'FLIGHT' TO JOONUG.

13

is that if we retake Delhi soon, everything will be satisfactorily settled with a little management; but there is no doubt of matters being very serious, and necessarily causing much anxiety. Very much depends on the fidelity of the Puttiala Raja, who is now assisting us, and it is generally considered that he is staunch; he has proved himself to be so before on other trying occasions. Under any circumstances, we are all quite safe so long as we remain here; but if everything goes on as satisfactorily as it has done lately (that is, within the last four or five days), we may expect to return to our own house at Simla directly-unless General Anson commands the Army advancing on Delhi in person, in which case I shall join him, leaving F. at Simla. I am very much afraid of the great change of climate having a very bad effect on Chester, who was far from well when he went down.

WM. DE RHÉ PHILIPE, Head Clerk Judge-Advocate General's Office, to Colonel KEITH YOUNG.

SIMLA, 19th May.

DEAR SIR,-All continues quiet. The Bank is open for business again. Mr Petersen's, Ford & Self's, Anderson's, and Crayden's shops open, but not doing much business, I suppose. Library and bazaar open as usual. A clothman upset his light in the night and set his goods on fire, but no alarm occurred.

The Kussowlie guard stopped our outgoing mail on Sunday night, and burnt it somewhere below Jutogh. On rejoining there was a bit of a scrimmage, which ended in twenty-four of them, or thereabouts, being placed in confinement, and six deserting. The runners now come up the valleys, so that great delay occurs and no dâk is in yet. The post-office baboo has been appointed officiating Postmaster in succession to Mr D. Colyear, absent without leave. Hindoostanee servants, taking advantage of the absence of residents, beginning to steal; two were apprehended by the police last night, I hear.

I am glad to hear that the troops are on the move from Umballa by this time. Delaying for a siege-train would have had a bad effect; a prompt blow will be half the battle. I heard to-day that the communication with Calcutta had been re-established, but no positive signs of it are apparent. I am told that

F

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.
+ Of the 60th Rifles.

ORDER TO JOIN THE CHIEF.

Colonel CHESTER, Adjutant-General, to Colonel KEITH YOUNG. UMBALLA, 22nd May.

15

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.

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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 cut— saying that the station was burning in all directions, several officers