanied their friends in tij morning were about returning to Belgaum, a distance some fourteen miles. Yidettcs were thrown out, picktl posted, and all the usual precautions taken for the sccuri: of the camp. The shades of night were fast closing aroirJ us, as my friend Bob and I paid a visit to the canteen teJ to indulge in a glass of grog, and enjoy our evening piJ Somewhat fatigued with our morning's march and aftej noon's sport, we turned in, taking the precaution to m ourselves up in our camoleens — a thin kind of blanket, tJ manufacture of the country — as a protection against night dews, which are very heavy about the hills at t'J season of the year, and quickly falling off to sleep we wj Boon in the land of dreams. There is, perhaps, no sound that grates more harshly 01.1 soldier's ear, or one that he prepares to obey with so mi;J reluctance as that of the " rouse," which breaks upon slumbers, and warns him to prepare for an early niani Springing up at two o'clock on the following morning, 4 the sound of the various trumpets and bugles ringing ini ears, I hastened to perform my toilet, which, in gencral,| no very elaborate affair with a soldier, more especially on : line of march. A coarse towel, with a pot of water fromi nearest stream, and a few passes of the comb through hair, which the rules of the service did not at that time [I mit to be worn long, suffices, and the affair is concliuy Hastily slipping on my uniform, and accoutrements, I ei menced securing my bed and knapsack, which for the proiJ contained all my goods and chattels, and having arrangeil HOUGHING IT TUROUUH LIFJJ. 75 lafoly on the hackery or common cart of the country, which ras jtliiced at our disposal for the conveyance of the bag- vn\ I and my comrades commenced striking the tents. The rails are first taken down, rolled up carefully and put into L^s made of gunny, a coarse kind of cluth. One man is icii stationed at the doul)le rope at each of the four corners ; ic intermediate ropes and pegs are carefully rolled up, and It a "iven signal the remainder is lowered, the pole mean- ihllc having been withdrawn. This is tied up in a similar n\ then handed over to the tent lascars and baggage- oo"r5'- janiio [uanl, Avhose duty it is to see them properly placed on the imels and carried in safety to the nexc camp ground. Seating myself on the stump of a withered tree, I occupied ic tew moments that intervened previous to the sounding the fall-iu-bugle by endeavoring to make out something of [hat was passing around me. The morning was very dark — moon and not a star to be seen — but by the aid of tlie Unp fires that blazed brightly in every direction, I noticed, it far off, a number of men, some standing, some sitting, Iher^ 'ving on the ground, but by far the greater part Idulging themselves in drinking a villainous compound con- jcted and sold by the Madrassee camp followers, and bncrally composed of burnt rice, water from the first ditch Id sweetened with " joggeree," the coarsest description of kgar which the country supplies ; this has to pass muster id do duty for coffee, and is called by the venders, who idly vociferate in their own peculiar manner, " Karfee, Lhib, karfee." At the same time, directly in front of me, [Baw something that looked like two moving towers, but src in reality a couple of huge elephants laden with hospi- tents and furniture, sweeping past AvitJi their usual stately ;p, to take their place in rear of the column. In another spot, by the lurid flame that shot ))rilliantly 76 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, forth, illuminating all around, I observed a group of camelj some standing already loaded, and browsing quietly on tij leaves of the young nyra trees, with which the place aboun* ed, while others patiently knelt to receive their burdens, tlJ tents of the brigade. Behind them again were a strin^' i spare ones, with their hoot wallas or drivers beside them, il loud roar of laughter now proclaims that some refractortl pack bullocks do not appreciate the notion of suitinf^ tlieij backs to the burden, for off they fling their loads and ^viJ heads down and tails erect, — after the manner of a fly stamj pede among cattle — they kick and plunge about the caniJ to the great amusement of many, and to the no small annovJ ance of those who are running, musket in hand, endeavorinl to stop them, and who soon find themselves up in the aii] their weapons flying from their grasp and, the next minute] sprawling on the ground midst the jeers of their comrades] The noise made by the native bullock-drivers in urmnf^ the cattle of the deeply-laden baggage-wagons, the clashini of arms, rattle of accoutrements, and heavy rumblinf' soud| of the artillery, as they move forward, all tend to create thaj tumult and confusion which to a young soldier unacquaintei with camp life, appears almost bewildering. ROUaHING IT THROUGH LIFB. 7T »up of camels, quietly on tlJ place abomrlj I* burdens, tli(| sre a string 3side them. .\| )me refractonl if suiting tliei: loads and m\ ' of a fly stam] )out the canifj 10 small annovi d, endeavorinj up in the aiiJ le next minute] iheir comradeJ 3 in urging oi is, the clashinJ 'umbling souni to create tk| r unacquaintel CHAPTER VII. [he assembly sounded, the brigade formed up in a manner jmilar to that of the previous day, with the exception that le cavalry took the lead. The diflferent bands struck up bme lively airs, and we moved off for the first mi' o with Werable regularity. We then entered a dense jangle, bramonly known as the Black Forest. Here our difficulties bmraenced. There was a kind of wheel-track, but the imense number of cattle that are sent out here to graze iring this season of the year had completely obliterated all ices of a road, and formed innumerable paths in all direc- ts ; this, combined with the darkness of the morning, lused much confusion. The heads of the various detach- ;nts were constantly straying into different paths, so much I, that it was found necessary to keep the trumpets at the [ad of the column constantly going, and answered by each pps sounding their regimental call. In this manner the Irty was kept together. |This jungle, covering a space of thirty miles in length by ght in breadth, assumes every variety of feature, and was that time infested with numerous tigers, hyenas, bears, (d boars, and plenty of shikar — small game — for the sports- |in, in the shape of deer, pea-fowl, &c. The government ring since then offered rewards for the heads of different fd animals, has thinned them considerably, and they are rarely met with. The smaller trees, such as the mango. 'TiiTfimifi-iiiia 78 NED rORTESCUE ; OR, too well known to nocfl description, and tlic thorny harhle interspersed "with scrubby bi-usli wood, are most frcquciithl found on the hills, to;^ether with the ttimbool ))ush, whij bears a dark purple olive-shaped plum, about an inch iJ length ; also a very beautiful tree — the name of Avhich liij escaped my memory — the timber is very like rosewood color, but much darker. The most fasiiionablo furniture J made from this tree, and it is called bhickwood. In tii valleys, the larger trees, such as the banian, grow, whoJ brandies, spreading in every direction, drop their fibres her and there, which take root as soon as they reach the grouiii and quickly increase in size till they outgrow the pareL trunk, and extend over a space almost incredible. 'JiJ next tree to attract attention is the Jack : it resembles tti English elm in size but its chief peculiarity is the fruit. In from twelve to eighteen inches in length, and twenty-four;] thirty in circumference, of a greenish-yellow color, furniJ like a cucumber, but thickly covered witli prickles, aJ often weighs twenty pounds ; but Avhat strikes the beholilej is the extreme smallness of the stalk of the fruit, which: four inches in length, and one-third of an inch in diamett: Then again, is seen the tall, majestic tamarind tree, with ij fern like leaves, and long rich clustering fruit, together w:: the wild fig, which when ripe, bears a red fruit about i:| size of a marble ; on being opened it is found full of insceij these arc carefully knocked out and the fig-skin eaten by tii native ; the leaves are similar to those of the cultivated tij but smaller. These were the principal trees that grew the valleys through wliich we ])assed. There I noticed subsequently, while riding through iJ same jungle by daylight, the extreme beauty of the floweij among which I observed the sweet-scented jessamine, wj its tiny white blossom ; the creeping convolvulus, Avith ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 7d )ft-bluc bell-like bloom ; together with the magnificent pas- ton-flower, of various shades of })urple, and hundreds of other Baiiteous flowers of every hue, that grew in wild luxuriance the ravines, and along the borders of the numberless treanis which flowed across the [lath. As we were crossing ic of those streams the bugle sounded tlie halt. It was )ou ascertained that the artillery in passing a similar place leail, had forced one of the wheels of No. 2 gun, over a DJecting piece of rock, Ciipsizing the gun with a loud crash, ito a nullah five feet in depth, and drawing the bullocks ftcr it. The morning was so dark that it was found neces- iry to make a large fire to enable the fatigue party to see extricate it. As the fire blazed and crackled up the sides the ravine it caused much heat and illuminated all around, )using from its lair an enormous tiger, who evidently not icustomed to that sort of thing, and not liking the aspect of liirs, uttered a fearful growl, and sprang towards the oppo- |te bank. He endeavoured in passing to carry off one of le leading l)ullocks of No. 1 gun : l)ut the yoke chains roving too strong, he was compelled to relinquish his prey, id escai^e into the jungle — not, however, before he had kcrated the back of the animal in a frightful manner. ^ This, however, was not the worst })art of the business, for 10 other bullocks, although completely paral3'-zcd during the resence of their natural enemy, no sooner found themselves [ee of the monster than they suddenly dashed forward with le gun, the wheel of which struck one of the battery lascars, locked him down and passed over his body, breaking both Is thigh bones. lie was immediately conveyed to the rear, ihei'c his Avounds -were attended to, as far as circumstances [ould permit, and placed in one of the doolies belonging to 10 hospital, that followed the force ; but the poor fellow died bw hours after reaching the camp. A spcTc bullock having 80 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, taken the place of the one injured, and the capsized righted, the advance sounded, and we pursued our way. By the light of the dawning day, we found ourselves emeiJ ging from the thick jungle. Our road now lay down a slopinl plain, thickly sprinkled with loose stones, among which greij the silk cotton tree, and the milk bush ; this last is ak gether without leaves, and its long green sprouting tuk^ when broken, are found to contain a milky substance ofi poisonous nature, and very dangerous should i*; get into tttl eye. Here and there grew the kernee and curawandfj bushes — the first bears a yellow kind of plum, oblong anj about the size of a cherry; the other, when ripe, is tli;j color of the English damson, but in shape and size likoj buUace, and is very delicious eating. Here also, in littlj clumps, grew the castor oil tree and the prickly pear, or ii^ cactus. As the sun rose above the horizon, we arrived at the ])anl! of the Sootgootee, and here we halted ; a party having beeJ sent up the river to ascertain whether it was fordable m cavalry. They returned shortly, having discovered available place. A more delightful or romantic spot coul| not have been selected ; it was about one hundred yards i breadth, and little more than three feet in depth, with a fir pebbly bottom. The river was studded with numerous smi islands, on which grew the wild coffee and other buslies] large slab-like stones covered with moss and hchen jutte out from the bank and formed little nooks of still watersi where flourished in all its queen-like beauty the snowy lilv| with its golden petals, together with the Indian bulrush, many other aquatic plants, in tropical luxuriance. The rki foliage of the trees that grew on either side, with their over] hanging boughs, as the river narrowed, nearly met, and, the morning sun played through the branches, revealed '.■V'-* ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 81 3ear, or mi uict scene of rural beauty, undisturbed, except by the cack- ling of the water-hen, the whirr of the wild fowl, or the pecu- liar cry, " did you do it " of the grey plover, as it lazily lapped its wings. After resting for nearly an hour, the artillery, cavalry, icavy baggage, elephants and camels, commenced crossing, iliout a cpiarter of a mile above Avlicre the brigade had halted, im\ without accidents or difficulty got over. The Oorcc Vallas now made their appearance, with five oorees or boats, hic largest a sort of barge, with a stpiarc otcrn, sharp bow, (iiul flat bottom, capable of containing one hundred men. his was ferried across with paddles by the native boatmen. 'he other four were round, made of a framework of bamboo, Covered with hides, and each held twenty-five men. These rero propelled by means of a long pole, placed in a sort of [owlock, and by certain peculiar movements of the arms, [Opt revolving until the boat reached the opposite side. The [carcity of boats and length of time occujiied in crossing, lehiyed the infantry about three hours. The river at this boint being one hundred and fifty yards wide, and about light feet deep, much amusement was created by watching ic antics of the pack bullocks, as they swam over in droves |f fifties ; many, when ab'-'nt ^uilf way, would turn sudnn:uc protruded from its mouth, "with that peculiar hissing toimd ■which it makes when about to strike its victim. Its rikl glancing eyes were within a few inclies of my throat, and In another second it would have been all over with me ; but ^'evidence willed it otherwise, for crack went the report of a [•iflc, and on the smoke clearing away, I found that my legs Fcrc again free, and the snake lying dead at the bottom of the tree. ]My friend Bob, as he was pleased to express it, had »' taken the liberty of blowing the be ste's head into smithe- reens." It was touch-and-go with me that time, but it did not, the least, spoil my appetite that i. ght for the roast pea- )w], the obtaining of which had so nearly cost me my life. Who would be without a comrade in such a predicament. trust, in a moment of danger, that I may always find at »and a Bob of the right kind; a brave, fearless, true-hearted [lishman, with a brogue tliick and rich as buttermilk, jklthough it was death, by the law, to even hint that he did lot, to use his own words, " spake illegant English," He ras rather above the mideUc height, a stout, well-proportioned gure, with handsome good-natured features ; his hair was a )i'iglit red, but no one dared (on pain of excommunication,) isinuatc such a thing ; he always declared that '* it was a pell and beautiful auburn, and much admired by the ladies." On the following morning the rouse or reveille did not kound until four o'clock, which wo thought strange ; but, from the unusual stir in the tents of the staff, it was evident lat there was something in the wind, and so it turned out §6 NED FORTEiSCUE ; OR, (for intellipjence had been brought in during the prevloml night, by the party sent a few days before to endeavor tol arrange matters -with the rebel chief,) that the whole of M villages between the spot we occupied and Samunghur, haiil been compelled by their Rajahs to send all the men capable! of bearing arras to serve under his standard, and that nuiii.| bcrs of armed parties vfcre moving about in the vicinity oil the fort. Also, to our troops, the still more exciting newjl that the Samunghur chief intended to try his strength Mtl us, never dreaming that he would have to contend with Eurol peans — much less with a force of such strength, and so weli| appointed. The commissariat stores, staff tents, private baggage ariif other things, that usually start some hours in advance, were] now ordered to take their place in rear of the column, witll the rest of the non-combatants, and securely guarded byal detachment of irregular cavalry, and two companiea of natml infantry. Our advance guard was likewise doubled, audi every precaution taken against surprise. Ammunition ^ail immediately served out — sixty rounds per man — to tliel hifantry, with a liberal supply for the artillery. Officers exchanged their regulation swords for field sabres, and pistolil appeared in the belts of many of the infantry. These warl like signs put us all in high spirits, and off we started in thel full expectation of having a brush with the Mahrattas beforel the day was over. On this occasion we were not doomed tol disappointment ; the villages that we passed on our mn confirmed what we had heard the night previous from thel collector's party. With the exception of a few old men, ai]i| infirm women, they were otherwise deserted. I think we had marched some eight miles, when the bri-] gadier, who, with his staff, had cantered on in advance, seiit| an aide-de-camp back at full speed, with an order for th«* ROUGHIXG IT THROUGH LIFE. 87 rifles to move at the double to the front. The enemy rere now in sight, and, in a few minutes the sharp report k rifles plainly indicated that the game had commenced. [he chief's men mustered pretty strong, and from the ridge Lf a hill, some half a mile from the fort, they kept up a Imart fusilade, for a short time with their matchlocks. }ut our fire soon began to tell upon them, and they gave ray a little. The rifles were then ordered to charge, which icy did in good style, driving the Mahrattas pell-mell before icm. On the top of the ridge from which they had been Irivcn, a 12-pound howitzer was put in position, supported ly two companies of my regiment, but not in view of the Inemy. Our commander did not wish them to know at that fine that Europeans formed a portion of our force, in order prevent them seeking the shelter of their fort before he )uld prove to them how dangerous a thing it was to oppose psciplined soldiers, fully bent on conquest. At the same time, he determined to teach them a lesson icy would not easily forget. The first shell from the how- zer nearly settled that point. A large party of the Rajah's rincipal oflScers and their friends had assembled on a small onical-shaped hill ; they were quietly contemplating what [as going on, and believed themselves beyond reach of our leces, having no thought or anticipation of our artillery — \c rifles alone being visible. This party soon caught the je of our general, who ordered the howitzer to be laid for ^eir special benefit. This was done accordiLgly, and after few minutes a mass of iron fell plump into the midst of the roup, but without doing any direct damage, to the no small |tonishment of the enemy, who, although startled at first, )m their ignorance of artillery projectiles, doubtless con- ided all danger was now over. They gathered around the }acherou3 shell, the fuse of which had been cut too long, 88 NED rORTEPCUE ; OR, £:id while yet burning one of the party held it up for thci-H spection of the others, \vhen it suddenly exploded, kil thirteen, and wounding several. The remainder fled in gid consternation to the fort, from which place they quiel;!] returned the compliment by sending some round shot flviij over our heads, but in such a wild manner that it was qui:] evident no aim had been taken. While we were thus engaged, our main body were pitciJ ing camp a little to our right rear, but quite out of range-;] the guns of the fort ; the tents of the Europeans being placel nearest to the scene of action. The fire from the fort sooj ceased, as they became aware how perfectly useless it vj. throwino; their old iron about in that loose fashion. During; tiiJ time we occupied the brow of the ridge the commissariat coi ductor made his appearance with some biscuit and a keg arrack, which was very acceptable to the men, who had liail nothing to cat since four o'clock the previous evening. ROUGIIIXa IT THROUGH LIFE. 89 CHAPTER VIII. Then the worthy warrant officer had finished issuing an [llowance to each man, and was about packing up the over- llus, a round shot from the enemy passed between him and (ne of his coolies, and so near their heads that they bolted Iff down the hill in great trepidation ; indeed, as though his fatantic majesty was tripping tlieir heels. They went helter- felter over stones and bushes, creeks and gutters, to the no lall amusement of the Icokers-on, who enjoyed their hasty Ind undignified flight. Bi t our delight was much enhanced ly gaining possession of the spirit cask, which in their speedy leparture they had quite forgotten. We seized it with great jagerness, and soon made ourselves masters of its contents. Our matchlock-firing enemy, who for some time had been Etiiing, keeping up a desultory fire as they proceeded, and lisappeared behind bushes and huts, situated within a short listance of the walls of the fort. For this reason it was not lonsidered prudent just then to advance any nearer. A large [uraber of the enemy suddenly appeared on a sugar-loaf hill, the right of the fort ; they were amusing themselves by [ring into our camp, and disturbing its serenity. We now |ot the opportunity we longed for. Two of our companies l^ere ordered to take the hill at all hazards, in order to place couple of guns in position on its top ; for in this position ley commanded the fort as well as our camp. Moving off |tthe double, in skirmishing order, we very nearly surrounded le base of the hill, and at once opened a sharp fire on the 90 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, rascals, who fell in ri;rcat numbers. As we steadily advance; towards the top of the hill, they gave us a parting volli>] and endeavored to gain thcuover of their stronghold, but itj were too sharp for them. Hastily closing on our centre, vl gave them one volley, and afterwards charged. Our bavJ nets did fearful execution, and very few lived to gain tj fort, from whence their friends viewed the scene in lionj and dismay. Our loss was seven killed and nineteen woiuiij ed. After getting the guns into position, a party of native iJ fantry relieved us, and we returned to camp pretty well tirej with our day's work. The killed in the morning skiimi-l amounted to three privates of the rilies, one havildar, m nitjues, and eiglit privates wounded. In the cvenhig we pe: formed the last sad rites for those who had fallen in tJ forepart of the day. Those severely wounded were seJ under escort without delay to Belgaum. The sliglitij wounded, after a short interval in our field hospital, (wlieril every aid that skill or medicine could afford, was prompt.j and carefully a, the better to ohssrve the enemy, and to relieve our jiiavils ; for it now a^jpcared plain, that IJahagec Nikum had idea of surrendering, and we could make no impression on lone walls with our light guns. In reply to the General's >)>atclu he was informed that a complete breaching battery cigliteen pounders, together with nine mortars, scaling- iddors, and other re(piisites, would be sent out with as little jlay as possible, and that he was to surround the fort, and reveiit any relief rcachinic the besiei2;ed, as there were imors of a general disaffection shewing itself throughout the )uthorn INIahratta country. We had now })lenty to do to itoh the fort, and scour the adjacent Avoods. One of our [cket-houses, was called Picket Dangerous, from its exposed (sitiou, or Gun Picket — a long low building on the right ind side of the road leading to one of the principal gates of le fort, l)ut too close to the walls to enable the enemy to Bpress their guns sufficiently to bear upon it. However, ^e enemy kept up such a constant matchlock fire from the :>p-holes, that we lost during the fijur weeks that we held iis position, no less than two officers, three sergeants, twenty- iveu rank and file killed, one officer, two sergeants and iirty-two rank and file wounded. One of tlie officers killed jas the affianced husband of the young lady whose last fare- [«11 (for such it proved to be^ we had witnessed on our leav- ^ \'^ ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1^128 |2.5 |50 ■^™ Hi^ 1^ U& |2.2 1.8 L25 iU 11.6 h m 7 '?»• c? / Photographic Sdences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STREET WIBSTER.N Y. MS80 ^7n>> 977-'i03 'Vl?' I t 92 NED fortescue; or, ing Belgaum. A sad trial for one so young ; deeply attacheil to him as she appeared to be. He was in the act of layiii the gun at the picket-house, when he was shot through tii head, and died instantly. Poor T was a great favoi ite with his brother officers, and they all felt sorry to lose bin Nor did our foes escape scot free, for no sooner did one them appear at an embrasure, than he was made a target o(;| a great many were cut off in this way. Our guard consist* of two officers, two sergeants, and fifty-four rank and file] with eight artillery men, relieved every forty-eight houn From the guard-room to the opposite side of the road ij erected a sand bag battery ; well do I remember its construfr tion. It cost us fifteen, killed and wounded. I was on gua at the time it was commenced. One pitch dark night, under tij direction and guidance of one of the warrant officers of tb Public Works Department, with a party of Sappers aol Miners, had not been long at work when the rain fell heaviljj accompanied by sheet lightning, which revealed occasional| our working party to the enemy. They immediately con menced, and kept up such a heavy fire from behind tlieiil stone walls, and as flash succeeded flash we had frequeutlij to suspend all operations for a time. However, before day] light, the battery was completed, and the muzzle of a howiil zer run through it. This was loaded with grape, in case of j sally from the gate. One evening, while on sentry over this gun, and just as i| was getting dark, I fancied I heard a grinding sort of souq at one of the embrasures, just opposite the guard-room. it continued for some time, I began to feel suspicious tliij the enemy were at some of their tricks, and cautiously creepl ing near enough to the wall, where I fancied the sound can from, perceived that a couple of large stones had been force out of the lower face of the embrasure, which would enabli ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. iem to bring a gun to bear on our picket. Regaining the )ver of the battery, without being discovered, I alarmed the lard, and, while they were turning out, I watched the em- isure, and saw that they were loading a gun. While their inner was in the act of ramming down the charge of powder I took deliberate aim at him. I missed the man, but the ill struck the sponge-staff about the centre, cutting it com- jtely in half. This, for a time, stopped the loading, and sfore they knew what to do, a shower of grape shot from ir howitzer fell amongst them, doing considerable damage* was followed by a round shot, which struck the gun at the izzlfe, dismounted it from its wooden carriage, and render- it unfit, at least for a time, for further use. The follow- day, on the arrival of our relief, I was again on sentry at gun ; the man that took my post, had scarcely been there a luto, indeed, I had not reached the guard, when I heard him klaim, " I have got it," and, looking round, saw him reel [er inside the sand-bag battery. It was well for him that did so, otherwise he would have been completely riddled fore any assistance could have been rendered him. The my were more alert, and did greater execution daring time of our relieving guard, as during that time wc were 3osed to a flank fire from the numerous loop-holes in the lis. Two bullets struck him at the same instant ; one )ugh the right arm^ breaking the bone just above the elbow ; other, in the fleshy part of the thigh ; on this man's )very, he was sent to England, claiming a pension of nine ice per day. He had been five years in the service. Che European portion of the brigiide was now ordered to camp, and occupy a more prominent position, on the it rear angle of the fort, from which spot it was intended I should assault the place, and effect a breach in the large id bastion at that point. In eecuring this position, we 94 NED fortescue; or, had a very smart skirmish, as there was a large petta or vjl lage running from the rear gate to the foot of the hill irj wished to obtain. Tliis Avas unknown to us until the mor ing in question ; it was occupied by the enemy, who gavei sharp work for a couple of hours, before we could drive tliea from tlie shelter of the houses. They then took refuge in liJ fort, the gate of which was opened to receive them. "We veJ not strong enough to try the chance of entering and conte?ij in2 the fort with them, therefore we contented ourselves d the capture of the petta, and the loot or plunder that fj into our hands, consisting principally of cash, brass and copf^ vessels, silk, grain, &c. We then established a couple pickets, with a chain of sentries which reached round thra sides of the place ; why the other angle was not secured. never knew, but no doubt there was a suflicicnt reason it. So much having been elTectcd, we returned and i)itcli( our camp on the plateau of the hill, which commaiidoJi fine view of the stronghold and its surroundings. Kcc\k watch and ward over the enemy's works proved ratlier fatiguing affair, with little or no excitement, save tiJ exchanging of shot with the people on the walls. A sliJ incident now and then occurred to relieve the dull monotoj of routine ; there was one which caused much laughter i the time. One day while pushing our pickets nearer tot'J rear gate, we came to a large house, and on forcing ;J door, the officer in command of the party fancied he liearjj strange noise,which indicated that something was moving clu sily within , The idea immediately flashed across his mind ti]i probably some of the enemy were concealed in the houa imagine his chagrin when ordering his men to fire a vull( into the building, and on entering, the enemy turned outj be three fine bullocks that had been left there tied up ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 96 icir owners, who, on hearing of our approach, had fled. A tory never loses by repetition, and this shared the usual fate ; ir encounter with the bullocks became a laugh and jest in be camp, and afterwards, whenever an enemy was seen, and ^m about to be taken, the remark : " Arc you certain it is )t a bullock ?" was sure to follow. In the upper part of the house wo found great quantities of lions, salt, and rice, together with a number of new chai- ns or earthen cooking pots. No sooner were we comforta- h sctded in our new position, than we killed and cut up le of the animals, made fires at the back part of the pre- mises, and soon had a glorious sup})ly of soup, and boiled eat. During the time that we remained here, one of our kmpany, a fine young fellow named Matlow,a Herefordshire in, and a thorough soldier, had a narrow escape. As he |as about to draw water from a well, in the next compound garden, he was suddenly pounced upon by five Mahrattas, Irmetl with the long two-handed swords of the country ; but ktle did they imagine what herculean strength and courage ley had to contend with ; quite uni)repared for such an tack, and alone as he stood, he was more than a match for lem. Coolly raising his musket he shot the nearest, bayon- ted the second, and then clubbing his musket dashed out ic brains of a third. The other two simultaneously turned id fled, aghast at the fate of their comrades ; it was well the brave Matlow that they did so, for he fell a short le afterwards, having fainted from loss of blood, lie re- vived eleven wounds in different parts of his body ; these, examination, proved to be merely flesh wounds, and he 13 soon all ri";ht aj'ain. I have related this brave act to low the immense superiority of the European over the Itive, in those most essential of all quaUties in a soldier, 5., coolness and courage. 06 NED FOKTESCUE; OR, Our chain of sentries was composed of half European anj half native troops ; every alternote man being a Sepoy. Om day, when the bullets from the fort were rather more plenii ful than usual, a Sepoy, who was stationed between a mjii named Hall, of our corps, and myself, finding it getting tJ hot for him, turned round and bolted towards camp ; butbl did not run far, for Hall dehberately faced about and ski him dead. The act was a rash one, but the fellow's cowaril ice merited it, and as none but myself saw the transaction,!} passed without comment. It was amusing to witness the expedients resorted to our cooks to escape the fire from the fort, as they returnee to camp from the various guards. Many of them would tiJ the large flat bottomed tops or dishes of the camp kettles' their backs, place the kettles over their heads, form up inlnl dian file, and run off at full speed from the point of danger] but as they could not see before them they would frequeutli tumble one over the other — roll and bawl in great terror- then regain their legs, only to act the same farce over agai'J and in this grotesque manner reach camp, to the no smai amusement of the lookers-on, who laughed and shouted, they made their singular looking summersaults. Many them were wounded, but I do not remember to have liea that any were killed, although daily exposed to danger. Thej were hard worked, but received good pay while on field sel vice. At the foot of the hill, and immediately in rear of our camij the country was covered with a jungle of low thick brushwo in which there were numerous small wild pigs, striped soffl(| what like an Indian squirrel, varying in weight from twelj to sixteen pounds ; these are considered tolerably good catiiij Now as nothing in the shape of food comes amiss to a soli on a. campaign, our men made great havoc among them, ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE, 97 ire import nt times ^c had. I remember one morning as some \[ our follo^YS Averc returning, laden with spoil, two of the limals contrived to effect their escape, and ran, pursued by icir l.ito captors, into the lines of the native cavalry, who rcrc cliiofiy ISIaliommedans. Fancy the horror and indigna- ion of these men, for wliat pork is to a Jew, pig is to a Mus- wlm.in, an utter abomination. It unfortunately happened lat the perverse pigs would take to the forbidden ground, jid (lashed right among a number of men engaged in cook- a;' their morning meal, upsetting everything right and left, the no small consternation and dismay of the followers If MaliCiiicd, who on seeing the Europeans close at their Icols fancied that it was a planned affair, and immediately Ifrani:; away for their swords, to revenge the supposed insult, iid clh-cful would have been the consequences, but for the 111 self-possession of a color-sergeant of ours, who happened he passing at the time, he at once fell the men in, and ?rorc the troopers could return with their weapons had (oiiUeil them back to our camp. The commanding officer ive them a severe reprimand, and so ended Jie affair ; but iiia'le our men more careful in future, how they approached DO near to the natives' cooking places. They are extremely rtlcular in cooking ; each man clears a space of ground Icuerally about six yards in circumference ; he, then, with n-th and stones, builds a fire-place, and the spot immediately round he spreads over with a thin coating of cow dung, jrhicli the heat of the sun bakes. The place is then careful- swcpt clean, and after prayers it is consecrated for cooking, )v tlicv are so bi^-oted that should the shadow of a Christian, I V CJ 7 [liom they consider only one degree above a pig, fall on any their culinary utensils, while using them, they will, if bdo of earthenware, break them, and if the implement is ^ade of copper or brass, as is generally the case, they will 98 NED rORTESCUE; OR, throw away tho food, and take the vessel to the river it| order to wash and scour off the poUution. We now received intelligence that the siege train, so ion' I looked for, was within eight miles of us, but stuck fast in thJ rice fields, tho late rains having flooded them for miles, Fatigue parties from every corps were sent to assist in brin;;. ing in the long eighteen and thirty-two pounders. This wa; a severe tug, and had it not been for the assistance from ou: elephants, we should not have succeeded. It was managcil in this way : four pair of spare bullocks were hooked to cacil gun ; two men placed at each wheel ; then one of the clef phants marched up to the muzzle of the gun. lie scemwl then to understand what was expected of him, for at a cerl tain motion from its mahout or driver, he would place iJ trunk round the mouth of the cannon, and lift it complctoljl out of the mud ; at the same time the goad and lash AverJ effectually applied to the bullocks, who, by this means wcrfl urged forward, dragging the gun about thirty yards lo M front. By a repetition of these movements, the battery wJ at length got to the hard ground, at the foot of the hill, fiM which it was intended to open fire upon the walls of Samui^ ghur. Many singular anecdotes of the surprising sagacity of ttJ elephant had been related to me, by men who had lived t^ greater part of their lives in India. On one occasion became an eye-witness to a remarkable instance of acutene?J of observation in one of those usually docile animals. I m been conveying baggage belonging to some troops who wen changing their station from Poena to Ahmednuggur, by mearJ of elephants, camels and mules. One morning, on my rctun march, I had ridden on in advance of the cattle, for tlij purpose of procuring their forage, which arrangement haviii been effected, I betook myself to the Dawk Bungalo, or hall ROUGUINc; IT TUKOLT.II LIFE. 99 inn; place for European travellers, to get breakfast, and (lurin;? this time my cattle came in. Knowing that there Tsas plenty of game in the neighbourhood I threw my gun I across my shoulder and passed through the cattle linos on my way to the nearest cover. On passing near the elephants, one of them attracted my attention by a peculiar kind of scream ; on going up to the animal, he gently and quietly upset a heap of flour cakes that had been set before him by his keeper. The cakes rolled about at my feet, ho at the same time uttering another scream. Scarcely knowing what to make of this strange conduct, I counted the cakes, and discovered that there were four short of the usual complc- iment. No sooner had I finished counting them than the ele- phant turned slowly round to the keeper, whose duty it was to prepare its food, and struck him to the earth with his j trunk, breaking two of his ribs ; thus punishing the man for I depriving him of four pounds of cakes for his own benefit. This he had in reality done. The animal then gave a sort i of grunt, as if quite satisfied with his performance ; evidently j knowing that I was in authority over the keeper, ho eyed me with a look, as much as to indicate that he was able to settle accounts with those who defrauded him ; then gathering up j liis cakes he quietly began his meal. It is almost needless to add that the mahout or keeper was discharged on his recovery, and before leaving confessed having taken the flour for his own use. The daily food or rations of these animals are as follows : two hundred pounds of forage consisting chiefly ofjowaree, the green tops of the sugar cane, and branches of I young jungle trees ; four ounces of ghee or clarified butter, two ounces of salt and twenty -four pounds of flour, made up into one-pound cakes, and for the baking of which fifteen iwunds of wood was allowed for one animal. At that time each elephant was allowed half-a-gallon of proof arrack per day ; but thig the government discontinued of late years. 