Appendix C

(Page 393.)

Lieutenant Conolly thus wrote to Captain Black, regarding his escape: “Such a scene of confusion I never saw; some Sipahis firing at Bhils, they shot seven poor wretches on the parade-ground, who, I declare were only looking at the novel scene. During the day we halted. The first day we marched to ____, and a greater rabble never crossed country than our once smart legion: not a Sipahi hardly saluted me. I was taken to Abbas

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Ali’s tent at ____, and the infantry were a little behind, when a tremendous row commenced. Some Minas made a rush at the carts; the infantry thought it was an attack; away went the cavalry to see to matters, cut up a few Bhils, and, seeing no one else, pulled up to look about them. Another row, and rush towards where I was standing near my saddled horse. I can’t say I was desperately alarmed, for all hope of life I had cast aside some hours before, when we marched. The rush towards me was caused by some amiable Sipahis taking the opportunity to make a run at me. Abbas Ali and his men saw it, and were soon between us; but I cannot enter into details of self; once again they attempted to get at me at Dula. What made them so mad was, that my strenuous attempts to seduce the cavalry had been made known to Mihrwan Singh, and he swore I should die. At Dula they had three or four rows – councils they called them – about me. At last, Mihrwan Singh and the other beauties, seeing Abbas Ali would not give me up, said I might go solus. Next morning, they sent again to say, No, I should not go. However, Abbas Ali and his men surrounded my charpai270 all night; we none of us slept, and on the morning of the 27th, when the force was ready, the guns were loaded, the infantry shouldered arms, and I was brought up. I was told to ride to the front; poor Dokal Singh the hawaldar-major, and some others, ran out blubbering; Abbas Ali and Abdul Ali rode up on each side, made me low salaams, and told me to ride for it; that not a sawar should be allowed to interfere with my retreat. My three sawars, who, I have forgotten to say, had stuck to me as if I had been their brother since the very beginning, by a preconcerted plan, were ordered to see me off a little way. I could not help giving a farewell wave of the hand to the infantry in irony; they shouted and laughed, the band struck up, and that is the last I saw of the legion. I rode right into Erinpuram with three sawars; I came straight here, and the people seemed ready to eat me with joy. The names of the three sawars are, Nasir-ud-din, second troop; Hai Bakhsh, third troop (the man who used to ride my grey); and Momin Khan, first troop. They left everything behind, and, I must say, are three as fine fellows as I wish to see. By the bye, the cavalry said, if I would agree to turn Musalman, to a man they would follow me. Very kind of them. They offered me money when I was coming away, and also on the march. I took twenty rupees from Abbas Ali; now I wish I had taken my pay; they twice offered it. Now is our time, the legion is divided. Jawan Singh golandaz271, and his party, about seven other golandaz (gunners), will play the infantry a trick if they can. I have told Jawan Singh I will myself give him five hundred rupees if he breaks with the infantry. Abbas Ali, the hawaldar-major, and Abdul Ali, are in danger on my account, and they are kept with their men under the guns night and day. I feel most glad to think I did

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them as much harm as I could. Makhdum Bakhsh had a musket put to his breast for letting me ride with my sword on. I was a bone of contention. I have this morning sent a sharp kasid272 to Abbas Ali, telling him, for his own sake, to try and communicate with Mason, who, I believe, is at Pali, and to whom I have written to try and communicate with Abbas Ali.”

End of Volume IV

Footnotes

270. Charpai, a bedstead; literally, “of four feet.”

271. Golandaz, a gunner; literally, “a thrower of balls.”

272. Kasid – a courier.

This collection transcribed by Chris Gage
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