CHAPTER XXIV
Pir Baksh renders Tynan a Service
This conversation with the chief commissioner took place one morning inlate September. In the afternoon of the same day, Ted Russell wasordered to attend upon Sir John Lawrence. The great man looked at theboy with a keen penetrating glance, which, though it seemed to piercehim through and through, yet brought with it an assurance of confidenceand kindness.
Sir John seem pleased by the inspection.
"So you are the lad who blew up the arsenal?" he asked, a wonderfullypleasant smile lighting up the rugged face.
"It's still in dispute, sir," said Ted, smiling in spite of histrepidation.
"What do you suppose has caused Ensign Tynan to make this claim?"
"I wish I knew, sir. Whilst watching them in court yesterday the ideastruck me that Pir Baksh, the mutineer, had somehow got a hold overhim."
"Ah!"
"Yes, sir. He was watching Tynan as a cat watches a mouse, and it struckme that he had made some sort of a bargain with Tynan to save him fromdeath at the hands of the rebels if Tynan would whitewash his character.And it struck me that Tynan was sorry he'd ever been trapped into such abargain."
Sir John's elbow was on the table and his head rested on the palm ofhis hand. Ted felt that he was reading his inmost thoughts.
"And perhaps," he remarked at length, "perhaps Pir Baksh considered thatsuch whitewashing would be of little avail if it could be shown thatTynan had been guilty of cowardice, and so the lad has to pose as ahero? ... Um! It's just possible."
"I never thought of that, sir," said Ted with obvious admiration.
"I do not doubt your honour, Ensign Russell, and I mean to employ youupon an errand needing strength of character. Take this sealed letter tothe officer in command at Amritsar. It is in cipher, and the key isfound by reading every sixth word beginning at the end. The road, thoughsafe enough for large bodies, is perilous for a small number; butColonel Bratherton can only send two troopers with you. Go to him atonce for horse and escort."
"Yes, sir."
"And understand, Ensign Russell, that should you be captured and have notime to destroy the letter, you must on no account disclose the key--on_no_ account!"
"I will not, sir."
Ted saluted and withdrew, greatly pleased by this signal mark of theconfidence reposed in him. An hour after he had started, Ensign Tynan inhis turn was standing before Sir John Lawrence.
"And so you believe that Russell meant to ruin your reputation out ofspite? That is a very grave accusation, young man."
"I can't help it, sir. It's a fact, and my word is as good as his, and Ihave witnesses whilst he has none."
"Native evidence, I must remind you, Mr. Tynan, is not difficult toobtain. However, I cannot decide between you, and I have not sent foryou to discuss that affair."
He proceeded to give Tynan a similar letter and precisely the sameinstructions and warning as those given to Ted. Tynan repaired toColonel Bratherton, who supplied him with an escort consisting of PirBaksh and two troopers, and with these he set out for Amritsar.
Night closed in with Indian abruptness before Tynan had covered half thedistance. Suddenly a body of horsemen blocked the way. Tynan drew apistol, but before he could take aim his arms were seized by thetroopers of the escort, and he was roughly dragged to the ground. Asearch was made, and the letter was quickly brought to light.
Pir Baksh had been seized in like manner and was dropped beside Tynan,bound hand and foot. Tynan recognized the uniform of his assailants asthat of the 60th Native Cavalry, and he remembered hearing that thisrebel corps had been hovering about this stretch of the Grand Trunk Roadfor some days. The two troopers of his escort declared for the rebels atthe first hint of danger. Somehow Harry Tynan was much more cool andcollected than on the last occasion of a similar experience, and he wasnot nearly so frightened. Perhaps the explanation can be found in thefact that his present state of existence was so miserable that no changecould be greatly for the worse.
The sowars took little notice of their prisoner. Two native officers,who seemed to have some knowledge of English, were eagerly scrutinizingSir John's communication, the rest looking on. But the missive wasevidently a poser, and the expressions of triumph changed to annoyanceand chagrin as they shook their heads and gave up the puzzle.
