At the Point of the Bayonet

G >> G. A. Henty >> At the Point of the Bayonet

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30

"That is right," Soyera said. "The cause of Nana is the cause of
all in this part of the Deccan; for we should be infinitely worse
off, were Scindia to lay hands on us. But there is an alternative,
by which you could at once remain faithful to Nana, and prepare
your way for joining the English, when you considered that the time
for doing so had arrived."

"What is that, Soyera?"

"You might go to the English Resident, and tell him who you are,
and how you have been brought up. Say that, at present, you wish to
remain in the service of Nana; who has been a good friend to you,
and with whom your sympathies, like those of nearly all the
cultivators in the Peishwa's dominions, accord. Say that you hope,
when the time comes, to return to your countrymen; and that, in the
meantime, you will give him any information in your power as to
what is going on, subject only to your friendship for Nana. Thus,
by making yourself useful to the Resident, you may prepare your way
for joining your countrymen and, at the same time, be able to
remain with Nana until either he is victorious over his enemies, or
his cause is really lost."

"The plan is an excellent one," Harry said, "and I will certainly
adopt it. Undoubtedly, the feeling among the English must be in
favour of Bajee Rao and Nana. As Bajee is the son of Rugoba, he is
their natural ally. Moreover, they would object most strongly to
see Scindia become master of the whole Mahratta power; which he
would probably use against them, at the first opportunity. It
would, as you say, greatly facilitate my obtaining a fair position
among the English; and I might also be able to do Nana a service.
Of course, I have seen the English Resident many times, in the
streets of Poona; and more than once, on special occasions, at
Mahdoo Rao's court. As it is his business to know something of all
connected with the palace, it is probable that he may have heard of
me; at any rate, it would be easier to explain to him my position,
than it would be to go down as a stranger to Bombay--where I should
be ignorant as to whom I should first approach, and how to declare
myself--a matter I have very often thought over."

The next morning the troop started at daybreak and, riding fast,
reached Poona by noon. Harry went at once to report what he had
seen to Nana.

"I received your letter yesterday," the minister said, "and the
news was indeed bad. Purseram Bhow has offered to go out to give
battle to Scindia, but my forces would have no chance: not only is
Scindia's army much larger, but he has the infantry regiments
commanded by foreign officers, and against these my infantry could
not prevail. It would be madness to risk fighting, under such
circumstances. The wheel may turn and, ere long, I may be in a
position to thwart the schemes of Scindia and Balloba."

Nana had never been conspicuous for personal courage, though his
moral courage, and his ability to meet any storm were unbounded. He
was now an old man, and dreaded the shock of battle, when the
chances appeared to be so much against him. He could not depend
upon the support of Bajee, who had already shown himself willing to
side with the strongest, and to make terms for himself, without the
slightest regard for those who had befriended him.

"But if your excellency does not think of fighting, what course
will you pursue?"

"I shall leave the country, at once," he said. "If I stop here, I
know that Balloba, who is my personal enemy, will have me put to
death. I only need time to recover from this sudden misfortune, and
it would be madness for me to wait here, and to fall into the power
of my enemies.

"Purseram Bhow is greatly offended, because I will not allow him to
fight; but I, who have for so many years done my best to prevent
civil war in this country--a war which, however it ended, would
break up the Mahratta power--would not bring its horrors upon
Poona. It is against me that Balloba is marching and, if I retire,
bloodshed will be altogether averted.

"Will you accompany me, Puntojee?" he asked almost wistfully.

"Assuredly I will do so, sir; and I think that I can answer for
Sufder, who has, I know, a great regard for your excellency. As to
myself, I have little hope that I should escape unharmed, if
Balloba arrive here before I leave. He detected me, even in my
disguise in his camp; and I had a narrow escape, for a party of his
cavalry pursued me, and would probably have caught me had not
Sufder, with his band, met me, and defeated them with a loss of
half their number. You may be sure that Balloba will learn who was
in command, and Sufder's life would be no safer than my own.

"May I ask when your excellency is going to leave Poona?"

"Scouts were sent out yesterday, as soon as your letter was read
and, directly Scindia's army gets in motion, I shall receive news.
When I do, I shall leave. The horses will be saddled in readiness,
and I shall be at the edge of the Ghauts by the time Scindia
arrives here. You can tell Sufder to come, at once. He knows the
disposition of the captains of the various troops, and will be able
to tell me who can be depended upon."

