_A PRINCE IN SCARLET_
With caution, the troopers encircling the Rani, felt their way out from
the shadow of the rock. Then with loosened reins they rode, as with
the speed of a monsoon wind, northward to the rendezvous of the Native
forces at Kalpi.
At first, they avoided the main road and, with unslackened pace, took
to by-paths that led over ditches and streams, through dense jungle
underbrush, and across rocky plains, until the danger of an immediate
pursuit was past. Throughout the night the form of the officer who had
taken the Rani from Ahmad's arms kept closely at her side. That his
order must have been to watch over her as a priceless treasure, was
evident from the care he took to guide her horse at dangerous places,
and to remove from her course an occasional overhanging branch that
might have caused painful if not serious injury. In the darkness his
features were indistinguishable. Indeed, it seemed as if he purposely
kept his face turned from her; though in the open, the brilliancy of
the starlight shining upon a closely fitting cap of steel, and arms of
ornate workmanship, proclaimed him a cavalier of rank.
As in the early part of the ride silence was imperative, the Rani did
not attempt to broach a conversation with her companion. In fact, the
pace was too swift to permit even a consecutive flow of thought. Such
thoughts as did occupy her mind were naturally directed to the reasons
she would urge upon Tantia Topi for the immediate recapture of her
beloved city.
Day was breaking when the troopers drew up before the fortress gates
of a friendly raja. The Rani glanced round to offer her thanks to the
officer who had so faithfully protected her from harm during the long
night ride; but he had disappeared. So also had Ahmad Khan.
Upon seeking the reason for their absence, she was informed that on
striking into the main road, the former had fallen behind with a small
body of men to cover her retreat, and the latter had been compelled to
seek relief from his fatigue by a short period of rest in the seclusion
of the jungle.
A sudden inspiration prompted her to ask the name of the gallant
captain of the escort. A look of disappointment crossed her face upon
learning that he was a northern chief attached to the army of Tantia
Topi, by name, Parma Nand Bai Bahadur.
It seemed to the Rani that she had scarcely closed her eyes in much
needed sleep, when a trooper arrived in haste bearing the waking
message that the Foreign cavalry were in pursuit.
"To the saddle," was the immediate cry. Within a few minutes she was
again flying northward, her escort reinforced by the presence and
body-guard of her recent host.
Through the trying heat of day, with but momentary halts for
refreshment, she pressed forward over the hundred and ten miles
intervening between Jhansi and Kalpi. At nightfall a trooper caught up
with her party to deliver the welcome intelligence that the rearguard
had beheld the Foreign cavalry relinquish the pursuit.
Thus she was enabled to rest for the night at a wayside village without
fear of personal danger. Before retiring, and again on setting forth
the next morning she had looked for the reappearance of the officer who
had so skillfully conducted her retreat; but it seemed he had turned
back upon the heels of the Foreign cavalry to make certain of their
actions.
By easier stages she accomplished the remaining distance to Kalpi,
reaching her destination at sunset to find that she had outstripped
Tantia Topi in his more leisurely retreat from Jhansi. In the waning
light his vanguard was seen emerging from the ravines by which the
city is approached on three sides. On its fourth, the sacred waters
of the Jumna reflected the deep shadows of a long line of temples and
mausoleums, terminating in the rock fortress with the _ghat_ at its
foot.
The Rao Sahib, who, as the nephew and representative of the Peshwa, had
for several months commanded the garrison and arsenal at Kalpi, was
advised of the Rani's approach. He sent forward an aide-de-camp to meet
her on the road, and with greetings conduct her to a house prepared for
her reception. He requested that early on the following morning she
would assist at a council-of-war to discuss the operations necessary
to turn back the victorious advance of the enemy.
The Rani was concluding her evening meal, when raising her eyes they
rested with surprise upon the form of her worthy secretary, Bipin Dat.
"Why, good Bipin," she exclaimed in accents of welcome. "Thou here. I
thought thou wert far off discussing intricate family problems with thy
genial uncles."
"Illustrious Lady," Bipin replied gravely. "Such was undoubtedly my
intention when I departed from your Highness's side in Jhansi; but
alas! the pace of those rascally troopers thou gavest me as an escort,
so jolted my limbs, that on reaching the camp of the invincible Tantia
Topi, I could scarce crawl into his presence. For days my bones ached
to such an extent that a tortoise would have travelled faster to the
abode of my people. Then when I learned the straits in which your
Greatness was placed, how could I do otherwise than assist in your
relief."
