14 RETURN TO SIMLA. guards have been sent out to Joonug, Solon, &c.—I am, dear Sir, yours obediently, WM. DE RHÉ PHILIPE. (Diary) 18th May.-Very hot day in a wretchedly small outhouse. Colonel and Mrs Greathed and Mrs Hallifax join us there. But we are comfortable to a degree compared to the other house, where are the Pennys and some twenty others. Early in the morning Greathed goes in to Simla and brings out word of the Kussowlie treasury having been plundered by the Goorkha guard; but the regiment are making the guard prisoners. People talk of returning to their houses. 19th May. Great preparations for returning to Simla. About three, or earlier, the people began to start; and such a confusion about coolies! I went to assist them in getting away with all the little children, and a great business it was. Lend Mrs Nicoll our janpanees, so have to wait here till they return. Pay a visit to the Rana's house and garden. 20th May.-Prepare for our leaving after tiffin, but do not get away till close upon five. Alarm on the road from Rana's son that there was heavy firing all Monday night (18th) and Tuesday morning at Umballa: this turns out to be false. Get into Simla at about 10 P.M. Find Ellerslie just in the same state as we left it. 21st May.-Out rather early-call on Penny, Lord William Hay,* &c. Everything said to be quiet. The Goorkha corps has consented obliging scoundrels to march on Saturday; it remains to be seen if they will go. 22nd May.-Go out before breakfast; meet Sir Edward Campbell,† and we call on Paton, the Postmaster-General. Dâks in this morning, but not much news except from the Punjab, where all seems going on well. 23rd May.-Dâk in early this morning, and letters from Chester at last telling me to go down and join Head-Quarters. Call on Lord William Hay about carriage. No mules to be had until to-morrow. The Goorkha corps were to march this afternoon; it seems they haven't gone, but will go to-morrow: they appear to have it all their own way. Out shopping in the evening getting things for my journey. * Deputy Commissioner of Simla-present Marquis of Tweeddale. ORDER TO JOIN THE CHIEF. 15 Colonel CHESTER, Adjutant-General, to Colonel KEITH YOUNG. UMBALLA, 22nd May. I have just returned from the Commander-in-Chief, who wishes you to come down and join him, as your presence would seem necessary for the 'trial and hanging of mutineers.' I mean to give advice in the matter. I told you yesterday you should have room in my tent, and you are more than welcome to this. Mrs Chester goes up immediately. I write this in great haste to go by the early dâk.-Yours ever, C. CHESTER. P.S.-The treaty of peace with Persia has been ratified, and the troops are returning from Bushire 'in full steam,' to be made available to repair our damage in upper India. British troops also ordered round from Madras, Ceylon, and Maulmein. This comes from the Governor-General. The Commander-in-Chief will push on to Kurnaul most likely to-morrow or next day. (Diary) 24th May.-The Goorkhas have gone. Mules have come. Call on Greathed, &c. Start at nearly five, and reach Hurreepore. CHAPTER II. AN ACCOUNT OF THE OUTBREAK. Mrs KEITH YOUNG to her sister in London. ELLERSLIE, SIMLA, 14th May. We are living here in strangely unsettled times. You will remember my having mentioned in one of my late letters that a mutinous spirit had been shown by many of the Sepoys on account of these over-greased cartridges. But this, seemingly, is merely the excuse for mutiny, for men who have not been called upon to use these cartridges have mutinied. When, on account of the Crimean War our Home Government withdrew so many British troops from India, it was said here at the time, 'How wrong! If the Natives should seize the opportunity to turn against us, what could be done with so few Queen's regiments?' It has proved only too true. On Tuesday morning, the 12th instant, Captain Barnard (General Barnard's son and Aide-de-Camp) came up from Umballa as fast as horses could bring him, with a report to General Anson, Commander-in-Chief, of an electric telegraphic message having been received from Delhi, dated the 10th, saying that the regiments there had mutinied, joined with others from Meerut, seized the bridge of boats, and that several officers had been killed. On Sunday two regiments at Umballa were in open mutiny; but they were quieted, and went away to their lines without using their firearms, though they threatened their officers. On Tuesday evening we were dining at the Chesters', when the Commander-inChief came there with a message from Captain Waterfield from Meerut-brought by runners, as the electric wire had been cutsaying that the station was burning in all directions, several officers |