Sufder was indeed outside the palace, having told Harry that he
would wait, until he had learned the result of his interview with
Nana. Harry briefly related to him his conversation with the
minister.

"I think he is right," he said. "Purseram Bhow is a stout fighter,
and is as brave as a lion; but Scindia's force would be double that
which he could gather, at such a short notice, and Nana does right
not to risk everything on the chance of a single fight. He is a
wily old fox, and has got safely through dangers which would have
crushed an ordinary man. You will see that, before long, he will be
back again, and reinstated in power.

"At any rate, I will accompany him. After that thrashing we gave
Balloba's horsemen, my head would not be safe here an hour, after
his arrival."

On the road, Harry had informed him of the decision at which he had
arrived, upon Soyera's advice; and Sufder agreed that it would
certainly be a wise step. Accordingly, when the latter entered the
palace, Harry went straight to the British Residency. He sent in
his native name to Mr. Malet, and asked for an interview, and was
at once shown in.

"You wish to speak to me, sir?" the Resident said, in the Mahratta
language. "I think I have seen you at Mahdoo Rao's court."

"I have seen your excellency there," Harry replied, in the same
language.

Then, seeing that the Resident spoke the language with difficulty,
he went on, in English:

"It is a matter chiefly personal to myself."

The Resident looked at him in surprise, for it was the first time
he had heard a Mahratta speaking English.

"I am the son of Major Lindsay who, with his wife and escort, was
murdered by a party of Mahrattas, seventeen years ago, at the time
when the English army was advancing against Poona. I was saved by
the fidelity of an ayah, who had been in the family for ten years.
A cousin of hers was, fortunately, one of the leaders of the party
who attacked the camp and, with his connivance, she carried me off
and made her way back to her family, near Jooneer. She stained my
skin, as you see, and allowed it to be supposed that she had
married in Bombay, and that I was her own child.

"She has brought me up with the intention of my rejoining my
countrymen, as soon as I became a man; for she did not see how,
until then, I could earn my living among strangers. She taught me
as much as she knew of the language and religion of the English
and, when I was twelve, took me down to Bombay and left me, for
some two years and a half, in the house of Mrs. Sankey, a lady who
taught some of the children of officers there. When I left Bombay I
was able to speak English as well as other English boys of my age.

"My nurse had, from the earliest time I can remember, encouraged me
in taking part in all sports and games; and when I was but eight a
soldier, a cousin of hers, began to teach me my first exercise in
arms. I continued to work at this until I went down to Bombay and,
on my return, spent all my time, for some months, in riding and
shooting. After this I was, for a year, with a famous shikaree; and
took part in the killing of many tigers, and other wild beasts.
This was fortunate; for when, through this relation of my nurse, I
was introduced to Nana Furnuwees, and by him to Mahdoo Rao, the
latter was pleased to take a fancy for me, and appointed me to the
charge of the game preserves.

"At the present moment I have just returned from a mission, in
disguise, to Scindia's camp. Nana has shown me great kindness. My
intention is to remain with him, until he has passed through his
present difficulties, which are very serious. After that, I hope to
be able to go to Bombay, and to obtain a commission in the
Company's service."

"I remember well the circumstances of the murder of Major Lindsay,
and his wife; for I was in Bombay at the time. It was a matter of
deep regret to us all, for he was greatly liked but, at the time,
everyone was excited over the infamous treaty of Wurgaum. I
remember that when a party was sent out, on our receiving the news
of the attack, the bodies of the major and his wife were found, as
also those of his servants and sowars; but it was reported that no
trace could be discovered of the infant, or of his ayah. It was
thought possible that they had escaped, and hopes were entertained
that the woman might have carried off her charge. I have no doubt
as to the truth of your story.

"Is your nurse still alive?"

"She is, sir, as is also the man who assisted her. His name is
Sufder, and he commands a troop of the Peishwa's cavalry. Both will
testify, at the right time, to the truth of my statement."

"I can the more readily believe it," the Resident said, "inasmuch
as, in spite of your colour, I can perceive a certain likeness to
Major Lindsay, whom I knew intimately."

"My intention, in coming to see you now, sir, was to offer to
furnish any information to you, concerning the movements and plans
of Nana Furnuwees, so far as such information could do him no
harm."