"They will understand it," said one. "Make them explain."
The speaker nodded towards the prostrate captives, who were quicklykicked into a sitting posture and ordered to supply the key to thecipher. Pir Baksh was eagerness itself. He hastened to assure them thatnothing would delight him more.
"This pig beside me," said he, "he knows the secret, and will quicklyinform if you threaten him. As for me, I hate the Feringhis, having beentheir prisoner. Set free my hands, and I myself will question this curand make him confess. Ugh! the very sight of him makes me ill. Coward,liar, and traitor is he!"
"If thou dost hate him so," asked a Mohammedan ressaidar, "why wert thouriding by his side as a friend? Thou canst not take us in so easily."
"Because my own safety obliged me to call him friend. This fellow blewup the Aurungpore magazine--he says he did so. Of course we must believehim, though I myself saw him trembling like a leaf begging for mercy. Byme was he saved from the debris, saved that I might have the betterrevenge; and first I humbugged him into giving me a _chit_, saying I wasloyal--I, Pir Baksh, leader of the rebels in Aurungpore!"
The subadar related the whole of the miserable business.
"It is true," said Tynan with quiet despair. "Save his life, for he isthe blackest villain in Asia, and I had rather die alone than with himas comrade. Kill me and I shall be glad to get away from him."
A native officer cut the bonds, and bade Pir Baksh get up.
"Get the key from the cub, then. If he gives it willingly his life shallbe spared. If not, do as thou wilt."
Pir Baksh smiled in pleasant anticipation, and humbly addressed hisquondam officer.
"Will the protector of the poor deign to supply his slave with theexplanation of that letter?"
Harry Tynan looked him straight between the eyes and said never a word.The poor lad had suffered much during the past three months, and againand again his own vileness had been laid bare to him. He had enough ofgood in his nature to shudder at the prospect. The lies he had told, thepublic whitewashing for his own ends of the villain Pir Baksh, thebribing of Dwarika Rai and the other Rajputs, all these had gone againstthe grain, but never had he seen his own meanness so clearly, until nowthat he knew that even this most contemptible scoundrel regarded himwith far greater contempt.
Pir Baksh had rendered Tynan a service at last, for he had made a man ofhim. Then and there the ensign resolved that nothing should drag fromhim the secret of the cypher--that Pir Baksh should understand he wasnot wholly a coward. The rascal poised his sword above the boy's head.
"First I am going to slice off the right ear, then the left. If that isnot enough, Ensign Sahib, I fear that the nose must go. After that--"Here he smiled and added: "But I think the sahib will not be sodiscourteous as to refuse his slave's request. Speak quickly or thineear goes!"
Tynan turned a few shades paler, but he bit his lip and answered not aword. Amazed at this unlooked-for defiance the subadar hesitated--andsomeone sprang in front of Tynan, a fist shot out and was stopped by thenose of the Mussulman, who toppled over, and was instantly disarmed bytwo sowars, who knelt upon the traitor's chest and mocked his cries ofrage.
"It's all serene, Tynan, old chap!" cried the voice of Ted Russell."We're going to scrag that brute!"
He cut Tynan's bonds, whilst others trussed up the rebel, and I fearthat no trouble was taken to spare him discomfort.
"It's all been a put-up job," Ted went on. "They collared me in the sameway, meaning to test us by threats, to find out if either would betraythe cipher. This is Lieutenant Kendal who's in command."
A short and rather "tubby" figure, arrayed in a rebel garb, came forwardfrom the b
ackground and apologized for having been compelled to treatthem roughly. He was obeying instructions, and assured them of hispleasure that neither had betrayed the trust.
"Yes, but you know everything now," said Tynan sullenly. "It was mean ofyou, Russell, to play this trick."
"I had no hand in it, Tynan, and was treated in much the same way anhour ago, except that they only threatened me with death, not torture;so you came out of the ordeal better than I, and I respect you for it."
"That's all very well. You come out with flying colours and I'm ruined.I say, Lieutenant Kendal, let me clear away. I don't care what happensto me, but I simply can't face the fellows who knew me. Only let me go,and I'll disappear completely."
