Special Service
"The English are truly a wonderful people, and their General is a
wonderful general," wrote Scindia, when referring to the action at
Ahmednuggur. "They came, looked at the pettah, walked over it, slew the
garrison, and returned to breakfast. Who can withstand them?"
That was the reputation which General Wellesley and his small force
obtained for themselves, a reputation which was before very long to be
considerably enhanced. They took the town of Ahmednuggur, and then at
once put their guns in position to bombard the fort, opening with such
effect that the commander volunteered to capitulate. Thus was the
initial action of the campaign rendered successful.
"We shall leave a garrison and march on at once," said the Major that
evening, when he came to see our hero in his tent, for Owen was confined
to his camp-bed for a few days, the blow having resulted in a slight
fever, for which he had already been freely bled. "It will never do to
allow Scindia and the Rajah of Berar to march up and down the country
gathering supplies and recruits. At the present moment all the robbers
and ruffians who have not attached themselves to Holkar are hurrying to
join the enemy, and the longer we delay the more there will be of them.
Our General has a reputation for hurry and dash, and you will see that
he will stir them up."
However, circumstances alter the plans even of generals, and it was not
till the 24th of August that the force crossed the Godavery, while
Colonel Stevenson moved in the direction of Aurungabad. Then came
tidings that Scindia and his ally had issued through the Adjuntah pass
and had seized Jaulna in the Deccan, wheeling at once to the south-east
as if about to march on the city of Hyderabad, for he had discovered
that Wellesley was within forty miles of Jaulna, and the object of the
Mahratta chiefs was to keep free of his force and in any case to avoid a
general action.
The indefatigable Wellesley followed them, and finally compelled them to
take up a position at Jaulna. On the 21st of September the whole of the
Mahratta army was encamped at Jefferabad, twenty-two miles south of
Jaulna, while our forces, consisting of the troops under Wellesley and
Stevenson, were ten miles to the west, at Budnapore. There seemed at
last every opportunity of a general engagement, and hope rose high in
the two united divisions. An attack was to be made, and according to the
plans of the General the troops, divided into their original divisions,
were to throw themselves upon the enemy on the morning of the 24th. For
this purpose they separated two days earlier, Colonel Stevenson taking
the western route to the rendezvous, while Wellesley and his force went
to the east.
"I shall be surprised if they do not manage to escape us," said the
adjutant of the 7th cavalry, on the evening before the divisions said
farewell to each other and moved off. "You see, Jones, these united
attacks are most difficult to time. Everything depends on the two forces
arriving on the ground practically at the same moment, and the smallest
circumstance may delay one or other commander. There may be a wide and
deep stream to cross, the ground encountered may be far too rough for
guns, and that would mean a wide detour, or the enemy might themselves
overthrow our plans by moving into another position. However, we shall
do our best, and our spies will keep us informed. That brings me to your
orders. A note was sent in to the C.O. after that affair at Ahmednuggur.
One of the staff officers brought it, and so I expect it came direct
from the General. As a reward for your conduct in the storming of the
breach you were to be given opportunities of accompanying outposts and
advance parties. This is an opportunity, and the C.O. has asked me to
tell you off for the duty. You will take six men to-morrow, and will
leave camp before daybreak. Draw rations to-night, so that you may be
free of the column altogether, and be sure to send us back due
information of what you find. Here is a map. On it I have drawn the
route we are to follow, and have sketched in the position of the enemy.
Call at the orderly tent and ask for a pocket-book for your despatches,
for you will have to send back your observations in writing. My boy,
you have a chance. Make the most of it."
When the adjutant had departed Owen threw his cap in the air, and would
have given vent to a whoop of delight had he not been occupying a tent
within the lines, while the General was situated within fifty yards. For
he was to be employed upon a duty for which he had longed ever since he
had joined the division. He liked his work as a cornet of cavalry
immensely, but the post of advance-guard or scout fascinated him, and
here he was detailed for the work. He called for Mulha, and having given
him directions as to his horse, he went across to choose his men and
draw the rations. Then he visited the orderly-room tent, and that done,
gathered about him the dozen or so harcarrahs, or spies, who were
attached to the division.
When the sun got up on the following morning it found him and his little
party some five miles from the camp, dismounted beneath a tope of trees,
and cooking a hasty breakfast.
"We will send the harcarrahs ahead as soon as possible, Mulha," he said,
as he paced restlessly up and down, for, to tell the truth, Owen had not
yet acquired the great virtue of patience which comes to men of maturer
age. Any delay fretted him, and on this occasion he would gladly have
neglected the meal and pushed on.
