your hands, Percy; you are old enough now to act on your own account.
If you can be useful--and it is probable that you may be very useful
owing to your acquaintance with the language and the knowledge that you
have gained of the people--to the resident at Loodiana, I should say
that it would be best for you to put yourself at his service. It would
be a very useful beginning for you, and would give you a claim that
might be of great advantage to you in the future. Besides, I should
think you would wish to see what is going on, and there are likely to be
some stirring events in the next few months. Here we shall have a quiet
time of it, for with a war with England on their hands no one will think
of troubling about us, and they will need every man for the work they
have cut out for themselves. Do you agree with me, Mahtab?"
"Yes, I shall be sorry, very sorry for him to go; but I think it would
be best for him. You always tell me that if my people go to war with
yours it is sure to end in the Punjaub being annexed. There will then
be no career for him here, and it will be better so since his life would
be, as yours has been, one of constant danger. Thus then, it will be
much better for him to make friends with officers in the Company's
service, so that he may, as you have pointed out many times, become an
officer of theirs when they are masters of the Punjaub."
"You will want a servant; indeed you had better have two. They must be
trusty men above all things, and shrewd fellows too, whom you can, if
necessary, despatch on difficult errands. I should say you had better
let Nand Chund pick you out two of his men, unless you have any fancy
yourself."
"He spoke very highly to me of those he chose for me last night, uncle.
However, I will speak to him."
"Do so, Percy; a man may be faithful and an excellent guard, and yet not
be the one you would choose as a servant. You want two cheery
good-tempered fellows, who will always do what they are told without
grumbling. I should say that you had better have Pathans, for a Sikh's
sympathies would certainly be with his countrymen. I will walk down
with you myself and have a chat with Nand Chund; next to a good horse
and good arms, a good servant is the most important point on entering on
a campaign; a handy fellow will make you comfortable under almost all
circumstances, while with one who has not a knack of cooking, or of
managing things for your comfort, you will be in all sorts of straits."
When the matter was explained to the officer he said: "You could not do
better than take Akram Chunder, he is a Pathan, and one of the men you
had last night. He was Sohan Verdi's own man for a time; but the major
is hot-tempered, and spoke sharply to him one day, and he chose to go
back into the ranks again. Sohan has told me more than once that he was
one of the best men he ever had. He is a good soldier, he has been in
your service for ten years, and he has a high character for courage. I
do not think that the young sahib can do better than take him. As to
the other he shall have my own man, Bhop Lal. He is an invaluable man
in the field, merry, good-tempered, eager to please, ready to do
anything for his master's comfort. Here, however, he has been too long
inactive, and is getting idle. Were I going on a campaign I should be
sorry indeed to part with him; but as it is I can find a man who will
suit me just as well, and he is the very man for the young sahib; he is
intelligent and trustworthy, a good groom and cook."
"Then Percy cannot do better than try them. Send for them to come to my
house at once, I will myself speak to them and see how they like the
proposal; a man who goes unwillingly had much better stop behind. I am
obliged to you, Nand Chund, for giving up your man to my nephew."
Ten minutes later the servant announced that the two men were at the
door, and they were at once brought in.
"My nephew is going to Loodiana," the colonel began, "and it may be that
he will remain with his friends. You have, of course, both heard the
news that the maharanee has yielded to the wishes of the army, and that
they are going to war with the English. My nephew is going to join his
own people, and will, I daresay, remain with them until the war is over.
He wants two servants, good fellows who can be thoroughly relied upon,
who can look after his comfort in the field, carry messages if necessary
from one end of the country to the other, and who can be relied upon to
be thoroughly faithful and devoted to him. I have consulted Nand Chund,
and he has strongly recommended you both. I do not wish you to go
unless you are perfectly willing to do so. While you are with him, you
will receive double pay, and a present will not be wanting when he
returns here if he gives a good report on your services. Now, what do
you say?"
Both men expressed their willingness to follow Percy, and it was evident
by their manner that they considered it no small honour to have been
selected to attend upon the colonel's nephew.
