Page:Letters from India Vol 2.pdf/290

 Nothing can seem more hopeless; only three days’ provisions left, and then, as she says very calmly, she believes they are to eat the few ponies and the camels left alive. The enemy had proposed a capitulation—the married men and the women to be left as hostages, the Shah to be given up, and the soldiers to give up their arms and to be escorted to the frontier, which is, in other words, to come out to be massacred. Her letter is wonderfully composed, and indeed very spirited.

Monday, 10th. I have been so unwell the last fortnight, that I thought I would try two or three days on the river; came on board the ‘Soonamookie’ at eight this morning, with Rosina and my jemadar and all my suwarree to take care of me; and we have been floating in a slow manner all day; and the kitmutgar cooked an excellent luncheon, and, except that Zoe is rather unhappy, nothing can do better. This is a beautiful boat to live in; five excellent cabins, and fitted-up with every possible comfort. She cannot sail a bit, but floating about is all that is necessary, and we have plenty of boats to tow her.