WITH THE RAJA AT JOONUG.

21

in a state of open mutiny, were still at Jutogh. We heard some time afterwards that they were prevented from leaving by one of the hill Rajas who was faithful to us, and who told them that if they went to Simla to do harm he would throw his soldiers among their women and children.

Keith, Dr Peskett, and several other men joined us at the garden shed, and soon afterwards we heard the two guns-the signal of danger-and then servants came down bringing reports. They said that Major Bagot, the commanding officer, had been killed we heard later that this was not true. I was trying to silence the servant who brought this news, for Mrs Hallifax, who was near, was the mother of Major Bagot's wife. She quietly said, 'Oh, I heard; and very likely my daughter has been killed also.'

The Goorkhas had pushed back their officers with their bayonets, and had placed a guard over them, but treated them otherwise with respect. When they heard the two guns fired, their yells, we were told afterwards, were heard two miles off like a continual roar.

We remained in Dr Peskett's little house until about 7 P.M.;. and then we went to a sort of shed belonging to one of the hill Rajas, about two miles off, and there we spent the night. Early the next morning we went up again to our respective houses at Simla, packed up a few things, determining to go back to the same place in the evening, for the reports in Simla were anything but cheering. Two Goorkhas came up and spoke to us; they said we need not fear, they would not hurt the 'Sahib-Logue." The only person they wanted to make their salaam to was the 'Lord-Sahib !'*

We

In the evening we started for the same place, spent the night there, and at 2 A.M., when the moon was up, started for Joonug, from where Keith wrote to you. It is about fifteen miles from Simla; the road there is very bad. The Rana is loyal. remained at Joonug for three days. We were at first shown into a large sort of hall, just crowded with people, and a babel of noise and confusion; so we quietly slipped out, and Keith asked one of the Rana's servants if we could have an outhouse of some sort; he took us to a little room up a narrow stair, over a stable or

* The Native troops thought that General Anson was commissioned to convert them.

G

22

RETURN TO SIMLA.

hen-house. He had it made nice and clean; some rough matting on the floor, and two charpoys * were put in. Colonel and Mrs Greathed joined us there, and we had a fairly comfortable night —at least we ladies and the children (our two boys) had. Our husbands stood at the head of the little staircase quietly talking the whole night long, it seemed to me; but really the morning was dawning when we reached Joonug. We remained for three days in this little mud room, without windows, and one door that could be shut up like the shutter of a shop.

Some of the gentlemen, we hear, have behaved so badly, showing shocking cowardice-men who, one would have thought, would have braved anything. People are never known until they are tried.

When we were returning last night from Joonug we met the Rana's son, who told us that heavy firing had been heard all Tuesday, and Tuesday night, in the direction of Umballa. If this was really the case, we feared that the Puttiala Raja, a man whose assistance we could not do without, had turned against us; but, like many other reports, it proved to be quite false. Report killed four persons within three days, and buried one-giving all particulars; but they are all alive and well!

A number of people, we find, have gathered at Dugshai and Kussowlie. In the former place cholera has broken out; two little children died of it a few days ago. But no wonder, people are so crowded together-forty in one house; and the barracks are full. Rations are served out to the women and children, meals for all being cooked together.

The particulars of the massacre at Delhi are most dreadful. Mr Frazer, the Commissioner, was wounded in the right arm; he immediately had it amputated, and then went to the Palace to try and pacify the King. He had an interview with him, and as he was coming out the Palace guards cut him down. Mr Beresford of the Delhi Bank, his wife, and three children were attacked and murdered in their own house. Two grown-up daughters, young girls of seventeen and eighteen, escaped to an outhouse. The brutes followed them; some went into the house and forced them to go out, while others shot them as they passed through the door. Mr Jennings, the clergyman, and his young daughter, a beautiful * A small Native bed.

MASSACRES AT DELHI.

23

girl, just engaged to be married to Mr Thomason, son of the former Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, were murdered. Many others were killed. Sir Theophilus Metcalfe cut his way through the city at full gallop, and escaped just before the gates were closed. His beautifully furnished house, containing many rare and valuable things, was plundered and destroyed.