"And what of the men, sahib?" asked Mulha, when he had expressed this
intention. "They will soon become fatigued if you do not study their
wants. It would be wise to halt, so that man and beast may feed. Then
it will matter little if no other opportunity occurs before the night
comes."
And so a halt had been called, and the men had eased the girths of their
saddles. And now they sat on their heels, in the accustomed position of
the East, discussing their boiled rice, while they chatted quietly
together. Owen was bound to confess that they were likely-looking men,
these six whom he had chosen. Their uniforms were handsome and showed
off their figures, while their turbans gave them an imposing appearance,
which their fine horses and the lances they carried set off beautifully.
At length, however, the meal was finished, girths were tightened, and
the men threw themselves into their saddles. Then the harcarrahs
scattered and rode off, their tats or small ponies looking very quaint
beside the bigger animals of the native cavalry.
"They will go miles without showing fatigue, sahib," observed Mulha as
the men rode off. "They will bring you news, and you will send it to the
General."
"I shall do my best to discover something for myself," was the answer.
"After all, that is what I am sent out for, though, of course, I cannot
be supposed to see as much as all the spies. Still, if possible I shall
get in touch with the enemy."
But an hour or more passed without incident, and it was not till it was
approaching ten o'clock that our hero saw anything to attract his
attention. He was riding at the head of his men, and as the sun was very
hot, was taking advantage of every atom of shade to be found. In
consequence the little party walked their horses at the edge of a long
stretch of jungle which offered a grateful shelter. Suddenly one of the
men gave an exclamation of surprise and wheeled his horse.
"Sahib, look there!" he said, lifting his lance to point across the
plain towards a long eminence. "There are horsemen, and they belong to
the enemy."
Owen was off his horse in an instant, and had his eye glued to the
spy-glass with which he was provided. And by its aid he was able to make
out that the horsemen were undoubtedly the enemy.
"There are eight of them," he said, "and they are armed with lances like
ourselves. They are riding this way."
"Then perhaps, sahib----" began Mulha.
"We must capture them. They may be able to give valuable information.
Let us watch them for a time, and then we will charge."
Thanks to the fact that Owen and his party were riding in the shade,
they had remained completely hidden from the enemy, while the latter
being out on the plain were distinctly visible. Taking advantage of this
the little party reined their horses still farther back in amongst the
trees and waited eagerly for the moment when they might attack. Owen
hitched his sabre a little farther to the front and eased the blade,
while his hand sought the butt of his pistol. As for the troopers, they
fidgeted in their saddles, lifting their lances now and again, and
staring from the enemy towards their young leader. Suspense is always
more trying than action, and all found the waiting telling upon their
patience.
"What is that?" suddenly demanded Owen. "There is a commotion amongst
the horsemen, and----"
"It is one of the harcarrahs whom they have seen and are about to
follow," suddenly exclaimed Mulha, pointing across the plain. "He came
round the angle of the jungle, sahib, and then saw the enemy for the
first time. He knows that we are here, and has turned this way."
"What are his chances?" demanded Owen quietly, as he stared out from the
shadow.
"He will keep well ahead of the enemy for two miles perhaps, sahib.
After that they will come up with him swiftly, for they are well
mounted. They will overtake him just before he reaches us."
"Then we will interfere. Now, my men, stay quietly where you are till I
give the command. Then ride out into the open, and form single line
behind me. We will go through those men and scatter immediately, with
the object of capturing a few."
Once more there was a restless movement amongst the troopers, while all
eyes went to the native harcarrah who had so unexpectedly come upon the
scene. Too late he had noticed the enemy, and now came spurring along
the edge of the jungle at his utmost pace. And the Mahratta horse,
seeing his object, galloped madly after him, their direction taking them
diagonally across the plain. It became abundantly evident, when some
five minutes had passed, that the harcarrah's pony could not live with
the beasts ridden by the Mahrattas. They were gaining on him faster even
than Mulha had imagined possible, and long before Owen had intended to
give the order he found it necessary to emerge from the shelter of the
forest.
"Walk!" he commanded. "Trot! Gallop! Now, keep your horses in hand till
I give the word. Then at them!"
His sabre came out of its sheath with a hiss and went to his shoulder.
He gripped his reins in his left hand, and set his feet home in the
stirrups. And as he did so the pace of the little troop increased from a
gentle canter to a gallop. They were sweeping along across the plain at
a pace which brought a gleam of excitement to his eyes, and as yet the
enemy had not seen them. But within a few seconds there was a shout and
the Mahrattas drew rein suddenly.