"That is settled then," the colonel said. "I need tell you nothing
about your duties, for you are both accustomed to the work. I will see
that you are well mounted. Have you each good arms and a brace of
pistols?" Both replied in the affirmative. "Make your preparations at
once. Nand Chund will start in half an hour with fifty men to escort my
nephew to Loodiana."
The men saluted and retired, and the colonel gave orders that two good
horses should be picked out for them. Three quarters of an hour later
Percy rode out from the gate of the fortress with his escort, his two
followers falling in in the rear. Being this time unencumbered by
baggage animals, the march was more rapid than it had been on the way
up. As the country was full of armed parties making their way to
Lahore, their passage attracted no attention until they turned off from
the road to that city. After that they avoided towns, and riding
without a halt for twelve hours they crossed the Sutlej on the evening
of the fifth day, and on the following morning rode into Loodiana. A
considerable change had taken place since Percy had left it six months
before. Then there were but two or three battalions of troops stationed
there, now the long line of tents showed that this force was largely
augmented, and that six or seven thousand men were collected in the
camp. It was evident that the British authorities were alive to the
coming danger, and that they would not be surprised by the unprovoked
invasion of the Sikhs.
Sir Henry Hardinge had arrived in July as governor-general, and being
warned by the Residents at Loodiana and other frontier stations of the
probability that the Sikh army would insist upon war, and overcome any
opposition on the part of the maharanee, he had quietly made
preparations for the event by moving up considerable bodies of troops to
the north-west. It had indeed for some time been evident, that unless
Ghoolab Singh accepted the office of prime minister troubles must come.
He was the one man in the country whose personal power and influence
would enable him to control the mutinous army, and his refusal to accept
the post rendered it certain that the struggle would come sooner or
later.
Ghoolab possessed talent and astuteness equal to that of his brother
Dhyan, and was, like him, convinced that the power of England was too
great for that of the Sikhs; he was, therefore, strongly against war.
On the other hand his position was a difficult one. Had he attempted to
stem the tide of popular clamour his own army would have turned against
him, and he might have lost both his possessions and his life. He was
therefore obliged to temporize, and believed that he would gain
advantages whichever way the struggle went.
To the Sikhs, then, he professed a complete agreement with their views,
but at the same time under one excuse or another he remained at Jummoo,
replying to their repeated requests that he would advance with his army
to Lahore, by saying that he was perfectly ready to do so, but that he
thought it would be in all respects better to keep his army as a
separate force and so co-operate with the main body. On the other hand
he sent secret messages to the British, assuring them of his friendship,
and promising them that whenever he saw the opportunity he would throw
the whole weight of his influence and power into the scale on their
side.
Nand Chund and his detachment of cavalry did not enter Loodiana, but
took leave of Percy when they came within sight of the place, and
started at once on their return.
"I shall travel by another road," he said, "and if we should be
questioned hereafter we can strongly deny any report that we have paid a
visit to Loodiana, for were it known it would excite a feeling against
our lord, who would be accused of being in communication with the
English. There is, it is true, no cause whatever to fear another attack
upon the fortress while the war continues, but it might prejudice him
afterwards, and if things go badly with the Sikhs some fanatic might
endeavour to take vengeance upon him."
"Give my love to my uncle and aunt, and tell them I hope to see them
again before long."
Percy's two followers closed up behind him, and as soon as the troops
had started he rode with them into Loodiana.
The Resident was alighting from his horse at the door of his bungalow
when Percy rode up.
"Ah, Groves, is it you?" he said. "I was wondering whether I should see
you soon. I heard that an army had marched to attack your uncle's
place, and a few days ago my agent at Lahore wrote me there were rumours
that they had been repulsed with very heavy loss, which I was glad to
hear, not only for your sake, but because a reverse of that sort would
not raise the spirits of their army. How did it all end, and what are
you here for? But you can tell me that while we are having tiffin; you
know it is about my hour. You have become a regular young Sikh. I did
not recognize you at the first glance in that finery."