"I heard that there had been discussions between Nana and Purseram
Bhow, the latter wishing to give battle to Scindia; but I think
that Nana is right in refusing to sanction this for, from all I
hear, Scindia's army is very much the stronger."

"It is, sir; and I should say that Purseram's army could hardly be
depended upon to fight, under such circumstances."

"What is Nana going to do?"

"He is going to retire, as soon as Scindia's army is fairly in
motion."

"He is in an awkward position," Mr. Malet said, "but he has
reinstated himself, several times, when it seemed that everything
was lost. I have great respect for his abilities, and he is the
only man who can curb the ambition of Scindia and his ministers.
Scindia's entire supremacy would be most unwelcome to us for,
indeed, it is only owing to the mutual jealousy of the three great
chiefs of the Mahratta nation, that we have gained successes. Were
the whole power in one hand, we should certainly lose Surat, and
probably Bassein and Salsette, and have to fight hard to hold
Bombay.

"I shall be very glad to receive any reports you can supply me
with, for it is next to impossible to obtain anything like
trustworthy information here. We only hear what it is desired that
we should know, and all these late changes have come as a complete
surprise to me; for what news I do obtain is, more often than not,
false. Unfortunately, truth is a virtue almost unknown among the
Mahrattas. They have a perfect genius for intrigue, and consider it
perfectly justifiable to deceive not only enemies, but friends.

"And when do you think of declaring yourself Mr. Lindsay?"

"I shall remain with Nana, so long as there is the slightest chance
of his success; unless, indeed, the course of affairs should lead
to the English intervening in these troubles; then, in case they
declare against Nana, I should feel it my duty to leave him at
once."

"I do not think there is any probability of that. Our policy has
been to support him, as the Peishwa's minister, against either
Scindia or Holkar. I shall, of course, report your appearance to
the authorities at Bombay; and I am sure there will be a
disposition to advance your views, for the sake of your father; and
moreover, your knowledge of the language of the Mahrattas--which
is, of course, perfect, or you could not have maintained your
deception so long--will of itself be a strong recommendation in
your favour."

After thanking Mr. Malet for his kindness, Harry returned to
Sufder's camp, and gave him an account of his interview with the
Resident.

"That is satisfactory, indeed, Puntojee. It shows the wisdom of the
step you took. Now, as to our affairs here, I have mentioned the
names of five captains of troops; all of whom can, I think, be
relied upon. However, I am now going out to see them, and have only
been waiting for your return. Six hundred men is but a small body;
but it is a beginning, and I have no doubt that others will join
Nana, later on. But I am not sufficiently sure of their sentiments
to open the matter to them, and it is essential that no suspicion
of Nana's intention to leave the town should get about. There might
be a riot in the city and, possibly, some of the captains, who have
not received the promotion which they regard as their due, might
try to gain Scindia's favour by arresting him."

On the following day a messenger arrived from Nana, requesting
Sufder to place himself with his troop, and such other captains as
he could rely upon, on the road a mile west of Poona. He himself
would leave the town quietly, with a small body of his friends, and
join them there. Sufder at once sent off five of his men, with
orders to the captains whom he had seen on the previous afternoon
and, within an hour, six hundred men were gathered at the point
indicated. Half an hour later a party of horsemen were seen coming
along, and Furnuwees soon rode up, accompanied by several of his
strongest adherents.

The officers were gathered at the head of their troops. Nana,
drawing rein, said to them:

"Thanks for your fidelity. I shall not forget it; and hope, when
the time comes, to reward it as it deserves."

He motioned to Harry to join him.

"Scindia's army was to march this morning," he said, "and his
horsemen will be here by tomorrow evening, at latest."

They rode to Satara, where Nana had arranged to stop until he
received news, from Purseram Bhow, as to the course of events at
Poona; and two days later a messenger rode in, with news that
Scindia had arrived near Poona, and had had a friendly interview
with Bajee Rao. Balloba had seen Purseram, and had pretended great
friendship for him; but the old soldier was by no means deceived by
his protestations.

"If we had only to do with Scindia," Nana said, "matters could be
easily arranged; but the young rajah is only a puppet in his
minister's hands."

