Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924024153987).pdf/560

 FYZ

482

We

accordingly started, and directions to proceed directly to Gae Ghdtr after making about eight miles sighted a village (Mohadabbah), which one of the barkandazes invited us to go to, telling us that we could there rest ourselves for a short time, and that he would refresh us with sharbat. agreed, and the barkandaz who gave the invitation started off ahead, with

We

the pretence of getting ready a place of accommodation and the sharbat. Nothing doubting that all was right, we proceeded on, as we thought, in perfect safety. On nearing the village this barkandaz again joined us, and had some conversation apart with the two other men. On our reaching it, we observed to our horror that the whole village was armed. However, we made no remark, but passed through it under the guidance of the three barkandazes. On getting to the end we had to cross a nallah, or small stream, waist-deep in water. While crossing, the villagers rushed on us, sword and matchlock in hand. Seeing that they were bent on our destruction, we pushed through the water as quickly as possible, not, however, without leaving one of our number behind, who, unfortunately, was Lieutenant Lindsay and him they cut to pieces. On reaching the opposite bank the villagers made a furious attack on us, literally butchering five of our party.

" I

and Lieutenant Cautley then

ran,

and most of the mob in

full

chase

Lieutenant Cautley, after running about 300 yards, declared he could run no longer, and stopped. On the mob reaching him he was cut to pieces. After despatching poor Lieutenant Cautley, they continued the chase after me ; they ran but a short distance, when finding that I was a long way off, they desisted. I was now the only one left, not having even Tegh Ali Khan with me. I proceeded on, and in a short time came to a village, and the first person I met was a Brahman, of whom I begged a drink of water, telling him I was much exhausted. He asked me where I came from and what had happened to me. I told my tale as quickly as I could, and he appeared to compassionate my case. He assured me that no harm would come to me in his village, and that as the villagers were all Brahmans, others would not dare to enter it to do me any harm. He then directed me to be seated under a shady tree in the village, and left me. After a short absence he returned, bringing with him a large bowl of sharbat. This I drank greedily, and was hardly done when he started up and bade me run for life, as Babu Bali Singh was approaching the village. I got up and attempted to run, but found I could not, and tried to get to some hiding place. In going through a lane I met an old woman, and she pointed out an empty hut and bade me run into it. I did so, and finding in it a quantity of straw I lay down, and thought to conceal myself in it. I was not long there when some of Bali Singh's men entered and commenced a search, and used their lances and talwfos in probing into the straw. Of course it was not long before I was discovered. I was dragged out by the hair of the head, and exhibited to the view of the natives who had congregated round him, when all kinds of abusive epithets were applied to me. He then commenced a march, leading me from village to village, exhibiting me, and the rabble at my heels hooting at and abusing me. after us

"



After passing through, his men used to stop and tell me to kneel, and if they were to decapitate me. His usual reply was,

then to ask Bali Singh

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