"I have worn it ever since I have been there," Percy said. "I did not
like it at first, but I soon got accustomed to it, and it is certainly
cooler than my own clothes. But there is such a prejudice against
Europeans that my uncle thought that I had much better follow his
example and dress in the fashion of the country. I brought a couple of
English suits down with me in my valise, but I was obliged to ride down
in this dress in order to escape notice. Shall I change before tiffen,
sir?"
"No, you look very well as you are, Groves. Have you come far this
morning?"
"Only about ten miles. I came down with an escort of fifty men, and
crossed the Sutlej yesterday evening. They left me a couple of miles
outside the town."
"Well, you had better go in to your old room and have a wash while I
take my bath. Tiffen will be ready in a quarter of an hour."
Two or three officers were present at tiffen, and these had difficulty
at first in crediting Mr. Fullarton's assurance that the young Sikh to
whom he introduced them was really an English lad. At tiffen Percy
related the events of the siege of the fortress at his host's request.
"It must be a strong place by your description," Mr. Fullarton said when
Percy concluded his narration, "and would puzzle even British troops to
carry it by assault. Still I have no doubt our engineers would manage
somehow to get heavy guns on to the hill commanding it, and once there
it could not hold out long."
"My uncle was quite aware of that, sir; but the Sikhs are very clumsy
with their cannon, and he calculated that the troops would soon be tired
of the siege. But it would certainly be a very difficult matter to get
heavy guns up there. There is some sort of road round behind through
the hills, but I believe it is a mere track, and uncle thought it hardly
possible at any rate for the Sikhs to bring heavy artillery along it.
The only other road is that commanded by the guns of the fortress, and
runs but a little more than a quarter of a mile away from it. The guns
could not be taken up without very heavy loss."
After the officers had left, Mr. Fullarton asked, "And how about
yourself, Groves? What are you thinking of doing, and what can I do for
you?"
"My uncle thought I might be of use, sir. I can speak Punjaubi well
enough to pass as a native, and he thought that you might accept my
services as a volunteer, and might find me useful in obtaining
information, communicating with any of the Sikh nobles who might be
friendly, or in any other way. I have two men with me, both of whom can
be trusted thoroughly, either as messengers or to go into the Sikh camp
if necessary to gather information. I started the moment the Sikhs
moved away from before the fortress, and we had news that they were
summoned to join the main army at Lahore as the maharanee had given way
to the wishes of the war-party. The news was so important that my uncle
sent me off at once, thinking that probably your agent at Lahore might
be unable to send you news, as anyone known to be in communication with
you would probably be arrested at once when war was finally determined
on."
"You are the first bearer of the news," Mr. Fullarton said. "It is ten
days since I had a message from Lahore. It was in that letter my agent
sent me the news that the first assault on the fortress had failed. He
said then that the war-party had completely gained the ascendency, and
that he thought the final decision would shortly be taken. He warned me
that he might be unable to send me further news at present as he was in
very bad odour, it being known he was in communication with me, and that
he was sure to be watched if not imprisoned.
"Not having heard, I felt no doubt whatever that war had been decided
upon and wrote accordingly to the authorities, but I have had no
absolute certainty until now, as other causes may have prevented my
agent from writing. Take a seat out in the verandah for a few minutes.
I must send off a despatch at once with the news, and also inform
Brigadier Wheeler, who is in command here, that the reports that the
Sikhs have determined on war are now confirmed. After I have sent the
despatches off I will join you again and talk over what you were saying
about volunteering."
*CHAPTER VIII.*
*IN THE SERVICE.*
Percy was not kept waiting long, for in twenty minutes Mr. Fullarton
joined him in the verandah.
"Now about yourself, Groves. I have no doubt that you will be able to
make yourself very useful, and I at once accept your services as a
volunteer in the civil service. I do not know yet whether I myself
shall accompany the troops if they march from here. If I do I will take
you with me, if not I will introduce you to General Wheeler, and
transfer your services to him. There is a great dearth of men who speak
Punjaubi, and I am quite sure he will be very glad to have someone with
him so well acquainted with the language as you are. I expect him here
shortly; he is sure to come across to talk matters over with me as soon
as he receives my note. I will introduce you to him then. Before he
comes you had better change and get into English dress. He is a soldier
of the old school, and might regard your present attire as a sort of
masquerading, and receive an unpleasant impression of you."