"Sorry I can't do that, Mr. Tynan, but I have orders to take you backbefore Sir John. By Jove, I'll say all I can for you, though, and thoughJan Larens can be stern he's really kindness itself. Make a clean breastof it, youngster."
They rode back in silence, and the pretended rebels repaired to theircomrades of the Sikh Cavalry to relate a marvellous story of the wisdomof Jan Larens, from whom nothing could remain hidden. The greatstatesman was still hard at work at his unending task, but when he heardthe lieutenant's tale he bade him send Tynan in. He greeted the boy withmingled kindness and sadness.
"This is a pitiable tale, youngster," he said, "though you have doneyour best to redeem it to-night, I am told. Tell me all about it, andkeep nothing back. Regard me as one who wishes to help you."
Tynan broke down under the prolonged strain, and, bursting into tears,sobbed like a child. Bit by bit the grim though kindly ruler drew forththe whole story of temptation, hesitation, and fall, of misery and oflie upon lie that had gradually sunk the boy deeper in the morass.
"Sit down," he said. "You have been punished. Are you sorry it has allcome to light?"
"Indeed I am not, sir. I feel as though a great weight had been takenaway. I suppose I shall be hounded from the service at least, sir."
"I hardly think you would wish to remain in the army?" said Sir Johngravely.
"I want to get away from everyone, sir, and I know I don't deserve anyconsideration. But I never meant to do it, sir. He led me on, and got mein his power."
"You have been punished--and you may be thankful for it, my lad, for youwill have a better chance of a happy useful life than had your claimproved successful. This evening you acted like a man, and I will takeupon myself to accept your resignation."
"Thank you, sir!" said Tynan joyfully, for he had never expected this."Oh, thank you, sir! I will try to do better."
"You may set out again for Amritsar this night, and join Green's columnat Umballa as a volunteer under an assumed name, if you can overtakethem. I will give you credentials, and when the mutiny is crushed youmay leave the country as you think best. My advice is to do your dutylike a man as long as there is fighting to be done, and then return atonce to England."
"Thank you, sir! I could wish for nothing better, and it's more than Ideserve. I'll be a different man after this lesson. Indeed I will, sir."
"God help you to keep that resolution, my lad! Good-night!"
Breakfast was just over when the summons came for Ted. Sir John motionedhim to take a seat.
"You have been thoroughly vindicated, Mr. Russell. Tynan has told meeverything, and I congratulate you on having done your duty. You havesuffered great anxiety and disappointment, but there is no doubt thatyou will obtain the reward you so highly deserve."
This virtual promise that the former recommendation would hold good, andthat the Victoria Cross--most coveted of honours--would be his, dazzledour hero for a space. To Ted's credit be it said that his next thoughtwas for poor Tynan.
"Thank you, sir! I--I hope Tynan won't be disgraced, sir. It was notaltogether his fault."
"It will be necessary," said Sir John gravely, "to make publicsufficient to clear your character. I have allowed him to resign, and heclears out to-night. I am glad, my lad, that you should have consideredhim."
"Wait a moment," said the ruler of the Punjab as Ted rose to go. "Howwould you like a commission in a corps of Irregular Horse?"
"Punjabis, sir?"
"Yes. Colonel Boldre, whose regiment has mutinied, is raising a corps inthe Balandghar district, and he has written to ask me if you may joinhim. I think it would be a good thing, and should advise you to jump atthe chance."
"Is there any likelihood of seeing active service with them, sir?"
The great statesman burst into one of his hearty laughs. He rememberedthe days when he was the age of Ted Russell--how he had longed to be asoldier like his father, who had led the forlorn hope at Seringapatam,or like his hero-brother Henry. The chuckles ceased, giving place to asad smile as he thought of those past days. "A soldier I was born, anda soldier I will be!" he had declared as a lad, for all his family weresoldiers. But the Lawrences were poor, and the civil service gave betterremuneration than the military, and for his mother's and sisters' sakesJohn Lawrence had put aside the dream of his boyhood that he might earnenough to keep them from want. He knit his great brows and looked Ted upand down, and the boy did not know whether the grim administrator waspleased or displeased with him.