100 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, Getting the breaching guns and mortar battery up the hill and into position was another long and hard day's work, I and was managed by means of fatigue parties ; but m patience and perseverance overcome many difficulties, even thing was shortly in readiness to commence the assault on the fortress. The general now decided, as a preliminary moa- sure, to shelly the place, and this was effectively done bjl firing salvos from our mortars and howitzers every quarter of an hour during the night. Our officers observed, by means of their field-glasses, that in one part of the place there was a number of houses of a better description than the generality of native habitations ; these they determined should bespccdilj destroyed. Accordingly, several live carcases, or hollow shells filled with combustible and inflammable matter, were discharged on the chupper or thatched roofs of the building3 and in a short time a bright blaze shot up from several places at once, but the fire was put out by the inhabitants, who swarmed up in hundreds to extinguish the flames. However. we were not to be baffled in this way; therefore the remainder of the mortars and howitzers were laid for the dwellings- thesc were loaded with grape and canister. The carcases! were first fired, then as the enemy were engaged in quench- ing the flames, the other missiles were sent with fatal preci- sion among them, by which means hundreds were killed, and I the remainder had the mortification of seeing their houses destroyed, or else risk their lives by endeavouring to save I their property. The following day the large half-circular bastion at the I left rear angle of the fort was selected as the spot where the breach was to be made, and the batteries opened upon it in grand style, but after several hours* practice it appeared to have suffered very little from the bombardment. It was now evening, and it became a question with the officers whether ROUaniNQ IT THROUGH LIFE. 101 it would not be better to try the strength of one of the other j towers. While they were discussing this important subject, a shot from one of the batteries hit the outer curve of the bastion, and glancing oflF, struck the curtain or wall about half-way between the two corner bastions and near the parapet, bringing down a great quantity of masonry ; this decided the question. A flag of truce was, at this juncture, seen on the battlement, and the Rajah sent to say that he requested a suspension of hostilities for forty-eight hours, to consider terms, with a view to surrender. Our reply granted twenty- four hours, and while waiting his answer we were joined by a regiment of native cavalry, and a troop of Madras European horse artillery, with six guns ; they also brought the news that several other petty States were in open revolt, and that a very large force was being assembled to reinforce us, and would join in a few days — as it was expected we should have to scour the Southern Mahratta country, from one end to the other. The truce on the part of the Rajah was only a \ru»e to gain time ; as we afterwards found out that he was in hourly expectation of a reinforcement of about two thousand men. 102 NED PORTESCUE ; OR, CHAPTER IX. At the expiration of the twenty-four hours, the fort opcnel fire on our line of sentinels, upon which the "whole of die breaching guns were turned on the curtain, to effect a new breach, and our light artillery kept playing on the large bastion to deceive the enemy into the belief that we intended storming in two places. We battered away all that night and by ten o'clock on the following day, the reconnoiterinj party previously sent out, returned, and the chief engineeil reported the breach practicable. Immediate preparatioDif were now made for carrying the place by storm. Our guard- and pickets were strengthened, and the line of scntrieil doubled during the night. The whole of the cavalry formeil a circle round the fortifications, just out of reach of theiil guns, for the purpose of intercepting any that might endeaf vour to escape during the assault The rifles, with ligkl companies of the other native regiment, were stationed a:| the foot of the hill, to the right and left of the breach, conf cealed from the view of those on the walls, by a long hed^'ti of tall, prickly pear bushes. The storming party were told oflf, as follows: — two liuoj dred of my regiment leading, three hundred of each of tlifl native regiments, with about two hundred dismounted troop-l ers belonging to the cavalry. From this party, volunteenl were called out for the forlorn hope, as those that carry tbel S0»liag ladders are called. The korse-artillery guas wer« >i ROUOIIINO IT TIIUOUOU LIFE. 103 placed that they could sliower grape and canister into the itrcach, directly over our heads, as we ascended. Now, wc finxiously awaited for daylight, to commence the attack. An older had been issued that not a shot was to be fired on any account, by any part of the force, until a given pre-concerted signal, which was three blue lights, sent up in rapid suc- cession from the top of Sugar-loaf Hill, to the right of the fort. During this time, the enemy were not idle, for they anticipated our attack, and all their available guns were brought to bear on the two breaches, loaded with every Ins- cription of missile — they used great quantities of rod-iron, cut up into ])ieces about an inch in length. All the Ic^pholes were bristling with matchlocks, and the battlemonis were lined with hundreds oi' men armed with swords, pistols aiid creeses. Pu) lies were also stationed in the barbican, with large two-handed slings, for hurling pieces of rock and large stones down on the heads of the storming party ; they had likewise dug a mine beneath the breach of the large circular bastion, believing that to be the place chosen for the grand attack. In this they were sadly mistaken, and suflfered severely at this spot, as will be seen hereafter. About half-past four in the morning, the eagerly expected blue lights shot high into the air, illuminating the whole scene for a few brief seconds — the old fort with its frowning battlements, thickly lined with guns, ready prepared to belch forth its murderous fire, and the dark swarthy faces of its defenders, betraying an expression of eagerness and terror at the prospect of the swiftly approaching conflict. As their lights died out, the guard and pickets opened a heavy fire upon the walls, the chain of sentries taking it. up, and blazing away at every form discernible to them during the imperfect light of the early dawn. The roar of our heavy ordnance as it tkuudered forth from the kei;;ht, pouring a perfect kurri- II liMKll-l I i'-|mB{-'«it™MmgB'm!MUIMa 104 NED PORTESCUE ; OR, cane of shot an'I shell into the fated place, scemerl to shai-J the very ground. The storming party moved down to the base of the hill, under cover of lieavy volleys from the riflK and light companies ; but, on reaching the foot of the brcacli. we found that our ladders were not required, the brcacli Iteiii.i so complete, that you might almost have driven an artilkrr ■waggon through it with little or no ditHculty : therefore, oa-t- ing down the ladders, we prepared to ascend. Tlie gunsufl the horse artillery sending a deadly shower of grape, canist'T. and spherical case over our heads, which would foramomeh; completely clear the mouth of the breach, and then began [\A tug of war. Fixing our bayonets, and with a shout or cheer, such as no native of whatever caste or color, can hear witli- out terror, up we dashed, and, as we advanced, the whole uf this face of the fort became a perfect blaze of fire. Showerij of shot swept through our ranks like hail, doing sad mischief; at the same time down came pieces of rock and large stoii ■>, crushing or mutilating many a fine fellow that the buller. hai spared. The false attack at the large bastion was a comjikuj success ; the party kept up a rolling fu>^ilade from the hasc of the tower, without entering upon the breach. By tliid means, the enemy were divided, rendering the real attaci less difficult. On our arrival at the top of the breach, theiel was a short hand-to-hand fight, but the swords of the Mali' rattas gave way before the bayonets of the impetuous trou|i that formed the storming party. A large portion fell back uij their reserve at the other bastion, while the remainder scat- tered through the fort, pursued in all directions by our ineu On entering the fort, we divided into three parties ; one, tlie| strongest, went to the left, to rout the foe at the bastion: another, to the front in pursuit of the liajah and his priuciial officers ; and the third to the right, to clear the rampart aiil| secure prisoners. I turned to the left, with my muikct u: ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 105 the char;^e, and in passing a small watch tv^wor, partially destroyed by a shell, I encountered a tall native, who had been hid behind a large stone, and who evidently thought my piece was unloaded, and under the impression that I would be an easy prey, boldly seized my musket with one hand, and de- 1 hberatcly unfixed the bayonet with the other, but he had <' reckoned without his host," for I shot him through the head before he could raise his sword. Having replaced my bayonet, I pushed on without delay, for at that moment a terrific explosion shook this part of the fort. The mine that had been constructed for our reception had suddenly exploded, by what means no one could tell, shattering the tower, and blow- ing into the air upwards of throe hundred of the enemy, who hail crowded into it. Our men continued to pour in an I indiscriminate fire of musketry on the remnant of the foe. What was left of the tower and barbican was now covered I with blood and full of the dead. The glare thrown by the flames of burning houses upon the ensanguined earth ; the powder besmeared faces of the combatants ; the groans of I the dying; the clashing of weapons and the heart breaking appeals for water or assistance of the severely wounded, I pourtrayed a scene of horror to the young soldiers who, for the first time, were engaged in deadly conflict, not likely to be effaced from their recollection for many a month. By seven o'clock, the *' cease fire" sounded, and the '' assembly" rang out clear and loud from the large open square in the principal bazaar. There we found a large num- ber of prisoners ; but Babagec Nikum and several other influ- ential men had made their escape, when they found the day was going against them. They accomplished their flight by means of a subterranean passage that led from the Cutchirce or i)rincipal house used by the chiefs while transacting busi- ness with the ryots or landholders under th«ir rule, to a small e2 U.1.-.I.!11W 106 NED FORTESCUE J OR, Hindoo temple — an unsightly heap of ruins in the thickes;! part of the jungle — about half a mile to the rear of the for;, whose isolated position was its greatest protection, elicitiii!| neither observation nor suspicion. Guards were now placeil and the dismounted troopers were stationed at the brcaclieil to prevent the camp followers, who, for the sake of plunder] had entered in rear of us — but as may easily be imagined il such cowardly wretches — kept at a safe distance, anxiousljl waiting an opportunity to return to camp with their plunde:,! which, however, they were in most cases made to surrcnderj We remained about two hours in the fort, during Avlii.j time I managed to pick up valuables to the amount of m hundred rupees, or <£20 stg. A circumstance occurred uj J our leaving the fortress, which will illustrate far better tkl any lengthy description, how completely any instructioJ given by a European, in those days, were carried out Vi native soldiers, no matter how inhuman the order might h\ or just or unjust. Quite a number of prisoners were bein.] brought in from the walls by a havildar's guard ; one of thcii fellows proved rather restive, and was arguing with the coiij mander. A sergeant of ours, who happened to be passing ii| the time, noticed this, and told them to move on, but the mail would not go. " What shall I do ?" cried the havildar " Cut his head off," was the short reply of the sergeant, J ho left the spot. The order was decisive, and the native \m commissioned officer drew his sword-bayonet, and in an instaiii the head of the prisoner fell to the ground. By this time wounded of our party had been carefully conveyed to tli;| hospitals, and the bodies of those who had fallen were siii to the camp for interment. We were now ordered to returl to our various quarters, and glad was I to escape from tliiJ place ; for so many of the enemy had fallen during the sie^'el whose bodies had been thrown into dry wells, for want of tiuil RO!J«HIN« IT THROUGH LIFE. 107 I to bum or bury them, that the stench arising therefrom, wai I intolerable. By ten, a.m., we were again in our tents, well I satisfied with our success^ but of course much fatigued by our active exertions. On the same day, our guards, pickets, &c., were likewise i withdrawn from the outside of the walls, leaving but one stron*^ guard »ithin the entrance of the principal gate. Fa- I tit^ue parties were set to work, filling up with lime and earth [the wells into which the enemy's dead had been thrown, and I such other sanitary steps taken as were considered necessary I on the occasion ; and, before nightfall, matters in the fort among the native population, went on pretty much as usual. I In our camp, preparations were being made for the morning's i meal. " Now, Bob, my fine fellow, just step to the cook, and see what you can obtain in the shape of breakfast. Here, take this rupee, it is one that I got in the fort this morning. You know it is your turn to forage, and in the meantime, as I am very thirsty, I will try if I can procure a couple of drams of arrack." " Musha, but it would be a quare male that I would go a I hen's race for, this blessed morning ; bedad, the trotters are knocked clane oflfme, crawling up to that infarnal houlin the I wall, after them blackguard nagurs ; bad luck to them, every (lay they see a paving stone, and every day they don't. I But Ned, avic, can you raise a golliogue, for I am dying for a toothful of the crature ?" exclaimed Bob, eyeing the rupee that I had thrown on the ground near him, but he did not move a peg. " I tell you what it is, my boy, if you don't find a beefsteak or something of that sort pretty sharp, not a drop of grog do 'you get from me, as it is a scarce article in the camp to-day." " And if he does not, it will be the first time I ever knew O'Toole to refuse doing anything in reason, or out of it, when ^ssasHBap 1^ NED rORTESCUE ; 611, i 1 there is a chance of a glass of grog to be got by it,*' chimJ in a comrade, as I rose and left the tent for the liquor, whicll I had been promised by the canteen sergeant, in exchaiiji| for a silver mounted creese, which I had taken from one! the enemy that morning. Returning shortly after, I fouiij| my chum fast asleep on a peg bag, underneath the outer 1 of the tent ; I, therefore, carefully put away in my poudl one of the drams and drank the other, at the same time eatf ing a few pieces of hard biscuit that I found in my haversack! I was about to visit the cook with a view to breakfast, when the! "alarm" and "assembly" sounded, to turn out the whole, quidl ly followed by the " double." In a few minutes all was hfe aDJl bustle ; each one was eager to know why we, who had beeil so hotly engaged all the morning, should not be allowed timfl to rest and get our breakfast in peace. It was soon explained! About two thousand of the enemy Avere approaching. Thiil party had been sent by the Rajah of Kolapoor, a large indJ pendent State, some fifty miles distant, that had joined tlif| standard of revolt, for the purpose of raising the siege, ori any other way to assist Babagee Nikura ; but they appearel a day after the fair, the place having fallen that morninji The advancing force was about seven miles distant, marchinj through a long valley, but not observable from our camp. Tkl news had been brought in by our cavalry scouts, and our Gen eral determined to meet them in the open plain as soon as tliejl should debouch from the valley. Hence the alarm sounded] for it required great expedition to enable us to reach the spoil in time but we turned out as sharp as possible, some with. and others without, their morning meal ; myself amongst the] latter. Our force consisted of one troop of Madras Horse Artillerjl one regiment of cavalry ; about one thousand native infantry; and three hundred of the second Bombay European re^imeiii ROrOHIX* IT THROUGH LIFE. 109 Within twenty minutes of the sounding of the first bugle we were route ; the cavalry taking their way through a deep nullah, jr dry bed of a river, the high banks of which hid them as they idvanccd ; the artillery and infantry availed themselves of le fields of jo waree, that stretched out some miles to our right front, and completely screened us from all observation, [n this manner we proceeded until we arrived at the banks of ^he river Gotoor, the opposite bank of which was steep and rugged. A reconnoitering party was now sent across to look Dut for the enemy, as well as to see how the land lay. They Boon returned, and from their information it was determined give thera battle on the other side of the river. They fere not more than half a mile off, and it was evident from the careless manner of their marching, that they were entirely [ignorant of our presence in their vicinity, believing us to be ictively engaged before Samunghur. The cavalry was first sent across, with instructions to get Ito the rear of the Mahrattas if possible, without being noticed^ land follow them with a view of driving them to cross the [river, and, likewise, in case they should discover us, to cut [off their retreat, should they attempt to escape before we could engage them. Our infantry then crossed, forming [upon the bank in columns of subdivisions, and advanced in a diagonal direction to our right front some four hundred [yards, wheeled into line by subdivisions on the centre, right forward, left back, which brought us under cover of a fine prickly pear hedge, that effectually concealed us. The artil- lery, on crossing, wheeled a little to the left, and advancing about one hundred and twenty yards, entered a small open- ing surrounded by milk bushes, and took up such a position as enabled them to open fire on any body of troops who I might attempt to cross the river in the direction of Samun- ghur. Our reserve infantry and cavalry did not cross, but 110 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, was stationed in a corn field near the ford, ready to act ii any way, when called on. An aide-de-camp now returned to say that the cavalry had succeeded without discovery in gaining the position assigned to them ; all was now complete!? arranged, and the unconscious foe hurried on to their destruc- tion. The day was magnificent, and the scene as fair as maybe, it was just after the monsoon ; the great thirst of nature hai been assuaged ; the now refreshed earth teemed with vegeta- tion, which had burst forth with a rapidity known only J tropical climates ; thousands of parrots and bright coloured birds fluttered from bough to bough in the mango topes, which dotted the plain ; whilst high in the air, like mere specks among the few fleecy, lazily-drifting clouds, whirled here and there a kite, that camp scavenger of the East, as l'| in anticipation of an approaching banquet. A gentle breeze rustled the bright green foliage, imprej nating the atmosphere with the perfume from blossoms anil flowers ; the drowsy hum of myriads of insects, mingled itself with the murmuring of the clear waters as they tnckleil| over their pebbly bed at the ford, producing a sensation oil delicious languor and repose. I have it all before my mindil eye now: alas, that so fair a landscape should be destined sjI soon to be desecrated by a sanguinary drama. Were thesel my feelings or my reflections then ? I regret to say they werel not ; my only sensation at the time was that of a reitlcss anJ| feverish anxiety, lest the foe should escape us. It was not until the enemy had arrived within a hundrell and fifty yards that they became aware of their danger,] Observing only the right wing of the native infantry, thejl immediately formed in three lines — for they had no artillery orl cavalry — and in this manner awaited our attack. Theywerfl not long kept in suspense, for we poured upon them a few vol] leys by companies from both flanks of the native regimental ROU«HINS IT THROUGH LIPE. Ill followed by a heavy file firing from the muskets of three hundred of my regiment, which their first line replied to for a few minutes, by heavy discharges of their matchlocks ; but no sooner did they observe the Europeans, than they appeared panic-stricken and confused ; their lines broke up, and they prepared to retreat. To their dismay, however, our light cavalry appeared in their rear; the open space in their front seeming clear, they at once dashed down to the river in hopes of getting the water between us and them, as I the only evident means of escaping. This our General had foreseen, and this move was their destruction, for as soon as the first of the party had commenced crossing, our guns, which j until then had remained silent, opened upon them with grape and canister, mowing them down like corn. The cavalry then swept through, sabreing all that came within their reach; it was a fearful slaughter. The remnant threw down their arms and crouched like beaten hounds at our feet ; some two or three hundred, however, effected their escape through the rice fields. We left about seven hundred dead on the field, and forming into a hollow square, marched about five hun- dred prisoners back to camp. Our loss on this day was comparatively small, seventeen of jail ranks killed ; and one. European officer, four native officers, thirteen sergeants and havildars, and fifty nine rank and file lof all corps engaged, wounded. The return march sorely tried us all. Our morning's fatigue at the fort, and subse- quent march and engagement without rest or food nearly [knocked me up ; indeed, were it not for the dram of arrack Ipreviously taken, I think I-should have succumbed. O'Toole [had fallen out to obtain a drink of water, as he was almost lexhausted, and he was fortunate enough to get a lift nearly lall the way back on one of the artillery limbers. It is a trite land hackneyed remark regarding excitement, that it i s 112 NBD foMeScue; or, wonderful how soon hunger, thirst and fatigue, are forgotten, whilst under its influence in an engagement or pursuit, an^ | in proportion to the intensity of the feeling the more terrible is the reaction. Our prisoners suffered severely ; they hai I been making forced marches, and now, with the prospect of a gaol before them ; numbers wounded, and sinking m\ | exhaustion, their state must have been anything but enviable, They were a heterogeneous throng ; some small farmen I holding their land under the Kolapoor Rajah, and bound to assist him in his forays, no matter against whom; field labourers and hundreds of budmashes, or lazy evil-disposed persons, who have everything to gain by rebellion, and| nothing to lose, except their worthless lives ; plunder being their chief means of support. It was past seven in the evening before we got to oui| tents, and after a good meal, and glass of grog, it was long till rest and sleep rendered us for a time oblivious oftkl stirring scenes of the day. The time we remained here, after the reduction of the place, was occupied by the Sappers and Miners, assisted by large parties from the different corps, in dismantling the fort and rendering it useless as an asylum tv| the rebellious or disaffected, who might seek its shelter our quitting that part of the country. In about ten days I we received orders to pass on to a fort called, if I rememberl right, Ang-Ghur ; it was small, and situated on a hill somel twenty miles to the south east of Samunghur. A number oil rebels, probably those that escaped from the plain amongsil them, had established themselves there, and were ravaging the country in its immediate vicinity ; plundering and burnin|l the small villages and dwellings of the more peaceabljl inclined inhabitants, who had as yet taken no part in tliJ rebellion. The Mahratta country, previous to its subjug*| tion by the East India Company, was in a state somowb ROUaniNO IT TUROUGir LIFE. 113 Bimilar to our own during the feudal ages, when every baron Dr chief held his own by virtue of his sword, accepted terras it his gate, and made war on his weaker neighbour when ivaricc or personal revenge prompted him to do so. Hence number of forts or strongholds that are to be seen on nearly every range of hills throughout the country. The East India Company,after conquering these petty princes diviclually, confirmed them in their authority, upon their Laying tribute, allowing them to make war on each other as ]cy thought proper, and in no way interfering, unless special- ly called on by some weaker Rajah for assistance and protection kgainst the raids of some stronger neighbour — for which Bsistance you may depend, the Rajah had to pay in good 5imd terms. At last the Samunghur Rajah having subdued lithe neighbouring principalities, began, as he thought, to feel [imself sufficiently powerful to resist the authority of the East idia Company itself, set it at defiance, and save an immense [early tax ; hence the Mahratta war. In two days we reached the place, but the birds had flown; loubtless the recollection of their late disaster had led them (think that discretion was the better part of valor, for they id hastily evacuated the fort, and dispersing, sought their ttdividual safety as best they could. Wo halted here for a kek, spiked the few remaining guns, burnt the carriages, (lew up the magazine, and threw all the shot that we found ito the valley at the rear of the hill, it being perfectly useless us, or, in fact, to anybody as a projectile. This little affair iving been brought to a conclusion, we again started in pur- lit of more of these gentry that Avere disturbing the country the direction of the large fortified village of Neepanee on ie road to Kolapore. Three days after leaving this place we imped near the plain where our late fight had taken place ; |it' prowling hyena andbarking jackal had with the aisistance 114 NED rORTESCUE ; OR, of the carrion kite, performed their work effectually. Ilunm bones lay in all directions, and ghastly grinning skulls, m of which still retained the long scalp lock. These marked the spot where so many had perished, only three weeks before, and where man had been busily engaged in tld annihilation of his brother man. We were here joined byfoij companies of the Native Rifles, one wing 20th Native Infantn and the 4th Company, 1st battalion Bombay Artillery. large force under Major General was to meet us in few days, for the whole country was by this time tainted wil the contagion of rebellion, and likely to give consideralilj ti'ouble, ere it could be effectually and entirely put down. this point, our route was changed, as information was brou,; that the enemy, in large force, under experienced leadeii were advancing from the Fortress of Baddaghur, Avithi view of intercepting or delaying our march towards KolapooJ and so afford time for the chief of that district to prepare f| our reception, by fortifying the city, and placing the whole j the forts in its vicinity in such a state of defense as time ; circumstances would admit of. ROUOBINO IT XUROVQH LIFS. 115 CHAPTER X. 'he probability of again meeting the insurgents in large mbers on the plain, away from the shelter of their strong- 1IJ9, was to us a source of great satisfaction, and the new e of march was taken up with that enthusiasm so peculiar the British soldier, when on the right track, and eager to et the enemy he is pursuing. A very absurd and highly icrous occurrence took place at this time, and which, but ir the unfortunate way it terminated, would have been heartily ijoyed by all. We were ascending a small but very steep 1 in order to gain some table land, where it was intended t we should camp. A road had been made up to this place our sappers the day previous ; about half-way from the top 3 road rounded a sort of projecting point. This portion ,3 very narrow, and on the left hand side the ground was ed and covered with thick brush-wood ; a deep ravine cupied the right. The day was just dawning, when we reached this locality, d the light was of that peculiar hazy kind that renders )jects at a short distance shadowy and indistinct. The artil- iry were in front, and between them and the infantry rode e General and his staff; suddenly an aid-de-camp wheeled IS horse to the left, and cantered into the jungle ; returning a few seconds, he reported to the Ge neral that he had seen number of the enemy enter a clump of trees a few hundred rds in front of the guns. To this the General gave no ed«Bce; for a «iroum8tanc« of that nature «ould aot hay« 116 NED PORTESCUE ; OR, escaped the notice of our advanced guard, and they had signalized ; but the young aid-de-carap declared he could m have been mistaken, and offered to lead a company to dislodJ them. Our commander called a halt, directed him to m the right subdivision of the leading company of infantry, aJ scour the jungle to our left front ; this was done, I believe. more to convince the young officer of his error than any otie-l motive. Away the party went in the direction indicated, on being within a hundred yards of the spot, sent in a vollej when lo and behold, the smoke clearing off, instead of tl enemy, out dashed about fifty large monkeys ! They cai shrieking, yelling and howling, like so many satyrs or vi demons. The shouts of laughter that burst from all tl witnessed this unexpected event, may be easily imagined, the little party on their return were greeted with all mami of jokes and fun; the Lieutenant came in for his share chaff, and had to run the gauntlet of his jesting friends, vh he did, joining goodnaturcdly in the laugh against hiraselfj it was fortunate that he did so, otherwise he would havebei continually tormented. As a matter of course, the spread like wildfire over the whole Presidency ; and I ha' often since heard him greeted with — " I say A , what the price of nuts ?" or " IIow is cocoa ?'* which he would wi off with, " No more of that, Hal, an' thou lovest me," something of that sort. Had the affair ended here, all world have been well, but was not so, for the terrified monkeys, many of which hadbi hit, frantically leaped from the high bank into the road, a fi yards in front of the artillery : the horses startled at their expected appearance, and frightened at the fearful din beci unmanageable. Just then a large snake was seen to glii across the road, and pass under the horses ; unfortunatcj cue of tkem trod upon it ; in an instant it darted at aud ROUOUINC, IT TIIllOUOU LIFE. 117 iiin in tl»c shoulder, fastening its fangs on it. Tlie poor brute rithin'^ in agony, kicked and plunged violently in his efforts shake off the reptile. The other horses rendered desperate the cries and struggles of the bitten horse, reared, backed, id before anything could be done to avert it, gun, limber, jrsesand men, were hurled over the edge of the road, tear- ancl dashing through the brushwood and decayed stumps, i their passage down the steep sides of the ravine. The gun bich was a brass six-pounder, fortunately got entangled and amecl in the branches and roots of a banyan tree, which )ppcd its further downward progress. Assistance was [)mptly given, and the rarty rescued from their perilous gition. It was then diaoovered that one of the horses had Bn killed, and one of the drivers so severely crushed, that only survived a few hours ; the remainder escaped with ac slight contusions and a few ugly looking scratches. A liguc party was despatched to get up the gun, the rear guard eivcd orders to see it brought into camp, and we again moved irard. Ln hour later the staff who had ridden on with the advance (ird, were seen returning at a smart canter, and the icral addressing several of the officers that were riding ether said, pointing to an eminence in front, " Gentlemen, re is your camping ground, but you must fight for every of it, as the enemy have possession, and are in great nbers, therefore you may expect warm work." He then Bed on to the centre, to give instructions for an attack on the f The cavalry were ordered into the valleys and nullahs, and ^e parties of infantry, each accompanied by a lighc gun to Bt in the work of destruction, were soon seen swarming up over the numerous hills and ridges with which the country mded, whilst the main body or reserve followed close up, Bving or reinforcing the skirmishers from time to time, as imstances required. 118 NED FORTESCUE ; OK, It wass a loTcly morning ; the sun that had been obsciir«l during the carUer hours now shone forth in all its brilliancTl dispelling the misty and vapor like clouds that floated amoJ the hills, disclosing a magnificent panaraora of wood, wateJ valley and mountain. The dark blue range of the westcn Ghauts being distinctly visible, stretching away to the left, far as the eye could reach, seemed to disappear among clouds. The pleasing effect of the picture was considcrali heightened by the events that were now passing. Here there might be seen small parties of our cavalry, who, \\\ sweeping round the base of the different acclivities came sionally upon some of the enemy's horse, when a hand tohai encounter would take place, resulting generally in the M^ of the latter ; while the artillery from various prominent spii opened a conversation with the rebels from the brazen tliro;| of their guns, in a language not at all appreciated bj, painfully felt by, many of them, as their mangled remaJ testified. Then again, the advancing lines of our skirmisli{ driving the Mahrattas before them like scared sheep, the gn and scarlet uniforms of our rifles and infantry contrastij strangely with the loose white clothing and brightly burnisli weapons of the flying foe, formed, with our reserve, for a U ground a grand tableau, that would have made the fortune) any good artist, could he have placed it on canvas for exbibitli It was quite evident, from the obstinate way in which nuj parts of the ground were contested, and the orderly nm in which large parties of the enemy made good their reti that they had a leader among them of no mean capacity, well skilled in military tactics ; and so it turned out forajj main body was pursuing its way along the foot of a s^ acclivity, the spur or rocky point of which hung over the ] at no great distance in front, there suddenly appeared onl extreme summit the tall figure of a man, whose dress, feaii ROUGHINa IT TIIROUGH LIFE. 119 [id rrcneral appearance as he stood out in bold relief against sky, plainly indicated that he was of European birth. He ivcd his sword several times, cither in defiance of us, or as .signal to his followers, of our approach in that direction. le quick eye of our Brigadier measured at a glance the dis- ince between them, and turning to his orderly, a non-commis- oncd officer of the rifles, who constantly attended him, said ; You are reckoned the best shot in your regiment, I believe, ivou think you could hit yonder figure ?" " The distance is great, but if the Sahib wishes it, I will my best," replied the havildar : " it is not more than six indred yards in a straight line," remarked the commander, ind if you succeed, I will give you five rupees ; but you must 1 quick." The soldier stepped a few paces to the right, then ropping his rifle into the forked prong ■ of a wild guava tree, [)k deliberate aim and fired. The man was seen to spring pparently about six feet into the air, then turning a somer- \\\\t, came down headlong into the jungle below. It was a Icndid shot, for there were no Enfield or minie rifles in the (ly in those days. Then, to hit a target the size of a man 1 300 yards, was considered good shooting. The body was Bcovcrcd, and, on examination, proved to be that of a man icd Lowengholm, a Norwegian, who had entered the service I the East India Company, and dcerted from the horse artil- ^y at Poona, about two years before. It was afterwards certaincd that he had been employed by the Rajah of Sattara, a sort of generalissimo of his forces, and sent by that ^riguing native prince to assist the insurgent chiefs ; hence presence on the battle ground. |0n the fall of their leader, the rebels gave up the contest, Dkc into small parties, and fled through the jungle, seek- tlic shelter of the fortress of Baddaghur, which their perior knowledge of the country enabled them to attain, in 120 NED fortescue; or, defiance of our lif;ht troops -vrho followed them as best tlift could, but only in time to witness the massive gates of tlicfon close on the last party of the fugitives. We had the satlsfacti"!! however, of seeing the white flag of truce or surrender, flvir,;! from the tower of the principal entrance, and a great satisfacJ tion it was ; for a thirty mile march in a country like India. through thick jungle, with a running fight for the last fift-;}; miles, beneath a noon-day sun, is no joke, and quite cnouglifj; one day, especially for infantry. On the arrival of the remainder of the brigade, wc coa-l raenced making ourselves comfortable and snug in the valkJ at the foot of the hill on which Baddaghur was built, at i| distance of about four hundred yards. Rolls were called, an piled, and some of the tents of the staft" in course of crcctkJ I threw myself on the ground, awaiting the arrival of tlic gro: beneath the shade of a currawa bush, where I soon fell aslco[; but I did not long enjoy the exquisite luxury, having bcij awakened by a lot of earth or dirt which struck my face, sprang up, highly indignant, as I fancied some of my comral had been playing a practical joke upon me. . The booming I artillery at once silenced me. The white flag had been lia' down, and the fort suddenly opened fire upon us, sending tfeJ old iron flying through our camp in a most uncomfortalJ manner. The first shot, a thirty-two pounder, struck close;! where my head lay, covering me with earth, then licl chetting over a pile of arms, passed through the officers' i tent, and finally lodged in tLc laj) of an old woman, aMa(lra>>^ camp follower, who was vending cowheel curry to a group hungry soldiers. The poor old creature was cut complct('| in two, to the no nmall surprise of her customers. I liai narrow escape that time ; but " a miss is as good as a niile.