Half an hour later General Wheeler and three or four officers of his
staff rode up to the door and had a long interview with the Resident.
At its conclusion a servant brought a message to Percy that Mr.
Fullarton desired to see him. He had by this time changed his clothes.
"This is the young gentleman of whom I have been speaking to you,
general," the Resident said as Percy entered. "He is the nephew of the
Colonel Groves who has been many years in the Sikh service. His father
was an officer in our own army. He speaks Punjaubi like a native. He
has volunteered, and will, I am sure, be very useful to us. I came out
with him in the same ship from England, and formed a high idea of his
intelligence. It is, I believe, his wish to enter the service of the
Company later on. He is not without some little experience in war, for
but a week ago he took part in the defence of his uncle's fortress when
attacked by fifteen thousand Sikhs, whom they beat off handsomely. I
have been telling General Wheeler, Groves, that you might be very useful
in obtaining information or in communications with the natives, and that
the fact that there might be some little peril in the work would not be
any obstacle to your undertaking it. I said that I was going to keep
you by me as a sort of civilian aide-de-camp, but the general has been
good enough to say that he will attach you to his staff nominally as
interpreter, but in fact as an extra aide-de-camp; and as my assistant
and myself both speak the language well, while the general is short of
officers who know it, I feel that you will be of more service to him
than to me. But I consider you as lent only, and I shall be glad at any
time if General Wheeler no longer requires your services to take you on
in the capacity of an extra assistant."
"Can you ride?" General Wheeler asked. "But I suppose I need hardly ask
that, as you have been living among the Sikhs."
"Yes, I can ride, sir, in the Sikh fashion or the English."
"Mr. Fullarton tells me that you could pass as a native."
"In anything like an ordinary conversation I could, sir; and as I have
worn the native dress for the last ten months I am perfectly at home in
it."
"Very well, then, you can consider yourself as from the present time
attached to my staff. Major Clissold, will you see after him? I should
think that you, as adjutant-general of the division, will find him even
more useful than I should do as an aide-de-camp."
"You can leave us now, Groves," Mr. Fullarton said, "but wait outside
and Major Clissold will speak to you presently."
Percy bowed and withdrew. The conversation still continued to turn upon
him.
"I should think one might put him in general orders, Clissold, either as
an extra aide-de-camp or as attached to your department. I don't know
what the rules of the service are with regard to the uniform of
volunteers attached to the army. It is so seldom done now that I really
do not know, but in the old days they were dressed, I believe, as
officers."
"No, that won't do," Mr. Fullarton laughed. "I am going to make a
civilian of him. If he does well in the campaign he might perhaps get
gazetted as an ensign, but it would be very much better for him to have
a claim on the civil side. Therefore, I shall take upon myself to
appoint him as my deputy-assistant. I shall write to Sir Henry Hardinge
asking that the temporary appointment may be confirmed, seeing the
urgent necessity for more officers up in the language and with a
knowledge of the country. So we may consider the appointment made. Now
I lend him to you, and you can put it in general orders that the
temporary services of Deputy-assistant Groves have been placed by me at
your disposal as interpreter, and that he is henceforth attached to the
head-quarter staff of the division. That will give him an established
position, and he can wear his civilian clothes, a white helmet, and so
on.
"I think that will be a very good plan," the general said.
"He has two servants with him. They are Pathans, both first-rate
fellows, whom he will employ when necessary to obtain information. I
would suggest that they be put on rations as a matter of convenience to
Groves, and they could be entered either as civilian servants or guides.
It is no question of money, for although the lad's uncle has a
reputation for moderation, very rare among the adventurers who served
Runjeet Singh, he must be a rich man."
"I will make a note of it," Major Clissold said, and the conversation
then turned to other matters.
