Page:The Land of the Veda.djvu/278

268 us out, which would answer about as well. But we as decidedly resolved that we would not be starved, so we set to work to make the best commissariat arrangements of which the case admitted.

There was a very sparse population of the Paharees sprinkled about in the valleys between us and the higher Himalayas, and every thing these people had to spare we bought up; the lake furnished some fish, and the forest around had game. The latter, however, was not much aid to us, as it was not prudent to waste our ammunition, nor, in view of our signals, was it desirable to have much firing in our neighborhood. We did as well as we could; but as week after week went over we felt the pressure more sensibly. Money grew scarce, and clothing, shoes, and other necessities, became harder to obtain.

In about two weeks after our flight the terrible jungle fever, which we hoped we had escaped the night when we were detained in the Terai, began to develop itself, (taking about that time to do so,) and soon our little home was a scene of sickness, while help and medicine were so very scarce. Every one of us had to go through it, four out of the five being down with it at the same time. In the midst of this scene of weakness and sorrow our daughter Julia was born. The day she came was the darkest we had ever seen. Illness, tropical rains, want of help, a scarcity of proper nourishment for the poor mother, with the uncertainty as to the moment when we might be assailed, and my liability to have to leave the sick household to go to my post at the pass, all constituted a strain upon the soul of one anxious mortal that I feel thankful does not often fall to the lot of a husband to endure.

But, notwithstanding, the dear babe brought the light with her. A father's heart may be allowed to say that her presence helped to disperse some of the gloom of the dark days that followed, and added a new motive for vigilance and courage. Yes, let the 30th of June stand as “a red-letter day” in the life of one so deeply indebted as I am to the ruling providence of my God! Our “partners in distress” were pleased to designate her “The Mutiny Baby,” and many a kind word and act were lavished upon her.