| Wc had to cut and run to get out of range of the gun? our treacherous foe ; which avc did without loss, pitching ci ROUr.HING IT TI11101'(J1I LIFE. 121 ciinp on a niece of table -land, about the same height as that m which the fort stood, and about sixteen hundred yards Jistaiit, with the valley between us and the enemy, who dis- loiitiii-ied their fire as soon as we got out of range. Wc then commenced in good earnest to make ourselves c„iiii'ortahle, and got our breakfiist, dinner and supper, three ncals in one, and as the foe did not further molest us, wc did lot interfere with them. Burying the slain, bringing in the Youiuled, and securing our camp for the night, every one m fully employed that evening, all being anxious to avail jeiiiselves of the chance of a good night's rest, and feeling atisfied that tough work would be cut out for us on the mor- 3w. As I said before — at the period of which I am writing -die East India Company was in its palmiest days, trusted Ll yet envied by the European powers, and feared and csncctcdby its native subjects. Just prior to the outbreak If the present campaign, its already large army had been [trcn'^thcned by three European regiments of infantry, and Dvcnl battalions of Sepoys, while the complement of native irtillcry and irregular cavalry had been largely augmented. kcsc troops were all thoroughly drilled, and in a high state of lisciiiliuc, ready and anxious to be led to any point or against lnvfoe,no matter what creed or denomination — for the matc- Vl of which the native army was then composed looked down i\t\\ sovereign contempt on all those who followed any other ccupation than that of the noble profession of arms. As the grey dawn of day lit up the eastern horizon, and re the world's great luminary had blazed forth upon the cone, all was bustle and preparation in the camp. Large artic's of men on fatigue, from the various corps, were hurry iz here and there ; earth-works were being thrown up, Ircachin^ batteries got into position, and mor^ar-beds laid ; Ihilst those 'rentlemen of the scientific branch of the service .J 4aA^ XED fortescue; or, — as the field en^i^incers are usually styled — were busiiv engaged ascertaining by means of theodolites and other instni. mcnts, the correct distance between our position and the Ym, the height of its walls, and such other information as tlioyl deemed necessary for the work in liand. To one of these look-out points, where the theodolit" w;i.| in full operation, my friend liob and myself not being re' [nirej for duty, made our way, and having some slight ac([uaintaiiee| with the European sergeant who had charge of the iustrumentj I obtained permission to take a peep at the enemy's work?, Having satisfied my curiosity I beckoned my comraile k approach, who, believing it to be nothing more than a lar;:J telescope, was impatient to look through it. lie had notl)OiL| more than five seconds at the glass, when he exclaimel '* Arrah, Nod, avic, sure the place is upside down, why ddri!! the nagers fall out," then shifting his head on one side liv| looked steadily at the fort, and finding it in its usual positii called out : "By the piper that played before Moses, aiil| sure he was a musical man, it's mighty quare any how, Thereupon I endeavoured to explain to him the use, corij struction, and peculiarities of the glass, but I fear with littif success, for it was evident by the quiet way in which kl retired, that he was not at all satisfied in his own mind, ki that his Satanic Majesty had some hand in the constructioi| of the instrument in question. This incident brings to my mind a story that was related t| mc by one of the Royal Engineers. It appears my frioDil was engaged in surveying a portion of a country road sointj where in the south of England, and had just commenced woii] when a party of young ladies from a neighbouring boaixlii school, of various ages, from the infant prodigy of eight li the bludiing maiden of seventeen, were seen approachiiiij they were headed by a tall thin vinegar- visaged female, tlij ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 123 jj,eciili;ii" rustic of whose stiff silk, together with the primness of lier general costume, clearly indicated that she had never loved, or had loved and sighed in vain. As they drew near, he advanced, cap in hand, to meet them, and with a politeness for which he was proverbial, oftcred to use his scientific apparatus for their amusement. This proposal was received Uith delight by all, but to the unloving governess, the theodo- [lite had no charms. Indeed, she was superior to such things. Illowever, she offered no objection to the scheme, and in a few minutes distant scenes were broui»;ht near. Cotta^'cs, [iates,»trees, and other objects, were turned upside down, to ^hc wonder and astonishment of the party. When all had been satisfied, our hero, with a spice of that mischief for which lio was noted, turned the glass full on the group, saying, with wicked smile, " Ladies, as I have afforded you a little pleasure, it is nothing but fair that you should contribute a ittle to mine ; so I am about to turn you all upside down." it this remark a terrible commotion seized them. The antique idy of the Academy believing the glass to be levelled solely It her, uttered a scream of terror, and fled for refuge behind a clump of laburnums, which effectually screened her ifom view. Some of the maidens perf jrraed a manoeuvre aown to the initiated as " making a cheese," formed by idies dropping on their knees, compressing their garments [losely around them. While they remained huddled together little groups, each holding the bottoms of their petticoats ily with both hands to the ground, uttering piteous excla- uations, such as " Well I never ;" " Did you ever ;" " Oh, blease, don't, Mr. Man ;" " Take away that nasty thing." pe scene was ludicrous in the extreme. At this juncture,three the elder pupils who had loitered behind, fern-gathering, )w came up, and it so happened that they had brothers, who Br? surveying students. These ladies were perfectly aufait 124 NED fortescue; or, l\ Vitli the thcodolito, and its peculiarities ; therefore tlic moar,. ing of the scene burst upon them at a glance, and hoiniri,, longer able to control their risible faculties, broke fortli iHai peal of merry laughter, which instantly communicated it>elf to the little tremblers, and tended to reassure them. AttlJ same time the head of the glass swung round in an opposlJ direction, and now all was fun and good humour again, jjj the shouts of laughter were too much for the stately cl who now advanced, and with scathing words of reproof J what she termed the levity of their behaviour, hurried tlirj (piickly away ; casting a withering look of scorn and iiidi-J tion at the man of chains and links, she was soon lost in i\ distance. Our belligerent neighbours opposite paid us little attcnti.J during the early part of the morning, save treating us to J occasional round shot from one or the other of their bastioiJ and as in each case, they fell short, shewing they had nopj of sufficient calibre to pitgli a shot into our camp, wliile iff intended, in a very short time, by means of our eighteen an:) Ion"' thirty-two pounders, and eleven and a half inch mortar{ to make their fort too hot to hold them. Things rcmaiiiej in this state until about eleven o'clock, when a violent con- motion was observed going on in the fort. Numcr.vj matchlocks were fired ; flames shot up here and there, aDJ the Mahratta sword blades were distinctly seen flashing intlj sunli'dit. This lasted about half an hour, when all was r^'ii silent. The crimson and yellow war banner of the insnrgeiitJ which had been proudly floating over the principal gate, waj now hauled down, and a white flag of trace substituted ; our general, recollecting the manoeuvre that had ki practiced at Samunghur, continued his preparations for ta iittack. About four o'clock in the afternoon, one of the cavalry i ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 125 had been posted on an eminence midway })et\voen us and the fort, (lashed into camp witli information that a sin,L,de liorseman, hvith a rmmerous ji;iiard, on foot, with one of the numher in front, bearing a flai; of truce, had h-ft tlie fort, and was coiniiii^ in the directih. about singing, by my sowl that's a mighty nate ditcy ivkh: ing the colleen that dhramed she was gomg to be kissel. woke too soon. Ye might give us a taste of that same, sovj might." Knowing that my audience were in no way pju-ticula and that anything about love and ladies, &c., is alwav;! ceptable in a guard-tent, I responded to my friends roiiiii and with the best voice then at command, sang the fullnwi^ lines to the air of" Marble Halls" ; — ELLA'S DREAM. 1 tlreamt I was dancing in old while luiiis. With an ebon haired youth by my side, And 0.3 we were walt>!i5jj ah)ng- the hiill, He asked lue to "iiecoiiie his bride. He told uio of castles ni wide douinins. lu merry Xortluuiibciiandshire, lUit I told him that love only counted its pfaiu?. When the object it worshipped was near. Cnoncs — Was near, was near, AVhen the object it worshippeil w;i5 ii' i: And the time tiew quickly and pleasingly pa-:t. And the festival drcAV to a close, "When he won with soft persuasive words, A maiden her love to disclose. ROUaillNO IT TIIROUOir LTFK. 131 Half Iftiighing, half sighing, 1 cried, •' I'm thine" ; When, gootliu'ss, how sfrangi' it ilid so»mii, For jiiiJt as hid lips were approaching to mini'. I awoko, ami t'wa-f only a ilroani. (.'iioKis — Oiilya ilroani, only a (Ircani, I awoki', and t'was only a dream. Bravo, bravo, bravo," repeated several voices, as I con- [ludod. '' Did the youn.i; lady compose herself to sloei) l^'ain ? ' mildly eiKiuired tiie corporal. " V>g the powers, it' I il boon tlioro, I would have kis.^ed her any way — sleeping Ir wakiiiii;, it's all one to the CTooles." "• That is something low; 1 do not remember having heard that simg before, " re- laikoil the sergeant of the guard. No, perhaps not. it is a conceit of liiy own ; I wrote it omo time ago, for onr amateur theatre, but it is your turn low, I su})pose you will have no objection to assist us with trour voice." "Woll," replied the sergeant. '' to toll the truth, I do not hrofoss to be a singer ; neither can I wliistle like O'Toolc, lutifa story will suffice, I will try my best to amuse you, Ind as the yarn is about love and soldiers, it may pass muster." ;^oncral shout of approbation ensued, and he commenced as dIIows : '* Zilla})oore was one of the best stations in Uajahpootanna. It had been previously the head-(|uurters of a native con- iiij;oiit, but for some reason the Nawa1> had given it up; and EiL' Bombay Government knowing the salu])rity of the climate. It once seized upon it as a station for European troops. It ras most l)eautifully situated, and fountains, tanks, aqueducts, Binplos, and gardens, the usual surrounding to the wherea- )uts of a native prince, were still to be seen at every turn. commodious barrack had been erected, and a number of [imgalows had been put up, of various sizes, for the oificcrs id potty stalf, in the beautiful garden^ adjoining the old alace. 132 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, Jn one of those dwellings, a small and compact one, nearc«: to the barracks, but scroonod from view hy creepinpi; plan;; and the outspreading branches of some magnificent pH :nohur trees, sat, or rather reclined in a luxurious easy clinir. a young man, apparently about six and twenty, remarkali'v good looking, with an open and intelligent conntonaiico. ;• fair complexion, with eyes of the deepest blue, and li,'!i: brown wavy hair. The golden chevrons on the sleeves of a scarlet jacket, which had been thrown carelessly on the bae'k of a lounge, denoted his ranlv : that of quarter-master sor;:oaiit, for such was the position held 1)}' Herbert Grey in lij; regiment, lie was pufFmg away a few clouds of frairra;;; tobacco, through the velvet snake of a handsome glass silver- mounted hooka, when he was distnr])ed by some one onteiiii: the veranda. " Who is there ?" enquired Herbert, half rising as the ta!! handsome figure of Walter Cressingham, in the uniform ol';i color sergeant, advanced through the open doorway. *' Oli, is that you, Walter, come hi, old fellow; how are you ? Wha: is the news ? I see you have the order book : do we uiarcli on Friday, or is it postponed until jNIonday ?' " As I anticipated, neither one or the other," rej)liil Cressingham — throwing himself at full length on the loiiii.'e before alluded to — " but something, I fiincy, will suit y j much l)ette'/," at th'^ same time glancing round tho comfoi:- ably furnished apartment. " The order for marchiiij; In- been countermanded. A new regiment has arrived fnnii Europe, and they are to take the place of the one we weiv to relieve at Dessa ; therefore we are to remain here for tk next two years, and if all I have heard be true, before tlii: period arrives you will receive vour conunissicm as Lioiiu- nant and Quartermaster." *' Well, by Jove, that is news indeed, and to tell the trutli. ROUGniNQ IT TIIROUGn LITE. 133 I flo not care to leave tlie place at present, it ig a pleasant >tfition; I liave snug (juarters, and if I only liarl some little divinity in petticoats, to aid me in ^vhili^g away the leisure liouvs, and to keep the servants in order, I sliould be quite contented to wait for tlie promotion, but one might as well c.cpect a major-generalship as a wife, in this part of the world ; indeed, I do not believe there is an available female within five hundred miles of the station ; beautiful country, is it not?" "And if there were," rejoined his companion, without iiripnvontly noticing the filng at the country, " nothing under the rank of a commissioned officer would liave the least chance ; but however, be that as it may, I must be off to my company and promulgate the orders ;" risijig, ashe spoke, to (leiiurt. " Wait a little, mv dear fellow, I nmst ;!;o and speak to the i|nartermaster about unpacking the stores, and if you will take a glass of brandy Pannee, Avhilc I am dressing, I will walk up to the barracks with you." Herbert was not long at his toilet, and then, taking a little of the raii-dc-vie , hr which the good news was a sufficient excuse, the two friends passed nut to'iether. The following afternoon, as Herbert Grey was returning fi'om the stores, \\e was accosted by an orderly, with, " Sir, Sergeant Cressingham says lie wouM feel obliged if you .vould go over to his room after evening parade, lie Avishc <• see you particularly.". " Very good. Green, tell him I will call and see him. Is there anything the matter V " Not that I am positively aware of, but he received a letter from Europe this morning, and he appears out of spirits ever ^ince," replied the soldier, saluting as he moved olf. Accord- ing to promise, Herbert paid iiis friend a visit dn ing the welling. On entering he found Waller seat.'d a. a small — ^>Lm1>uJB1--'''J"'-^'-'J- 134 NED fortescue; or, table, covered witli Avriting materials ; an open [ettcr lay before liim, and from the numerous pieces of torn paper Ijin f around him on the floor, it •svas evident that he had not been successful in framing a suitable answer. After the usual salutation, "Walter proceeded to give his reasons for sending for him. " Herbert," said he, •' I have requested your presence for advice and assistance on a subject of the utmost importance. I do not remember that I ever mentioned to you any portion of my early history. To be brief, my father was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and was killed sevei-al years ago in an engagement v.itli some pirates off one of tlie West Lulia Islands. At his death he left a widow and two children, i« be provided for out of the small income of his rank, allowcil by the Government. I Avas then about fifteen, and my sistor was ten years of age. After the loss of my father, mv mother and sister went to reside in a small cottage on the sea coast, in the South of England, but I was kept at sclioul near London. My aunt, my mother's sister, a maiden lady receiving a small annuity, kindly paid for my education there. I remained until I was eighteen, when my aunt died, J had then to leave school, and being unlit for a trade, an.i having no interest to procure an appointment abroad, 1 entei'ed the service and joined this regiment. The rest you know. This morninij; I received the announcement of mv mother's death, which, from long illness and other causos, I have been led to expect for some time past ; but the unhapi'V position in which my poor sister is left, is to me a soui'cc oi great anxiety and uneasiness. How i am to relieve her from her present embarrassment, and care for her future welfare. is the cause of my seeking your friendly counsel and assist- ance. Read her letter ; it will explain matters better tlian I can." Herbert took the letter in silence, and movinif t" an open window., read as follows : ROUGHTNO IT TIIIIOUGII LIFE. 135 •• Doar Brother — •' The blow has at last fallen, our poor dear mother is now no more, and wc arc orphans. Slie died on the fifteenth of this month ; oh ! how fervently she prayed tliat she might ])C spared until your return, but it could not be. She died, hlessing us both, and the last -word she uttered, was your iirdiic. You are aware that her income was drawn in advance, and died with her, and as she expired a few days prior to [.ay-day, there is nothing to receive on that account : and after the funeral expenses were defrayed, there remained but ;; H'w sliillings. The landlord, a iiard, criu.'i man, seized and vi|:i tin' furniture for some ai'i'oars of rent that was due ; t!i!i ; at one stroke I was rendered motherless and houseless, and tin-own on the cold charity of the world. What I should have done, I know not, but for the kindness of a poor neigh- bour, who iias given me shelter for the present. Our dear mother spared no pains with my education, and I believe myself competent to perform the duties of a governess, or scliool teacher ; but alas, there are hundreds of better quali- fied persons seeking for such appointments daily without success. Dearest Walter, I know that the kindness of your heart will DJonipi you to do all in your power forme ; but oh, if you coviii. romit a little money, to repay these poor people that have slieltored mc, and can ill afford to do so, it may bo an inducement to diem to extend it until something turns up. I ain too n\uch overpowered by our loss and my sad situation to say more at present, but oh, do write soon, and relieve the ;inxiety and suspense of your affectionate sister, Alice Ckesslxgiiam." Ileri'i-L - tjuictly refolded the letter, and for a i w moments made no ' . .y , hut continued to pace up and down the roon\ ill thouglit. Suddenly he confronted Walter and said, " Crcs- 1,.,M^ - ...-w J iWi^K;!^ uiit II 13C J:ed fortescue; or, singham, we lia\c been friends since you entered the service: you know my present position, and future prospects ; you have asked my advice, and I now ;:ive it frankly and unlusi. tatingly. I have a sum of money in t)ie paymaster's hands, a portion of wliich I would willingly lend you for your sister, but this would not be exactly what is now required, and you will be unable from your rank in the re;j;iment, to spare a sufficient sum to support her. I see but one way to obviate this difficulty, that is, to write a line and explain exactly how you are situated- • nv long friendship — and tell her tliat I will, if she wishes it, lit to England a sufficient amount tn pay her outfit and passage to join you, and that on licr arrival at this station, I will make her my wife, and sweep away the present difficulties. 'J'lie suddenness of this propo- sition may at first startle her somewhat, but calm reflection will shew her, I tiiink, that the offer is made in all sincerity. and with the best of motives. Now, Walter, what do you say on the sul)ject ?" " My dear IIer1)ert," he replied, shaking his frieml warmly by the hand, " I sincerely thank you for your gene- rous offer, and I can assure you tliat notliing Avill give iv.e greater pleasure than to see you united to my sister ; it slial! be as you propose. I will write, and explain all to Alu'i'. and leave it to her good sense for the acceptance of your kiiul suggestion in our behalf." Tlie next morning a letter was despatched to Alice, in whicli Herbert enclosed a draft on Forbes k Co., London, of sufficient amount to meet all reciuirements. In a few months, Alice's answer was rcceiveil by her brother, in which she had consented to entrust her happiness to the kec})ing of her brother's friend. She iiail procured a passage on i^nard the " Seringapatam," East Indiaman, which vessel was expected to arrive at Bombay about the middle of the ensuing January. ROUGHING IT TIIROl Gil LIFE. 137 It \va.s now late In November ; Crcssiiw^Hiani lost no time |in communicatin.:^ the news to Herbert Grey, and it was coiiu arranged tliat "Walter should at once obtain leave of Ifllj^encc, and proceed to the Presidenev, to await the arri- (val of Alice. On his reaching Bombay, he found that the " Seringapatam " had arrived, and that Alice had been for- Itnnate enough while on board to make the ac(puiinrance of an officer's family Avho were to remain a few weeks at Bom- bay, prior to their journey up country, and that they had liMvited her to stay with them until her brother couid fetch llier. This was all very satisfactory to Waiter, and alter Ivi^iting the fire Temples of the Pai-sees, the Towers of the [silence, as their burial places are very appr.ipriately named, d other places of interest on tlie island, they set forth on their jloiig and tedious journey to Zillapoore. One morning,after hav- pii,'l)cen ten days on the road,ou entering the Dawk Bungalow, tlicy found one of the rooms occupied by Henry Dashville, sergeant-major of Walter's regiment, wliu h.id also been on fuilougli, and like themselves was on his way to rejoin. This was indeed a fortunate event ; Waller introduced him Alice, and he was invited to dine and spend the day Avith km, when it was arranged that they should perform the l-est of the journey together. During the evening, as the lung men were lounging and smoking in the veranda. Dash- ille said, as ho drew a letter from his pocket, " Here is B'^iiietliing that I had forgotten until now ; it will, 1 think, Surprise you very much — it is from sergeant Winter — read (' concluding paragraph," handing the letter as he spoke to 'alter, who, glancing over it, read aloud the following |ines; — '' The only news of interest here is, that your friend, llcrliert, the quarter-master sei-geant, was detected in an [iitnguo vith one of the women of the regiment, by her .usbaud ; of course Herbert wa-" arrested, tried by a court 138 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, martial, and reduced to tlie rarik.s : this alTair caused (juitof, sensation in cainp." Walter was thunderstruck ; he could scarcely belicvo tli^ statement; he read, and re-read the few lines, and eaciil time he did so, he felt the more confused; he ai)o!()ifizeiltJ Dashville for leavin;^ him, and sought his sister. ISlio iDe:| him at the door of her room, and noticing his agitation, sail: *' Calm yourself, dearest Walter; seated, reading at an open I window, I became unintentionally a listener, and have lioari| all. You take tliis matter too much to heart, for a man wlu cjuld be guilty of such baseness is un^vorthy of your cunfil dence, or my love, and he shall never be the husban!!)!' Alice Crcssingham." Her cheek-; flushed, and her eyei tlashed ^vilh indignation as siie spoke. It must be romeiiii bered that Alice iia.d not seen Herbert, and knew nothing ofl him more than he was her l)rother's friend, and therefore sliei had but little dilliculty in dismi.^siug him from her thon;:lit*. But not so with Oiessingham. they had been so k: acquainted, and to think that he should have so acted wliei his intended wife was within a Tow hundred miles of lik stung him to the (juick. It was an insult to both, and ii "was several hours before he could compose himself suffil ciently to reason calmly on the strange turn events hail taken. They did not proceed on their journey until t!ij following evcTiing. The beauty and (piiet manners of Al made a deep impression on Henry Dashville, as was cvidiii by the marked attention he paid her during the journey. It crossing the fords, and as the roads were almost imiiassa'ic he was ever ready to assist and anticipate her slightest wisli, paying those delicate attentions so pleasing to females iai general. During the beautiful moonlight evenings, she woiilil alight, arid in com])any with her brother, but leaning on tliij proffered arm of Dashville, walk on a considerable distiiiiw. ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 139 |l)asliville endeavoring to interest and amuse her. Although lyoung, he had seen a great deal of the workl, besides posses- Isin" a fund of anecdote and agreeable rattle, and the happy Iknack of suiting his conversation to the circumstances and Iplaoc. These attentions were not lost upon Alice Cressing- Iham. On one occasion having been compelled to go to the rear in order to give instructions to the servant concerning Ithe baggage, Dashville embraced the opportunity of declar- |n" his attachment, at the same time making Alice an offer of his hand and heart ; ami the appeal was made so ardently and eloipiently that she consented, provided he would speak |to her brother on the subject. Dashville took advantage of the first opportunity to speak to Walter on the matter, but le latter demurred at first. However, when Dashville ssured him that he would, on reaching camp, refund the litnount which Herbert had advanced, he hesitated no longer, nul finallv consented. Oil their arrival at Mow, a large military station, about ninety miles from Zillapoore, they were united ; this entailed delay of a few days, and the trio then resumed tlieir jour- iiey. It was a beautiful morning, the sun had scarcely pen, the heavy dew being upon the hedges, plants and grass, diich sparkled and glittered like diamonds in the sunlight ; be air was impregnated witli the odour of roses,jes3amines and btlier flowers that I)loonied in great beauty in the surrounding lai'tlcns. There had been a full-dress parade, and the pcors were returning to their quarters, as our travellers Entered the cantonment. Walter and Dashville had aliiihted, [id were walking in advance of the garrie, and on turning le corner of a compound they came suddenly upon Herbert the full dress of his rank, a (juarter-master sergeant. '' Oh, Cressingham, I expected you in this morning, glad see that all is safe," said he, bowing politely to Mrs. '- .H^tiii .^i'ji«Ji^-^.-S, W.->M'.'.E 140 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, Dashvillo, as she drove; past. " Daslivillo, you look w,!! after your trip. The colonel has been enquirhi_^ about you; he says the rc;^mient is gettin_^ quite slack since you left; that is a feather in your cap, I can tell you. What is tli- matter Avith CressinL^ham ? he spoke little, and seemed (jui;.-| C(mfuscd," continued Herbert, looking after Walter, \\\A had followed the garrie and was conversing with his sister, | as they proceeded onwards. " There has been a great mistiikc made somewhere,'' saijl Dashville, " look at those lines," he resumed, at the sanit time handing him the letter he had received from ScrgeaKl Winter. " AV^ell," replied Herbert Gray, " what has Cliarleil Herbert's reduction to do with it : he has left the Nativel Infantry and joined his former regiment, but how that cii| aifect Cressingham I cavmot understand ?" " But,"" said Dashville, " we all thought it was you, amkl you may well imagine, felt much concerned about it ; ho J ever, it gives me great })leasure to find you are all riglit hl'^io You will excuse nK\ for I must overtake my wife." '' Your wife !" " Yes, I married Cressingham's sister at Mow, a few dajil since ; come up in the evening, "'nd I will introduce you." sail he, Avalking rapidly away. Herbert Grey seemed nhMi dumbfoundered for a few moments, then advanced slml towards his (piarters. It was great satisfaction to AVulteri': learn, that instead of his friend it proved to be a (|uarterj master sergeant named Charles Herbert, of the Nativl Infantry, that had been reduced to the ranks, and he blamel himself for being so hasty ; indeed, he sincerely regrettej the unlucky moment that placed Dashville in his w^ay. k explanation and apology Avas due to Herbert^ and that evenj in^ Walter wrote a full account of the whole alFair, and id\ ROUOIIINr, IT TIlROirill LIFC. 141 jit to liiiii- The next mornin;^ he visited Ilcrhei-t, who was a rnoil m^n-i ^^^ ^^^ generous to bear a profound resentment ; I ami they parted, as on former occasions, notiiing appearing ! or transpiring to interrupt their friendsliip. Alice felt considerable embarrassment on her first intro- [diictiou to Herbert Grey, but her anxiety was modified by his quiet, gentlemanly manner, and wliile on after- visits, hvliich were freriuent, she endeavored, l)y courtesy and rileasin:^ attentions to convince him that slic was not unmind- ful of the generous cftbrt he liad made in her behalf. Some months later, Herbert received his commission as lieutenant and quarter-master, and was sent to Bombay, on some duty connected with his otHco. Before his return, Dashville had been promoted as lieutenant and adjutant, and Cressingham, [to the vacant sergeant-majors) lip. Dashvillo, poor fellow, [did not long enjoy his rank, for at the first brigade parade, lat^vhich he acted as marker to the regiment, ho was thrown from his horse and died before he could be removed to his Ibungalow. Tliis was quite a severe ])low to Alice and her brother, and cast a deep gloom over their little circle. A Igliort time after her husband's funeral, Alice, hy the advice lof her brother, paid a visit to some friends at Mow, who had linvitcd her to stay with them during the first few weeks of [her bereavement, in hopes that time and change of scene pould in some degree alleviate her sorrow and assua.iie her grief. o * '' Where are Ave now ?" exclaimed the occapant, aroused Ifroiu his slumbers, by the sudden 3top[)ing of the ••' dummy.'' !'• On the banks of the river Taptee," re[)lied the driver, as the bueller descended from the vehicle. " Hand me my rifle," said Herbert Gre^', forhe was on his way ))ack to join his regi- aient. He carefully examined his weapons, for it was at such 142 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, places that the ti.i^or and chccta lurked, ready to pounce in,,,, the droves of cattle as they crossed the river. Descending' tli^ steep path that led to the water's edge, hy the li;^lit of 4. moon, and aid of the stepping stones, that were placoil a- regular intervals, he succeeded in crossing the broail \m shidlow stream, dryshod. Silently ascending the o[)po;irJ bank, he was about emerging from the deep shadow of t;;f| overhanging trees, when, on the road, at a little distance: front, and beneath the broad moonlight, he observed a paml of Bheels, (robbers) in the act of plundering a bullock garrifj lie pondered for a moment whether to advance singly or y, await the arrival of his servants, when instantly a fresh objocil met his view, a little to the right of the road. On the hi^l bank, apparently engaged in stripping the jewellery from i!ii. prostrate form of what appeared to be a European lady, wad a ferocious looking Bheel. At this instant a loud shriek broke the stillness of tliel night, and the ruffian's bright creese glittered in the moonj beams for a moment while in the act of plunging it into thel heart of his victim, a bullet from Herbert's rifle brou''lii| him to the ground, and he rolled over the edge of the bankaii^ into the river beneath. At the report of the rifle and tlie appearance of the Sahib, the other Bheels fled to the jun;:;le. and on Herbert's advancing he recognised the beautiful features of Alice Dashville, who lay almost hfeless before! him. His servants now came up, and he procured soniel stimulants, which served to restore her to consciousness;! then lifting her gently in his arms, she was conveyed to the game. When sufliciently recovered, she informed him that sliel was on her way back to Zillapoore, when they were a,ttackedl She was dragged out, half-fainting, and thrown upon tlie bank ; her quick ear having caught the sound of wheels ROLT.IIING IT TIIROLGn LIFE. 143 Bio.-i-iiiL!; t^^'C I'ivcr, slie uttered that scre.im, which, but for Ithe trusty aid of Herbert Qvoy, wouM liave been licr last. ler (li'iver and the two ehaprassccs " or native policemen" llhat had been sent to protect her, but who, as usual, had run 111 the first appearance of the Bheels, now came I'rom their iiihn" places, and with the assistance of the other servants, 3on set matters right again, and under the protection and iiendly escort of Herbert, they reached their station in tafety. After a suitable time clasped, Herbert sought her love, and again made her an oflfcrof marriage. Grateful for preservation of her life, and no doubt impelled by a dee} or [eoUug towards him, Alice accepted his offer and became his nfe. All the elite of Zillapoore were present at the wedding, tor Alice's story, like most things of the kind, had leaked hut, and all were anxious to be introduced to the beautiful liiii] interesting heroine. Not a great while after this event, looking over the orders, I noticed the following ; " Ser- kant-major W. Cressingham to be lieutenant without pur- (hasc, vice Sterling, promoted." Thus, the two friends arc |o\v both officers, and Alice is as happy as she could wish." I wish promotion would only go as fast in our regiment it (lid in that one," growled out an old soldier, who had |)st his chance, by his great predilection for strong drink. " An' if it did, sure it's Captain O'Toole I would be this lessed night, with an Alice of my own, whose Christian imc would be Biddy !" responded the incorrigible Bob, locking the ashes out of his pipe and preparing to re-fill '' Well, boys," said the sergeant, consulting an old fash- [ned silver watch, *' it is nearly ' sentry go,' but I think jicrc is time for another song before planting the relief, and |ic bugler, here, if I mistake not, is a famous singer, so pe, Green, lay aside your bugle and see what you can 144 M:I> FOUTE.SdK ; OK, .1 I o. 'I'lio iiiipc*, which lio sci>iii,.,l oiijoy very imicli, now oanio forwnni, and soat'uii; liimsi'lf tljo end of a poi; niallot in sucli a j)osition that tho h:;Iit on his leatiiros without further preface or delay, anil wit serio-comic cxpressii-n of counteuanc<' that was peii'c irresistihle, chanted the following lines : TIIF'] LKGMM) (tF IIAMLKT TIIK DANK. A Imip: time n<;o lived ,i nimiuivli In iiii oullainnsh ])l;iri' in tlir iiortli. Who, sonio t'olkti •^iipiiiisi'd liillod his hroiht-r, I'tif a riowii, which was all \w was wmth ; [(' ho .|iil, ho niado lino irpaiarMm, For the rrinic ho oniiniiittod. do you soe ; For lio iiivitod tho wifo to siiiiiht, After jrivin;; hor husli.iiiil his toa. (Hours Now, just pay atloution a i)iiiinii>. All you that would knowlodov ohinin. And I'll show you, or tho dovil is in it ; Tho Logjond of Hamlet the Dane. N'ow, this brother was a ouii'iinp; ohl follow Anil so ho ooiUrivod his plans. To sond his rotation to hoavcn Without blood or sitaininp; his hands : For Ptoalini:' one day into his compound Wiion slumber did over him creep Ho poured somethinp: into his car-hole Which served to continno his .