Several days passed, and then another letter came from Purseram. It
said that Balloba had resolved to oppose Bajee Rao, and to have
both a minister and a Peishwa of his own nomination; and that he
proposed to him that Mahdoo Rao's widow should adopt Chimnajee as
her son, that Bajee should be placed in confinement, and that he,
Purseram Bhow, should be his minister. He asked Nana's advice as to
what course he should take. He stated that Balloba had said he was
greatly influenced, in the methods he proposed, by the hope of
rendering them in some degree acceptable to Nana.

As the latter had only placed Bajee Rao on the musnud as a means of
checkmating Scindia, he advised Purseram to accept the offer; but
pointed out the absolute necessity for his retaining Bajee in his
own custody. Purseram omitted to follow this portion of the advice,
and a formal reconciliation took place, by letter, between Balloba
and Nana. The latter was invited to proceed at once to Poona; but
on finding that Purseram had allowed Balloba to retain Bajee in his
hands, he suspected that the whole was a scheme to entice him into
the power of his enemy, and he therefore made excuses for not
going.

Bajee, ignorant of the plot that had been planned, went to
Scindia's camp to remonstrate against a heavy demand for money, on
account of the expenses to which Scindia had been put; and to his
astonishment he was, then and there, made a prisoner. Chimnajee
positively refused to become a party to the usurpation of his
brother's rights; but he was compelled, by threats, to ascend the
musnud. On the day after his installation, Purseram Bhow wrote,
proposing that Nana should come to Poona to meet Balloba, and to
assume the civil administration of the new Peishwa's government;
while the command of the troops, and all military arrangements,
should remain as they stood.

In reply, Nana requested that Purseram should send his son, Hurry
Punt, to settle the preliminaries; but instead of coming as an
envoy, Hurry Punt left Poona with over five thousand chosen horse.
This naturally excited Nana's suspicions, which were strengthened
by a letter from Rao Phurkay, who was in command of the Peishwa's
household troops, warning him to seek safety without a moment's
delay.

Now that he saw that half measures were no longer possible, Nana
ceased to be irresolute and, when his fortunes seemed to all men to
be desperate, commenced a series of successful intrigues that
astonished all India. He had quietly increased his force, during
the weeks of waiting since he had left Poona. He had ample funds,
having carried away with him an immense treasure, accumulated
during his long years of government. There was no time to be lost
and, as soon as he received the letter of warning, he left the town
of Waee and made for the Concan.

As soon as he reached the Ghauts, he set the whole of his force to
block the passes, by rolling great stones down into the roads. In
addition, strong barricades were constructed, and a force of two
hundred men left, at each point, to defend them. The infantry he
had recruited he threw into the fort of Raygurh, and added strongly
to its defences.

Balloba had proposed that Nana should be followed without delay,
and offered some of Scindia's best troops for the purpose; but
Purseram, acting in accordance with the advice of some of Nana's
friends, raised an objection. He had now, however, resolved to
break altogether with the minister, whose timidity at the critical
moment was considered, by him, as a proof that he could never again
be formidable; and he accordingly gave up Nana's estates to
Scindia, and took possession of his houses and property in Poona,
for his own use. After remaining for a few days, waiting events and
sending off many messengers, Nana sent for Harry.

"I have a mission for you," he said. "It is one that requires
daring and great intelligence, and I know no one to whom it could
be better committed than to you. You see that, owing to the turn
events have taken, Bajee Rao and myself are natural allies. We have
both suffered at the hands of Balloba. He is a prisoner in
Scindia's camp; though, as I understand, free to move about in it.
I privately received a hint that Bajee, himself, recognizes this;
but doubtless he believes that I am powerless to help either myself
or him.

"In this he is mistaken. I have been in communication with Holkar,
who is alarmed at the ever-increasing power of Scindia; and he will
throw his whole power into the scale, to aid me. The Rajahs of
Berar and Kolapoore have engaged to aid me, for the same reason;
and the Nizam will sign the treaty that was agreed upon between us,
some time since. Rao Phurkay has engaged to bring the Peishwa's
household troops over, when the signal is given.

"More than that I have, through Ryajee, a patal, who is an enemy of
Balloba, opened negotiations with Scindia himself; offering him the
estates of Purseram Bhow, and the fort of Surrenuggar, with
territory yielding ten lakhs, on condition of his placing Balloba
in confinement, re-establishing Bajee Rao on the musnud, and
returning with his troops to his own territory.

