Page:In Black and White - Kipling (1890).djvu/95

 using his spurs with effect, would be seen borne along in the throng, warning all the world of the danger of insulting the Government. Everywhere were men striking aimlessly with sticks, grasping each other by the throat, howling and foaming with rage, or beating with their bare hands on the doors of the houses.

"lt is a lucky thing that they are fighting with natural weapons," I said to Wali Dad, "else we would have half the City killed."

I turned as I spoke and looked at his face. His nostrils were distended, his eyes were fixed, and he was smiting himself softly on the breast. The crowd poured by with renewed riot—a gang of Musalmans hard pressed by some hundred Hindu vagabond priests. Wali Dad left my side with an oath and shouting:—"Ya Hasan! Ya Hussain!" plunged into the thick of the fight where I lost sight of him.

I fled by a side-alley to the Padshahi Gate where I found Wali Dad's horse, and thence rode to the Fort. Once outside the City wall, the tumult sank to a dull roar, very impressive under the stars and reflecting great credit on the fifty thousand angry able-bodied men who were making it. The troops who, at the Deputy Commissioner's instance, had been ordered to rendezvous quietly near the Fort, showed no signs of being impressed. Two companies of Native Infantry, a squadron of Native Cavalry and a company of British Infantry were kicking their heels in the shadow of the East face, waiting for orders to march in, I am sorry to say that they were all pleased, unholily pleased, at the chance of what they called "a little fun". The senior officers, to be sure, grumbled at having been kept out of bed, and the English troops pretended to be sulky, but there was joy in the hearts of all the subalterns, and whispers ran up and down the line: "No ball-cartridge—what a beastly shame!" "D'you think the beggars will really stand up to us?" Hope I shall meet my banker there. I owe him more than I can afford." "Oh, they won't let us even unsheath swords." "Hurrah! Up goes the fourth rocket. Fall in, there!"