"So you have not smelt enough powder, eh?" he asked at length.
"I want to do my share, sir."
"Boldre's Horse are going to Cawnpore to join Sir Colin Campbell atonce. The colonel will be setting out from Balandghar in a day or two,with perhaps a couple of hundred sowars, Sikhs, Pathans, and PunjabiMohammedans. Mr. Jackson is raising a few score Sikhs and Dogras for himin the Jalandar district, and you are to set out at once to take chargeof them, joining your commandant at Delhi."
"Thank you, sir! it's just what I should have chosen."
"Very good! but remember this. Do your duty with just as muchthoroughness whether it seem attractive or the reverse. Should your fatetie you to duties of an uneventful nature, should you be out of thefighting and excitement, and have little chance of distinguishingyourself, remember that your work may be quite as necessary and useful,if not so showy. So, whatever you may be called upon to do, do itgladly. I will write to Jackson.---- Oh! I forgot--I am sending ColonelBoldre a couple of Sikh native officers for his regiment, tried men whohave been proved and found faithful. They will go with you. They aregood men; remember that. Good-day!"
Delighted with the turn of events Ted hastened to call upon the twoSikh officers. "Jim was right," he said to himself as he swung his legover the saddle, "I am a lucky beggar. It's better being in a Britishregiment than in a poorbeah lot, but better still to be with Sikh andPathan cavalry or Gurkha infantry, because Tommy has to be taken suchcare of, or he'll have sunstroke or cholera, or he'll wander away andget his throat cut, or else walk into an ambush. But these Cossacks ofthe Punjab are in at most of the fun, and they catch Pandy in snaresinstead of being caught by him."
Colonel Bratherton presented him to the two Sikhs. They were brothers,and in spite of a few years' difference in age, he could hardly tell onefrom the other. Each was dressed in white--no colour being more popularamong the Sikhs--the snowy turbans setting off the triangle of dark faceleft visible, with piercing eyes, deep-set and determined, thewell-shaped nose, tight mouth, and long beard and moustache twisted andturned upwards over the ears. They were tall and strong, with thin butsinewy legs--in fact, all that Sikhs should be.
Ted asked their names. Govind Singh was the elder, named after the lastof the Sikh high-priests; Hira Singh the younger. He told them who hewas, and that they must set out for Jalandar that night; and they lookedhim up and down with doubtful eyes, evidently not too favourablyimpressed by his youthful appearance. Ted found himself somewhat afraidof those eyes; they seemed to hold so much in reserve. But he felt thatin a tight place he would be glad to be backed by men with eyes liketheirs.
"When will you be ready?" he asked.
"Now," said Govind Singh.
"Then we set out after sundown."
"Very good, sahib! We go to Lucknow to help
Henry Larens."
"But he is dead," Ted informed him.
Govind Singh shook his head.
"That is a poorbeah lie," said he. "As if those jackals of Oudh couldkill the great chief!"
Astounded by the Sikh's incredulity, Ted asked if he had seen Sir HenryLawrence.
"I? I knew him well, and so did Hira Singh, my brother. When the Englishfought the Afghans, nearly twenty years ago, we were at Peshawur in theSikh army under Avitabile. The Sikh government had granted you Feringhisa passage through the Punjab, but we Sikh soldiers preferred our oldenemies the Afghans, and we refused to fight on your side. We were readyto eat up your Khyber column in those days, and would have done it too,but for Henry Larens Sahib, who won our hearts, so that we fought forhim, aye, even to Kabul. Then when we challenged you to war six yearslater and were beaten, he ruled the Punjab justly and with righteousdealing, as his brother does to-day. Jan Larens is a good and great manlikewise, but Henry we loved most. We knew him well."