-loop. cnoRts. Now. just jmr attention a minute. iV'c. Now the Kinp who was killed, left behind hmi. A son who became nil tho talk ; For his learning- and various aciiuircments Had made him cock of tho Avalk : He oonld road all the siai'--. and oonvcrso in Hebrew. Soonial'eo. and Dutch: Ho could whittle his own native linji'o, J^i\i\ sneeze in most excellent Scotch 'ir, ROUOniNO IT THROrOlI LIFE. 145 crioRus. Now, just pay nttentioii A minute, &p. \()\v one night when Prince ITamlot was on dntj In charge of an olficer's guard, He prowled like a sick wulf round the ramparta It is nieulidned by Slrikspeare liic Jjard ; That the Ghost of his father having opened His tomb with a skeleton key Came forth to divulge a grave secret Which preyed on his spirits, do you see. [.)w, what the precise nature of the secret which the spirit |)f Hamlet's defunct papa had to communicate, wc wore not kiulestiiicd to learn, for at that moment wo heard the sen- try's loud, " Wlio goes there ?" which made the guard turn Lt quickly, and caused us to spring to our arms in a hurry. bur steps were accelerated by the report of his musket ■'h was immediately replied to by half a dozen carbine that whistled over and around our tent, cutting loaves id branches from the troes which partially concealed it. 146 NEB fortescue; or, CHAPTER XII. "Halt that guard,'- sliouted an officer, riding up froratiJ rear ; " You are off tlic track, sir," said he, addressing tlJ Soobadar in charge ; " What was the meaning of tkil firing ?" " We were tired upon from the top of yonder hill, andll returned it," replied the native officer, lowering the pointiij his sword as a token of respect to his European superior. *' One would have thought that with your thirty yeari'l service, you would have been able to distinguish the diffeJ enco between the report of a musket and that of a matf!:) lock, it Vy-as one of our European pickets, and the wonder that you have not drawn the fire of the whole guard u] J you. We distinctly heard the sentry challenge from ttJ head of the column i Fall to the rear and give up your s^vorj to the Jemadar adjutant, consider yourself under arrest, ail should any casualty have occarred through your carelessnei and stupidity, you will have to answer for it before a gonJ ral court martial ;" then, turning to the guard, said, " Ta'v ground to the left in file, and follow me," and he lead d| way through a narrow cart-track. As they merged from the deep shadow of the dark jiingltl they were brought to a halt, on a sandy road, beneath ttj broad moonlight, by the quick sharp challenge of a sciitij " Who ;;^oes there," from a rocky point that jutted out fw the table land to their ri^^ht front. " Advance guard of tij ROUGHINa IT THROUGH LIFE. 14T [heavy brigade," responded the deep voice of the aid-do- camp. " Pass guard, all's well," replied the sentry, at the same Jime bringing his piece from the port to the shoulder, with a ringing sound that was heard by all. " Keep that road," Baid tliC aid to the havildar, indicating, as he spoke, the lircction with his sword ; " move slowly on, and I will send ?ou an officer in a few minutes ;" then wheeling his horse to ic rear he galloped off to make his report. This force was le heavy brigade that we had been expecting for some days ist ; it consisted of five squadrons of European dragoons, lie same number of native cavalry, two regiments of Her Injcsty's foot, several corps of Sepoys, some heavy and light [•tillery, and an efficient siege train ; likewise a detachment Sappers and Miners, with all their usual accompaniments ; |)ur total strength amounted to upwards of eleven thousand of l\ arms. A number of men from the various head-quarters the several detachments of our light brigade also arrived, fill vacancies caused by death or other casualties, and the irigade was soon as effective as ever. After a few days we broke up our camp and took up the inc of march for Kolapoor, on the banks of the Kisthna. lie evening before our departure from Baddaghur, there ?as a general chevo throug^iout the force, which was entered ato, more or less, I believe, by all ; from the General in ommand to the youngest drummer boy. Many an unfortu- ite dragoon had to pay the penalty for his too frequent tions to the rosy god, by being compelled to carry his iddle and trappings on his head, and lead his horse four- Bcn miles the next morning's march. On our approach to [olapoor, it was ascertained that the Rajah and his fighting |»cn had left the town, and estabUshed themselves at Punella id Pawanghur, two forts situated on a range of hills, with a 148 NED fortescue; or, small valley dividing them, a few miles distant, on the opp^i site side of the river. Just prior to crossing, our cHiM received notice from the Rajah, that he had made a piisonei of Colonel , statF officer of the .Bengal army, y^^J passing Punella, and that if wo crossed the river in it, direction of his fort, he would cut him into quarters and hanJ him over the principal entrance ; and that all persons tk| might fall into his hand would be sci . cd in like maiincff The bearer likewise brought a communication ' .n Colons! , requesting our commander to push on wi Jiout clelav] as the threat of the rebel chief was only a ruse to gain tiuiJ he being in hourly expectation of receiving reinforccmenJ both in men and provisions ; that there w\as a peace-partvbf the council, who, though not strong enough to induce tij chief to surrender, had sufficient influence to prevent liij from committing any violent or outrageous act, and tlial this same party were now divising means for his (Colonel 0- 's escape, understanding of course that certain iiJ nities would be granted them, should they be successful in yj doing. Upon this hint the General acted ; his answer wi brief, and to this purport — " that if the Ilajah should huru hair of his prisoner's head, or failed to surrender Avitliij three days, he would batter down the Fort ; and any prisoLJ ers — persons of note — irrespective of caste, who might captured, should be blown from the mouth of a gun, A their remains swept up into one common grave by tlij bungys or sweepers of the camp." This allornative, terrible as it was, to the Hindoos, ani natives generally, was not in this instance put into cxccdI tion ; though some years after, during the Sepoy mutiny, had to be enforced. After despatching his reply, our Geii( ral waited for no further parley, but moved on in the diiecj tion of Punella. The river was crossed by means i ROUGHINa IT THROUGH LIFE. 149 Dntoon^, without opposition from the enemy, and before jjirht o'clock the follo^Ying morning, wc liacl established our- hes on various positions, around the base of the hills on fhich the forts stood, completely surrounding them. The omul in our immediate vicinity was of a very different laturc from that of Samunghur or Baddaghur, it being an en plain, without any elevation of sufficient height to be ,vailablc for artillei-y purposes during the siege. It was soon iscovercd by means of field-glasses, that there were at least rco pettas or villages, outside the walls ; one was in the alley, directly between the two forts, the other appeared be built on the slopes leading up to the principal gates. lese villages were swarming with insurgents, who might ve us considerable annoyance while we were engaged rowing up the necessary earth-works. Therefore, it was iecmed advisable to occupy these places without delay, or nder them untenable by means of our shells, so that they ukl form no cover for the enemy. The petta in the valley was soon taken possession of by a detachment of dragoons, who made it their head-quarters, d effectually cut off all communication between the two The capture of the others was a far more tedious and fficult affair. Several companies of one of Iler Majesty's imonts were ordered for this duty ; but it was not until 'tcr a very severe and obstinate struggle that they succeeded driving out the foe, who took refuge in their forts ; but ey were only enabled to hold them for a short time, as ring the night the rebels suddenly sallied out in large mbcrs, and alter a desperate contest our men were obliged fall back, leaving not only the villages but their knapsacks d ^reat-coats in the hands of the enemy. They were not 1^; left in peaceful possession ; fire was opened upon them 'om one of o' / mortar batteries, and both villages were soon brts ^iiiN /ivmiiu. iiti "w.-ijinraw 160 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, reduced to ashes. This hod scarcely been effected, when a native made his appearance in our carap, requesting to see the General in command. He was the bearer of a lettoifrom Colonel , from which it appeared that he, the Colonel, was a prisoner, but at large within the fort, under the sur- veillance of a small guard ; that he had had two or three I interviews with the rebel chicf,and was of opinion that the place would be defended to the la3t, as the Rajah evinced no s ci | of a change of purpose respecting a surrender, althou.'li strongly urged to do so by the peace party. But tlic latter I being in the minority had but little influence with the chief; they were therefore determined, from private reasons of their own, to aid and assist him in making his escape, suggestiu,'| that the following moans should be adopted : That the General should make a sudden demonstration I during the night on one particular part of the fortpoiiueii out by them ; they would then be enabled to bribe or over power the guard during the uproar and confusion which m\n\ necessarily ensue, and lower him safely from the walls into the hands of any party that might bo sent to meet him, Steps were immediately taken to carry out this idea, a battery I of artillery and a detail of infantry were moved up to tlie point indicated, and having, under the cover of night, anl unseen, approached as near the walls as was deemed neccssarvj the guns opened a fierce cannonade, followed by a rolling 1 of musketry, to the groat alarm and consternation o" tliel insurgents who, although taken completely by surprise wck alive to their danger, and made simultaneously to the panl threatened. This was exactly what had been anticipated U| the projectors of the plan. The small party of infantry, whom had been entrusted the duty of receiving Colonel — I and covering his escape, silently and without delay, mm their way up the steep sides of the hill in the direction of tbel ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 151 ruined village, near the main entrance. The large boulders and stunted jungle screening the partj from the observation of those who might be on the look-out from the walls, enabling them to reach the desired spot without accident of any kind. They patiently waited for a further development of the plan, nor were they long kept in suspense, for the booming of the distant guns of our heavy battery announced to them that the time for action had arrived. Pieces of dry timber, brush and other like material were hurriedly gathered together, and thrown into a pile in order to form a sort of bonfire within the halls of the roofless houses, ready for use when required. In a few minutes afterwards a bright blue light shot up [from one of the embrasures, about forty paces in front of the Iconcefiled party ; this light illuminated the locality for several Igeconds, and again all was shrouded in darkness. The Com- [mander, who had been anxiously watching for this signal, Inow gave orders to fire the pile, which soon blazed forth, and Ithe light fr6m the flames disclosed a large portion of the angle [of the wall. There we discerned the form of the Colonel Islung in a sort of bamboo frame-work or basket, being lower- led carefully from the mouth of the embrasure, from which he lalightcd without accident, and in less time than I have taken [to relate it, the fire was extinguished, and the litie party pore making their way back to camp. On arriving at bead-quarters a rocket was sent up, as this was the sign [agreed upon, for the discontinuance of tlie false attack ; the ^:hole party then quietly returned to quarters, without loss of ife or accident of any kind on our side. A great deal of iseful and necessary information was furnished by Colonel 10 ; no further delay was made, and active preparations |now began for the reduction of the place in good earnest. A slight sketch of the country surrounding Punella and iPowanghur may be interesting to my reader, and at the same o 152 NED PORTESCUE; OR, time enable him more readily to follow me in my dcscnptir,:. of the siege. For miles round the forts the country was a flat open plain, in a high state of cultivation, bounded on one side by the river Kishua, on the banks of which stood tlie large city of Kolpoor ; and on the other, fiir away in tlie I distance, a dark line could be distinguished, which marbi the commencement of a dense jungle, the haunt of tli^ tiger, cheeta, and wild boar, and where many a venomous reptile and poisonous snake raised its hideous head at tlie approach of man, or any other enemy. The forts stood ona| long high hill, separated from each other by a valley, Punolla, the lai"gest, occupied two-thirds of the hill ; this fortress waj | in the form of a large parallelogram, and it stood considerablv | higher than Powanghur, (thereby commanding it for al | military purposes) , and divided from it by a valley extending down, yet not reaching, the base of the hill, save by a I rugged ravine. For a quarter of a mile ere commencing the ascent, it was a barren, rocky, desolate soil, but as | one toiled upwards it gradually merged into a tangled masj of stunted brushwood, and immense boulders, afterwards to arrive upon a large plateau, on various parts of which patches of joarree, gram, and other grains, had been cultivated bv the inhabitants of the villages, on the ascent — for unlike the small farmers of other countries, they do not live on their farms, but huddle together, in villages for mutual protection, You would then find your way impeded by a bluff rook, or scarp, that almost defied further progress, winding round which the path leads through brushwood, and over boulders, till another plateau is gained ; and thus, by tire- some winding and climbing the summit is finally reached, from which a magnificent panorama of the surrounding country bursts upon the view. The bright waters of the Kishua, glittering and sparkling in the sunlight, while winding its sei- Rouanixa it throuqii life. 153 Ipent-Iike course ; the waving fields of yellow grain in the Iplains below ; the neighboring city of Kolapoor, with its sea |of palaces and temples ; and, stretching away in the distance, as far as the eye can reach, the dark jungle, with its lofty background, the Ram Ghaut mountains, standing out in bold Irclief, towering thousands of feet above the level of the sea. The singular manner in which the Hindoo devotees bathe |or\^ash themselves must have been a source of amusement to many. It is somewhat after the following fashion, and could easily be seen (with the aid of a glass) by any one (standing in either of the forts. A cluster of some four or five temples stood near the river, in the city of Kola- poor, from one of which a flight of stone steps descended into the water; at the foot of these steps the natives, some standing, some sitting, would stoop down, and with their brass, or silver lotas, scoop up the water, hold it iabove their head, and pour it over their person, at the same time the Brahmin priests stand at the door of the temple, chanting prayers in a low monotonous voice. After [the bathing process is over, they prostrate themselves before their idols, which is considered a necessary duty before their usual daily work. Some of the temples are very beautiful, being carved all over with grotesque figures, in every imaginable attitude. The cupolas are covered with I chunam, a white polished substance that gleams in the bright I sunlight, like burnished silver. Hauling our heavy battering trains of long eighteen and i thirty-two pounders, together with eleven and a half-inch I mortars, up the steep and rugged side of the hill was both a difficult and fatiguing task, which had to be eficcted during the short Indian night, as to have attempted it in jbroad dayUght, beneath a scorching sun, would not only unnecessarily expose our men to that mtense heat, so fatal a2 mmmm 154 NED FORTESCUE J OE; to Europeans, but to a conccntsatcd fire from the FonJ therefore, it was resolved not to commence the work iinfi| Sol had set in his golden splendor, behind the distant li Ho no sooner disappeared beneath the western horizon t the numerous fatigue parties from the different corps conl menced their arduous and somewhat difficult and dangoroiil duty, in placing the guns in their different positions, on tlej several plateaus ; but wo were not long allowed to pursue ou! work undisturbed, for we had scarcely gained the first rid^^M when the pale silvery moon roso majestically, shedding iJ refulgent light on camp, tower and tree, pouring a flood ci| moonlight on the long row of white tents, in our now ncarlil deserted camp, where nought but the measured tread of tk| sentry, and the footfall of the horse of the cavalry videtii broke upon the silence of the night ; all was calm, clear and quiet. Far above us frowned the dark fortresiJ with its embattled towers, ramparted curtains and numoroiu| bastions, from the deep-mouthed embrasures of which bristlell many an old fashioned cannon, the whole pile standing in bold reUef against the clear and almost cloudless sky. Those on the walls were no doubt watching our movcmentil with some anxiety, but as we made no attack upon them,tliej| did not deem it necessary to arouse the whole garrison, wlienl no immediate danger threatened, but contented themselveil by treating us to an occasional round shot, and keeping up i desultory fire from every available jingal or wall piece, tkf could be brought to bear upon our batteries. These jingalij carry one ball each, of various sizes, weighing from twelve M twenty-two ounces, and they gave us considerable annoyance,! wounding many, but I do not remember that any were killeif Our men worked energetically, and with good will ; and, bjj day-hght every gun and mortar had been dragged up, oveil the numerous obstacles that impeded our way, and all go ROuaniNO IT THROuan life. 155 into position. The Sappers and Miners had at the same time thrown up the necessary earthworks, and all was now ready to commence the assault by breaching. At six o'clock our batteries opened a heavy fire upon the walls, with a view of testing their solidity, in order to ascertain the most vulnerable part for the main breach. After a couple of hours of severe cannonading on different parts of the place, the second embrasure from the principal entrance was decided upon for the real breach, and now the fire of our heaviest metal was I brought to bear on that spot, while the lighter guns kept up a I continuous bombardment at other places, to deceive the enemy as to our real point of attack. From our mortars we sent shot into every part of the fort, I T^aking up the Mahrattas from their peaceful slumbers, and sending many to that last sleep from which there is no wak- I ing. Being on the plain we had not the same opportunity we ! had in the Fort of Samunghur, or Baddaghur, of witnessing the effect of our shells. Not many of those missiles had been thrown in when a terrific explosion took place. High in the air were hurled pieces of stone, earth, timber and human beings, in one heterogeneous mass ; some of which fell inside and outside of the place ; here and there a leg, or arm, or head, scorched out of all semblance of a human being, while at a short distance lay the blackened and shapeless trunk, frightful to look upon ; one of their magazines had blown up, producing great noise, confusion and death. All that day and night we kept pounding away at different parts of the walls, to prevent the enemy from filling them up to any extent. Next morning the bombardment was recommenced with >'odoubled energy, and about eleven o'clock the besieged appeared to have divined our plan to effect a breach or entrance point, and directly opposite to it, they commenced to erect .a work, half barrier half stockade, and right ably did they work away, despite the 156 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, shower of spherical case, canister, and round shot, that vti hurled amidst them. They were under the direction of a tall. fine looking Mahratta chief, who, standing on the rampart. near the great gate, with the upper part of his person exposed to our view being either unconscious or indifferent to the danger which his prominent position placed him, and while skilfully directing and commanding his men by word and gesticulation, to complete their work. All thought of self seemed banished from his mind, hij bright scarlet cloak and white turban, presented a fair target, and when the breeze occasionally swept away the cloud of smoke and dust by which he was enveloped, many a pot shot was taken at him from the muskets or rifles of the infantrv. some of whom had crept up within a short distance of the wall, but to no purpose, he seemed to bear a charmed life. At length a sergeant-major of a battery of brass nine pounders, that were engaged pitching in spherical case at the new work in progress, asked, and obtained permission to try a shot at him. After carefully laying his gun, he gave the word " fire," the cloak and turban disappeared, the work ceased to progress, and in half an hour afterwards, not a vestige of it remained. On entering we found the body of | this brave fellow lying on the rampart, it had been cut com- pletely in two by the sergeant-major's shot. By mid-day the principal breach was reported practicable ; dinner was hurried through, which, to many a poor fellow, proved a last meal, and at one o'clock the general assembly sounded, and out turned the whole force ; volunteers from all corps were now called, to form the storming party that were to force their way through a murderous fire into the stronghold of rebellion. ROUGHINQ IT THROUGH LIFE. 15T CHAPTER XIII. The hour of four in the afternoon was the time appointed for the grand attack, and seven hundred were the number required for the forlorn hope, (as this desperate service is usually termed,) and for such duty many men from our [regiment oflfered themselves, myself among the number. Smaller parties were also told off for the minor breaches, to act las false attacks or decoys, in order to draw numbers of the be- sieged from the real point of attack. All our guns were brought I into play ; the cavalry surrounded the entire base of the hill land four thousand infantry swarmed up the slopes, taking advantage of every stone or bush that offered a sufficient I cover. At four, p.m., the order to advance was given, and the I whole force mowid forward to perform the various duties [assigned them, under a terrific fire from every species of artillery, while the infantry poured an unceasing hail of I musketry, sweeping away everything human that presented I itself on the ramparts. Nor were the insurgents (now render- ed desperate by the almost hopelessness of their situation) a ffliit behind us ; every embrasure belched forth its dire messenger of death ; the loopholes, walls and towers, flashed I out a murderous fusilade from matchlocks and jingals, while huge masses of stone were hurled from the ramparts, crash- ing from rock to boulder, and in their descent frightfully mangling and killing many of our poor men. As the colonel of a native regiment was cheering on his men to advance, a 158 NED portescue; or, round shot from ono of tho bastions struck him, taking off his riglit leg, then passing through tho body of his horse, carriel away the left. Whether tho unfortunate oflficer survived thb terrible dismemberment, I am unprepared to say. The bani of stormers consisted of men from every regiment in the force ; native and European, formed up in columns of section?. those of Her Majesty's regiments claiming the honor of leading, These were all fine sturdy men, of long service, cool and determined. Next followed those of my own regiment, al! high-spirited ^ -^ung soldiers, and being on their first campaign, eager to compete in the coming struggle with those of the line. Then came the Sepoys, zealously pressing forward to suppori their white brethren in arms. All were under the comraani of Colonel B , of Her Majesty's Foot, the insignia of whose regiment was " the Lamb and Flag." At four p.m. the order for our advance was given, and up we sprang | through bush and over boulder ; from steep to steep, asbestvre could. The enemy had been watching our approach witil intense anxiety, and no sooner did we arrive within range of their fire, than a perfect shower from matchlocks, together with ball, and grape, round shot, and every deseriptioD| of projectile, mingled with pieces of rock, swept througt our ranks, crushing, wounding and killing in every direction. I thinning our party fearfully, yet onward we rushed. Our artillery sent shells of all sizes into the breach — over our| heads — as we advanced. These for an instant won' ^ cl all before them ; but again the foe would ru ae great gap only to be hurled back with greater , lighter. We had nearly gained the uppermost plateau, when v^ were brought to a momentary stand still by a perpendicular I scarp of rock, some fifteen feet in height. Noticing a narrow path, a httle way to the left, I went with eight or ten others and hurried up into it. There was an officer ROtionma it Tnp.oron life. 159 au, -wlion y- of tho Foot with us, -who, uftcr proceeding upwards a little way, turned round in search of his own men, and exclaimed, " 0, where arc my lambs, whc 3 are my lambs ?" " Grazing at the foot of the hill," I replied, as I passed him with a bound. This pert reply eUcited quite a shout of laughter from my comrades. A few steps onward almost brought rac to grief. A comrade, having been a little way in advance, was shot down and fell immediately before me, so close that I stumbled and fell over his dead body, and in so doing, my bayonet fell out of the scabbard, where it was lost among tho stones and grass, while the shot fell fast and thick about me. To remain in this position was extremely perilous, and to go into the fort without my bayonet was equally so. I had no alternative but to secure the one belonging to the fallen man, and rushed upwards. I soon gained tho wall at the foot of the breach where I found some officers and a few men close to the wall, and out of the hne of fire, the enemy not being able to depress their guns sufficiently to hurt them. They were consulting as to whether they should make a dash into the breach or wait for more men to come up. " Gentlemen, it is better to make a rush than remain here to be crushed to death ; a large mass of stone is on the ram- part above our heads, which in a few seconds will be hurled i"^n us; I am for a dash," I said, at the same time preparing to advance. " You do not in go alone," cried the Coloi 1, springing to my side ; and up we went, followed by the remainder. It now became a race between us, as to who should achieve the proud and glorious distinction of being the first man in all 'hat gallant band of stormers to stand on the summit of the deadly breach, and leap into the stronghold of the enemy. This proud triumph fell to me. Just as we reached the top, a piece of rock struck the Colonel on the ^WMWPli mam 160 NED rORTESCUEj OR, shoulder, at the same time another hit him on the side of his head ; he -would have fallen, had I not caught him, having been completely stunicd by the blow, b'eizing ray musket by the barrel, mth. tlie butt I dealt a crushing blow on the chest of a native, who was making a downward cut at m head, that sent him reehng to the earth ; and amid the fire and smoke of a thousand matchlocks, and with a wild hurrah, leaped into the fort ; throwing the Colonel between my legs, I used my bayonet to some purpose among the rebels. Bv this time a greater portion of the storming party had entered, | and now the conflict became more general, fierce and bloody, for the Mahrattas fought with the valor of dcsperatioD, defending each position with an obstinacy and ener^ worthy of a better cause. But what chance had they in a I hand-to-hand encounter with troops before whom the well disciplined soldiers of France and Qvoi^y other Europeao nation had quailed. Standing across the prostrate form of the Colonel, I took several shots at the flying foe, as they crossed before r from bastion to tower. I had just brought down my fiM 1 man, when an officer of Engineers exclaimed: "Capital shooting, by thunder ; but who have we here ?" pointing to the Colonel, who now attempted to rise. I assisted liim. and in a few seconds he came to himself. " Where amlil How did I get here ?" "You owe your safety to this good soldier, my dcar| Colonel," said an aide-de-camp, who now joined us. " \\\ saw the whole affair from the principal battery, and tliel General will not forget him." " Oh, I remember it all now ; let me have your name ai regiment, ray brave man. After this affair is over, you snail I find that i too will not forget you." I saluted and tunicJ away. By this time the principal part of the fighting m\ ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 161 ;(1 and tunwJ lover; numbers of the Mahrattas had, by means of their [turbans, lowered themselves from the walls, in order to jscape, but they all fell into the hands of the cavalry, or [parties of infantry, who were on the look-out for them. But there still remained many on the walls, and in other parts of the fort that kept up the contest. Passing a look-out station (on the svall, which was roofless, I saw the turban of a rebel [just above the top, and fancying that the head could not be (far off, I sent a shot at it. The bullet being a jagged one, [caiiglic m the Fabric, carrying it out to its full length, some fifteen yards, exposing to my view the bare scalp of the wearer. While reloading I observed a flight of steps leading lup to the ramparts, which commanded a full view of my Igcntlcman ; up these I ran, and faced him ; at the same [moment up went both our pieces, and the triggers of both Ipulled at the same time, the whizz of his bullet sounded very [unpleasantly as it passed my car. My hammer came down, [but no report followed. In my hurry I had forgotten to cap, [therefore, bounding up to him, and before he could raise his [pistol, I sent my bayonet directly through him. He mustliave [been a person of some note, for on him I found a very Ihandsome kurgoota, or silver waist chain (usually worn by [persons of rank), five gold finger-rings, a few rupees, and a pagnificent silver hilted sword and pistol. Taking possession [of these, I went on my way rejoicing ; but while passing a [small dark archway, a man fired at nic, cutting the pouch off [my belt, but doing me no injury. Flinging down his match- [lock, he took his sword in hand and sprang upon me, but ere jhe could reach me, my bullet went crashing through h\s brain. [Crossing towards the centre, I came upon a very fine looking jtemple, which on entering, to my surprise, I found several of py comrades busily engaged in digging up with the point of [their bayonets something from the floor. On examination it 162 NED rORTESCL'E ; OR, proved to be rupees, "svith which the floor was paved ; the- had been let into the chunam or plaster which formed tie I floor. Taking from my waist-belt a small axe or tomalia\\i that I had picked up, I lost no time in following their cxamplej and succeeded in collecting eighty-four of these pieces i\ silver. The ornaments or valuables had been removed before my arrival. As I left the spot the " general assembly" rarJ out in different parts of the place, the firing had ceased, ai the fort was entirely in our possession. The men were collected together; no further looting or | pillage being allowed. By this time it was nearly dark, aiii the greater portion of the men were ordered to return t. camp, leaving a sufficient number to guard the mint and other | places, to prevent robbery by friend or foe, during the night. A prize agent was immediately appointed, and many had to I give up their spoil for the general good. It being necessary to send an orderly to camp to warn the quarter-mastcr-ser- geant to furnish rations for such of our men as were orderel to remain in the fort or on sentry, and being on goQil terms with the acting sergeant-major, I prevailed upon him to I dispatch me for this duty. By tliis means I passed out tliroii;:!] one of the smaller breaches with all my booty, prior to the guard being placed whose duty it was to search all parties | leaving the place, to prevent any spoil being carried off. On reaching the camp I sought the quarter-master seriieaiit, I and gave him the order concerning the rations. TlionloiA-l ing over my booty, I found it to consist of twelve silver moun- ted swords, one silver mounted pistol, eleven kurgootas,cight| gold finger rings ; and one hundred and two rupees in cash, I went immediately to the bazaar, disposed of all my valuable articles, and being first in the market, obtained a better price | for] them than those who came after me on a similar errand. I raised in all, cash included, three hundred and thirty rupco] ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 163 Lnota bad afternoon's work. During the heat of the engage- linent at Pimella, a party of infantry stole up from the ravine, lunobscrved, to one of the rear gates of Powenghur. This leate, like all the others, was strongly barricaded on the inside but it had a small postern, or wicket, which was securely fastened with a large ancient Mohratta barrel-bolt, the staple lor fastening of which came through the door, and was secured Ion the outside by an iron nut or boss ; the whole door was IcoveroJwith these bosses, which rendered it a difficult matter |to decide by a casual observer which one covered the lock. Mv comrade, Bob O'Toole, who was one of the party, and U\\o had some knowledge of this description of lock (by what L>ans I know not) seized a piece of rock, and dashing it with Igreat force against the nut, which age and exposure had com- Ipletely rusted through, broke it off, the bolt gave way, and Ithe wicket flew open. Bob jumped in, followed by the rest lofthe party, to the terror and consternation of the small guard jfor there were not many in the archway ; most of them being a rampart that commanded a view of Punella, watching lour operations during the assault. A few shots were fired by [both parties ; a short hand-to-hand conflict ensued, but they pere soon overpowered — the remainder surrendered at dis- Icretion — and long ere night had spread her sable mantle over Itlie eardi, the red cross of St George was proudly floating Ifrom the towers of both the rebel stron upholds. The fall of the Forts Punella and Powenghur had both a Ipowerful and salutary effect on the insurgents generally. The capture of the Rajah of Kolapoor and his principal officers, not only deterred others from joining the standard of revolt, but pas the means of inducing many to desert the cause, and to return to their allegiance. Thus peace and quietness was restored to that section of the country whore rebellion first unfurled its defiant flag. But it still existed deep in the 164 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, Sa^yent Waree Jungle, and in the immediate vicinity of the chain of Ghauts, which run through the whole country, from east to west, dividing the Dcccan from the Conkan, ^vhere trusting to the natural fortifications and the difficulty of access for large bodies of troops — there being no made route but a mere track through the dense jungle — many had sought refuse within its recesses, and set the government at defiance. The day succeeding that of the siege was one of frolic anl amusement ; thor^^ were no parades or roll calls until tattoo, Those who had fallen during the engagement had been intcrrcil with all the solemnity befitting the occasion, at an early Iduf in the morning. All was now life and glee ; men of different regiments visited and congratulated each other on their safety, the dan- gers they had escaped, or the booty they had obtained. Mj companion, Bob, and myself received an invitation to aclievo, given by some of the Dragoons, with whom we had become acquainted some years previous, while at Poena, and right glad were we to avail ourselves of their kind invitation. About six o'clock in the evening we strolled over to their lines. In a large well-lighted double-poled tent were assembled somt] ten or twelve soldiers of different corps. The fun had began before our arrival, judging from the peals of merry laughter that rang in our ears as we approached. On entering we were greeted with a rousing cheer. My friend Vincent, a sergeant of Dragoons, and who had been for many years manager of their amateur theatre, had been installed Master of the revel and being principal improviser, was seated on a throne, or dais, erected for the occasion out of an empty beer barrel, witli a shabrug thrown over it ; the rest of the company were seat- ed in rows to the right and left of him on saddle, or anything that could support them. Vincent, like the king in Bombastes Furioso, had a foaming pot of porter before him ; a long clay ROUaUING IT TUROUan LIFE. 165 pipe protruded from his lips, from between which volumes of smoke came puflf — puff — puff— and as it curled and rolled upwards, mingling with the fumes from the various pipes I gmoked by his companions (from the aristocratic meerschaum, to the short black dudeen), floated above the heads of the assembly like vapours on a sunny morn. He stood up, and like that sapient monarch welcomed us right bombastically. " My brave associates, companions of my toil, my pleasure land my fame, behold," said ho, majestically waving his long [clay pipe in our direction, " behold the men whom the General jdelighteth to honor. Fill, fill your goblets to the brim, my [bold cavaliers, and drink welcome and success to yonder braves— the leader of the forlorn hope, and the heroes of yesterday's fight. Take your time from me, my worthy men at arms," and raising his pot of foaming heavy wet to his lips, ook a deep and mighty draught ; his companions following liis example in a most laudable manner, and then followed iirce hearty cheers that made the place ring again. "Most puissant Sir Knight of the sabre, and gentlemen Jl," I replied, stepping forward, and bowing with most pro- (bund mock gravity, " many thanks for the high compliment fliich you have been pleased to bestow upon myself and com- idc. I do not possess sufficient eloquence to reply in suitable erms, for indeed I am no speaker, and not much blessed with [loqiient phrases, therefore little shall I grace the cause in peaking for myself, but by your leave I will transfer the grave [lit pleasing responsibility to my friend and chum, the immor- Bob, the last of the O'Tooles, and lineal descendant of the [ing ofMunster." " Oh, Ned, ye villain of the world, is it me that is to be peechifying. Oh, ochone, the devil a word can I say, baring liat its mighty dacent of yees all, gentlemen, so it is, to trate hi this fashion, and I'll remember it two years after I'm 166 NED fortescue; or, dead, and if any man or mother's son, after this, shoukl sat black's the white of your eye, be all the crosses in a yarfUf check, I'd take the measure of his eye for a shute of mourninc- ' and he sat down amidst a torrent of acclamations, completeh overcome by his feelings. A jorum of steaming arrack puncli was now handed to us from a large camp kettle, in which there appeared to be about three gallons of this highly spiced, aoi very tempting tipple. Two large kettles of commissaria; porter graced the floor, there being neither board or tallei,; be had. Filling our pipes, we seated ourselves in the ws convenient places we could find, and the convivialities oftlit evening commenced in right earnest. Songs, yarns, aiji