"Do not stop, sahib. Push on! They will see that we are few and may wait
for the attack."
For a few moments it seemed as if the enemy would turn tail and fly, but
seeing that only a few were riding towards them, and that there was only
one white man amongst them, for the turbans and dress of the troopers
were distinct at that distance, they faced Owen and his men and set
their horses at a trot. In a moment they were galloping, and as Owen
watched them, their long lances, a formidable weapon for which they were
famous, came down to the horizontal, while their pace developed into a
charge. Owen stood in his stirrups and turned to his men with a smile.
Then he waved them on with his sabre, and swinging round in his saddle
set his horse galloping at his fastest pace. The dust flew up in columns
behind him, while the hoarse shouts of the enemy came to his ears. He
leaned forward, sinking low in his seat, while his eye sought for the
leader of the enemy. Before it appeared possible the two parties were
within a few yards of each other, and it seemed that they would meet
with a terrible crash. But, almost as the lances of the contending
parties crossed, the Mahrattas lost heart. Owen could see them pulling
at their horses, and in a second they would have cut out to his right
and so avoided the charge.
"To the right! To the right!" he shouted, while he turned his own horse
in that direction. The troopers, riding almost level with him now,
obeyed the order instantly, and catching the Mahrattas on the flank
hurled them to the ground like ninepins. Two of the enemy were
transfixed with the lances, while four who were farthest on the left
managed to elude the troopers and were not upset. But Owen dashed after
them without delay, while four of his men followed. The chase was a
short and sharp one. Thanks to the fine horse he rode Owen quickly
overhauled the nearest of the enemy, and standing in his stirrups
prepared to cut the man down if he would not draw rein. Then suddenly
the Mahratta twisted in his saddle, aimed a pistol at his head and
fired. There was a thud as the bullet, missing the mark by half an inch,
struck the saddle of the trooper behind. Then Owen's sabre came down
with a crash, and the man dropped out of his saddle, stunned by the
blow, the full force of which had been broken by the thick turban he was
wearing. A minute later the remainder had surrendered, and Owen found
himself in possession of prisoners.
"One of our men has a lance wound in the thigh, sahib," said Mulha,
coming to his master, and looking at him searchingly lest he, too,
should be wounded. "Three of the enemy are killed, and two slightly
hurt. What are your orders?"
For answer our hero drew his handkerchief from his coat and mopped his
forehead, while he looked back at Mulha. He was gasping for breath, and
as yet was hardly prepared to issue orders.
"There are many hours before the darkness comes, sahib," went on Mulha.
"These men have not ridden far to-day, that I feel sure of, for their
horses, in spite of the charge, are fresh, and not travel-stained. It
may be that the camp of these Mahrattas is near, and if that were
so----"
"We must see it, and locate the position. But how can we be sure? Can
the harcarrah say?"
"He may be able, sahib, but if he cannot, the prisoners will speak.
Remember the ruffian aboard the pirate ship which we captured. There are
ways of making men speak. I will see what can be done."
He went off to the troopers, who had now gathered the prisoners
together, and had dismounted, while Owen interviewed the harcarrah,
discovering that he had failed to locate the enemy. Calling two of them
aside, Mulha selected one of the Mahrattas, who appeared to be the
leader of the party which had been captured, and with the troopers
following brought the man to Owen.
"Say where you have come from, and where the forces of Scindia and his
ally are camped," he demanded sternly, as the troopers ranged themselves
up beside the prisoner. "So! You cannot remember? Then we will help you.
Get your carbines."
He sent the men back for their weapons, while he faced the prisoner,
looking at him unconcernedly, as if his action were one of the
commonest. And as Owen watched the scene, not caring to interfere, for
it was important to have information, though he hardly liked to obtain
it by means of threats, he noticed that the Mahratta's courage was
melting. Out of the corners of his eyes the prisoner watched the
troopers go to their horses and lift their carbines from the buckets in
which they were carried. He heard the metallic click as the locks were
drawn back, and his heart weakened. He looked pleadingly at Owen and
then back at the troopers.
"I will speak, sahib. The white lord shall know. Listen, my lord, this
is where Scindia and his friend, the Rajah of Berar, lie."
A trembling hand went out towards the highland from which the Mahratta
horse had first appeared.
"Sahib, they are encamped on the river Kaitna, on its north bank, and
only a half-hour's ride from here. We were out foraging, for provisions
are scarce. Will my lord offer protection to me? These native troopers
would slay me without mercy."
"Silence! This Scindia is within half an hour's ride. What troops has
he?"
Mulha interrupted the man, and coolly ranged his two troopers up before
him, so that their carbines might be in full evidence.