It seems that when the regiments mutinied at Meerut, after killing their officers they went over to Delhi. When their approach was known at Delhi, Brigadier Graves ordered the 54th to stop their progress over the bridge of boats. The wretches, instead of doing so, got ready, and then turned round and shot their officers. Only one escaped: he was saved by his own company. All the regiments in Delhi turned upon their officers, and they had it all their own way, for there were no European troops in the place. It is hearing of all these horrors, and of what these creatures can do, that makes us all so nervous. Every day some frightening report reaches us. We have nothing, we believe, to fear from the Goorkhas; they evidently like their own way, but seem inclined to no acts of violence.

Monday, 25th May.-Have just time to add a few lines. I am really unhappy now, for Keith has gone; he started yesterday evening to join the Commander-in-Chief. They were to march from Umballa yesterday-our Queen's birthday—a good day for a commencement. The Goorkha regiment marched from Jutogh. yesterday, at last obeying orders, though now they say they will not go farther than Kalka―the foot of the hill. I am very anxious to hear of Keith's safe arrival in camp. He is to share a tent with Colonel Chester, Captain Norman, and Dr Mactier, so will be well taken care of. May God guard and protect him!

CHAPTER III.

ADVANCE ON DELHI.

Colonel KEITH YOUNG to his wife.

KUSSOWLIE, Monday, 25th May (3 P.M.). Here I am quite well, having arrived this morning without any trouble or annoyance. The rain overtook us at Boileaugunge ; but, with the assistance of the waterproof, I escaped a ducking. We were only, however, able to get as far as Hurreepore last night. The Goorkhas have gone down the hill to Kalka, and no further apprehensions need be felt about them now at Simla.

I write this from Mrs James Becher's, where I am going to tiff (lunch); and purpose leaving for Kalka this evening, and probably shall go with Dr Faithful to Umballa by buggy-dâk in the morning. The road is perfectly open and safe, and ladies continually coming.

Mrs Chester is very well, and Chester much better than she expected. Mrs Arthur Becher also here, very well. Mrs Chester will remain here for the present. Dr Nisbett has been detained at Umballa, there not being a single medical man in that place. Mrs Norman is also here, but I have not seen her yet; and many other ladies. Mrs Chester would go to Simla at once, but she promised Chester not to leave Umballa until she heard from him. The Chief was to have left for Kurnaul yesterday, and expected to remain there some days; so I have plenty of time to join. All officers are ordered to join their regiments.

(Diary) 25th May.-Off as soon after daybreak as I can manage it go through Sabathoo; the Goorkhas just precede us as we reach Kussowlie, and go through gently. See Bagot; full of complaints of the treatment of the Goorkhas-the scoundrels!

AT UMBALLA AND KURNAUL.

25

UMBALLA HOTEL, Tuesday, 26th May.

I have not loitered long on the road; by my letter of yesterday, from Kussowlie, you would have had tidings of me so far. I came down as I had intended in the evening after paying Mrs Norman a visit: she was very amusing about the flight on Friday afternoon to Solon and Dugshai. I reached Kalka in time to have a little dinner with Bagot, who declares his regiment to be a most orderly set of men considering the way in which they have been tried. They halt at Kalka to-day, and perhaps longer, having no carriage to bring them on to this their first place of destination. Where they are eventually to go I know not. take charge of the Treasury again at is very irate; but the men, it seems, made no objection when the decision was communicated to them, but marched cheerfully on to Kalka. I spoke to several of the men along the road, and they said they would willingly go on to Delhi with me to punish the ruffians there; but I am not so sure after all that they would do so.

They were not allowed to Kussowlie, at which Bagot

I came in here this morning in the mail-cart, arriving soon after eight. It was delightfully cool, so much so that my puttoo coat was in requisition; it is so cool that I have determined to go on in the mail-cart when the Loodianah dâk comes in. The Chief went yesterday. My baggage must follow the best way it can; they have promised to forward it from the post-office.

They have just come to tell me that the mail-cart is ready, so I must say good-bye. The siege-train is expected to-morrow or next day. All is quiet here, and everything seems looking up.

(Diary) 26th May.-Called at about half-past three-not long in getting ready. A cup of tea and off. Dreadful storm soon after daybreak; dark as pitch, and then heavy rain. First two miles of road covered with people going to Kussowlie; every woman and child from Umballa ordered up. Get to hotel at Umballa at about eight. On to Kurnaul by mail-cart; very hot; no adventures; reach at six.

CAMP, KURNAUL, Wednesday, 27th May (8 A.M.).

I got here all right about sunset yesterday, and do not feel at all the worse for the journey; though I must confess the sun