anecdotes followed each other in rapid succession, aoi although it is now over twenty years since this occurrence,! will endeavour to relate a few of them, in their own words, ai near as I can remember. " Talking of ventriloquists," said an old trooper, in answei to some remark that had just been made, " we had one in oui troop though no one knew it until the day after he obtained Lii discharge. It was old Joe Brown. I remember a very good jok that he played oflf some years ago on one of our non-cominis- sioned officers : he was a very young sergeant, who had beet promoted in consequence of some letters of introduction lit had brought from an unpaid tailor, bootmaker, or somcboil; of that sort, and he was very generally noted for being verj pompous, dictatorial and authoritative when on duty as bairaci orderly, or sergeant of the day, consequently, he was not a; all a favourite with the men of his troop, but being of a vindic- tive disposition, no one cared to play oflf any joke upon liiin. Well on one occasion he gave some cause of umbrage to oil Joe, and the latter determined to pay him off the first oppor- tunity, which, to one possessing his peculiar gift, was not lou: in occurring. You know that in the barraok rooms at Km- ROUGHINO IT THROUOII LIFE. 167 ^ec, there stands a "wooden horse about eight feet high, |)etwecn each man's cot, and on which the bridle, saddle, and rappings arc hung ; now, opposite to old Joe's cot, there lept a man named Nelson, a regular bon vivant, and dcvil- lay-care sort of a fellow. It so happened that Nelson was leave for the day at Poona on the next occasion that young ^irks was sergeant of the day. Old Joe knew that he would absent without leave, and he embraced this good opportu- lity to take the pompous young sergeant down a peg. xVfter andown, and prior to the closing of the cautoen, Joe man- leil to make a stuffed figure, and dress it in some of Nelson's Ifothes, with his full-dress shako on its head, and a short pipe luck in the mouth. He placed it on the saddle, and by the Inccrtain light of the barrack room, it had all the appearance alialf-drunken trooper. lie succeeded in effecting this ithout being observed by any one, for the room was usually acant at that time in the evening, and then getting quietly ato his cot, waited patiently the approach of the noncommis- ^oncd officer in question. Soon after tattoo the clanking of purs, and clatter of sabre were heard, and the pompous ergeant strutted into the room. " Where is trooper Nelson ? lid he, standing at the foot of his cot. No response. " Where I trooper Nelson?" he again demanded, in a stern authorita- Ive tone. " Here I am, old buffer," said the figure on the saddle, hvhat's the row ?" " I will let you know to your cost, if you do not immedi- tcly come down ; none of your rustical rigadoons with me, I'll find another place for you replied the sergeant. " You be hanged, you can't do as you like, if your father ^d make the major's breeches." A suppressed titter was m\\ throughout the room. " You shall have some extra rough riding drill for this, Bu blackguard." ■www— 168 NED rORTEftCUE ; OR, " I don't ride like a tailor, as you do, any how." was a severe cut for young Sparks, for he was a good liorseJ man, and rather prided himself on his personal appearancel when mounted. Here several horse laughs broke out ij different parts of the room. " Fall in, a couple of troopers, pull yonder fellow dowa and take him to the guard," exclaimed the now thorou'lilv exasperated sergeant. Up jumped the troopers, and dowii came not Nelson, but the stuffed figure. " It's a dummv;i cried one. " It spoke out pretty plainly, any way," criei the other. The shouts of laughter that followed this discoverjl may be more easily imagined than described ; and the crestf fallen sergeant was only too happy to escape from the rooul as quietly as possible. Old Joe's practical joke had s cccded to perfection. EOUGUING IT THROUGH LIFE. 169 CHAPTER XIV. [here were various comments maclo at the conclusion of lie trooper's yarn narrated in the last chapter. " Brown |iust have had a great deal of impudence to treat his superior Beer in that manner," remarked young Sims, a cockney, id a corporal of some three weeks standing. " When a on-commissioned officer makes himself ridiculous, as a great Liny young ones frequently do, by their pomposity and rogance, they must expect to be laughed at," remarked ergoant Vincent, with a meaning look towards young Sims, Qt he continued, " there is a good deal of fun and frolic to I met mil 'n all ranks of the service." " That there is," I sponded, and I will relate what once occurred to myself, ^iie on leave at Bombay. I I was in the habit of daily frequenting the '* Crown and Dclior," which no doubt many of you know well. They had [capital billiard table, which was the inducement that drew there. I here met and became on very friendly terms |th a midshipman of the Indian navy, who, for some wild ank had been suspended from rank and pay for six months, Idsent on shore to rusticate. He was an Englishman by }th, and a native of London, and we often amused ourselves relating the different scrapes and frolics we had gone [ough in diflferent parts of the world, for you must know Pit I was several months at sea prior to entering the army. ke afternoon, when I called upon him to have our usual ae of billiards, he said : " Now, Ned, if you are the fellow 170 NED FORTESOUEJ OR, that I take you to bo, you can have some capital fun to-ni'ln it will require some cool impudence, however, hut irlicfi is there a soldier worth anything without it. But to zi plans ; a very rich Hindoo named Jaggurnath Sunkorseii living at Girgaum, gives a ball and supper in a most maril ficent and Oriental style, and has given a general iuviiatij to all officers, both military and naval, together with all civil grandees in Bombay, and it is, I believe, to eclipse aaJ thing that has been seen on the island for years." " But what is all this to me ; I cannot go, not Ijciug eitiJ an officer or a grandee, nor have I a ticket of admission;] do not see clearly what part I can play in this pageant.' " Then, you must be duller to-diiy than usual ; but I; turn on the gas a little; listen, come to my room abonii this evening, slip on my uniform, it will fit you to a k jump into a palkec, and off you go. On arrival, Avainrj you see a knot of our fellows, follow them in, and ^\llel^}i inside, you can easily carry on for the remainder of the l: or I am no judge of horse-flesh." The scheme pleased me exceedingly ; it would cnallc: once more to mix in decent society, tliough uiulor ii colors, and anything that promised fun or excitement, tbij attended with some risk to my personal liberty, for lb that if discovered it would load to my arrest, was of iii sufficient inducement for me to accept the ofler. My m arrived at the principal entrance just as a number of Li| officers came up laughing and jesting among tlicmseli seemingly in high glee. With this party I entered, aDil five seconds found myself unquestioned in a spacious m tion hall ; directly in front of the splendid mansion of| host, upon the marble steps of which he stood, surrc by his dusky friends, magnificently attired in their Oiiei costume. Sunkersett himself bowing a welcome to all! ROUGUINQ IX TmiOUGII LIVE. 171 lentored. On my right, beneath a double row of picturesque lliMikm.t,' pfihii trees, the leaves of which waved and rustled in \\iij evening breeze, imparting a delicious coolness to the plaoe, was erected the supper saloon, it was formed of tent jail;, festooned with gorgeous flags and evergreens, with a Dnn table running down the centre, brilliantly illuminated, liid I'cdolcut with splendour, consisting of gold, silver, flowers, liid cut glass. On the left, reached by a flight of broad K;iirs. handsomely carpeted, the niches of the walls, on each tile, filled with elegant figures in gold, silver, and marble, fantastically supporting wax lights, in every position that jacc or foncy could dictate, was the ball-room. It was ir.erl), with its beautiful canopy of white glazed cloth, stud- kl ^vilh gold stars, and roses, and supported by fifty-four luted columns of burnished silver, the reflection of which las seen in the enormous mirrors that were placed between [acli of the pillars, lending a feeling of enchantment to the cone ; sofas, lounges, and ottomans were innumerable in verandah outside the pillars, into which the pale moon brew its soft light, while the interior or dancing hall, was ;litcd by numerous wax tapers in massive candolabras. Scat- bred over the grounds were iron cressets, filled with blazing ocoa nut shells, and Chinese lanterns of many colors were spended from the numerous orange and pomegranate trees, lie whole forming a splendid coup-d^;;| all were brouglit in vivid and startling beauty before lu h the dazzling and brilliant light of the fireworks. At twl close I helped myself to a Inunpcr of champagne, auil er;! the crush came, jumped into a palkee, and was fast ajleejj before I reached my friend's bungalaw. '■' By George, I would have laid in the guard room fir J month, to have had such a glorious spree as that," salilo!:;! of the party, as I concluded ; " but you must liavc hid used to that sort of thing, or you never could have caiTlelii out so cleverly." " I thought that your regiinciu stationed at Poona. How was it that so many of yor| officers were at the ball," eiKjuired another. ''■ Our head-quarter wing was there ; the other iin.lor ;i. command of the major at Colaba," I replied. '' But «:. did not he attend, and why would ho have rccoguiz.'lvl more than any of the othernr?" " Well, you must know that our second in cominaii'l ;tji one of those sanctimonious, praise God bare-bones sur; men, who pretend to have a perfect horror of balls, paiti.!J tlieatricals, and such like vanities, as he termed them. had many peculiarities, both of s[)cech and manner, v;l\n used to mimic on our stage to the no small delight ^(4 audience. This, of course, came to his ears, hence l)i« like to me. lie had evidently mistaken Im vocaiioii ROUGiriNQ IT THROUGH LIFE. 175 so many ol veal mtering the army instead of the cliurcli ; not that I think e ecclesiastical h^Ay would have benefitted by his admig- ttnn : far otherwise, but had he abstained from entering the rvicc," '• I fancy that his absence would have been mighty oimI company, put in the O'Toole, finishing the sentence for at which there was a general burst of laughter. •• I should say by the way your friend Bob handles his lipc. and takes his grog, that he could spin a good yarn for s." suiTgested Sergeant Vincent. " No doub': of it,'' cried levcral voices, " let's have a twister from the hero of Pow- fen-hur." " Faith, it's little I know about spinning yarns and the 5ko as you call it, however. I'll tell ye's an anecdote I had Fill A black divil of a bear in Araeriky.'' " Li /America, I did not know that you had been such a ravcller. Bob." " Arrah, hould yer whisht. Corporal Sims, for a mcddlo- orac cockney that ye are; it's many more things ye don't WW, nor ever will. Do you remember, Ned, avic, where first met ye ?" " Yes, I remember very well,'' was my reply, "it was at luclicc." '• Well then, I'll tell ye h av i got there. My fixthcr was 'lat they call one of th. b iter class of immigrants ; that is ?ay, he had a few soovercigns in the heel of an ould stock- i:. whun he wint to Canada, where ho was to got ever so icli land just for the axing, and live like a foin gintleman the O'Tooles used to do, when they were kings of Muns- n\ an'.ih, but it's little he knew what a devil's own hole we w going to. Well, to make a long story short, from ichoc wo were forwarded to Toranto, and then to a place illod Barrie, and from there to our estate, in the township l>f Wasanngus ; faith, it was well named, for wo wore all 17o NED FORTESCUE ; OR, like to die with the ague there ; devil a fut of dry land wa? there in it, but what was under wather. What is ye'es laui ing at, ye devils ?" " Never mind, go on, Bob, said I. " After a while,' continued Bob, " we get up a bit of a log shanty, wid a sWl at the ind of it for a cow, and a tranneen of a pig, and bean to feel a little comfortable like, altho 'twas awful lonely. ]]e this and be that, I often think of that same cow, boys, an'l give her a blessing, for she was the cause of all my trouljje wid the bear. There was a beaver dam, and a meadow some distance from our lot, and the little cow would often stray away there, bad cess to her, and stay until i fetched Ler back. One day I was after the cow, and not far from tlie meadow, when I heard a kind of shuffling noise behind me, When I looked round, be the mortal but there was a bi? brown bear hot foot after me. Ye's have seen mc runa race, boys, but ye never see me run in airnest ; bedad, I m that time, and sure it was no kind of use at all, at all ; tlie shuffling came nearer and nearer. " Well, jist forninst me,l seen a hollow log about twelve feet l''>ng, wid a hole in it that a bit of a gossoon could crawl into ; so bedad in I went; faitli 'twas time, for the next minute I felt the claws of the baste tickhng the soles of my feet ; the brute was too big to get k Arrah, but he was mad ; I could hear him tearing and biting at the ind of the log. Presently, the otlier ind of the log got darkened, and the bear poked in his head, champing aini foaming like a mad wild boar ; musha, but it makes me shiver yet when I think how I could feel the hot breath of him in amongst mo hair. Round and round the log he wint, from one ind to the other ; says ho, at last, ' this will never ao,I must get the boy out of that.' " '•' What, do bears speak in America ?"said the unfortunate corporal. '' Shure, wasn't he thinking it, and is'nt it all oj one, ye omadahon yo," said Bob. ROUOIIING IT TIIROUail LIFE, 177 " To be sure," said I, " go on Bob." ^' All of a suddint I felt my feet rising up in the air, till I was standing on my liofiil, liouMing on for dear life, bo tlic knots and rough 1 Tilaces inside the hollow log. which the baste commenced shak- 1112 and pommeling on the ground, for all the wurld like apavier I bating paving stones, and whin he thought he had loosened nic hould, he let the log go down with a bang that fairly I shuck the breath out of me, and quick as thought made a (live at the ind of the log, but I was as far from him as ever. Well, presently the head ris up, and by this and by that, tho black divil took me in his arms, log and all, and began hvalking away wid me, till I felt him splashing in the water. Tare and age-, sis I, I'm kilt now entirely ; he manes to droun me, and shure inough he rolled the log in till it was under kather. Well, boys, it's well I can swim like a duck, and can I :\tc any stone at diving. So before I was quite [smothered, I took a deep breath, floated quietly out of me llii'ling place, and dived clanc acrost the pond, till I kim up [amongst the rushes, on the other side, thin I took courage to [raise me head and take a look. There sat me gentleman on [tlie top of the log to keep it down, looking as knowing as you lase, and whin he thought he'd kept me there long inough to drown mc, he rowls the log out and looked in at the ind of it. YcM have kilt yourself laughing, to have seen the look do put on, whin ho found me gone ; he was fairly puzzled. Jul bears, me lads, is cute things, and this one bate Bana- licr for cuteness ; he began now to walk round the pond, and Course whin he kim forninst me, I put my head under rather, and kept it there too till ho wint by. Well, when ho lad done sniffing and looking after my dead body, thinks he, 'his body must bo at the bottom of the pond,' and would ye'a believe it, boys, he began tearing away the dam wid the big paws of him. to draw the water oft', and soon had it running Ai2 IM 178 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, like mad through the sluice. Then he hogan walking ronni the pond again. ' Holy Virgin, shure, I am lost now,' savsj, I took another dive for the sluice, and doAvn I wint witluiie stream, and kim up just below a bind in the creek, Avherel landed and away for the bare life, towards a small hh. encampment, that I knew was on the banks of the river, l:: far off. Jist as I got within sight of the wigwams, as they ai them, I heard the same noise again, and be all that's groa:, there was the bear after me again, but bedad he was toob this time ; I gave a yell ye'd have heard a mile oflf. T;.- Indians kim running out, and in less than half an hour t:.:: had the divil kilt and the skin off him. A few days after, my father, may the Heavens be hisUi, sent me to Barrie, for something was wanting, and some!.;i I thought I'd had enough of Canada, and that me Ik'r brother Tim wid be the better of the estate, so I madeLj way to Quebec, and from there to the ould country, wlierel listed, and here I am," and, added O'Toole, reflectively, " ib] some of yees says, there is the laste taste of rid in my k: by this and by that, it's that same fright I got wid the oei' turned it that color." Such exclamations as " Bravo, brave,' " More power to your elbow ;" " That you may never die, and others of a similar nature that burst from his ami& hearers, shewed Avith what satisfaction he had been listenei: " That is a vei'y good story of yours, and you had a lu: row escape from a watery grave, but there is an anoicd proverb that the man who is born to be hanged will novd be drowned," maliciously remarked Corporal Sims. " Oh thin, you are a purty boy, corporal dear ; has yo:! mother any more like ye ; but the divil a fear of your hurt, had ye been in my place." "For what reason, Bob'^'' said I, the wliole group k"A';;.;| enquiringly towards him. oc:l ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 179 "Arrah, gintlemen, shure the bears in Canada don't ate I carrion," was the response. The unfortunate man of two chevrons wished he had kept hio ancient proverb to himself the laugh had been so cleverly turned against him. 186 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, CHAPTER XV. After the roars of laughter, had somewhat subsided, ^-Inc'ii had greeted the yarn of the immortal Bob, Sergeant Yincen; immersed his moustache in some of Barkley and Pcrkiin' dark- looking fluid, greatly to his satisfaction, and having \m aside his long clay pipe, began as follows:"! suppose jon all know the black jungle near Belgaum ; it was, and in faci is now, the favorite shooting ground for the officers and mea at that station ; principally because in addition to deer, pea- cock, partridge, duck, and other game of a similar nature, there are still to be met with, the tiger, cheeta, hyena, anJ not unfrequently the brown bear. Many a trophy has bees brought in from there, and many a narrow escape from k- of life and limb has been related by parties on their retun from a hunting expedition in the thickets of this jungle. "\Vb; I am about to relate happened to two men belonging to a company of artillery that were doing duty at the fort, ani who had obtained leave of absence to go on a shooting excoi' sion within the jungle in question. They had very fai: sport up to about four p.m., as their game-bag amply tcstifiei They had quietly seated themselves to take some rcfre:i: ments, beneath the shade of some bushes that grew ncartk bank of a small stream, which ran rippling and murraurin; with a cool refreshing sound through the little valley ^vhcr they halted. Both were tall, well-made, muscular im between thirty and forty years of age, and they were dressc coats and overalls of checked cotton, t:;i| m shooting ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 181 manufacture of the country, with high hunting boots, stout leather belts round their waists, while their heads were pro- tected from the heat of the sun by broad-leaved felt hats, around whieh was twisted the common turban of India. One carried a double barreled shot-gun, and a long stout hunting knife, stuck in his belt ; the other had a carbine loaded with ball, as was likewise the regulation holster pistol that he wore in his waist belt. They had finished their meal ; one had filled his pipe and commenced smoking, the other had gone to the stream to slake his thirst with some of the clear element. As he was about to rise from his kneel- ing position, he observed a pair of fierce gleaming eyeballs fixed upon him from amidst the bushes that grew on the opposite bank of the narrow rivulet. Ho had barely time to rise, and draw his knife, when the creature, a monstrous lijena, sprang upon him — a frightful struggle ensued. Several times did he bury his knife in the body of the animal but to no purpose ; the savage beast seemed to heed them not, but fixing his immense paws on the man's right shoulder, tearing ofi" the flesh in one piece, down to the elbow ; the pain was so intense, that with a shriek of anguish, the poor fellow sank fainting to the ground. The cry aroused the attention of his comrade, who sprang forward, and seeing the fate of his friend, levelled his carbine, and fired at the crea- ture, his shot taking effect in his neck. Turning from the man with a hideous laugh, for which that beast is noted, he I sprang at the throat of the other, who, clubbing his weapon, dealt many a heavy blow on the head of the brute, but unfortu- nately in so doing, the carbine broke short off at the small part i of the stock. Dropping the now useless weapon, he felt for his i pistol, but to his dismay, he found that during the struggle it I had fallen from his belt, and lay at some distance from him ; he was now powerless, but, in desperation, ho, with both 182 NED rORTESCUE ; OR, hands, seized the brute by the head, and endeavored to sha'^t himself free from its grasp. But, aLis I he was but an infant in strength compared ^yith his enemy. He was nearh exhausted ; his clothes had been torn to shreds, and blool issued profusely from many a ghastly wound, inflicted by the teeth and claws of the monster, on different parts of the bodv, At this critical moment, a double report was heard qui;^ close to the scene of action, the hyena grinned horribly, ani with a convulsive gasp relaxed his hold, and fell dead, piercel through the side by a couple of rifle bullets. Fortunateh the captain of the men's company likewise sought game in tk neighborhood, and had witnessed the first encounter from a slight eminence, at a short distance. Rapidly, but withcj: noise, he approached close enough to the spot, under cover of the adjacent bushes, to make sure of his aim, then fired, wi;a the effect above related. After some stimulants had been administered, both the men recovered sufficiently to wall; home. A few weeks' attendance at the hospital enablel them to resume their duties ; it was a narrow escape for them." '' But what became of the hyena," I enquired. " Ilewij brought into camp during the evening by some natives, who had been sent out for that purpose by the captain. He hadi;| skinned and stuffed, and it was usually kept in the Orderlv I Roonij and for all I know may be there to this day,'' he re- plied. " Bedad, but it's mighty quare that I did not hear of tlia;| same haste's story before," hiccuped the O'Toole, as he buries] his glowing visage in a porter pot. " Hark," said Sergean: Vincent, " the trumpets are sounding off" the first post, fill up my boys, and let's drink the Queen's health, and confusion to her enemies," which was done right loyally. " Long life to | John Company, and bad luck to all Rajahs and rebels Nagurs, ROUGniN« IT TimOUOII LIFE. 183 hiccuped the O'Toole, making a gra?5p at my arm to preserve his perpendicular, as I rose to leave the tent, for the arrack punch had made considerable impression upon him, so much «o that I had some difficulty in getting him homo. As it had been a day of universal jollity, we succeeded in reaching our lines unquestioned, though wo were not allowed long to enjoy our rest, or to remain inactive, for about four o'clock the next evening, an order was issued by the Commanding Officer for the re-forming of the light brigade, which was to march the following evening at sun-down, and 1)y ten p.m., we found ourselves once more on tlie banks of the kishna. What direction we were to take after crossing, was known only to the Brigadier in command. The next mornin;]' we made our way to the high-road that led to Neepanee ; halted at that place during the night, afte wards turning off to our right, entered the jungle the next morning by a cart track. Now it became known that our destination was the fortress of Ranghur, on the Ilunmunt Ghaut, and the object of this forced march was to get there before the rebels could estab- lish themselves at that place. After four days' marching through a dense jungle, during which time we had accomplished a distance of about ninety- seven miles, found ourselves halted about sixteen miles from Ranghur, to allow the artillery to come up. On the arrival of the guns we again resumed our route. In consequence of the intricacies of the way. the cavalry were sent on som.e time in advance, but the brigade started at the usual hour. It was a lovely morning when we commenced our march. The moon shone bright and clear ; the air was cool and refreshing ; the heavy floods caused by the monsoons no longer drenched the earth ; all nature teemed with luxuriant wild vegetation, I bright, green and beautiful, and although it impeded our progress to some extent, yet it was pleasant and cheering to 184 Nnr roRTESCUE ; or. look upon. The month of December is in my opinion \\t most delightful time of the season of the year in India ; tha: is the Soutliern Mahratta country. We had completed aljoiu half our distance, Avhen an aide-de-camp came hastily back i: order the artillery to the front at the trot, and the infantry t; folloAV at the double. The cavalry had been attackel, and were now engaging the enemy. "We pushed on as rapi li- as possible, for a number of their men had fallen. Wc soos came up Avith the doolies and hospital paraphernalia of tli? cavalry. The medical staff surrounded by a strong guar!, vrcre busily engaged in dressing and binding up the wounih of those who had suffered in the skirmish. It appears that at this spot a number of the onoray liai crept up the sides of a ravine concealed by the thick brusli' wood, and poured in a heavy volley from their matchlocks, as they rode by, putting hors-de-combat about twenty troopers, The enemy then fled and rejoined their main body. Nean jambool bush, knelt a fine-looking Mahommedan, a troo[ havildar, bending over the dead body of his only son, who hai been slain by the fire of the murderous foe. He drcwhijl sword in silence, and vowing on his Koran, swore by botli, and all that he held most dear, to take bitter vengeance oi, I the murderers of his gallant son ; then springing into liisj saddle quickly overtook his troop. One of the advance guard, who had lived some years intliel neighborhood, said he knew a short cut that would spccJilj bring them into the very heart of the rebel encampment. J^'; sooner did this become known through the regiment, than they were clamorous and vehemently requested to be led on t; them without delay. The treacherous attack had roused their I blood. The officer in command acceded to their demanJ, and off they went at a hand gallop. ^Ve pushed after then with all speed, but did not arrive in time to take any part in ROUaniNQ IT THROUGH LIFE. 185 \ik fi,2ll^t, for the artillery and cavalry had driven and dis- persed the Mahrattas effectually without our aid. Many fled |to the fortress of Ranghur, leaving their dead, wounded, and prisoners in our hands. It was a splendid affliir ; I heard it iescribcd by the European sergeant-major to a number of our sergeants, who had gathered round him as he sat smoking at the foot of u shady banyan tree. Our guide turned into a narrow path ; here we dismounted each trooper leading his horse, for there was scarcely room for one at a time to pass. In this way we advanced about one ad a half miles as silently as possible. The moon had gone iown, the day had not yet dawned, and all was dark around BS, but the grey light of the coming day became visible as we Ucrged from the jungle, and entered a comparatively clear Ipot, Avhcrc we formed to the front by troops. This space had [he appearance of a small park, in front of which grew a rge patch of joarree, under cover of which we made this aovement, by the leading file halting, the remainder coming np into their positions. " Steady,'* cried our commander, find the word forward was given, and with drawn sabres we ivanced a Uttle to our front, and as the ground opened, formed into line at a trot. Our guide now crept through |he corn, and soon returned with information, that the rebels large force, with artillery and some cavalry, were pitched kot more than a quarter of a mile on the other side of the grain lelds. Making a detour, we saw before us by the light of the loming day the burning matches of some of the enemy, who nod as a sort of outlying picket. We then advanced with- it sound of trumpet, the pickets fired their matchlocks |t us, and then fell back, in considerable consternation, so [nexpected had been our appearance. They were prepared meet us, but not from that point. Forward we went right them, the blare of the trumpets ringing on the flank of each IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. ^ .^ 1.0 I.I Ik no M 12.2 "^ 11/, I. ^ UUI. I 2.0 1 1.25 |U |,.6 ^ 6" ► v] '/ ^ Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WEBSTER, N.Y. MS«0 (716)S72-4503 iV k f\ 4 sj ^\ 4(^ <^\ ^\ • ci^ ^m mem 186 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, troop as wc came in full view of the foe. Their infantry in line, with a few guns and cavalry on their flanks, camo on tn meet us ; they greeted us with a heavy discharge of matcli- locks, which caused many of our troopers to fall dead or wounded from their saddles. Our Colonel now gave tlic Avord " prepare to charge," and the whole of the cavalry, advanc- ing first at a canter, then rushed on at the charge. The enemy was enveloped in smoke, from which there caiiic a discharge of grape and canister tliat swept tlirough our lino with frightful effect, while the surrounding hills rang with tlic din of battle. " Gallop, charge," thundered the Colonel. and on we dashed like an avalanche, knee to knee, and hridie to bridle, the very earth seeming to shake beneath oar lior>e3 feet ; everything went down before us. Their infantry hm: unprovided with bayonets or pikes, could not resist our terrific onslaught, and after a few more dl^^charges of matchlocks turned and fled in wild confusion. Our artillery opened uvioa them with several discharges of spherical case, mowing thera down like grass. Their loss was immense, but their thorough knowledge of tlie I country enabled many to escape through the jungle. Their cavalry with their long steel-pointed spears, made several ineffectual attempts to arrest our progress, but finding all lo5t.| sought their own safety in a rapid flight, leaving us masters ' the field. *' Do you sec yonder havildar," said the sergeant-major, I pointing as he spoke to a fine-looking man, who was carrcH sing his horse while feeding; " he is the finest man intk corps, and made great havoc among the Mahrattas." lh\m a son killed by them,early this morning,and vowing vengeance against the whole race, fearfully did he keep his vow, form sooner was the work given to pursue, than he sprang liiil charger two lengths in advance of his troop, and whecliu^i'. ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 187 the left, ilaslicd after a number that were flying down a narrow track, hewing, hacking and cutting riglit and left, every one he met with the powerful strokes of his avenging saliro, and it was not until both horse and rider were nearly exhausted that tlic work of slaughter was stayed. lie then rode slowly back to his troop avenged. The number slain bv his single arm was almost incredible. Had the infantry arrived in time they must all have fallen into our hands. As some time would elapse before eitlier the tents would arrive, or the breakfast be ready, I strolled over to the scene of action ; it was a sad spectacle. The wounded and dying i wore being removed for medical treatment. The bodies of the fallen on both sides had been gathered ; those of the Mahom- [mcdan fiiith to be buried, while those of the Hindoo were I conveyed to the funeral pile, the smoke and flames from which I soon hurst forth and curled upwards, and the odour from this burning mass was offensive and disgusting in the extreme. To European minds this ceremony conveyed a sense of complete barbarism. Riderless horses were caught, and not a few of the camp followers, those pests of the army, were making their harvest by despoiling the bodies of the slain. Weapons of all descriptions were scattered about ; many were broken and useless. One of the cavalry standards, cut to ribbons by bullets, was found among a heap of dead, witli its gallant bearer pierced through the heart lying hfcless beside it, his noble steed quietly standing by the side of its late rider. Nor wore the ravens and kites absent from their sanguinary |ban([uet. The theatre of this bloody drama was both wild and I picturesque, with a dense jungle for a background — the open park-like table land, on the mountain tops, where tlie conflict had raged so furiously, with its rugged peaks and numerous aeraBSK 188 NED PORTBSCUE ; ORj cascades of bright falling waters dashing from crag to cra'»,in their downward course, till they reached the stream, which flowed through the valley below. From many spots a magnifi. cent view of the Indian Ocean could be obtained, which to those whose eyes for many a month had looked upon nothin" save sandy plains and thick jungles, was a charming relief, and in fact a great treat. From one of the numerous pretty promontories that jutted out above a deep ravine, to which I had the good fortune to stray, and seating myself on a piece of rock beneath the shadow of a clump of trees, I beheld the glorious orb of day, rising from its ocean bed, its bright golden rays lighting up the eastern hemisphere and smiling down upon the fair face of nature's garden stretching out for many a mile towards the sea shore, from the foot of that magni- ficent range of Ghauts which have been so often and so ably portrayed by writers on British India. The country in the immediate vicinity of the Fortress of Ranghur, presenting no facilities for the development of cavalry evolutions, it was decided that they, together with a battalion of native infantry, should be left here to act as a corps of observation, while we, the remainder of the brigade, should march on that place at an early hour the follo^Ying morning. We moved about daylight, and when the sun had dispelled the clouds and vapours that surrounded us, we found Ranghur to be situated on a rocky eminence of a similar height to the table land on which we were marching, and approachable on one side only by a narrow neck of land, whose steep and almost precipitous sides rendered it very difficult for artillery or bodies of infantry to cross, provided the occupants of the fort were disposed to dispute the passage. A small village on the verge of the Ghaut, where the track to the fort opened, was immediately taken possession of by u» ROUaHINQ IT THROUaH LIFE. 189 and a strong picquet posted there. The inhabitants, after exchanging a few shots, fled to the fort. A little later in the day an officer, with a flag of truce, was sent to demand a surrender of the place, but having been fired upon, returned without having effected anything. During the afternoon the artillery was got into position at the village above alluded to, and in the evening some shells were thrown into the fort to let them know that we were within range. Early the next morning an artillery man, who, during the previous night had taken more grog than was quite good for him, had wandered out of the camp and lost his way in the jungle. After roaming about for a couple of hours, and on emerging from some bushes he was surprised to find himself close to the principal gate of the enemy's works. Crouching as near as possible to the wall, BO that he might not be observed, he began to meditate what he should do to enable him to return to camp without being discovered. lie remained in this position about a quarter of an hour, and every thing being quiet around him, he listened attentively, but hearing no voices, he imagined the place was empty. Taking courage, he crept softly up to the gate, and [found* the wicket to his surprise was partially open. Looking about, and observing no one, he cautiously entered and found j that the place was deserted, the enemy having evacuated the fort during the night, taking with them everything of value [that was portable. Having satisfied himself of this fact, he returned quickly to camp, and meeting the brigadier, who was kalking alone, reported the circumstances to him, omitting to say, however, that in consequence of his having indulged in itoo much grog the night before he wandered abroad, and Ivhile endeavouring to make his way back, came accidentally [upon the fortress. But he accounted for the discovery in Iiuch a plausible manner, that subsequently the commander Ipromotod him to the rank of sergeant. 190 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, The place was immocliatcly taken possession of, and w? found thai one of our shells had fiillcn among the rctroatini rebels, killing cloven of them as they were making oif by .'