"I will tell all that I know," answered the prisoner in piteous tones.
"Scindia has all his battalions with him, and there are ten thousand at
least of the troops trained by the French sahibs. Of other troops, there
are as many again in the foot regiments, but these are irregulars. The
cavalry number perhaps thirty thousand, while we have a hundred guns.
That is the full total, on my lance and tulwar, sahib."
"And quite enough I should say," burst in Owen. "Fifty thousand men and
a hundred guns!"
"And within four miles, sahib," added Mulha.
"While our troops must be quite as far behind us, if not more. This is
very important information, for if the enemy are so near us, and in such
force, it would seem as if the combination of our two divisions would be
impossible. Perhaps the Mahrattas intend to attack the divisions
separately. I will ask this prisoner."
He slipped from his horse and went towards the man. Mulha accompanied
him, and stepping to within a foot of the unhappy Mahratta looked into
his eyes with such a sinister expression that the man quailed. "He will
speak at once, sahib. Ask him the questions, and listen, dog! See that
you reply on the instant, and correctly."
Mulha had little love for the class of Mahratta who had sided with
Scindia, and in addition he made pretence of anger which he did not
feel. Every day Owen was learning that, besides being a faithful fellow,
he was an astute native, who knew his countrymen well. Had our hero been
left to extract information it is more than probable that his training
would have made him hesitate and decline to use threats to gain what he
wanted. However, Mulha had no scruples. He knew well that the natives of
the country were as prone to dissemble and give false news as they were
to pilfer and murder, and he knew that stern measures were required. And
how well those measures had succeeded! As the prisoner looked at Mulha
and then at the troopers, with their loaded carbines, any returning
courage that he may have felt oozed from his finger-tips, or through the
sandals he wore. His colour changed to a sickly hue, the pallor of the
East, and his lips trembled.
"Tell me more of this army," demanded Owen. "Are they now encamped, or
are they preparing to march against the English?"
He waited anxiously for the answer, knowing that a great deal depended
on it, and heaved a sigh of relief when the man had spoken.
"My lord can rest easy on that point. The troops of Scindia are in
position for the day. They will not move till to-morrow, and not even
then perhaps. They know that the British are advancing, and it is said
in the camp that Scindia will attack each division in turn."
"That will do. Set a watch over the prisoners, and get ready to
accompany me, Mulha," exclaimed Owen at once, his tone changing. "We
must not delay an instant longer than is necessary."
His hand went to his leather pouch and he abstracted the note-book which
he had obtained from the orderly-room. Then he hastily scrawled an
account of his meeting with the Mahrattas, and of the information given
him. Tearing the sheet out of the book, he enclosed the map, marking on
it the position which he then occupied and that where the prisoner
stated the enemy to be.
"I am advancing at speed to ascertain the truth of this," he wrote, "and
will report at the first opportunity."
"Now, Mulha, I will select two of the men. The others must escort the
prisoners back to camp. Tie their hands, and put a noose round their
feet beneath the horse's belly. They must submit to that seeing that we
have so few to guard them."
A few moments later he had selected one of the troopers to carry his
note, and at a sharp order the man swung himself into his saddle,
saluted, and galloped off at furious speed, intent on getting the note
to General Wellesley in as short a time as possible. The prisoners and
their escort followed, while Owen, Mulha, and the remaining trooper set
their faces to the highland, and cantered toward it.
"Time is the main object," said our hero as they went along. "We will
not push our horses yet, but once we have seen the position of the enemy
we will send them back towards the division at a pace which will soon
take us there. Keep a sharp eye open, and as we get near to the top of
the rising ground, halt and dismount."
There was silence after that as the three rode on towards the hills.
Owen occupied the central place, with Mulha and the trooper on either
side. And presently they were breasting the rise. Selecting a tope of
trees Owen rode into it, and throwing one leg over the saddle slipped
quietly to the ground. Mulha was at his side in an instant, and caught
his rein as he let it drop. Then he ran on up the hill, keeping in the
shelter of the trees, and finally halted on the very summit, where he
lay down, partly to recover his breath, and partly so that he should not
be seen by the enemy. But he could not be still, with the thought that
the enemy was so close at hand. Grasping his sabre in one hand to keep
it out of his way and from clattering against the ground or the trees,
he crawled on some yards till a sudden opening and a falling of the
ground gave him a clear view of the country beyond. Then indeed he came
to a halt with a gasp of amazement and delight. For beneath him ran the
Kaitna, a deep and strong stream, supposed by the enemy to be
unfordable, while its course was east and west. To his right was another
river, the Juah, joining with the Kaitna, and cutting off a strip of
land between the two rivers which, commencing as an acute-angled piece,
widened out till it was of large proportions. And it was here, with his
front facing the north bank of the Kaitna and looking towards Owen, that
our hero discovered the army of Scindia comfortably encamped, with its
guns parked and its lines filled with a multitude of soldiers and
hucksters. Not a scout or sentry was to be seen beyond the river, though
there were sentries on the outskirts of the camp, and on the right a
strong outpost of horsemen. Indeed, a glance showed Owen that it was
there that the 30,000 horsemen were stationed. At once his pocket-book
came out, and as he lay there he rapidly sketched in the position of the
rivers, their junction, and the disposition of the various arms. That
done, he crawled away again and ran to the horses. Swinging himself into
the saddle, he turned to see that the others were ready.
