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