.! rear gateway. A few days afterwards, meeting tlie cir sergeant of the company coming from the C. O's tent wii the order book, I enquired if there was anything stinin' ** Yes," he replied, " the heavy brigade from Punnclla ar. expected ia the morning, and the light brigade are to mare: to a new position, near the Vingorla road, in order to endei- vour to force our way down the Ghaut to Seovapore, a lar:; village in the Sawaunt Warree jungle, near tlo Fortresses of Monahar and Monsontosh, where the rebels appear to liavt concentrated their entire force, and are making a final stani; but my dear fellow I believe that I shall soon have the i)loa,>iirf of congratulating you on your promotion, for the captain b just told me that your name has been favorably mcntiono'lii the general's dispatch to the government, and it is cxpcetei by the officers that your dashing conduct at Punnclla, will k rcNvardcd by a commission, but nothing is to be said tov:; about it, until the reply from Government arrives." Tlian'r ing him for the information, and having heard sometliin:: the rumor before, fervently hoped that it might turn out toi)i| correct. As " there is many a slip between the cup and t!i lip," I did not allow my mind to dwell long upon it;I| therefore busied myself in preparing for the coming marcL[ which had been rendered necessary by the change in otj base of operations. RouaniNG IT Tiiiiouan life. 191 CIIAPTEU XVI. tlo Fortrcs^Ov;; MoxAiiAii and JMoiisontosh arc two rocky cmiucncca rising out of the Sawaunt Warrcc jungle, which stretches from tho t'cotofthe Kam Ghaut to the seashore, between tho ports of Viiigorla and Rutncegerry, and towering in altitude to nearly tlic level of the Ghauts themselves, and on which two fortifi- cations had been constructed many years ago. The difficulty of access, and the natural defences of these forts led the Malirattas to the belief that they were impregnable. Through the valley at their base ran a broad but shallow stream,which after crossing the higli road, and meandering through many a Lollow and shady dell, found its Avay to the sea near tho Portuguese settlement of Goa. On tho bank of this stream, and immediately at the foot of the llunmunt Ghaut, stood the large and populous village of Sccvaporo, in wliich and the \iciuity we found the remnant of the rebel host who had escaped from our cavalry at Ranghur. They had likewise conveyed large quantities of provisions and munitions of war to the two mountain fortresses, as a place of retreat and shelter, should wo succeed in routing them. Hero, also, were congregated hundreds of " Budmashes," thieves and vaga- bonds of all castes, who had an antipathy against honest labor and a propensity for plunder. These hordes mfested the public road leading from the sea-board to Bclgaum, Bcllary, and other large miltiary stations, jnurdering or maltreating all who fell into their hands, and plundering any vehicle that passed without a sufficient escort. They pillaged the smaller 192 NED F0RTE8CUE ; OR, pottas, when the inhabitants refused to join or aid them ij their schemes against the Government. To put an end to this state of things, two small but effec- tive brigades were organized and despatched ; one to the loj of the Ram Ghaut to keep open the main road, and protect! life and property, also to capture as many of these scoundreb as could be pounced upon. The other to a smaller Ghaut- 1 the name of which has escaped my memory, but it was situated between the latter post and the heavy brigade on the Ilunmunt Ghaut — in order if possible to force our way. (f}f to this brigade my regiment belonged) down some oUk\ narrow ravines to the valley below, and effect ajunctionwii a force that was to bo sent from Vingorla to meet us, ani separately or conjointly rout the enemy, and if found neccj- eary, reduce Seevapore to ashes. After a three days^ march througli a dense jungle. wt| arrived at the post assigned to us. The first thing to be done, after taking up our position, was to pitch camp, entrench i;, and make our quarters as comfortable as possible. Keconn*! tering parties were next sent out to ascertain the possibility)! practicabiUty of a descent. On our arrival a few Mlm showed themselves on the crest of the hill, and wasted a fe^l shots on us, then retreated, conveying information of oi whereabouts to their friends in the valley, who lost no tii: : stockading every possible avenue that led to the plain beloij *' I tell you what it is, Martin, these ruffians are try in;: ' i out-flank us," exclaimed an officer of ours, who had charg a party, consisting of fifty of our men and about the im\ number of native rifles, who were acting as coverers to aworll ing party engaged in constructing a road along a ravine. i;| get our light howitzers into play, should opportunity offer. The remark was made lo a handsome young man. apparl entlj about five-and-twenty, who was reclining at full hn^ ROUaniNO IT TUROUGH LIFE. 193 who bad cliar^ on the soft mossy grass, beneath the shade of an overhanging Invm tree, puffing clouds of smoke from a genuine Manilla. Iconsoling and amusing himself from time to time in knocking [off the white ashes from the end of bis cigar, with the gloved ^p of his little finger, without moving from bis recumbent osition. This youth was an exquisite of the first water, and iffecteel all the peculiarities of that class, who usually exist only in the drawing-rooms of St. James' and Pall Mall. I ive said that he was very handsome ; be dressed always lith studied elegance, and bis uniform fitted him to a charm. Ic wore kid gloves on all occasions, and never condescended wear any other than patent leather boots. The air became apiegnated with the odour of some exquisite perfume ihenever he flourished bis handkerchief, which he did rei[ueiitly. During the day, while moving about, except ihen on parade, be assumed a very slow measured step ; iver being hurried by any one, or any thing, and in conver- ition affected a lisping drawl, most amusing to listen to, jrhother the subject was of importance or of the most trifling iture. On one occasion, when on duty as orderly officer specting the rations of the men, a complaint was made to bin by the mess orderlies, that the meat furnished by the Dntractor was not as good as it ought to have been, and not all to his own satisfaction, be turned to the butcher and lid, " Oh toom slaughter man, doeseerah, wackett toom, cha, ghos, ney langa, um toom, ko general Sahib report UTimga, so, toom, deckonon." What he meant to convey the native butcher was, that the next time he failed to ipply good meat, be would report him to the general, and it he had better look to it. There was nothing peculiar in |iese words themselves, it was the haw, haw, drawling, ^octed tone in which they were uttered, and the superlative ive of the hand as be motioned the contractor to fall back 194 NED rORTESCUE ; OR, that was so irresistably comic. Stern disciplino prevente/l our laughing outright ; but many a time since I have enjojei a hearty laugh whenever the incident crossed my mind. All that he vouchsafed to do on the present occasion, waj to raise himself a little on his elbow, look through the small field-glass that he always carried in the direction indicateil Then, in his most drawling and affected style, replied, " Jj, dear fellow, they have not the ghost of an idea of such j thing," and sank back as if the effort had been almost too mach for him. lie was, to use the expression common amoni the men of the brigade, " an immense swell ;" but it waj also well known to us all that when bullets were fl yiii" a&l sabres flashing, there was no braver or better officer in tin force. If the rebels had not the ghost of an idea of flaukin' us, they certainly had a very sound and practical notion of it ; and if we had not changed our position, by throwin-'baci our right skirmishers and re-inforcing them, we should hart been out-flanked. On this being done, a smart fusilade ensuoi during which several of our men were struck. "Where n the dandy now ? All puppyism had vanished with the rewJ of the first rifle, leaving only the cool, efficient officer, iv flashing sabre was seen waving and glittering where tiie k\ was hottest. Skirmishes of this kind became almost ofdailJ occurence, in which many men were killed or wounded osl both sides, without any real advantage to either party. li day before Christmas we received the unpleasant iutelli^'eB that our supplies in the shape of rations had run out, aK none could be issued until the arrival of the stores tlii expected from Belgaum. It was Christmas morning, a balmy coolness pervaded tl air, the golden rays of the sun lit up the early dawn fleecy vapor-like clouds floated across the blue vault of lieaveD ROUOniNa IT TUROUOII LIFE. 195 ipVmo preveni«4 B I have enjoyed d my mind, mt occasion, \?u ] irough the sma'ill :ection indicateil. rlc, replied, "Mj I n idea of sucli ) been almost t% .on comvnovi amoii»[ veil ;" but it n\ ts were flying etter officer in \\A an idea of flaiikiDjI practical notion oil i,by throwing 1 m, we should Imtl art fusilade ensuci ruck. Where m bed Avith the repoitj cient officer, wl •ing where tliefin| ime almost of dail] ed or wounded ftither party. 1 ileasant iutellige had run out, aiii lof the stores ttei )lness pervaded i le ear ly dawi hue vault of heaveil a heavy mist hung over tho waters in the valley below, ghroudin" from view both stream and village — a sure indica- tion that intense heat would succeed as the day advanced. Christmas ! What recollections ? what old associations were awakened within us as the drums and fifes played through the camp some snatches from old carols or Christmas ballads 10 well remembered in the happy days of our childhood ? Who could fail to remember (even in tho far distant lands of the heathen, with the sounds of deadly strife constantly ring- in^ falling fast, and being unsupported by Europeans, coullj hold their ground, and in fact, had l^cgan to fall back. detachment of our regiment were told off without dolaTiJ this business ; eighty rounds of ammunition per man \t« issued, and in ten minutes we were descending at the d/i^ to the post. As we descended we met doolies convcjiii,';J bodies of those who had fallen, an(l some of the most scwrt wounded, while those more slightly wounded were lioUiij along towards camp, occasionally resting themselves the shade of some neighboring bush, and as best tliey oi; staunching the blood that flawed from their wounds, ii!,i| picked up by some passing dooly. "Ah, Major!" said young Campbell, a dashing oltieer'| ours, as we halted for a few moments to get licath beio: going into action, " so you have got your Christmas box. am afraid you will not have as much jaw as usual at nie^ this evening." This was said with a light laugh, without t!i least intention to hurt the feelings or offend the person whom it was addressed, for he was a particular friend aii associate. The wounded man looked up with a faint suiiij and a nod of acknowledgment. lie had been shot tlironil both chec'"!, the ball carrying away his lower toctli ai fracturing the jaw to some extent. Little did the lij hearted laughing Campbell dream that his ear would novel again listen to the chit-chat and badinage of the mess taWef that in a few short fleeting moments, he that was now all and spirit, would be lying dead in the cleft of the rocl:J water-course he was then descending. There was a hurried consultation among the officers ; tlij Sepoys were ordered to fall back, and with firm step clenched teeth we advanced to the work of death. The fiisii ROUaillNG IT THROUGH LIFE. 197 pocnnd stockades were earned in p;ood style, but the third a rc;^ular rasper, much liigher than either of the other with a triple row of loop-holes and mounted with several igals. The ravine was much narrower here, and the sides irc precipitous. Our advance was met with a heavy dis- I'lrc of matchlocks and jin^^als from the front of the stock- Both the ofiicers with the whole of the leading section int down, and with the exception of a man named Thacker mvsclf all wore either killed or wounded. The second third sections suffered nearly as bad, for the approach to stockade was enfiladed by a nuio'-er of the enemy, who red a continuous discharge on n^ Irom behind some bushes iwild cactus that ^rrew on eitV' i* side of tlvj ravine. It was infernal hole, and our connnandcr seeing the fearful odds it was against us, humanely, though reluctantly, gave the ier to fall back upon the second stockade. Here a post estabUshed, in rear of which our dead and wounded were rricd. So much had been gained, 1>ut at an awful cost of man Hfc and blood. |My left hand man, Charles Matlow, of whom I have fore spoken, Avas a man of great personal courage ; he had in several years in London where he worked as a stage rpenter at several of the minor theatres, acquiring a great 8te for theatrical representations, and was, as an amateur, no jan performer in the parts he usually assumed — such as a fgand, the pirate, a rebel chieftain, or the viUains of the flodrama. Although a kind and good-natured fellow, ho acquired a reckless habit of swearing, and his usual oath execration, was *' bloody shoot me." He was shot bloody }ugh ; he was fired upon from above, and the ball entering right temple, passed through his head, coming out at the ik, separating the jugular vein. He bled profusely, and forward ; but turning with his face upwards, in the same 198 NID FORTESGUE ; OR, n. manner as I had frequently seen him do on the stage, Tvhen playing his favorite characters, and with a soinid, half sigh, half groan, died immediately. Thacker and myself carriei his body to the rear, and placed it in a dooly. It was late in the afternoon, when we got back to camp, tired, wearied and hungry, but had nothing Avhercwith to appease our appetites. After washing away the stains of blood, dust and gunpowder, and diminishing my thirst \Yitlia long draught of good water, I flung myself on my pallet and soon lost all consciousness in sleep. I had slept about a couple of hours, when I was awoke by the bugle sounding the parade call. We were to be present at the burial service which was to be said over the bodies of the European portion of the force that had fallen. The place of interment was a clear open space at the rear of the camp — a wild romantic spot among the hills, surrounded by thick jungle over \s\k\i I perhaps the foot of man had never before trodden. The mournful procession, if I remember right, advanced as follows : The firing party, with arms reversed; the band, with muffled drums, playing the " Dead March in Saul ;" then came the| bodies, borne in doolies on the shoulders of their comrades; next the men of different corps under their respective non- commissioned officers, bare-headed, with their side-arms only; and lastly, the officers of the brigade with their swordil reversed. There being no chaplain with us, the senior officerl read the service in a clear, calm and audible voice, cm\ mencing Avith that beautiful and solemn portion of the Churcil eervice, '' I am the Resurrection and the Life, he that believeiil on me," &c. ; it was an affecting and impressive service. Ail the last of the three volleys— that final tribute of respecil always paid to the dead soldier — echoed among the neigtl boring hills,>he last rays of the setting sun sank below thil horizon, to rise again on the morrow, but not for the glorioiil ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 19d dead ; they would never again look upon evening's sweetness i or on morning's glory. Indeed the scene and occasion was one to call forth deep reflection. Death on the battle plain [amid the booming of cannon and clashing of the weapons of those engaged in bloody strife; the wild exulting shout of victory ringing on the ear, scarcely at the time heeded — for a soldier's death and a soldier's funeral arc two very different UcQnes — but now many a tear fell and many a gallant bosom heaved at the sad spectacle. A pyramid of small stones at the foot of several trees here and there mark the spot jbencath which the heroes rest in that last sleep which knows |no waking until the final trumpet shall sound. This was lindecd a solemn way to end our Christmas day. *' And is it there ye are, and by jabers taking it as aisy as fefye had dined with the Lord Lieutenant. The divil a soul Tould believe it's fasting ye have been these three days," kiid O'Toole, pushing aside the boughs beneath whose shade had thrown myself to smoke or sleep away the gnawing Dangs of hunger. " What is the matter, Bob," I enquired, " you seem exci- M." "Excited, and what is to hinder me. Haven't I been |iunting for you all over camp, and isn't there lashings of ate- ig and drinking going on, and be St. Patrick of blessed lemory, won't the grog bugle be after sounding in the twink* ig of a shillalah. Excited, be the hokey, I soon will be, or E'rn no O'Toole." I needed no further spur to accelerate my movements, but [ccompanied my chum to the rear of our tents, where a num- er of camp followers were vending to a group of hungry ohliers such edibles as black pudding, fried sausages, cow- |eel, curry liver cut in slices and stewed with onions and reen chillie, eggs and bacon, scons or pancakes and hopi «rs 200 NED PORTESCUE ; OR, made of rice flour, and cocoa-nut milk with plenty of hot coffee, The rations had just been issued, and the cooks were prepar- ing them, three meals in one, but few of us waited for that nearly all had money wherewith to purchase the savory anl to us tempting morsels prepared by the camp followers, and as Bob had predicted, it was not long before the grog bii;:le rang out far and near, which was greeted with a rousing cheer. It appeared that the general commanding had sent a couple of regiments of cavalry, who coming unawares upon the rebeli from their rear, had routed them and thus opened the road | for our stores to come on. ROUGHING IT THROUOn LIFE. 201 CHAPTER XVII. )CR attempt to force a passage down the ravine was ittended with so great a loss in killed and wounded, that it las not deemed expedient to renew it. And it subsequently ippcared that our loss was comparatively small to what it lust have been had we continued to advance in that direction |or stockades had been constructed in great numbers for (ipwards of two miles. Securely sheltered behind these tho knemy could, with little loss to themselves, shower destructive lolleysas we advanced, and then retire to their next and so In. A couple of days later the Brigadier, who with the Sngineer staff had been exploring the neighborhood on our fcglit flank, chanced upon a spot that suited tho purpose they ad ill view. It was a large overhanging clift', called the lephant Rock, from its shape and resemblance to that aniTnal. lie greater part of the rock, towards the base, was a perpen licular scarp, at the foot of which there was a spur or narrow idge, sloping down to the small plain where stood the village Seevapoore. To this position the greater portion of the rigade was removed. On the verge of the cliif a large der- |ck was erected, to which was attached by short chains, a der some two hundred feet in length, constructed of rope id bamboo. This was thrown over the face of t)^e cliff, by Ihich means we were to descend one by one. It \vasa novel |ea, and one which had by no means been anticipated by the ttemy, only a small number of them being observed in that rection. As soon as the arrangements were complete, a i2 •ams^B 202 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, few small mortars were placed near the edge, with just asuffi. cient quantity of powder to force the shells over the rock, Volunteers were called out to form the advance party to descend the ladder. A sufficient number sprang forward at the first call, but a controversy arose as to who should hi the party. I claimed the honor by virtue of having led the Forlorn Hope at Bunclla. This was disputed by our swell friend of the Rifles. The case was referred to the Brigadier. who decided in favor of Lieutenant Martin ; it being the pr^ vince of an officer to lead his men into action and where danger most threatened, but in consideration of my former service,! was permitted to be the second to descend this exciting tliou»ii perilous downward course. Just prior to starting a few slielij were dropped below, in order to make the jungle at the h of the cliff" especially uncomfortable to such of the foe as miglit be prowHng about in that vicinity. The command to desceni was at length given, and young Martin sprang on to the with his sabre swung by the sword knot to his wrist, to of his using both hands going down. Ho had likewise betweei his clenched teeth by the trigger guard a double barrel pistol, He had only descended about five rungs of the ladder when he was greeted by a shower of matchlock balls, o** rather pieces of rod iron cut about an inch in length, two of whicl took slight effect in his arm and in the leg, and the third struck the barrel of the pistol, sending it flying, with t\md\ the front teeth of the gallant. lieutenant. So great ^vas tk shock that he thought half his head was off, and he was m polled to return. I now took the lead and fortunately m; nautical experience enabled me to descend rapidly and wiii great ease, and quickly followed by the remainder of the partj We were favored with a volley, but it must have come froo a greater distance, as few of the shots took effect. Oi carried away my left shoulder knot, but drew no blood. W\ ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 203 forminpl';ig 1)osom glided hither and thither tlie gaily painted der boats, and those belonging to the vessels that crowded harbor, their white sails gleaming in the golden beams of morning sunlight. In the back ground, rose the wooded Bghts of Elephanta, thai island so famous for the superb ilpture of its extraordinary caves. I was reclining on an amanin my private office, facing an open window, inhaling rich perfume of some magnificent wild honeysuckle that jg in festooi)r«, and interlaced the hattice work of the veran- ■^JBHPPMRRSBI^B 214 KBD rORTBSCUE ; OR, dah, throwing a cool shade into the apartment, and while tlmj gazing on the quiet scene below, I was debating in mymin^ whether to jump into my palkee and be carried to the fon or indulge in that oriental luxury, a bath and siesta durin»i the excessive heat of the noon-day sun, Avhen a door thatleJ to the entry which communicated with my tastefully fitted uj bachelor quarters, suddenly opened, and Acbar All, my prii vate orderly, one of the smartest detective officers in theforcj entered, making his usual profound salaam. " What is it ?" I inquired, glancing in his direction. " A European Sahib wishes to see you in private," wui the reply. " Do you know the gentleman," said I, without niovisjl my position. " I have seen him before, but it is evident he does mi wish to be recognized by any ^ut yourself," quietly answereil the havildar, in Hindostauee. Although master of severjll native languages, he could not speak five consecutive mk\ in English. " Show him into the library, and say I will bo ^\•itll liimi a few minutes." He saluted and retired. I knew it woui be useless to conjecture as to whom the visitor might provt, for my position as chief of police brought me in contact vii all classes of society. I went to my dressing room, a: having made a slight addition to my toilet, entered t called library, for in fact it was my smoking room and genei sanctum sanctorum, by a small door partially concealed bj moveable screen, where I had an opportunity of observing ii visitor unsetn. He was a tall, handsome figure, and apj ently about 28 years of age. His features reflected in opposite mirror, for he was standing with his back towards were regular and finely cut ; the lower part of the face concealed by a heavy beard, moustache and whiskers of ravi ROuaniNa it THROuan lifb. 215 snt, andwhiletlmjl ating in my mini, arried to thefon, and siesta durbl len a door that leil tastefully fitted rj A.cbar Ali, my pJ officers in the im] n. his direction. lu in private," I, without moviiil evident he doesMl '," quietly answereil li master of severil e consecutive ^voriil [ will be with liiiniJ I knew it \sm visitor might provtj me in contact wia dressing room, a:j let, entered ihi\ ng room and genen ially concealed byj ity of observing El e figure, and apiij res reflected ini lis back towards! art of the face d whiskers of rav^ be Trhich contrasted strangely with the few curls of rich Ibrown hair that escaped from beneath the folds of the silken |t)u'Tfrree that encircled his sola topee. His whole figure was familiar to me, but I could not at the moment remember when or where we had met. My orderly was right ; he was for ame purpose or other in disguise. Is this visit intended for the chief of police, or are you the bearer of any message or commission from a friend ?" was IV enquiry, as I stepped further into the room. At the ound of my voice, he turned, advanced two or three stops jwards me, and exclaimed, " Fortescue, are we alone ?" I replied in the affirmative, le then removed his hat, and with it the beard and whiskers lluded to, and disclosed the handsome though pallid fea- ires of my friend and comrade Oscar Pcmberton ! '* What ny dear fellow, where on earth did you spring from ? Why bis disguise ? But you are unwell, let me give you some line. Nay, I insist," said I, filling out a tumbler of iced ierry, and forcing him to take it. lie swallowed it evi- [eutly with reluctance and more with a view of satisfying me lian from any benefit he expected to derive from it, or to re- Uve the depression under Avhich he was laboring. " Fortescue," said he as he placed the half emptied glass the table, " tell me, but do not tamper with mo, have you ^cn or heard anything of Clara ?" " Of Clara !" said I in astonishment. " Why, I under- Bod she was in Europe ?" " She is in Bombay," he replied gloomily. " Impossible, I must have seen her name among the list passengers," I reiterated. ["Nevertheless, she is, or was here. Listen while I ex- lin myself more fully. About six months ago I was pre- [iled upon by my family in Europe, much against my better 216 KED fortescue; or, judgment, to allow Clara to pay a visit to England, especially as I was unable to accompany her. It was a hard trial to me, — parting with one I so dearly loved, and who, I had long believed, loved me with equal tenderness. I finally consented, and she sailed for England. Four months passed, I had letters from her frequently during her stay. At leivnlil received one to say that she was going up to Loudon to spcDd a few weeks with some distant relatives of her father's who she had met, and that she would embark for Bombay ontliel mail steamer, that would arrive here on or about the third of the month. Unable to obtain leave of absence, I wrote to Shirlock, of the Ordnance Department, who with his family were residing on the Esplanade, and re(![uested him to ^ooi board, and fetch Clara ashore, and give her apartmentj in his bungalow until I could make arrangements m send for her. Judge of my surprise and consternation, wheil I received a letter from my friend Shirlock, to this purport, ' That he had boarded the Euglish mail very shortly afterl her arrival, but that Mrs. Pemberton was not there!' il lady calling herself Mrs. Percival Clifford, and who answerei exactly to the description of my wife, had embarked », Southampton, and had left the vessel with one of the gentlJ men passengers in the first bunder boat that had come alo;i.'| side ; but no one knew wliich of the passengers had acco!!i| panied her, nor had he up to the time of writing, obtaia?-! any clue to her whereabouts. I had a sad foreboding tlia some scoundrel had either by force or sophistry, pcrsuaJl her to leave one that loved her more than life, in order tliij she might minister to his licentious passions. And now,i dear fellow, I believe that you arc the only one that canassij me in this sad emergency. I know that in asking you. shall not meet with a refusal or a lukewarm assistance! *' My dear Oscar, are you not too hasty at jumpin;^ at ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIPB. 217 conclusion ? Clara may not have left England, and your friend may have been misled in the description given of the lady, Mrs. Percival Clifford, that would warrant the supposi- tion that she was your wife. However, I will leave no stone unturned to ascertain the facts of the case. This I can easily do through the agency of my secret police." He appeared to be satisfied, and thanked me warmly for taking the whole matter in hand. He had left his station without leave of j absence, hence his disguise, and the necessity of his immedi- ate return, or his absence might be discovered by his superiors, and lead to further trouble. I obtained from him his wife's portrait the better to enable me to prosecute my search. It gave him much pain to part with it, but he saw the propriety of my request. I promised to write to him full particulars jof what transpired should I succeed in tracing the lady. Il was to obtain an interview and report the result to him, land forward her address, so that he could if he wished com- ttunicate with her in writing. He then took his leave, hav- ig to call upon his friend Shirlock, prior to his departure on lie evening boat for Surat. Determined to lose no time in ascertaining whether my fiend's wife had in any way compromised herself, and if so what extent and with whom, I returned to my office, and Bnt my orderly to the head clerk, for a list of the passengers rrived by the last overland mail. He returned in a few iiinutes and handed it to me, when I found the name of Irs. Percival Clifford. " Acbar Ali, tell the Purvo Ramchum- ler, to get this copied into Mahratta. Then go to the Town lajor's Adjutant General's office, and anywhere else, that lay be necessary, and find out how many of these persons ive gone up country, and how many remained in Bombay, id where they are at present residing, and let me have }ur report early to-morrow morning." The detective took 218 NED fortescue; or, the list, made his salaam, and vanished. Thus having ;«; matters in train, I indulged in the siesta before alluded to. The following morning after the usual routine of my dutjej had been gone through, I summoned my orderly to make hb report, which he did, reading it off as follows : " Of the pas- sengers arrived by the steamsliip CJuna, seventeen had lef- the Island, and six remained. Major and INIrs. Selby Hope Hall Hotel, Mazagon ; L. P. Sandhurst, Civil Service, at liij bungalow. Race Course Road, Byculler ; Ensigns E. Comee J. Bemick, attached to the companies European Regimen- stationed at Colaba, and Mrs. Percival Clifford, residence unknown." " Am I to find out ?" said he looking up, ask finished reading his report. " Not at present, but you m;iv tell the Ilamalls to bring my palanquin round to the offiiv door, and do not leave here on any account until my return, as I then may require you." The first point forme to determine, was, whether Mij, I Percival Chfford and ]Mrs. Oscar Pemberton were oneani the same person, I prepared myself for a visit to the ILjj^| Hall Hotel. Writing the lady's name on a card, and plac- ing the portrait with it in my sabrotash, I jumped into iiivi palkee. " Is Major Shelby staying here ?" I inquired A the proprietor of that establishment, half an hour later. *' Yes, Sir, you will find him in yonder verandah" — poiutinj across the spacious hall — replied that polite hiJi vidua!, Advancing in the direction indicated, I found the gentlemaJ in question. " Good morning, major, are you disengaged for a few minutes ?" I inquired as I approached. "I as: at your service. Sir ; but you have the advantage of me,'' lie rephed, bowing politely. I handed him my card. '' Cli of Police !" said he, looking up enquiringly ? I bowed. '' IJ ■what am I indebted for this visit, or in what way canlsemj you ?" " You arrived from Europe by the steamer Chm.\ ROUGHING IT THROUOH LIFB. 219 believe. He assented. " Among the passengers, there was a lady named Mrs. Percival Clifford, was there not, Sir ?" «' There was indeed,'* he unhesitatingly replied, " and a most beautiful creature she was. In fact usually styled, the fascinating Clifford." " You then would have no difficulty in recognizing her, if you should meet ?" I inquired. " None in the least," he answered. I produced the likeness I had received from Oscar, and handed it to the major. " That is her," he exclaimed the moment he saw it. '* But I hardly think the artist has done her justice. This looks much younger, but I suppose it may have been taken some five or six years ago ?" I assented. " Has there anything gone wrong ?" enquired the major. I answered, by a shrug of the shoulders. " I fancied there was a screw loose somewhere from the violent flirtation that was continually going on be- tween her and Mr. Sandhurst, of the Civil Service. She is young and beautiful, and he rich and handsome ; and if re- port speaks truly a great admirer of the fair sex generally. But for that matter half the young fellows on board were going crazy about her." While the major was running on, evidently carried away by the recollections of the fascinating CHfford, I quietly wrote down the name of " Sandhurst '* in my memorandum book. Then after a few comments on the weather and other matters, I took my leave, and returned to my oflfice, and summoning Acbar Ali, I gave him the following instructions : " You will ascertain if there is any European lady residing at Mr. Sandhurst's bungalow. If any of the bungalows at Tardeo, Walkeshaw, Mharluximee, BycuUa or Chingleparra have been occupied recently by any European lady, find out whether Mrs. Percival Chfford, who arrived by the overland mail, is residing there, or if she has left the island. Look at this and remember the features," said I, showing him the likeness of Clara. " This is Mrs. 220 KED F0RTE8CUE ; OR, Percival Clifford, should you meet her anywhere, place her under strict iurveillanee. Take any number of men you require, but the utmost secrecy must be observed." During the c. i"se of the next day, I received from my subordinate this information—*' That Chittygong Lodge, the property of Sorabjee Pestonjee, and situated at Shingleparra. had been sold to a Mrs. Oscar Pemberton, and been elegantly furnish- cd by Rantoola and Jaffa Sullimon, furniture dealers, and the bills which were all paid, were made out in the name of the same lady ; that Mrs. Percival Clifford, passenger by the last overland mail, after residing for four days in the British hotel in the fort, had moved into the said bungalow, where she was now living with her servants only ; that Raggoo Bappoo, No. 342, of the detective force, had been installed as house hammall and had reported that the lady received no visitors except Mr. Sandhurst, of the Civil Service, who called usually after sunset, and generally remained there until after supper, which was usually served at eleven p. m. That lie, the havildar, had seen the lady walking in her compound or garden, and that she bore a striking resemblance to the por- trait shown him by the chief." This was the substance of my orderly's report ; and from the information gained, there was no reasonable doubt but that my friend's secret foreboding had been but too truly verified. That his wife, young, inexperienced, and alone among strangers, had fallen a victim to the lures and wiles of that polished man of the world and heartless libertine, Leonard Sandhurst. This would be a bitter draught for poor Oscar, when he should learn the result of my enquiries, which I was verj loath to communicate. But he had wrung from me a promise to conceal nothing from him,, and I had no other alternative than to comply ; but I deferred doing so until after I should I have had an interview with Clara. She might bepcrsuaJei ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 221 to leave her present protector, and return to her home, and thus I should be spared the pain of a recital of what had transpired since her arrival from Europe. And Oscar was too fond and forg* 'ng to distress her by any question on such a subject. Oscar Peraberton and I entered the service about the same time, and made each other's acquaintance on board the Indiaraan, during our passage out. lie was of Irish parentage, but born and educated in England, and possessed all those dashing military qualities so characteristic of his race. He was brave and impetuous, confiding and generous, almost to a fault. On our arrival in India, we were posted to the same regiment, and remained fast friends and com- rades until he and his beautiful bride left to join his staflf appointment in the Northern division, procured for him through the influence of the colonel of her father's late regiment. Captain Stanley, Clara's father, had been an officer in a light dragoon regiment, and while out tiger shooting in the Warree jungles, had made his head-quarters at Goa, a Por- tuguese settlement on the coast near Vingorla. Here he met and fell in love with the beautiful Isadore Braganza, who was being educated in one of the convents outside the city. She was of Portuguese descent on her father's side, her mother being an Italian. After a few stolen interviews in the convent garden, he persuaded her to elope with him to the nearest European station, where they were married. She being an orphan with no fortune wherewith to endow the church, the Portuguese ecclesiastics gave themselves little trouble concerning her marriage with a heretic. Clara was the fruit of this union, but unfortunately her mother died before she had reached her seventh year, and her father transferred that love, with which he had almost idolised his young wife, to his motherless daughter. He would not hear 222 NED fortescue; or, of her being sent to England for education, and bein'' a man of a refined and cultivated mind, and highly educated, he devoted himself to the superintendence of her studies. Her music lessons were directed by the band master of the regiment, in which she made rapid progress, astonishing and delighting her friends with her brilliant performance of Bellini's and Verdi's Operas, both vocally and instrumentallj; her voice being a superb soprano. When she was about fifteen her father managed to get into some difficulty \\t\ a superior officer, which resulted in his having either to stand a court martial or resign his commission. ROtTGniNQ IT TimOUOH LIFE. 223 CHAPTER XIX. In' this unpleasant dilcraraa, Captain Stanley chose the latter alternative, and left the service, retiring into private lite. But the monotony of civil life was ill-snited to one who had been so actively employed for years, having still many friends in the country on whose influence he could rely, he entered the Company's service , and was immediately I appointed a warrant officer, with the post of riding-master in [a regiment of native cavalry, a position of great respectability, and one that he was well qualified to fill. Shortly after our [return from the Southern Mahratta campaign, their regiment Icamc to our station. Oscar Pcmberton and I had been invited to a ball at the artillery mess, and here we first met IClara Stanley ; and I remember that my impressions at the jtlme were that she was one of the most beautiful creatures I [had ever met — scarcely seventeen, above the middle height, land graceful as a young fawn, delicate and regular in fca- jture, with a soft fair complexion, warming into a richer tint ipon the checks and lips — with long jet black hair reaching Itolier waist, and large long-lashed dark eyes, with an ineffa- jble grace in every glance and motion. She Avas attired in a pale Axurien satin dress, with an over-skirt of white crape, pooped up with small bouquets of white convolvulus, her Ipretty little feet, which iDceped from beneath her dress as [she glided gracefully about, were encased in white satin hlippers ; a necklace of pearls encircled her swan-like neck, and she wore no other ornaments, save an exriuisitely wrought 224 Ked fortescue ; oft, gold cross set with rubies. A single white camelia vaj interwoven in the rich tresses of her luxuriant hair. I solicit. ed and obtained her hand for a set of quadrilles, which sli« danced with exceeding grace, and was much charmed with her wit and gentle manners. During the evening I wj, introduced to her father, who, being an Englishman, and brought up in London, had many topics of mutual interest on which to base our conversation. He seemed pleased with my manners, and gave me a carte blanche to visit him at his | pretty little bungalow near the cavalry lines. Peraberton, who had been waltzing with Miss Stanley, now came up and led her to a seat near her father ; he also was included in the same courteous invitation, very much to the satisfactioj of that gentleman, for it was quite evident that he had fallen | head and ears in love with the little divinity, for he I neither eyes nor thoughts for any but her the rest of the I evening. I never saw a fellow so desperately in earnest, or so far gone in love on so short an acquaintance. He could think and talk of nothing else but the fascinating Miss Stan- ley. He declared to me, that come what might, he would never rest until she had consented to become his wife, thougii| he had to fight every fellow in camp that might lay claim her hand. *' Well," said I, laughingly, *' as I am in sol hurry to become a benedict, and certainly have no inclina-l tion to be shot through the head for the love of the ladyj charming though she be, you need fear no rivalry in me, biitl on tKe contrary, I shall be happy to afford you all M assistance in my power to further your interest in this matj ter.