"I see," the Rani exclaimed. "Thy aches and pains vanished when it
became necessary to move faster than a tortoise, after that feat was so
gallantly relinquished."
"Noble Rani," protested Bipin. "Had the great Tantia Topi only followed
the advice of thy humble servant and been more circumspect in his
method of attack, undoubtedly the Foreigners would all have been eaten
up like grass before a plague of locusts. As it was, with several other
observant fellows, I saw to it that no assault was contemplated in rear
while the battle raged in front--a responsible office, great Lady," he
concluded, self approvingly, "that Tantia Topi admitted had been well
carried out."
"No doubt," acquiesced the Rani, expressing in her voice the contempt
she felt for the conduct of those in command of the Native army on that
critical occasion. "No doubt, good Bipin. The retreat, they say, was
conducted with masterly judgment. But tell me," she asked with greater
interest. "Hast thou seen aught of Prasad Singh with the army of Tantia
Topi"?
Bipin started at the mention of the Hindu noble's name.
"Thanks be to God, not I," he exclaimed. "By the will of the Almighty I
trust his spirit has long since passed into the body of a toad. I have
seen naught of that accursed man."
The Rani's brow darkened for a moment as if Bipin's expression of
sentiment met with her disapproval; but she spoke again in reference to
another matter.
"Good Bipin," she said, "I am glad to see thee once more, for thou
canst render me an immediate service."
He _salaamed_ obediently, while she took a purse from her girdle and
handed him a considerable sum of money.
"Go," she enjoined, "into the bazaar, and without disclosing who it
is that commissions thee, purchase for me a suit of male attire. I
would have thee buy a scarlet jacket and trousers, a white turban, and
red leather shoes to which spurs may be strapped. Get me also a sword
of the finest tempered steel, and pistols that will shoot straight.
Remember I care more for the quality of the weapons than for their
ornamentation. Let it be understood that the sword and pistols will be
purchased only if they meet with my approval. Thou hadst better order
several from which I can make a choice. Go, and do this speedily, as I
have a use for them upon the morrow."
With an expression of surprise on his face Bipin hesitated, when the
Rani, emphatically repeating her order, he _salaamed_ and departed on
his errand.
The sun had risen but a few degrees above the horizon on the following
morning when the Rao Sahib, Tantia Topi, Ahmad Khan, who had arrived in
Kalpi overnight, and other native leaders, were gathered about a table
in a room of the governor's house, awaiting the Rani of Jhansi's coming
to take a seat at the council.
A curtain screening the doorway of the room was drawn aside and a young
officer entered. With the exception of his white turban, he was attired
in a blood red uniform from head to foot. It contrasted well with his
dark, handsome features, and admirably displayed his slender figure.
One hand, unusually delicate for a man, rested upon the butt of a
pistol protruding from his girdle, while the other rose to his turban
in a military salute.
The Rao Sahib and Tantia Topi gazed inquiringly as well as with
admiration, upon the newcomer, whom it was evident they had never seen
before. Ahmad Khan with his back to the stranger's position had failed
to remark his entrance.
[Illustration: With the exception of a white turban, she was attired in
a blood-red uniform from head to foot.--Page 213.]
"Well officer," the Rao Sahib asked. "Dost bring us a message from
someone"?
The young officer laughed musically as he assumed a captivating pose.
"I bring you a message, noble Sahibs," he replied, "to say that the
Raja of Jhansi is now present at the council."
"The Raja of Jhansi"? the Rao Sahib and Tantia Topi both echoed
interrogatively, while Ahmad turned impulsively in his seat.
For a moment the Mohammedan scrutinized the young officer's features,
then gave vent to an exclamation of surprise.
"By Allah"! he cried, "my Lords, it is the valiant Rani herself."
The nobles rose from their seats and welcomed her effusively. For a
space the eyes of the Rao Sahib could discover no other object save her
form to gaze upon.
She gracefully moved forward and took a seat at the board. The cloud
of misfortune that had overshadowed their faces was lifted by her
presence. As a ray of heaven's light to storm-beset travellers she came
among them.
