Page:The Land of the Veda.djvu/420

410 of troops was one of the marvels of those stirring times. At length we breathed freely, and the hope of deliverance, rose brightly upon our horizon. The scattered Sepoy host had to be followed up through all parts of India, Rohilcund being left until the last. Lucknow could not be reoccupied till March of the following year, (1858,) and it was not till May the 5th that Bareilly was captured, and our way opened to return there.

We were thus free to go out on the north-west side, while we were to be shut up on the south-east for eight months more, so we concluded to leave for the plains, after most of our number had already gone. To remain longer where we were seemed out of the question. No money could reach us; I had exhausted every source, and to borrow any more was impracticable.

Ere the snow closed the road over the Himalayas for the winter, we concluded it was best for us also to go. At Meerut we could obtain the means required, and should also be on the “grand trunk road,” and, after the fall of Futtyghur could, if necessary, join the brethren expected at Calcutta, and decide with them what was best to be done for the present. We could also obtain requisites for the mission and for ourselves, and be ready to return with our brethren and sisters as soon as our field was again open.

Before starting, we had the joy of receiving a letter from Brothers Pierce and Humphrey, dated Calcutta, September 30, with the glad news of their safe arrival there in good health. They wrote in their letter: “We knew nothing of the fearful scenes transpiring in India until our pilot came on board on the morning of the 19th instant, bringing files of the latest papers. After we had recovered ourselves a little from the first blow, we turned to the account of the Bareilly tragedy. I read it aloud, trembling almost to read from line to line. Twenty-nine out of eighty-four Europeans escaped, and your name unmentioned! Our worst fears were excited. We saw, however, that only official names were given; but, after resolving the matter, could encourage ourselves but little to hope for your safety. We remained in this state of intense suspense until four P. M. on Monday, the 21st, when we