*' " Thank you, my dear fellow ; of course I count oil your good nature to aid me in case of an emergency. ll fancy there will not be any very great objection on the parti of my enslaver ; but her father, who is as proud as LuciferJ doubtless expects a much higher position in the social scalil ROUailING IT TllUOUtill LIFE. Ifor hi? daughter than I can at prosout offer her ; but you Ikiiow the old sayin.i^, a faiut licart never won a fair huly, land I «'^»n resolved to carry the fortress cither by strategem lor by a '^oup tie main /" We called frc([uently on our new iciiuaintauccs, sometimes together, and occasionally alone, 1,1 1 was not long in discovering by the heightened color and sunny smile with which she always greeted my friend, Ithat she was not insensible to the gallant attentions and baudsomc person of young Pemberton. He at length made formal application to her father for her hand in marriage, and was politely but firmly refused, and it was intimated bt his presence at the bungalow hereafter would be con- kdered as an intrusion ! This was a snd damper to Oscar's lopes, but nothing daunted, he determined to proceed, well liiowing that ht had a powerful ally in the daughter who did |ot disguise her love, or willingness to receive his attentions. Ir. Stanley was an excellent chess-player^ and always ready meet an antagonist at that noble game, and finding that I lad acquired considerable proficiency at the game, he regu- irly challenged me to test his skill for an hour or so when- m I made my appearance beneath his hosi)itable roof. This [did not fail to turn to good account on behalf of the lovers. jlara would watch the progress of the game for a short le, making comments on the various moves, until her Ltlier was deep in the mysteries of check and checkmate. be would then take up a book and saunter out and on to b verandah for the ostensible purpose of enjoying a quiet p, reading her fiivorito author, but in reality to meet her Fer among the rose bushes that skirted her pretty flower bden. [The trysting place was a quiet spot, screened from the igalow and shaded from the heat of the sun by the over- ging branches of some mango and custard apple trees. k2 HBP"^^ 226 NED FORTESCUB : OR, He had given her a code of signals, by which from d back of the summer-house she could let him know when I had succeeded in inveigling her father into some difficult problem at the chess board, a circumstance which Oscv never failed to take advantage of to urge his suit ; andii this way their clandestine courtship was carried on for son weeks, when an accident happened which entirely chaii(>ei| for a time the aspect of things. Mr. Stanley, while at nid drill in the manege, received a kick from one of the traJ horses, and died within a few hours after the unfortunjj occurence took place. Clara left an orphan by thisai event, and having neither relations nor connections in tbi country, thankfully accepted the proffered hospitality j{ Captain and Mrs. Barrington, who, having no child of theii own, extended to Miss Stanley their sympathising by ofifering her an asylum in their comfortable home, so as she should desire to remain with them. Six months afel the death of her father, Oscar Pemberton renewed liiil application for her hand, and with so much ardor did ti press his suit, that he overcame all the objections that k\ could raise, and she finally consented to becomf his wife. The good nptured quarter-master and his amiable \m seeing that both had set their hearts upon the match, m having no legal right to object to or postpone the weddinj did all in their power to give the greatest possible edat d the celebration of the marriage ceremony. There wai wedding breakfast at noon, and a bail in the evening, proved one of the most brilliant of the season. I occu; the position of bridesman on this auspicious occasion. Tlij happy couple left after a few days en route for Ahmedabai^ Oscar and I had frequently met since his marriage, as lis publi'' duties often brought him to Bombay ; but Mrs. Pew bcrton I had not seen since the morning I wished her fin^ ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFI4 227 I well, prior to her departure for the Goozeratt, and I wai now called upon to seek an interview which I felt would prove not only distressing to her but embarrassing to myself. I therefore delayed it as long as possible, hoping that some circumstance might arise that would obviate the necessity for I my so doing. " I say, Fortescue, why the deuce do your people not put la stop to this abominable nuisance," called out my friend Morton, as he passed me, at a smart canter, as I entered the Ifine road that led from the native town across the esplanade of the fort and the Apollo bunder. The abomination alluded to was the long lines of byragges, or professional beggars, [who regularly every evening took up their position on either side of the road in question, to await the arrival of the rich baronet, Sir Jamsetgee Jeejeebhoy, rhose daily custom it was to ride slowly along, distributing with a bountiful hand to these miserable impostors pice (copper coin}. This cer- Itainlywas a nuisance, but not more so than many other customs of the rich natives. For instance, if a Banyan wished to entertain his poorer caste men with a dinner, the side of the street near his residence was swept clean, and his [friends, in two lines, to the number of several thousand, would seat themselves, or most generally squat on their hun- kers in double rows, each having before him a large plate or mat made of leaves sewn together. The cooks then came ! round and filled each man's plate again and again, until the appetite was appeased. They C:f rose and departed. No knife, fork or spoon were used. The fingers of the right hand sufficed. For all this, be it remembered took place in the open street in view of every passer-by, ana to European ideas this disgusting exhibition was anything but agreeable. The government, no doubt, had their own reasons for allov^l.lg these things to be oarri'^d :>n, and I was not authorized to [interfere with ih^m. 228 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, It was a beauciful evening, the sun had lost its power, and the esplanade looked fresh and green. Hundreds of natives of all castes and occupations wore passing and repassing from the fort to the several bunders or their homes in the native town. The [spires of the churches and the tops of the lofty government buildings in the fortress rose above its embattled walls, and stood out in bold relief against the serene and crimson-tinted sky. On one part of the green some re i ments of native infantry were going through their evolutions, to the no small amusement of some groups of seamen belong- ing either to the Indian Navy or Merchant Marine, who were ashore on liberty, for a few hours. The splendid band of the garrison was enlivening the sc^ne with some excellent music, for the amusement of the Europeans, who both rode and walked round and round, and chatted freely in little clusters concerning the latest news, or the last 07i dit. Arabs, Moguls, Persians and Hindoos, dashed past in splendid equipages. Their rich and varied oriental costumes tended much to heighten the gay and picturesque appearance of this great moving panorama. As the bright orb of day sank beneath the watery horizon, casting its golden and purple shadows on rock and tree, the devout Parsees knelt, and bent reverently their heads to the sand at the edge uf the water on Back Bay beach, and paid their dailj hciuago m: worship to the glory of the setting sun, for they were tirciples of Zoraster, the fire worshipper. I had reined in my horse to listen to one of my favorite operas, when my orderly advancing gave me a piece of blank paper, which he took from the folds of his turban, and then said in a low voice, " Brown shigrara ; bay horses ; just Id front of your horse's head, lady from Shi ^It Para." I handed the paper back, saying, "No ord^^: ; -v', pr^-ent." He saluted, and then retired. I presently ^^la 'jvhicli,[ like most others in this class of bungalow, was separate] | from the dining-room by a rich silken screen set in an elaWl rately carved black wood frame with moveable sides or wing!, [ In [one part of the room stood a handsome grand piano ;ii| another a harp ; a guitar, and a roll of music were lying ( one of the lounges. While engaged in looking over m\ fine engravings, I heard one of the dining-room doors and in another minute Mrs. Pemberton entered through tkl folding screen. ** Oh ! Fortescue,*' she exclaimed, " is it indeed you ?"ii| she advanced quickly towards me, extending as she did both her hands ; but she stopped short ere she reached i ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. ^Sl and said, " No, no, I had forgotten you were his friend, his brother in arms !'* and sank pale and agitated on the nearest ottoman, bhe was but a girl, scarcely eighteen when we last met ; her then budding charms were now fully developed in the superbly handsome woman before me ; her foreign tour, and moving as she had done in the best European society, had imparted to her a deportment at once elegant, graceful and bewitching ; yet it was sad to think that one so young and lovely, had fallen from that position she was so well calculated to adorn ! With an effort she controlled her emotion and said «0h! Fortescue, do noc upbraid me with my wretched infatuation ! I cannot bear it from you, who in happier years was my most valued friend." " Believe me, Mrs. Pemberton, I came on no such errand," I repHed kindly. ** At the urgent request of Oscar," (as I mentioned his name, she trembled violently, turned deadly pale, and gasped out hurriedly,)" Is he here ? Does he already know ?" " He is not here," I continued, " but has been, and is aware of your arrival in Bombay. He has commissioned me to say that he is willing to forget the past, and receive you to his heart again, if you will but return home. Believe me, he is too much attached to you to reproach you for any- thing that has transpired since you left him." She remained silent for a few minutes, and then said with a forced calmness, " It can never be, it is too late ; I can never again return to that home which I am so unworthy to enter. I know his generous and forgiving nature, but do not attempt to dissuade me from my purpose, it will be worse ! than useless. No ; I would sooner perish by my own hand than meet the husband whose feelings and whose honor I have 80 grossly outraged. No ! I have taken my fate in my own hands, the die is cast, and I must bear the burden which I lave brought upon myself. But tell me in what way Oscar 232 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, became acquainted with the fact of my dishonor. Speak out'' she said, seeing that I hesicated. " Do not spare me, I have nerved myself to hear all," and she sank back amon'^ tlie cushions of the ottoman, and hid her face in her hands. I then related to her Oscar's visit to my office ; his applica- tion for my service to ascertain her whereabouts ; the eT.ertion of the police to trace her, and the surveillance she had moved under. At the word surveillance, she started up ; the crirason flush of anger,or offended pride suffused her brow,and her ma'^- nificent eyes flashed with some of their usual fire, as she drew herself proudly up. ^'Clara," said I, seeing that she was about speak, " Hear me out. Were it not for the steps that had been taken by the police at my instigation, your real position in spite of your seclusion, would long ere this have become the talk of the whole island. It was for your own and Oscar's sake that I have taken these precautions, which will prevent the intrusion of those who would force themselves upon you, and from whose society you would turn with loathing and abhorrence. I have at least saved you from that degradation. Only a very few, those immediately concerned, are aware that the wife of Oscar Pemberton is in Bombay." " Oh, Fortescue, forgive me for my unjust suspicions of your motives ; accept the thanks of one who must have lost tlie esteem of so valued a friend." I felt much embarrassed, both on her as well as on my own account, especially as I had failed to accomplish the object of my visit, and sliortly after rose to depart ; but before I did so, I obtained from her a brief account of her entanglement with Sandhurst prior to her leavin"; Endand. It appears they had met at the house of a mutual acquain- tance. He was struck by her exceeding loveliness and charming manners, and as they moved in the same circle, he had every opportunity of making himself agreeable to her, ROUGHING IT THROtGIl LIFE. 233 At the ball, the opera and route — ^he paid her those attentions go pleasing to one in her peculiar position ; and with such tact did he veil his intentions, that she soon learned to regard him with anything but indifference, and to look up to him for counsel and advice. And as they were to sail for India in the same vessel, he persuaded her to allow him to make all arranf'ements for the passage out. A short time prior to her departure from England, they were engaged in some private theatricals, in which she played the part of Mrs. Percival Clifford, and he that of her former lover. This was the fore- I runner of her ruin — for it was owing to this circumstance that Sandhurst had conceived the idea of engaging her passage I under the name of Clifford — trusting to his power of persua- sion and the general influence he had over her to gain her consent to assume it. He did not overrate his powers ; but it was not ' til she was on board that she became acquainted Iwith this circumstance. Bemg thrown constantly together during the passage, he Ihad an opportunity in their long conversations, and during jtheir visit to Gibraltar, Malta, and other places of interest on the route, to undermine or destroy the better principles of iemature, and prepare her for the part he intended her to play on their arrival at Bombay. In this he succeeded only too Tell ; one by one her scruples vanished before his passionate jppeals, and she finally consented to take that downward tep which resulted so fatally for the happiness of those most oncerned. On my return home I wrote to Oscar, telling him what had ranspired in my unsuccessful attempts to induce Clara to ejoin him, and request him to take no rash step in conse- quence thereof, which would lead to a public exposure of his Bmestic affairs, and no real good could be effected by such proce«diag. 284 NED PORTESCWE ; OR, " What is it, Acbar Ali ?" I enquired, as I observed that energetic officer coming rapidly towards me, as I was in the act of mounting my horse to attend a ball at Government House at Parrell. " The gentleman who gave information concerning the lady at Chittagong Lodge is here, and is going to visit her at nine this evening. " Are you sure ? I did not know he was in Bombay," I replied. ^' I saw him enter the Byculla Club House, and heard him tell the hamalls, that he should require them to carry him to Shingle Para at nine o'clock, and to bo sure and not be behind time," said Acbar Ali. I looked at my watch, it was half past seven. Rash, impe- tuous, Oscar, should he and Sandhurst meet, there would be blood spilt between them. This, I determined, if possible, to prevent ; and made arrangements to meet such an cmcrgencj should it arise. " Request Dr. De Costa to meet me a quar- ter before nine, near the bungalow on the Parrell road. leil him to bring his case of instruments with him, and havej dooly in attendance, and let the bearers go by the back mj across the Byculla flats, and enter the date grove at the ik of the house, and remain there until called for. Be smart, Acbar, and leo no mistake or delay occur." I then re-entered iiij office (for I had an hour to spare) to arrange my plans. Dr. DeCosta was surgeon to the force, a gentleman of Portugueii descent, very skilful, quiet and good-natured ; in fact, ih very man to send, should any contingency such as I an pa'ted arise. At half-past eight I mounted my horse anJ rode towards Shingle Para. " Is that you. Dr. ?" I calkJ out in a quiet tone, as the figure of a man moved beneath ikj shadow of a date tree. " It is !" was the subdued reply. dismounted and explained to him the business on hand, I observed tliai as I was in the at Government icerning the My visit her at nine 3 in Bombay," li 50, and hcardlilml m to carry him t^ | and not be iven. Rash, impe- let, there \YOuldl}i ined, if possiUe,io such an emcvgencj ,0 meet me a quar- Parvell road. let [i him, and have j p by the back n] Q crrove at the side r.Besniart,\cbr, en re-entered w ge my phins. Dt. man of Portuguesi red ; in f^^ct, tin y such as I autici- ted my horse aiii' J),., V" I calkl! moved beneath tkl subdued reply. jsiness on baud. ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 235 cave him a brief sketch of the whole story, and he promised hearty co-operation in my plans. I suggested that he should IDotenter the bungalow until he heard my signal, or the clash of weapons. As I left him he bowed approvin Jy, and I quietly ade my way through the shrubbery, and posted myself on ihe verandah, close to one of the drawing room windows. The night was dark, but the room was brilliantly illuminated vealing everything distinctly in the apartment. There ere six French windows to it, all of which I could command full view of with the exception of one near the door which as partially concealed by a silk screen. Clara had been (laying, for I heard the sound of music as I approached, but ceased as I stepped on the verandah, and I saw Sandhurst d her from the piano, and seat her beside himself on a perb conversation-couch in the further end of the room with le hand round her waist in a most loving manner, while with le other he played with the luxuriant tresses of her beautiful ckhair that fell on her magnificent shoulders ; her face was tly tarned from him as if in thought. He was evidently ;ing her to accede to some request, but I could not lertain the purport of his words. A slight noise at one of front windows caused me to glance in that direction. I over the top of the screen that it was being quietly opened in a moment after a figure entered the room in rear of the This I was certain must be Oscar. I passed rapidly een. ad the angle of the verandah in the hope of being in time |>revent a collision, but I was too late, for as I entered, I rd Oscar thunder out : " Scoundrel, take the reward of villany," and in another instant the report of a pistol [heard through the bungalow. At the first sound of Oscar's Sandhurst sprang up, and turned in the direction from ^h he came, and received the bullet in his shoulder. With ■y of pain and ^^^^ ^q fell back on the couch. Clara, 236 NED I'ORTESCUE ; Olt, an' terrified beyond measure at the sight of the bleedin^ prostrate form of her protector, started up and recognized tb pale and livid features of her husbar I as he stood beneat the glare of the chandelier, vengeance gleaming from hi flashing eyes, which were bent upon the fallen man. Uttering a wild piercing shriek, she turned and fled the folding screen to her own apartment, the door cIosidj behind her. Oscar stood for a moment as if paralyzed. Ht allowed me to take the pistol from his hand. I had scarcelj done so, when a dull heavy sound smote the ear, as if somj. thing had fallen in the adjoining apartment. With one bona he cleared the intervening couch, and dashed into his wife'i room. I followed him, but we were too late, for there extea ed at full length on the Persian carpet in front of her toiJ table lay the lifeless form of his wife ; her face was tund upwards, and in one hand was firmly clutched in the graspj death a small vial labelled Prussic acid, the contents of wlidl she had swallowed, and the effect must have been instann neous. The report of the pistol had been heard by the geon who now entered, and, on examination, pronounced! extinct. He assisted to place the body on the bed, and ati request he went to attend to the wounded man, who hadfai ed from loss of blood. I succeeded in drawing Oscar from the room before of the servants entered. I led him through an ante-roomj the back verandah, where by entreaty and persuasioii| prevailed upon him to quit the place. I pointed out tol the event that must necessarily follow, if he insisted i remaining. A coroner's inquest would eUcit the whole I of the case and supply a theme for gossip to thousands ; if| would trust the matter entirely to me I would managed his name or hers should not be made public, and thei nature of the occurrence should never be brought to I ROOOHINQ IT THROUail LIFE. 237 ken in a voice hoarse with emotion, he answered : *' Fortes- L I will trust to you to see that my poor lost Clara be pro- rly attended to, and no expense spared in the arrangements her interment." He then sprang from the verandau, ippeared among the rose bushes, and before sunrise the It morning he had left the Island of Bombay far behind iThe surgeon having dressed the wound which Sandhurst received, he then had him placed in the dooly that had en brought to the bungalow. Having given the necessary tractions to the servants and prevailed upon the good- [tured surgeon to give me the required certificate, and also romise of assistance in carrying out the arrangements for I funeral, I left two of my men on duty at the bungalow prevent any intrusion, I proceeded to the ball at Parrell IJien returned to my office. On the following morning I 5ie two notices, which I caused to be inserted in the morn- ; papers, as follows : " Died, of Asiatic Cholera, at her fcdence, Chittagong Lodge, Shingle Para, Mrs. Oscar, ofCapt. 0. Pemberton, Staflf Corps, deeply regretted.*' Serious accident. — Yesterday, while Leonard Sandhurst, C. S., was engaged in cleaning his rifle, the weapon bdently exploded, and the ball passed through his shoulder ttering the bone to a considerable extent, but it is the ^ion of his medical men that the wound, although serious ot likely to prove fatal." A copy of which I sent to ar and one to Sandhurst, in order to -a. ible them to em themselves accordingly in this matter ; but my old ad and comrade, the gay and light-hearted Oscar, never |)vered from the shock his feelings had sustained. He tly after exchanged into one of the regular regiments, and ig the Persian campaign, at the battle of Kooshab, fell ie head of his troop while making a dash on one of the 238 NED lORTEflCUE ; OR, Persian squares ; nor did the unprincipled authc of all \m misery long survive his victims, for Judge Sandhurst diei oj jungle fever at Rhutnagerrie, on the coast, four montl^ subsequent to the conclusion of the Persian war, and as noa of the servants were aware of the proper name of the mistrej I believe that the Doctor and mj :ire the only parties wJ are in possession of the facts concerning the sad fate of rj beautiful and unfortunate, though erring, Clara Pemberton, ROUflHINa IT THROUGH LIFE. 239 CHAPTER XX. IIt was about two years subsequent to the event related in our last chapter, that the tocsin of war again sounded through kiiudc and Afghanistan, and on my regiment being ordered lor field service I threw up my civil appointment, and leaving Bvwifc ^vith her relations in Poena, (for I had married some Doiitlis previously), rejoined, and during the campaign which Ibllowcd, we took part more or less in the various engago- Dcnts >vhich ensued, at Mooltan, Chillianwalla, Peshawa, perozashab, and others of minor consequence. The brilliant [ploits there achieved, hardships, difficulties and privations iJured, have won for them a name on the page of history, ttdhave been painted in more glowing colors than I can dare tpire to ; therefore, with this brief notice I pass on to scenes jid incidents of a comparatively later date. At the close of this successful campaign, we returned to own presidency, and an appointment on the staflf of a [tive regiment having been offered me, I accepted ; and on way to Neemuch, where the corps was stationed, while (ivening through Khandiesh, we overtook Captain and Mrs. like ourselves en route to join their regiment at sserabad, some hundred and fifty miles beyond the head- rters of the one I had been posted to, we travelled together remainder of the way I had to accomplish. On arriving jtlie Xerbudda, one of the largest rivers in that section of atry, the following circumstance occurred. On a beautiful bnlight evening, Captain S who was a short distance 240 NED FORTESCUB J OK, in advance, mounted on a powerful thorough-bred charger^ for I had dismounted some half-hour previous and had taken a seat in the garrie or travelling carriage, for the purpose enjoying a social chat with Mrs. S and my wife • the ibrmer had been several years in the country, and was quite accustomed to the difficulties and annoyances usually to be encountered while travelling from one station to another ani always whenever practicable, made it a rule to accompany her husband. The approach to the river was ratb.^r steep and somewhat rocky, consequently much caution was neces^ sary in descending. On arriving at the top of the bani Captain S halted, and turning round in his saddle, called out to our driver to get down and " chark bunda," or putonP the drag, to prevent a too rapid descent. While speaiin'J his horse suddenly bounded from one side of the road to tiiel other, nearly unseating the gallant Captain by his suddej movement ; and the poor animal trembled violently. M Captain, on recovering his balance, looked about to ascertaiii| what had startled the noble creature, and to his surprise dismay, discovered a genuine Bengal tiger quietly lapping lid water at the brink of the river . He drew his revolver, ai called to me for assistance, as he was sure that if the ti^' made an attack, it would be either on his horse or the bullocij drawing the garrie. At the sound of our voices, the ti^^J looked towards us and growled fiercely, at the same tii slowly moving his tail backwards and forwards as he re-enten the jungle, thus so far assuring the ladies who were natural] somewhat alarmed, that they were in no personal danger, f| we considered ourselves more than a match for the k footed foe. I slipped as quickly as possible at the back of the vehicij with my double barrelled rifle, and took up a position ui cover of some bushes on theverge of the jungle. I ■ i— ROUGHINa IT THBOUGH LIFE. 241 scarcely gained the spot wlien I observed the animal break throuf^h the brushwood that skirted the road and with glaring eves settle himself for a bound at my friend's horse. It was a'critical moment, and it would be useless for the Captain to dischar'^e his revolver, which would have had no effect on the tou'^h hide of the tiger ; his only chance was, that should the brute pounce upon the neck or shoulder of the horse, as is their usual custom, to thrust his weapon into the creature's 1 mouth, and blaze awav. I cocked my rifle, and as the lord |of the jungle was in the act of springing, discharged both barrels simultaneously, and succeeded in lodging a brace of bullets in his shoulder ; uttering a growl of pain, he fell with great force to the ground, mortally wounded, within a few feet [of Captain S , who immediately dismounted, and with |bi3 revolver finished the business by emptying a few of its [chambers in the ear of the expiring foe. It must have been blf-famislied, for this class of animals seldom attack mankind unless pursued, wounded, or ravenous for food. This little natter having been settled, we went on our way rejoicing. In travelling through almost any part of India, it is neces- [sary to carry with you ham, bacon, salt beef, tongues, tea, ^ugar, coifee, brandy, beer or Avine, and in all cases your Miling, for there are no hctels or other places of refreshment iliere you could be accommodated. There are villages about very two miles along the public high road, where the tra- veller may obtain milk, eggs, fowl, rice, oil and native vegeta- bles ; and at some of the largest ones where Mahommedans are ping, you can sometimes obtain a young kid or goat's moat. )awk bungalows, or halting places for European travellers, ive been erected by the government about every fourteen liles along the principal road ; they are substantially iilt, and usually contain three rooms, each having a »ne-bottom bedstead, two chairs and a table, also a good L 242 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, pnnka ; there is likewise a cook-house and stable attached with a putta walla in charge, Avhosc duty it is to fetch from th? nearest village such supplies and articles that the traveller may require provided they can be obtained. Your own servants do the cooking and all other attendance ; but no person is allowed to occupy one of those rooms longer than three days, unless in case of sickness, when permissiou mm: be obtained froir jo nearest engineer officer in cliar"eof the buildirg. One rui)ee Ttwo shillings sterling) is the fee charged to each person r diem. The rank and name of the parties, -with amount paid has to be entered by them in a book kept for that purpose, as a check upon the putta walla in charge. Game such as deer, pea-fowl, grouse, partrlil'o, quail, duck and pigeon, are very plentiful in all parts of the country. I had been about fifteen months in the native roijimeiitl ■when Mr. IMurray, British ambassador at Bushire, hauled down I his flag and returned to England, the ^\hy and wherefore 1 1 never r glitly knew, but it was left to the Indian army anil navy to hoist again. A rather large number of troops and I vessels were sent into the Persian Gulf, and a land transjciril corps, was inaugurated to accompany the Persian cxpcditkn-l ary field force. Having some interest at head-(juarter.>. ll obtained an appointment in that corps, and at once procceJeiB to Bombay, en route for Persia. No ladles being permitteiB to accompany the expedition, I. sent Mrs. Fortescueto IVmB one of the most healthy and jdcasant stations in the prcsi.leuaH there to remain until my return, and having received ni^l instructions from the chief director, I embarked on board t:.M Honorable Company's war steamer Punjab. The irivaiH squadron, comprising many of the largest steam-frigates aiJH fastest sailing vessels, had been des])atched by AdiuiriiH Sir Henry Leoke, the superintendent of theli^^'annavy.aaiH EOUGHING IT TIIROrGII LIFE. 243 placed under the command of Commodore Ethers ay, I. N., for service in the Persian Gulf. Upwards of two hundred vessels of the merchant marine were eui[>luyod as transports for the conveyance of troops, cattle, stores, ammunition and baL'gage. The field force was under the c )mmand of Major General Stalker, C.B., of the Company's service. V\'e had a very pleasant passage up the gulf, touc'uing at Muscat, and going ashore at Bassadore, a coaling depot and sanitary station for the crews of the vessels cruising in the ;alf. The crews were disembarked at Uci'iier without much [(ii£calty, although a large number of the enemy were in die immediate vicinity. The affair commenced by one of Her JMijesty's regiments acting as light infantry, and driving before them the Persian slarmishers. A desultory sort of Ifiiiu^ was kept up by them as they retreated, but the Enfields lot our men thinned the ranks of the followers of the Propliet. iDiriug the skirmish an unfortunate occurrence took place, Iresiiking in the loss of a valuable life, and at the time diselos- i: the treachery and ingratitude of the Persian character. jiio of the men of the regiment engaged had fallen to Itle rear for some purpose or other, when he noticed am jUg [lie killed one of the foe, api)arently only sllghcly wounded ; was just about to thrust his bayonet through him, when his DJoiiel seeing his intentions shouted to him to desist and join lis company ; the man obeyed, and the Persian was saved ; [ut the humane colonel, who was riding in rear, had scarcely Eis>ed him, when the wretch raisdl himielf on his elbow, and bwiu^ a long-barreled pistol from his waistband, took deli- Brate aim, and shot the gallant ollicer through the head — ho \h but a few seconds before had saved him from immediate eath. The capture of the port and city of Pushire, by the com- ledetTorti of the army and navy, soon followed ^\ith com- 244 NED fortescue; or, paratively little loss on our side ; but decidedly the most bril- liant affair of the campaign was the battle of Kooshab in which we suffered considerably. The gallant conduct of i Lieutenant Moore, of the Bombay Native cavalry, in breaking one of the Persian squares, followed by an officer of the Scinde horse, won the admiration of the whole force. In this en'fa"e- ment the Persians were so completely routed and scatterei] that they abandoned that part of the country for many mile, around Bushiro, which was made the base of our future I operations. The island of Karrack was taken possession of, | and a large expeditionary force was sent up the river Eaphra- tes, the enemy having concentrated under tlie Prince of I Persia, son of the reigning Shah, at Malmorah, situated at[ the junction of the rivers Croone and Euphrates. After a I few hours' bombardment of the town, the troops were landejl undercover of t])e fire from the fleet, and with such rapiJiu did we advance, that the son of the Shah had a very narrowl escape from his largo octagon tent. The amusing feature of! the case was, that at the time of our landing a few moraeii'jl previous to his flight, he was engaged in writting a k-tterl to the Shah, stating that he had driven the Avhole of our forcef into the Euphrates, and utterly destroyed the invaders. Tlii! unfinished letter, with the ink not yet dry, was found on J table by some of our men Avho entered the tent in liopevfl catching the prince himself, who commanded tlic Pci^b army. The last stand made by the Shah's zadda, and tsel remnant of his army was a^ die battle of Awaz, at wliiciil point they were com})letely routed, and became so demoral- ized as to be unable to make any further oppositi >n to o'lr advance against the principal cities of the empire. Sir James Outram had joined us, and assumed theco3j niand of the entire land force. A reraarkablv straii,'J circumstance or train of circumstances transpired about ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 245 time Sir James took command of the army. On being relieved from command, General Stalker shot himself ;thiS ni follo\Yod by the officer commanding the naval squadron putting an end to his existence by cutting his throat ; and the political agent, a civilian, sought to terminate his career in life by poison. Many were the reasons assigned as to the cause for these catastrophes ; dame rumor with her thousand tongues was rife with conjectures. Some affirmed that the unfortunate General had destroyed himself because he had been superseded by Sir James Outram, but in what way could the advent on I the scene of action of his superior officer interfere with the duties of either Commodore Ethersay or Mr. Jones of the Civil Service, we were at a loss to conjecture. There were many other causes assigned, and among them one that gained Iniore credence than the rest, but in all probability just as lincorrect as the others. It was stated that a Persian had waited on the three gen- Itlemen in question with a proposal to the following effect, that fetliey would secure him against any legal proceedings here- ifter, he would disclose the secret where a large amount of reasure was concealed, which he was willing to divide equally between them, himself of course receiving one-fourth. This proposal, it was affirmed, was ac(|uiesced in by the parties, mil a division of the spoil made accordingly. iScarcely had bis been done when Sir James arrived to take charge. The ^orywent on to show that no sooner did the Persian become iiiuaiuced with this fact than he waited on the new Com- ludcr and related the whole aifair, suggesting that he should ie a share which would be one-iifth. To this General Outram [oiild not listen, and threatened to bring to a court martial the parties concerned. Whether there was any truth in kisl cannot say, but it was generally behcved to be the true rsion, although I am not aware that the Govern ment took (iy action in the matter. 