For a time the assembled nobles proceeded to discuss the events
leading up to the numerous reverses they had recently suffered, those
more directly implicated endeavoring by one plea and another to
shirk individual responsibility. In this useless wrangle over past
disasters the Rani's patience soon became exhausted. She perceived
that unless brought to a speedy termination it might lead, by way of
heated arguments, to the greater disaster of a feud among themselves.
Already Ahmad Khan and Tantia Topi had exchanged angry words over the
generalship displayed in the battle before Jhansi.
"My Lords," she at this point interposed. "All this seems to me to add
little to the solution of our present difficulty, except in so far as
we may have gathered experience to bring victory out of defeat. With
deference to your greater knowledge of such matters, in my mind the
most important question, is how to insure a speedy turn of the campaign
in our favor."
"Truly, thou speakest to the point, O Rani," the Rao Sahib remarked
approvingly. "Dost agree then with Tantia Topi, that we intrench
ourselves here in Kalpi and await the coming of the Foreigners"?
The Rani rose to her feet with a gesture of impatience.
"Noble Rao," she returned vehemently. "That plan will never do. If
it was impossible to hold Jhansi, a stronger position by a hundred
fold than any that might be afforded by the defenses here, how do you
suppose we could drive away the Foreigners from Kalpi? No," she urged,
"while I agree that the Kalpi arsenal must be saved to us at all costs,
I believe that the enemy must first be fought and beaten in the open,
at a time and place the most advantageous to ourselves. To a spot of
our own selection, I would move forward to encounter them on their way
from Jhansi. There, with our troops well rested and theirs exhausted
by a long march, the chance of victory will rest on our side. Aye,
I would so arrange the hour of battle that we fight in the heat of
noonday, when the sun will aid us as a powerful ally."
"Well spoken, brave Rani," Ahmad Khan applauded enthusiastically.
"Hadst thou learned thy military lessons from the great Dost Mohammed,
thou couldst not have counseled us more wisely."
"Nay, my lords," she protested, "it is after all but the opinion of a
woman; but if any remain still in doubt as to the advisability of the
plan, give into my hands the command of this affair and see what comes
of it. If a leader's courage can drive these people back, I vow they
shall never desecrate with their feet the eighty temples of Kalpi."
The Rao Sahib was enthralled by the beauty and enthusiasm of the Rani
of Jhansi. He would willingly have granted her request, but that he was
fearful of offending the susceptibilities of his generals. He pondered
deeply before rendering a decision. At last he spoke authoritatively.
"In what the Rani says there is certainly displayed much good
discernment of the situation. I agree with her that it is better to
intercept the Foreigners' advance than await them here in Kalpi. So if
she will accept the leadership of the cavalry under the supreme command
of Tantia Topi, I believe Kalpi may be saved."
"Noble Rao Sahib," the Rani returned. "Most readily will I accept any
office which you may be pleased to give into my hands. But I would urge
that we set out forthwith, in order that we may have time to select a
good position. Be assured the Foreigners will not rest while another
prize remains to fall into their hands."
"Thou art right, noble Rani," the Rao Sahib acquiesced. Then turning to
Tantia Topi he asked if any place suggested itself to his mind as the
best vantage ground on which to meet the enemy.
Tantia Topi called for a map of the country, and for several minutes
studied it carefully. At last he gave it as his opinion that at Kunch,
forty miles distant, the nature of the country would afford the best
strategic position for a decisive battle.
"It is a good place," he explained, "because lying half way on the road
to Jhansi, if the rout of the Foreigners be complete, a flying column
may push swiftly on to the Rani's capital, with a chance of surprising
and capturing the weak garrison that the Foreign general can only
afford to leave there."
"Good, most sagacious Tantia Topi," the Rani exclaimed approvingly.
Then turning to the Rao Sahib she earnestly besought of him a favor.
"My Lord," she said, "thou wilt not deny me the command of any force
detached for the recapture of my own city"?
The Rao Sahib replied with gallantry.
"Assuredly that thou shalt possess, fair cavalier. Tantia Topi now hath
my orders to give that command to no one else."
"So to Kunch, my Lords," he added, "is our final decision."
"Aye and to victory, forget not that," the Rani cried enthusiastically.
The council then proceeded with a discussion of the details of the
expedition, to rise, at last, confident that with the greater number
of men and guns they could put into the field, together with natural
advantages on their side, the result of the battle could not be
otherwise than a victory for the Native arms.