"It is true," echoed Hira Singh. "If all the Feringhis were like untoHenry Larens there would have been no mutiny. Just is he, and heunderstands us and knows our ways of thinking as no other white man hasever done. He loved us, yet was he firm--firm as is his brother, andnever was there a braver man. How he defied us all at Peshawur, thoughat our mercy! And so great was his ikbal (prestige), that he forced usto aid him even against our will. Jan Larens is a just and good man, butfor Henry Larens we would gladly lay down our lives. I know that he isdead, but my brother will not believe it."
"We will be ready before sundown, sahib," Govind Singh assured Ted as heleft them, greatly impressed by this evidence of the influence of onegood man, who had so won over his former enemies that they had becomehis staunchest friends.
Ensign Russell's kit was not extensive. He was now quite an oldcampaigner, having learned at Delhi how to do without many luxuries thathe had formerly considered necessities. He gave his Mohammedan servantinstructions to prepare for a long journey, and Kasim Ali received thenews as a matter of course. Strange must be the lives of these Indianservants, who are ready to change their place of abode at a moment'snotice for another hundreds of miles away. At Delhi, after the captureof the town, Ted had picked up a bargain in the shape of a nice Arab,good-tempered, robust, and speedy. But he also needed an animal forKasim Ali, and another for his kit and supplies, so he now called uponan Afghan dealer whose horses he had previously noticed. The Afghanbrought out one sorry brute after another and tried to pass them off asveritable treasures, such as Aurungzebe himself might have envied. Tedlooked guileless, and the Afghan was pained to hear him remark:
"I'm in a hurry. If you have no horses, say so, and I'll go elsewhere."
The wily coper began to see that his customer was no ignorant griffin,so he changed his tone, dropped his protestations, and finally broughtout a couple of serviceable beasts, not showy, but strong and in goodcondition. Ted at once declared that they would suit, and named the sumhe was prepared to give; and the Afghan, seeing that it was "take orleave", ceased to haggle, and closed the bargain, not dissatisfied withthe profit he had made. Kasim Ali led the steeds away.
"Must go and say good-bye to Ethel and the colonel next," said theensign to himself.
Colonel Woodburn and his daughter had remained in Lahore after theunsatisfactory conclusion of the trial, in order to be able to give thelad any advice or assistance within their power. They were staying witha civilian friend of the colonel, towards whose bungalow Ted turned hishorse's steps. The news that he had been cleared was already out, andEthel waved her hand joyously as he hove in sight. Sending a servant totake the horse, she motioned the ensign to join her in the verandah.
"I am delighted, Ted!" she began. "Do you feel like a free man again?"
Ted sank luxuriously into the easy-chair.
"Ethel," he said with unwonted seriousness, "I feel like the man in the_Pilgrim's Progress_, whose burden has rolled from his shoulders. Isuppose you have heard how the truth came out?"
"Yes; Lieutenant Kendal has told us the whole story this morning. Butwhat has become of Tynan? What is to be done with him? Poor lad! he'shad a harder time than you, Ted."
"Yes," Ted slowly answered, "I know he has. I'm sorry for him, and Idon't know what has become of him. I don't think that Sir John has beenhard upon him. Perhaps he's been able in some way to give him anotherchance. Sir John was very kind to me."
"They say he is stern, but I've never found him so.---- Well, father,here's the innocent victim of conspiracy, righted at last, and let offon condition that he won't do it again."
Colonel Woodburn and his host had entered the verandah. Theycongratulated Ted, and Mr. Moncrief added:
"You'll have tiffin with us, Mr. Russell? Make yourself at home herewhile you stay in Lahore."
"You're very good, Mr. Moncrief, but I'm leaving in a few hours. I'llstay to lunch, though, thanks!"
"That's right. Where are you going, then?"
Ted related the offer made to him by Sir John, and expressed his delightat the prospect. He had come to say good-bye.
"Colonel Boldre is a very nice man," Ethel said meditatively. "Fatherknows him well. I suppose you're an ensign no longer, then? I am glad tomeet you, Lieutenant Russell."
Ted laughed.