246 NED FORTESCUE ; OR, A treaty of peace having been signed betAvccn Enilani aud Persia, the troops prepared to return to their several presidencies, aud it Avas fortunate for the supremacy of British rule in India that tlie war came to so speedy a close, fnr very shortly after this the bloody and much to be laraentol Sepoy mutiny broke out, to check -which required tlie whole energies of the Government and every available man. Tii? Persian war having terminated, the troops were hurried back to India with all possible despatch, to take part in the fearful struggle that was raging throughout the country. After fa- ting the stores, baggage, &c., of the army, onboard tlio ve'S'.'h appointed to receive them, the transport corps returned to Bombay ; but I and a few others, were directed to proceel to Margell and Bagdad to take charge of a numher of mules that had been purchased by the Government for service in India. This was pleasant enough, and enabled me to see mudi more of the country than I otherwise should have seen. 1 1 visited the Turkish port of Bassora and the city of Cagdal, both of which places were associated in my memory from the numerous stories I had read in my boyhood concerning tlieii in the " Arabain Nights Entertainments."" On my rctiirnll obtained a tolerable view of the spot whore onco stood tlid ancient city of Babylon. A few days subsequently, the cup tain of the vessel informed ns that we were opposite Kidinl where the Tigris falls into the Eujliratcs and Sliatal Ara^J at the same time pointing out a spot declared by the Arali)! and others to be the idential locality of the once garden ofl Eden, and offered to drop anchor for a few hours if we feii[ inclined to go on shore. To this we gladly assented, and a short time we were strolling beneath the welcome shade the date, pomegranate, apple trees and grape vines, or louiij'l ing ou the short soft grass enjoying our biscuits, sardiwil ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 24T pale ale and cigars with a gusto that woiill have astonished either the original proprietor of the grounds or his amiable lail\r of fig-leaf notoriety, coal 1 tlioy but have dropped in upon us. For five or six hours wo did thus enjoy ourselves, not that there was anything more to l)e seen than in many other parts I had visited, but in the first place it was a relief from the close atmosplicrc of our small cabin on shipboard ; then it was something in after life to state that we had nralizcd in the pleasure grounds of our first parents, and ate of that fruit which proved such a stumbling block both to them and their descendants. On the return of the transport corps to tlic capital of the I Presidency, it was broken up ; but the caule, carriage and all that appertained thereto were transferred to the Commis- sariat Department. Such of the ollicers as so desired were allowed to retain their appointments in the new organization hvhich was designated the cattle branch of the department. It suited ray views to remain in it, and I was directed to repair Ito Falkland Bunder to superintend the landing of the mules laad stores ; then to move on to Poona, which was to be the |licad-(|uarters. Subse(|uently we were told off into divisions, land despatched to the diiforent large military stations. Any Iforce, brigade, regiment or detachment retjuiring carriage Beiit their reipiisitions to the nearest of these stations, which SQK immediately complied Avith. if a large force was on tlie move, a European oliicer from our department accompa- nied it in charge of the government cattle ; if a smaller one a native inspector or muccadum was sent in charge. Fur upwards of two years, during the most stirring time of lie mutiny, I was continually on the move with the troops, Darchiiig from one part of the country to another, wherever lieir presence was most required ; and while so doing 1 became i^uuiuted with the details of acts of so horrible and revolt- 248 NED FORTESCUE; OR, «5l ing a nature perpetrated on our helpless country women and children by the bloodthirsty native soldiery, the mere relatin ' of which would curdle the blood of any European ; but there occurred others of a less terrible character which came under my own immediate notice, or were witnessed by those on whose veracity I could rely, which I beheve I may relate without harrowing to any great extent the feelings of my readers ; for it must be borne in mind that this was not a general uprising of the native population against British rule but a regular concerted mutiny by those who for years had received the pay and support of the government whose ser- vice they had voluntarily entered and had sworn to uphold. Nor were they misled or ignorant of the penalty attached to the offence, as the Articles of War and provision of the Mutiny Act had been regularly read and explained to eacli regiment once every month ; and they were well aware that the punishment for the crime of mutiny was death ; but apparently this was not enough to restrain them, as the follow' ing incidents may tend to shew\ The native regiment to I which, previous to the outbreak of the Persian war I had for some time belonged, had been transferred from the nortii i west provinces to Kurrachee, in Scinde ; it was chiefly com- posed of high caste men, but still there were quite a number | of inferior castes in its ranks. Things were progressing verj quietly when the news of the mutiny at Neemuch and other I places reached them ; they appeared to be little affected hj the intelligence, yet the seed of rebellion was gcrminathi^ within them, which only required a little fanning to burst | forth into open mutiny. On the day previous to the sailing of the mail steamer tor I Bombay, a native officer of the regiment requested a private f interview with the Brigadier, and there and then made dis- closures to the elfoct that on the night of the day followiiiiji ROUGniNQ IT THROUGH LIFE. 249 had boon agreed that tlie regiment slimild quietly leave their linos, murder all the Europeans they fell in with, and after looting the treasury and bazaars, make oiT for.the nearest town or city in possession of the mutineers, anl cast in their lot ^iththem. All he asked in return for his valuable informa- tion was a furlough to B)inbayby the picket that was to leave the harbor the next morning, anl the leave of absence to be dated some days back, so thit he ml Jit n<:t be sus- pected of having betrayed the secret. Ills request was immediately complied with, and he sailed for his native place somewhere on the coast near Malwan. The Brigadier sent for the ofHcois commanding corpg Tvithout delay, and held a consultation, at which it was arranged that no intimation of the approaching event should ibe made known to any of the other oihcci's or men for fear it should leak out and reach the cars of the natives, and so put them on their guard. On the night in ques- Ition, the instructions were that about eleven o'clock the European troops were to be made acipmlnted witli the I circumstances. They were to load iu barracks, and move as quietly as possible ; the words of command to be passed in nvlilspcrs, and the wheels of the artillery mufhed. As the clock or gurry at the quarter guard of the native regiment struck twcU'c, a slight bustle was heard on the private parade groimd of the native regiment who turned out rapidly and formed up without noise ; having loaded, thoy were then told off into IdilTerent divisions : one to proceed to the European General lllospital and murder all the patients, others to hrc the olTicers' Ibimgalows, slay the inmates, men, women and children, while large party were suddenly to attack the treasury, overpower jthc guard, and carry olf whatever money they might un;L All these directions, although given in a low tone, were [distinctly heard by those stationed close by for that purpose. 250 NED FORTESCUE; or, The signal for tho moving of the different parties to perform their work of slaughter was to be a rocket sent up from the guard house before mentioned. Exactly at half-past t^Yelve this light went up ; but imagine the horror and dismay of the miscreants, when at tho same instant, fifty blue lif^lm shot high in the air, illuminating all around for a consider- able distance, disclosing to the terrified natives, our artil- lery drawn up immediately in their rear, and the Europeao infantry in line on both flanks, ready to pour in volley after volley. They were ordered to throw down then* arms an] surrender; some did so, but tho greater portion broke ani fled across the open plain in their front. Two or three rounds of canister was sent among them, and our infantry started io pursuit. Many fell from the fire of our guns, and of those | who wore captured, after trial by court martial, some suffereil I death; and a very large number were transported to one of | the Andaman Islands, situated in the Bay of Bengal, where | it was thought there was no probability of their escaping ( account of their isolated position. A comparatively small guard was deemed suSicicnt ; but I they had not been there long before they managed to over- power this little force, and in large parties proceeded furtli into the island. This was only jumping out of the frying-paDl into the fire, for the islanders were not only savages bui] cannibals of the most ferocious kind, and Jack Sepoy soonl into their clutches, serving as a gorgeous banquet to tlie I captors, who ate them as soon as caught. Thus, a tcrriljld retribution overtook them for their fiendish desi":n3. ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 251 ,rtie3 to perforin aent up from the , half-past twelve •r and dismay of fifty blue liglitj i for a consider- latives, our artil- md tlio European 3ur in volley after i ^n then' arms ani portion broke anl wo or three rounds infantry started in Tuns, and of tlw3« ■tial, some suffered! .nsported to oneol ■ of Bengal, where their escaping oa led sufficient; kt| managed to over- proceeded furtlierl it of the frying-pan only savages ki| ack Sepoy soon f )U3 banquet totkl Thus, atcvril)li| b designs. CHAPTER XXI. The Asuitics, even among themselves, are both relontless and cruel, •whenever chance or circumstances throws one into the power of the other, as wliat I am about to relate T^-ill, I think, amply testify. On one occasion, while making a forced march through Khandicsh with the Lan- cers, Royal Artillery and other troops, and having ascertained from a reliable source that there was no signs of the enemy within at least thirty miles of us, I mentioned to the officer commanding the force that it was the intention of the officer in charge of the provision branch and myself to ride on to the next large native town, distant about twenty miles, for the purpose of procuring rations and forage, that there might be no delay on the following morning, as he wished to make a rapid advance. " YouAvill run considerable personal risk in so doing ; I will I send a score of Lancers with you as a guard," replied Colonel B. To this we objected for reasons of our own, and started early in the evening, but in consequence of the bad state of the roads we did not reach the place until after night-fall, when we found the gate closed — for [all toAvns and villages in that part of the country are [walled in as a protection against the bands of roving [plunderers and numerous wild beasts that infest the north- [west provinces. Knowing that it would be useless to [attempt to gain admittance after the gates had been once [closed, we picketed our horses under a large tree, near mm 252 NED FORTE SCUE; OR, the principal gato, anir refusal to coraplj with the rebel cliief's den^ 'nO. was, that they had private intelligence of our apj . rnd wc'-'^ hourly expectin.' us. During the few hoi, ^ we ^ Mnainod here the tree ar| the main gate was relieved • -f its unnatural fruit ; the eftluvia arising from which being decidedly rao'-^ powerful than pleasant. The force moved forward with all possible dispatch, in hopes of coming up with the rascally perpe trators of this villainous outrage. ROUOniNG IT THROUGH LIFE. 253 ics for pil^'^^T^ our flasl«, then (vwards fell h^i mnion, ya^Ymn,2 3t U3 get out of •ugli to choke a a most villamouj pose tlie enemy r neiglibovliood," r flask aivl then and giving myself casting my eyos ) stench, for hii like jack fruit. state of semi-de- Tantia Topee bl id on their demur ted the to\Yn, an'i aving instruction; fovvds of the ai the sun shvivelleJ his orders were the rcraaludcr in refusal to comply they had private hourly expectiiu here the tree ar ] natural fruit; tlie dly mo'-'^ powerful d with all possible the rascally perpe- As ^ve wcro looking out for our camping ground a few mornings afterwards, wo came quite unexpectedly on a lar'^e niimhor of Tantia Topee's men — Goolundauz, Sowars an'l Sepoys, ^n such cases as the present, being a non- combatant, my place was in rear with the cattle and baggage, but like tlie Irishman at Donnybrook Fair, there never was a fight that I did not manage, either by hook or by crook, to be present at, if it was only to see what was going on.- On this occasion I rode on the flank of the supernumeraries of the Cavalry; and was handling my sabre with the best of them, when by a rapid wheel of the Lancers, I found mvsclf alone, but only for a moment, for I was instantly attacked ; one fellow fired, missed me but killed my horse. I had scarcely gained my feet wlien a Sowar in passing made a cut at my head, but he was a little too far off, so that his sword's point only reached me, inflicting a s'.ijjht cut about two inches long on the upper part of my forehead above the left eye, causing the blood to flow freely. I took my revolver and in an instant shot the rascal in the small of the back and I had the satisfaction of seeing him fall from his horse. The fellow who had killed my nag clubbed his matchlock and made a rush at me, beating down my guard and breaking my sabre at' the feeble, also smashing my collar-bone on the left side. Flinging away the useless sword, and before he could [recover himself, I changed the pistol into my right hand land shot him through the head. Another Sowar made a [point at me with his spear, but his horse stumbled over [the body of a man I had just sent to glory ; he missed bis mark and only succeeded in making a slight wound in my ^ht side just above the hip-joint. He would doubtless have Suished my career, as at this time from pain and loss of blood was in a weak and almost fainting; condition, when one of 254 NED FORTESCUE; OR, our Lancers noticing the predicament I was in, rode up and with his lance transfixed my opponent by thrusting his wea- pon through the mrn's body. I was carried to my tent, and a little sticking plaster sufficed for my head and side, but I had to be carried in a dooly for nearly six weeks. Fortunately the fracture bein'^ on my left side and only requiring rest, I was enabled to carry on the duties of my office with my right hand, without much difficulty ; however, it was upwards of two montli, before I could mount my horse or use my left arm to anj extent. As usual, after a short but obstinate struggle, the mutineers fled. It was their tactics to fight in three lines : on the first being beaten, they retreated through the second. who generally managed to hold their ground until the third and first with their chief and his principal officers were in full retreat ; they then broke and scattered through the jungle, their perfect knowledge of which enabled them to join their main body with little difficulty. A few weeks later, Tantia Topee, the fighting general of | the cowardly Nana Sahib, Rajah of Bittoor, was captured at i a place called Sepree, where he was tried and sentenced to be hanged, which was carried into effect without any necessary delay. After his death the rebel soldiery left that I part of the country altogether. Shortly after this event tlie briiiade to which I was attached was transferred to the Bend Presidency, and I was directed to return to Poona, the quarters of our department. Although there was a lar:? number of Sepoys stationed here, and the greater part the European force were absent, actively emph:)yed ic crushing out the mutiny, no sign of disaffection or disloyaltj had as yet manifested itself among them. There were many reports circulating daily through ii\ bazaars of a general rising of the native population, but tlii' ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. ^55 1, rode up and Listing lii3 ^Yea■ jticking plaster be carried in a 3 fracture being -was enabled to it hand, ^vitlioiu of two montlis left arm to any ite struggle, the it in three lines ; •ough the second. id until the third I officers were in jred through the enabled them to aghting general of ,r, was captured at d and sentenced to t without anyun- el soldiery left that after this event tlie erred to the Bengal to Poena, the head- , there was a larjej the greater pavt .vely employed itl ffection or disloyalty 5 poi: daily through tb ulation, but M was regarded as emanating from native dealers in order in some way or other to affect the markets. Yet there was . no knowing at what hour, during the day or night, the native force in conjunction with the Budmashcs, and doubt- less a large portion of the evil-disposed inhabitants of the city of Poena, might rise in rebellion and murder such of the Europeans as lived at some distance from the barracks of our troops, and as there were many ladies living alone in the station, whose husbands were on service up country, it was arranged that immediately on the appearance of a red flag displayed at a given point during the day, or the report of three guns fired ia succession after sunset and before sunrise, that the sick and those not doing duty, and especially ladies, should fly at once to the spot where a large supply of provisions were stored, strongly guarded, and every arrangement made for tlie security of those seeking shelter. Although in hourly peril, things went on in the usual routine. A ball was given at the Artillery mess, at which among others, my wife and myself were present. Dancing and hilarity appeared to have totally banished from the minds of all present the thoughts of an outbreak among the natives, when just at twelve o'clock th;. report of la gun was heard, then another, quickly followed by a third. iForan instant all stood aghast. "It is the fatal signal," ;aspcd out some anxious mothers, terrified at the thought of the danger of their children who had been left in charge of lative servants at their bungalows. Immediately there was general rush to the doors ; ladies half fainting with fear id anguish were hurriedly helped into their garries by their irtners, who did their best to tranquilize them. Seizin'T »y wife round the waist, and snatching my pistol and sabre flich I had left in the ante-room, we were about to start for -i«i— L^„J! ■- SBi! 256 NED FORTESCtE; OR, the place of rendezvous, when it occurred to one of the party that it was the first night of the new moon, and it was well known to all present that it was customary with the Hindoo priests of the Temple of Parbattee, at no great distance, to tire three guns on the first appearance of the new moon. This partially re-assured us, and we listened intently for some moments, but heard no farther sound or tumult breaking the stillness of the night. Confidence being restor- ed, the waltz, polka and quadrille were resumed with increased animation, together with the agreeable chit-chat usually indulged in on such occasions. Of the twenty-nine regiments of native infantry belongin.' to the Bombay Presidency, there were but two that threw od' their allegiance and joined the standard of revolt. The out- break, capture and ultimate fate of one of these corps I have already brought to the reader's notice, the other instance I am about to relate came more immediately, though only par- tially, under my own observation. I was with the Dragoon Guards and Royal Artillery, who were marching through the Mahrat*"a country to Jielgaum. We halted at Koulapoore, near to tiie scene of my early military exploits, to witness the carrying intj eliect the sentence of several courts maital The native regiment which had been stationed at this jilaee hid mutinied, and alter murdering several of their Eurojiean officers, and committing other atrocious acts, endeavoured to join another body of mutineers. However in this they were disappointed, and quite a number of them were captured aui i brought back to the station. They in most cases were to suft'er death. Those of the lower caste were hanged or slid by musketry ; tlie olHcers who were of higlier caste wdv to be blown from the cannon's mouth. The execution of tiie lower castes excited but little attention, but the peculiar mode of enforcing the death penalty on the native otiicdi ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFE. 257 n*eeable cliit-cliat ^ho, although ofdiflferent creeds, were all of the highest caste, ^rew an immense concourse of spectators to the spot, and I believe that it was anticipated that a rescue would be attempted, we were therefore delayed in order to swell the parade and overawe the populace. The artillery and infantry received orders to load on their private parade ground and proceed to the place of execution, prepared for immediate action. The dragoons kept a sharp eye on the native cavalry and irregular horse. Three sides of a square was formed by the troofs, and in the open front were drawn up the guns to be used on this terrible occasion. The prisoners were then brought into the square, marched up to the guns, which were loaded with blank cartridge, and a slight degree of elevai:on given to them. The unhappy wretches were then bound singly with the lower region of the back ai»;aiast tlie muzzle of each gun ; they were placed alternately, Hindoo and Mussulman. As soon as this was effected, tlie proceedings of the general court martial and the sentence were read aloud to them. The artillery officer then slowly advanced and gave the word of command, "Number one, ready, fire;" and instantly the 1 whole chest and loins of the first of these wretched criminals was blown into fragments, the head going straight up into [the air twenty or thirty feet. Again the fatal word was given, and particles of human flesh were scattered far and near, the head ascending as before, and so on until the last man had paid the penalty of his crimes. When the smoke cleared away, nothing was to be seen of those who but a new moments before were living and breathing creatures, but Itheir lower extremities which still remained lashed to the Iguiis. The bungays or camp sweepers then swept up the [pieces of flesh and bones of both castes that were lying about and consigned them to one common grave. 258 NED FORTESCUE; OR, It was a sickening scene, and I never wish to witness such another. The reason why this particuhir mode of punishment was resorted to was I believe at the time but little imderstooi] out of India, and has been caviled at and censured by many as beini^ an act unbecoming the dignity of an enliglitoncl and civilized nation like England. But it should be rcinein- bered that the mutiny arose from a fanatical spirit Avhloh had been aroused within the native soldiery, fostered ami fanned into a flame by the Mahomedan priests and lliiKloo ih-ahmins, who impressed upon the minds of their follower that it was the intention of the British government to crush out and eradicate by a civip-ih-mam the religion of their forefathers, and pointed to the great influx of Christian missionaries who were permitted to disseminate tenets of their creed throughout the native army by means of tracts and personal expoundings. The greased cartridge for tlj Enfield rifle just introduced was denounced by the priesthood oiboth creeds ; those of the Mahomedan declaring that the fat of the pig, their utter abomination, was used in its construction, while the J)rahmiii! insisted that the fat of the sacred cow Avas the principal lubri- catinijr ingredient used, the bitinn; or tasting of which would defile and break the caste of either. The result was that thousands flocked to defend their faith against the cumm m foe, and were assured by their religious advisers that to lu^u their life in such a cause was a sure passport to the celestinl regions. While this idea lasted the natives waged this stru;;- gle for supremacy with all the ardour that hatred and religious fanaticism is capa'de of. And brutal enormities and acts of unparallelled atrocities, unfit to be related in these page?, were almost daily committed by the now frenzied and remorse- less natives. To i^uch an extent did their cause gain ground that, owiiij ROUGHING IT THROUGH LIFB. 259 ground that, om; to the paucity of European troops, wo were scarcely able to cope Avith them. At this juncture it was determined to enforce fi punishment which would at once strike terror to the hearts of the native community of all castes. According to their religious creed, tliey lose all hope of heaven and are eternally damned should their remains mix after death with those of any dthcr caste ; hence the fact that Mussulmcn bury while Hin- (IdO? hurn their dead, to prevent the possibility of any such contamination. The mo(le of jmnishraent above described, was tlien carried into elfcct; in such parts of the country as was deemed necessary. As soon as this became generally known, it had such an effect upon the mutineers, that they considered themselves God forgotten, and that the whole thing must be displeasing to the Deities, and so disconcerted and dismayed did they become that thoy eventually deserted the cause. British su})remacy being again in the ascendancy, quiet, law and order was once more restored, and rebellion had to hide its dark and superstitious barbarism from the face of stern retributive justice. I had been appointed to take charp;e of a branch of our department in the southern division, but after a few months my liealth began to give way ; the great strain that my nervous system had sustained during the past throe or four years proved too much for mo, and I began to sink under it. I was therefore advised to present myself before the Medical Board at the capital, at whose recommendation I was granted leave of absence to Europe for two years on medical certificate. My early chum, rollicking, roystering, devil-may-care O'Toole I occasionally met, though our spheres of action were very dilferent in cliaracter. (Shortly after I left the regiment, tiiinking to make some noise in the world, he joined the buglers, and rose to the rank of Bugle Major. For three or four years lie strutted about in the gorgeous plumage of t!iat important 260 NED FORTESCUE : OR, leading character, but finally his predilection for spirituous liquors swamped him, and he sank to the foot of the ladder to rise no more ; yet the good humored, witty, though incorri- gible Bob was still a great favorite with the men of his re;.n- ment. I met him a few days previous to my embarkation ; he seemed somcv.hat crestfallen, and after some hesitation admitted he was in difficulties and debt. I told him to meet me in the evening and take a parting glass to the memory of old times, and not to trouble himself about his liabilities as I would see to that matter. lie was evidently much relieve] and went on his way whistling with great glee, " AVidow Machree." I proceeded at once to his barrack, sought out the pay sergeant, paid his debt, bought him an entire new kit, and left a handful of rupees in the color sergeant's haiub with instructions that it be paid to him by small instalments daily. This would keep him flush for a considerable time. I knew that giving the whole to him at once, would be about the worst favor I could do for my old comrade, for in all probability the use ho would make of it would be to purclias? a court martial with its attending consequences. In a comfortable easy chair on my back verandah, whicii commanded a view of the moonlit sea, sat mine ancient com- rade, the witty and good natured O'Toole, a decanter of his favorite weakness at his elbow, and near by an allowance of the weed he usually indulged in. At a convenient distance, I lay at full length on a Persian carpet, with my heai supported by several cushions, the amber mouth-piece of mj hookah between my teeth, and a largo goblet containing a concoction of sherry, sugar candy, lemon and ice, the bever- age I most delighted in, at hand. I had made myself thus comfortable in order to listen to the out-pourings of poor Bob. for this was in all probability the last time we should meet. ROUGHING IT TUROUGH LIFE. 261 for a time he seemed less communicative than usual, but after two or three smacks from the decanter, the contents of which became smaller by degrees and beautifully less, he soon brightened up, and old recollections of dangers and difficulties were freely discussed, and thus we passed our timo commenting on the relative positions occupied by each. "And its going back to the ould country that ye's are, Ned, avic ; on sick lave overland too, free gratis and for nothing, at the expence of government ; be the powers, it's a mighty pretty thing to be on the staff, so it is ; it's yourself that has the luck ; but bad ces?* to me for a gommerill, sure you desarve it all, and its a full colonel ye's ought to be this blessed night, and a divil a less." And with this somewhat confused oration he drained his tumbler of its contents with grjat satisfaction, which I judged from the hearty smack he gave his lips. During the evening I endeavored to explain to the O'Toole that altliough promotion from the ranks to the higlier grades of the service was a thing of very rare occur- rence, yet numbers of the rank and file had it in their power by general good conduct and sobriety to obtain the non- commissioned or warrant rank, and leave the service in the prime of life, with a pension varying from two to four shil- lings per day ; however, by this time Bob was beyond all care for the present or future. Lii^uor might have spoiled Lis promotion, he said, but not his health ; he was only thirty-eight, had but eighteen months to serve, and was strong and hearty enough to do a good day's work on his return to old Ireland, and his pension would procure all the vhisky and tobacco he should require, and what more than that did he want. I admired my friend's philosophy, and was meditating whether in his robust health he was not in a better position to fight out the battle of life than tlie shattered state of my 262 NED rORTESCUE ; OR, constitution led me to anticipate for myself, when a prolonT. ed note from O'Toole's nasal organ aroused me to tho fact that brandy and tobacco had done its work, fur Bob Iml glided gradually from his chair to the carpet and was :souu(lly sleeping. I had taken the precaution to procure him a pasj until morning, and so left him to enjoy his slumbers for the remainder of the night. An hour after sunrise I drove him to his barrack. I allowed him to take a long pull at iny spirit flask ; shook him heartily by the hand, wished him good luck and then drove off. Such was the last interview- between myself and O'Toole. Although I had obtained a two years' furlough, it wiis not my intention to remain in Europe more than one-third of that time, if my health was sufficiently recruited to etiuhlj me to return to duty ; therefore I paid but a flying visit tj such of my friends as resided at the capital. I disposei] only of such of my property as might otherwise become damaged or destroyed during our absence, and contented myself with taking home a few of the Indian curiosities a^ souvenirs of my sojourn, intending to auiass a considerahle collection previous to retiring from the service. A few days after my name had appeared in General Orders for leiivc of absence, I engaged a passage on board the mail steaiuei' China, and embarked on the afternoon of the tweiitythii'l of July, and sailed within an hour after. As the island, its surroundings and the well remembereJ features of the Malabar coast faded from our view, the bell rang announcing dinner ; we descended to the saloon to take our places at the table. This is a matter of some moment, an 1 should not be done without due consideration, for the seat you occupy at your first meal you retain during the voyage— diij rule, like the laws of the Modes and Persians, altereth iioi During the first four or five days we had heavy rains anl ROUGHINe IT TIIROUan LirE. 263 boisterous weather ; on the sixth, however, we had passed beyond the influence of the south-west monsoons, and found ourselves in a beautiful mild latitude, which continued to become warmer as we approaclied Arabia Felix. On tho ninth we dropped anchor off Steamer Point, Aden, that Gib- raltar of the East, at the entrance of the Red Sea. As the vessel was to remain some twelve hours to take in coa 1, many of the passengers went on shore. Having some irieiKls in Aden, which is about five or six miles from the landing, we mounted two strong donkeys and ascended the road loading to tho main pass, the only access to the town, which is built in tho crater of an extinct volcano. You may imagine the delights of this place — not a blade of grass grew on the dry and arid soil —not a bird fluttered its glossy wings or carroUed its sweet note in this heated atmosphere. There were no fresh springs 01' running waters to cool the tongue of thirsty traveller or refresh the wearied inhabitants : sea-water condensed by steam-i)0wer was the only resource fur the thirsty. No wondur there is so great a demand for palo ale and French brandy among the Europeans. Aden is frightfully hot. There is an uiiinion prevalent among old inhabitants to the effect that tliere is bat a sheet of paper between this place and the regions of his Satanic majesty. By eight p.m. we were again oil boari] , and for five days steamed up the lied Sea, the [weather being exceedingly hot. On reaching Suez we found the train waiting for us; very little delay ensued, and we were soon whirling across the desert, stopping occasionally at the diiferent places along the line to obtain refreshments and [wash tlie sand out of oar eyes and parched throats. The jraihvay emplof/ees are chiefly Frenchmen, though dressed in |orlental costume. This is done by order of the Pasha of jypt, at least so I was informed by an oflicial. At Grand ilairo we halted for a few hours and dined, after which we 264 NED FORTESCLE ; OR, visited the far-famed Pyramids of E;^ypt, and several ruins of ancient date. Some distance after crossing the Nile, we stopped again and had supper, and arrived at Alexau'lria at two a.m. the next day. As the steamer did not sail until mid-day, we embraced the opportunity of examining the catacombs or receptacles of the embalmed dead. On the fourth day we reached Malta, where wq obtained a guide, and we rambled about the placf for several hours, seeing much that was new and hiterestlii.'. Having purchased some Maltese lace and other fancy articles as mementoes of our visit, we returned to the vessel. We had a delightful voyage down the Mediterranean, and the atmos- phere clear, soft and balmy, until we reached the far-famed rock of Gibraltar, Avhich being a coaling station, mostoftlw passengers went on shore. It happened to be Sunday. and the inhabitants were in their gayest attire. Bri;:li[ eyed senoras and swarthy Spanish cavaliers were on their way to or from mass. The variety of costumes to be me; with in Gibraltar is truly astonishing. Hiring a carriage and pair we drove to the Spanish lines, and on our return passed the 100th Royal Canadian Regiment, that had an eiicamj^ ment on what is called the neutral ground outsi'lo tli. fortifications. We wore fortunate regarding the weather while crossing the Bay of Biscay, and experienced nothing unpleasau; in that usually turbulent water. On nearing the English coast in rained very heavily, and I the night being intensely dark, the speed of the vesseUai greatly reduced. Previous to retiring for the night, it mh understood that we should land at eight o'clock the followiii.'| morning, thus doing the entire distance from Bombay toEii,'-! land in thirty-one days, stojipages included. At day-light in tlie morning we found ourselves running along the pleasant coast oil the Isle of Wight, and could clearly distinguish Osborne House, ROUGHING IT TDROUGH LIFE. 265 d several ruins i(T the KUc, m it Alcxau'lrla ai y, we em^Ji'aced or receptacles of i readied Malta, [ about tlie place V and iutcrestiii:. her fancy article^ ,ie vessel. Weliad ,u, aucl the atmos- lied the fav-famol tation, most of ilw ;d to he Sunday, t atfire. Brl^lii ter3 ^vere on tkir )stume3 to be me; L-\ng a carriage and I our return passel | .t had an encami> ■round outsvlo tli- [r the weather wliile ' ^uothmguupleaia'ji| |d very heavily, and )d of the vesseUai for the night, it ^«; I .'clockthetblloNvnijI [om Bombay toK^-| Id.Atclay-UghtiiuH the pleasant coast ot fguish Osborne iM the residence of Her Most Gracious Majesty. Before break- fast bell rang, we had entered the P. and 0. Company's dock at Southampton. All was now hurry and bustle ; passengers hunting for their luggage ; custom house officers examining the same ; cabin stewards rushing here and there in anticipa- tion of their usual fee ; hasty adieus between fi'iends and fellow travellers ; and finally a rush for the express train, and, presto, we are all off in various directions. It was four o'clock in the afternoon when we entered the modern Babylon. Yes, it was London, the same London, which as a boy I had left to seek the " bubble reputation at the cannon's mouth." I now returned in ill health and shattered constitution ; yet hoping that my native air and a i]uiet retirement for a season or two, would suffice to restore my nervous system to a healtliy condition. We remained loiv^ enough in the gay metropolis to enable my wife, who had left England when a mere child, to see the wonders and gordoous spectacles she had often heard mc rave about. After acquainting the authorities at the India Office of my whereabouts, I established myself at a snug little cottage at Pinnar, near to the old fashioned manor house where twenty- five years previous I had received the first rudiments of my education. Should I sufficiently recover, I shall doubtless on the expiration of my furlough return to India, to complete the remainder of my service ; but if otherwise, I must retire on half-pay, and endeavour, metaphorically of course, to smoke j the calumet of peace beneath the shade of my own fig tree. And now having brought back the hero of our story after an absence of a quarter of a century to the pretty little I village where we first met, we will leave him to enjoy his lotium cum dignitate ; and the author will feel satisfied if he has succeeded in enabling the reader to wile away a few hours jploasantly by the perusal of the many incidents in the event- [ful career of NedFortescuc while roughing it through life. THE EXD.