Half an hour later the officers came out and rode away. Mr. Fullarton
said as they did so, "I will myself ride over with Groves later on," and
he then came into the verandah, where Percy was waiting. "I think I
have done a good stroke of business for you, Groves."
"You have indeed, sir. I am awfully obliged to you, although I would
rather have stayed with you."
"And I should have been glad to have had you, but it is better as we
have arranged it. You will have much greater opportunities for seeing
service with the brigadier, and a report in your favour would come much
better from him than it would from me, as I appointed you. It is
probable that I shall remain at my post, and in that case there would be
little for you to do here. While acting as an interpreter on the staff
you will have abundant work, making bargains for the quarter-master's
department, for waggons and transport, finding out about roads and fords
for Major Clissold, and in general interpreting work. You must change
your head-gear. That pith topee you have got is really better, but we
generally wear either the helmet or a cap like a forage cap, with a
pugaree wrapt round it, and the ends falling down behind to keep the sun
off the back of the neck and spine. I should advise you to adopt that,
for there is no getting a helmet here. When you ride about always take
one or both of your mounted servants behind you. They are
soldierly-looking fellows, and it will give you weight with the natives.
I need not tell you that now you will hardly be free to go about quite
as you like, and that even when there is nothing for you to do you will
be expected to be at hand if required. Major Clissold is a capital
fellow to serve under. He may work you hard, for there will be an
immense deal of work to be done, but he is always pleasant and agreeable
to his subordinates, and is very much liked in the force. I have some
writing to finish, but in about an hour I shall be ready to start with
you, so you may as well warn your two fellows to be ready. I have a
forage cap that I have only worn once or twice, for it is too small for
me. I will tell Ram Singh to put a pugaree on, and if necessary put
some folded cotton inside the lining to make it fit you."
An hour later they rode into the head-quarter camp.
"I have brought you your interpreter, Clissold," Mr. Fullarton said as
he entered that officer's tent, followed by Percy, their horses being
held by the latter's men. "Where are you going to stow him? As there
is no getting tent furniture here, I have told my man to send over what
is necessary; but as I did not know whether Groves would have a tent to
himself or not I told him to wait till I returned before he started."
"No, I have put him in a tent with Hunt. We can't afford a tent each
for subalterns, so they are doubled up two together. But Hunt happens to
be an odd man, which is lucky. Orderly," he called out, and as the
soldier entered, "tell Mr. Hunt I shall be glad if he will step here."
A minute later a young officer entered. "Hunt, here is the young
gentleman who, as I told you, will have to share your tent. He is a
volunteer in the civil service. Mr. Fullarton has kindly lent him to us
for a time as interpreter, which I am sure we want badly enough on the
staff, for none of you young fellows are of the slightest use with the
natives. He is the son of an officer late of our service, and has been
for the last six months with his uncle, who was one of Runjeet Singh's
colonels, and still holds the fortress he was appointed to some time
ago, although ordered by the Sikhs to leave. I am sure you will get on
well together, and I hope that you will make him as comfortable as you
can, and introduce him to the other aides. He will mess with you for the
present."
The young officer shook hands with Percy. "If you will come with me I
will show you our tent."
"If you don't mind, Hunt, I will come with you," Mr. Fullarton said;
"then I can see what is wanted in the way of furniture."
The tent was a square one with double canvas, the two walls being four
feet apart, thus making a passage round it, one side being utilized as a
bath-room and receptacle for luggage, the other being used by the
servants as their living and sleeping apartment. There was a carpet
spread over the floor, a native camp-bed, two folding chairs, a table,
and a portable bath.
"All you want, as far as I can see," Mr. Fullarton said, "is another
_charpoy_ and a couple more chairs."
"That is all," Hunt agreed; "this is all the furniture one is allowed,
which we think rather hard. Do you think the Sikhs are going to cross
the Sutlej, sir?"
"Of course, they may do so, but the general impression is that it will
not be in force; they may begin by making raids, but probably the real
fighting will take place when we get across. Well, now, I shall leave
you, Groves; I think you will get on very well, and I daresay we shall
meet pretty nearly every day."