Page:The Land of the Veda.djvu/301

Rh touched by a pistol ball, and this was all. The effect of this contest was of great importance. It struck some terror into the Sepoy mind, and they refused ever after to come up into our glens again; it raised our spirits, and had an immense effect upon the hill people, who of course flattered themselves that the victory was due to their own prowess. It also deepened their hatred of the Mohammedan party; while below, the Hindoo villagers took courage to help the Commandant, and actually captured nine rebels, stragglers who had turned to the work of plundering the villagers and abusing their women. They were brought up to Nynee Tal, tried, and executed at once. I was informed that they met their doom with the indifference that characterizes Mohammedan fatalists.

After this event some of the villagers and Hindoo Zemindars (landholders) of the plains around our hills sent up deputations to our Commandant, requesting him to assist them against the Mohammedans, and offering to pay their jumma (revenue) to him if he would only sustain them (as they thought him now able to do) against the rebel Government. But Major Ramsay was too prudent to go beyond his safe line, especially as he well knew he was still closely watched by a powerful and wily foe, and must risk nothing while he had ladies to protect. That foe, however, was beginning to feel certain qualms of anxiety, for already Havelock's name and the story of his victories were flying over the land, and they felt that he, or some other English General, might ere long give them a better opportunity to prove their courage than what they had when they so leisurely and safely cut down and butchered unarmed men and defenseless women and children.

It was “a day of rebuke and blasphemy,” but I still believed that our redemption was drawing nigh, and that all would be overruled for good. How grateful I feel that my letter to the Corresponding Secretary, written at this time, closes with the following words, now measurably in process of fulfillment:

“One sentence in closing. Believe me, this is one of the last terrible efforts of hell to retain its relaxing grasp on beautiful India, and the issue will be salvation for her millions. ..