"Is the news true, sahib?" Mulha ventured to ask him. Then, when he had
heard the few details which Owen could give him, he shook his head
vigorously.
"Well as I know the English and their great courage, they will never
dare to attack now, before the divisions are joined," he said.
"Remember, there are perhaps twenty thousand troops there who have been
trained by French officers, and they have done well with the men.
Besides, there is the river. How can it be crossed? Who can say that it
is fordable?"
"The very thing! The most important thing!" burst in Owen. "We must make
inquiries. There is a village over there, and perhaps it would be
possible to get one of the inhabitants to help us."
They discussed the matter for a few moments, and then turning their
horses galloped down to the village. It was almost empty, all the men
being away in the camp, disposing of their various possessions. But as
the trio drew up at the biggest hut a woman came out, and eagerly
answered their questions.
"A ford, my lords?" she said. "Would that I could say that there was not
one! But there is, and it is by that that my man has gone, together with
all the others from this place. They have been selling goods to the
soldiers, and spending their time gambling and smoking. There! Look at
the bank, where the trees crop up together. The ford is within a few
feet on the right, and any one can find it, for there are wheel-marks.
Had I command of the men yonder I would never have encamped in such a
spot. But they are all the same. This Scindia thinks that he is secure,
and has not troubled to look for himself with his own eyes, or he would
have seen this ford."
It was evident that Scindia and his men were no friends of hers, and
Owen felt confident that her information was all the more correct. He
tossed her a piece of money and rode down the street. Once out of the
village, he set spurs to his horse, and did not draw rein till he had
covered six miles. At that distance he found the division, which he had
left before daybreak, weary and tired after a fourteen-mile march, and
just about to encamp for the night. But there was to be no rest for the
soldiers, for within half an hour of Owen's arrival the bugles were
going, and the order was, "Boot and saddle! Stand to your arms!"
"Fall in with your company, Mr. Jones," said the General, when Owen had
handed him his sketch and explained the positions and strength of the
enemy. "I am obliged to you for the news you bring. It is of
importance."
Nothing more. Just a curt acknowledgment of his work. But General
Wellesley was a soldier who never wasted his breath, and more especially
when there was important work before him. Calling for his horse, he gave
orders that the division should march for the highland ahead, and then
rode on to reconnoitre with his staff. It was very obvious that he had
made up his mind to attack, and had there been any doubt on this matter
it was instantly set at rest when he had himself seen the position of
the enemy. "They cannot escape me!" he cried with the utmost confidence.
It was approaching one o'clock before the division had come up and
marched into position, but there was no halting. Leading the men along
to the east, past the right of the enemy, there composed solely of
cavalry, and of course camped on the opposite bank of the river Kaitna,
Wellesley marched down the front of the Mahrattas till he had passed
Scindia's left. Then he swept to the left, opposite the village of
Assaye, situated on the strip of land between the two rivers at their
junction, and taking the path pointed out by Owen had no difficulty in
finding the ford. A little later his infantry were across the stream,
facing the guns and infantry of the enemy, this arm having been faced
round to oppose them. And thus, in the early afternoon the two forces
made ready for a battle which was to prove decisive. Let the reader
think of the audacity of the British. Here was a force of Mahrattas
estimated at 55,000 horse and foot, of whom a large number were trained
and seasoned battalions. There were in addition 100 guns. Truly a
formidable armament. And against this host marched the British, their
General at their head, numbering, according to one authority, 1200
cavalry, 2000 sepoys, and 1300 European infantry, consisting of the 74th
and 78th Highland regiments, a host in themselves. In addition we had a
few guns and some 3000 native cavalry from the Peishwa, who were known
to be on the eve of mutiny. No wonder that Scindia and his host stood
amazed at the very audacity of such an undertaking.