"I have no doubt that, when Bajee Rao hears this, he will be glad
enough to throw himself heartily into the cause. I may tell you
that he is apparently a guest, rather than a prisoner; and that he
has a camp of his own, in the centre of that of Scindia; and
therefore, when you have once made your way into his encampment,
you will have no difficulty in obtaining a private interview with
him. It is necessary that he should have money, and silver would be
too heavy for you to carry; but I will give you bags containing a
thousand gold mohurs, which will enable him to begin the work of
privately raising troops."

"I will undertake the business, sir. The only person I fear, in the
smallest degree, is Balloba himself. I must disguise myself so that
he will not recognize me."

Without delay, Harry mounted his horse, placed the two bags of
money that had been handed to him in the wallets behind his saddle,
exchanged his dress for that of one of Sufder's troopers, and then
started for Poona, which he reached the next day. He did not enter
the town; but put up at a cultivator's, two miles distant from it.

"I want to hire a cart, with two bullocks," he said to the man.
"Can you furnish one?"

"As I do not know you, I should require some money paid down, as a
guarantee that they will be returned."

"That I can give you; but I shall leave my horse here, and that is
fully worth your waggon and oxen. However, I will leave with you a
hundred rupees. I may not keep your waggon many days."

After it was dark, Harry went to the town and purchased some
paints, and other things, that he required for disguise. Having
used these, he went to the house of the British Resident and, on
stating who he was, he was shown in. Mr. Malet did not recognize,
in the roughly-dressed countryman, the young officer who had called
upon him before.

"I am Harry Lindsay and, being in Poona, called upon you to give
you some information."

"I recognize you by your voice," the Resident said; "but I fear
that there is nothing of importance that you can tell me; now that
Nana Furnuwees is homeless, and Bajee Rao is no longer Peishwa."

"Nana is not done with, yet, sir."

"Why, he is a fugitive, with a handful of troops under him."

"But he has his brains, sir, which are worth more than an army and,
believe me, if all goes well, it will not be long before he is back
in Poona, as minister to the Peishwa."

"Minister to Chimnajee?"

"No, sir, minister to Bajee Rao."

"I would that it were so," Mr. Malet said, "but since one is a
fugitive and the other a prisoner, I see no chance, whatever, of
such a transformation."

"I will briefly tell you, sir, what is preparing. Bajee, feeling
certain that he will, ere long, be sent to a fortress, has
communicated with Nana, imploring him to aid him."

"If he has turned to Nana for support, he is either mad, or acting
as Balloba's tool."

"On the contrary, sir, I think that his doing so shows that he
recognizes Nana's ability; and feels that, ere long, he may become
a useful ally. Already Nana has been at work. Holkar, who naturally
views with intense jealousy Scindia's entire control of the
territory of the Peishwa, has already agreed to put his whole army
in the field; Rao Phurkay will rebel, with the household troops
and, what is vastly more important, Scindia has embraced Nana's
offer of a large sum of money, and a grant of territory, to arrest
Balloba, and to replace Bajee on the musnud. In addition to this,
he has won over the Rajah of Berar, has incited the Rajah of
Kolapoore to attack the district of Purseram Bhow; and has obtained
the Nizam's approbation of a treaty, that had already been settled
between Nana and the Nizam's general, the basis of which is that
Bajee is to be re-established, with Nana himself as minister and,
on the other hand, the territory formerly seized by the Peishwa to
be restored.

"My mission here is to inform Bajee Rao of the plans that have been
prepared, and to obtain from him a solemn engagement that Nana
shall be reappointed as his minister, on the success of his plans."

Mr. Malet listened to Harry with increasing astonishment.

"This is important news, indeed," he said; "marvellous, and of the
highest importance to me. Already I have been asked, by the Council
of Bombay, to give my opinion as to whether it is expedient to
render any assistance to Nana Furnuwees. It is, to them, almost as
important as to Nana that Scindia should not obtain supreme power.
I have replied that I could not recommend any such step, for that
Nana's cause seemed altogether lost; and that any aid to him would
be absolutely useless, and would only serve Scindia with a pretext
for declaring war against us. Of course, what you have told me
entirely alters the situation. It will not be necessary for the
Council to assist Nana, but they can give him fair words and, even
if Balloba should win the day, he will have no ground for accusing
us of having aided Nana.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30