"It's a promotion in a way, I suppose," said he, "but I'm not gazettedlieutenant yet."
"You soon will be, though," Colonel Woodburn assured him. "Yourappointment is practically equal to promotion. Boldre is a good soldier.I wish I were equal to it."
"Do you still suffer any pain from the wound, colonel?" Ted asked.
"Hardly now, Ted. Still, I'm not fit for active service, only forgarrison and depot."
"Tiffin is ready," Mr. Moncrief announced. "Lead the way, MissWoodburn."
By seven o'clock Lieutenant Edward Russell, Risaldar[25] Govind Singh,Ressaidar Hira Singh, and Kasim Ali were on their way to Amritsar by thevery road along which Ted had journeyed twenty-four hours ago. Jalandarwas reached on the second day without mishap, and without any incidentmore exciting than a half-hour's alarm occasioned by the approach of abody of Native Horse. They turned out to be a detachment of the forcemaintained by the Sikh Raja of Kapurthala, a loyal prince who, inresponse to John Lawrence's invitation, had assisted the British atDelhi, and whose men were now engaged in keeping a portion of the greathighway clear of budmashes and guerrilla mutineers.
[25] The cavalry ranks of _Risaldar_ and _Ressaidar_ correspond in some degree to the English _Major_ and _Captain_. The senior native officers, however, rank below the Junior British officers.
Ted was hospitably received by Mr. Jackson, a civilian official of theCis-Sutlej States, who had enlisted some forty or fifty horsemen--Sikhsfrom the Jalandar Doab and Dogras from Kangra. A few days were needed inorder to give the levies a little polish and complete their equipment,and during this period Ted stayed with Mr. Jackson. Then they set outfor Delhi, through Ludhiana and Amballa.
Five months before a certain ensign had ridden along that road with theCorps of Guides, a lad in the highest of spirits. "Glory of youth glowedin his soul", as he rode by his brother's side and surveyed thatsplendid regiment, the pride of the Punjab, and, engrossed in thesplendour of the martial array, he had given little thought to thehorrors.
Five months ago! At times it seemed as many years, and yet again, asthey passed some landmark, and a vivid recollection of some chanceremark flashed across his brain, at such a time it seemed but yesterday.His spirits were still high, but experience had somewhat sobered him. Hethought of the great events of that fateful period, of the scenes ofcarnage, of the lost friends and comrades, of the great Nicholson, ofthe plucky little Gurkhas, and those days at the house of Hindu Rao. Howmany of those grand men of the Guides, with whom he had ridden acrossthe Punjab, had gone back to their depot at Hoti Mardan? How many of thelittle Gurkhas, whose arrival in the British camp he had witnessed, hadmarched back to their station in the hills of Dehra Dun? What mont
hsthose had been for India and for himself! Then the rebels were winningat every point, except in the Punjab. Now the Mogul capital was oncemore in the hands of the British, the emperor was a captive, and thoughmuch remained to be done, the end of the great mutiny was in sight.
In the towns along the Ganges and its tributaries the sepoy hordes stillheld the upper hand, and their numbers were daily increasing. GallantHavelock and chivalrous Outram had at length broken their way throughand relieved the intrepid garrison of Lucknow, but the mutineers hadclosed behind them, and they in their turn were shut up in theResidency, and Henry Lawrence, the best-loved Englishman who had everset foot in India, was dead. Hardly a big town along the Ganges but hadits tale of murder and black treachery to unfold.
Delhi had been captured, but its swarms of mutineers had gone to augmentthe ranks of the sepoys who were holding a reign of terror in Oudh; andthough Sir Colin Campbell was at the head of a fine army, there werestill threescore rebels against each white man.
Arrived at the Mogul capital, Ted learned that Colonel Boldre had goneon to Agra, whither he was to proceed with all speed. The route thus farwas open, for the Delhi column under Hope Grant and Greathed had clearedthe way, and fifty mounted Irregulars had little to fear fromundisciplined and cowardly budmashes.
The Disputed V.C.: A Tale of the Indian Mutiny Page 25