‘It’s good ground,’ Guy assured him. ‘I have just ridden over it.’
Pattle nodded. ‘You had best stay here, now; you are bleeding.’
‘I’ll ride with you, if I may.’
Pattle grinned. ‘If you can keep up, Colonel.’ He rose in his stirrups. ‘Major Jacob! We are to disperse the enemy right wing. Your people will form the third line.’
‘Yes, sir,’ Jacob responded.
Pattle drew his sword. ‘Cavalry will advance.’
With a jingle which made Guy’s blood tingle the two lines of Bombay cavalry walked their horses forward, taking their lances from their rests as they did so. The Sind Horse, armed only with swords, followed. Guy took his place at Pattle’s right shoulder, beside the bugler, who was no more than a lad, his face agleam with determination.
‘Trot!’
The speed was increased.
‘Canter!’
The Baluchis had observed the advance, but they could not believe that a few hundred men were going to charge at such odds. For the moment they supposed the cavalry were merely moving up to support their infantry.
‘Bugler, sound the charge!’ Pattle cried, and then leaned forward over his horse’s head, sword arm thrust forward, twisted and locked.
Guy followed his example, and the entire force raced forward. A screen of musketeers was hastily thrown out before the Baluchis’ position, but the cavalry burst through them as if they had been paper, and careered into the mass beyond. Lances smashed into flesh and bone to send men tumbling to the ground, whereupon the wooden shafts were abandoned, swords were drawn, and the horsemen slashed and cut their way deep into the enemy ranks.
As Napier had foreseen, the cavalry charge was the small weight which, thrown into the balance, turned the scales of battle in his favour. The Baluchis who actually received the charge found themselves driven back and down the embankment, and those engaged in again assaulting the dwindling British force checked to look over their shoulders.
‘Now, the 22nd!’ Napier shouted, raising his helmet. ‘Now, my gallant Bombay boys! Now’s your chance.’
Summoning the last of their energy, the British force advanced, and the Baluchis could not recover. Driven to the edge of the bank, they tumbled down into the river bed. Napier now brought his men back under control, ordered them to load their muskets and fire into the mass below them.
Meanwhile the cavalry had cut their way right through the Baluchis, careered down the slope into the river bed, crossed to the southern bank, and ridden right through the enemy encampment, cutting at everything that moved. The camp followers fled in every direction accompanied by the tribesmen, as they finally broke and streamed away to the south.
The bugler sounded the recall, and the horsemen wheeled and cantered back to the river, while more Baluchis fled away from this apparently irresistible force.
Napier came down to congratulate them. ‘That was brilliantly done, Colonel Pattie. Colonel Bartlett, you carried out my instructions to the letter. But you are wounded.’ He peered at Guy. ‘In three places, I would say. Have yourself attended to.’
‘They are but scratches, Sir Charles,’ Guy protested. ‘And there is a lot to be done.’
He wished to go amongst the Baluchi dead, and see if he could discover either Batraj or Sivitraj. It was an immense task, for there were several thousand corpses scattered over the battlefield and in the river. The British casualties were also severe. Twenty officers had been wounded, and six of them were dead. Two hundred and fifty men had gone down, and of these more than fifty were dead. The medical orderlies were having a busy time as they roamed to and fro, gathering the dead, succouring the wounded.
A hasty search convinced Guy that neither of the men he sought had fallen, and by now it was time to attend Napier again, for an envoy had arrived from some of those amirs who had escaped the battle, seeking terms for a peace settlement.
‘I demand the surrender of Hyderabad,’ the old General told the Baluchi. ‘Now. Immediately. This morning.’
‘On what terms, Your Excellency?’
‘Terms? Why, I will grant life to anyone who does not oppose me, death to anyone who does. Those are my terms.’
The envoy bowed, and Napier continued. ‘Excluded from this amnesty is the Thug, Batraj. I wish him delivered to me before the surrender of the city.’
*
The army was still burying its dead, when six amirs rode into the British position, and offered Napier their swords.
‘Is Hyderabad surrendered?’ the General demanded.
‘The city is yours, General. Abbas Ali Khan, encouraged by Prince Batraj, is determined to continue the fight, and has fled to join the army of Sher Mohammed, who is known as the "Lion of Meerpure".’
‘I have heard of this Lion,’ Napier said. ‘Where is he now?’
‘His army lies not ten miles from here.’
Napier frowned. ‘Then why did he not take part in the battle?’
The Amir gave a deprecatory shrug. ‘When he saw how many were our people, and how few yours, he said he would not fight as it would detract from the glory of our victory.’
‘Ha, ha!’ Napier cried. ‘Then what does he say now?’
‘That he will avenge this day for the glory of our people, Your Excellency.’
‘Well, I promise you, he will have the opportunity. Meanwhile, we will march on Hyderabad as soon as my people have buried their dead.’
*
Guy spoke with one of the amirs. ‘You say Prince Batraj is still with your people?’
‘Yes, to our misfortune, Colonel sahib. He it is who inspires our compatriots to fight on.’
‘And the Rajah of Sittapore?’
‘He follows his stepfather.’
‘You spoke also of Abbas Ali Khan.’
‘He is the creature of the Thug, Colonel sahib. Batraj is his father-in-law.’
Guy sighed with exhaustion. Everything needed to be done all over again.
*
The encampment was broken to allow the remainder of the little army, and the essential medical supplies, to be brought forward. The women and children naturally accompanied them, as Napier intended to send them back to Bombay and safety by ship.
This pleased Guy, although Laura was horrified to learn that he had been wounded.
Meanwhile, the army entered Hyderabad with a tremendous display of pomp, Napier being carried in a palanquin, wearing full dress uniform and all of his ribbons and honours. The onlookers were probably less impressed by his appearance than by the fact that their army had been routed; there were a lot of very glum faces in the watching crowd.
Guy obtained an escort for Laura, and together they went to the house of Abbas Ali Khan, but it was deserted. Mary and Sharita had either fled with their menfolk, or been carried off In some ways this was a relief, since though Napier forbade the sacking of the city, he nonetheless issued orders that all valuables were to be confiscated for the Company’s coffers in order to pay the expenses of the war. This gave the soldiery the right to enter any house they chose, and to force the inhabitants to submit to a search, which included stripping the proud ladies of the harems to the accompaniment of much and ribald laughter.
Outram, of course, also came up, and made a strong protest at this invasion of Muslim custom, but Napier refused to be moved. ‘Did they not encourage their menfolk to make war on us?’ he demanded. ‘There has been no rape.’
‘That, sir, is a matter of opinion,’ Outram remarked. Napier was more interested in calling his officers together to hear their views of the military situation.
‘I know this fellow Sher Mohammed,’ Outram said.
‘The Lion,’ Napier remarked drily.
‘Oh, he is a fierce fighter,’ Outram agreed. ‘But he is also a fellow of the most remarkable quirks and fancies, given to quite unexpected acts of chivalry, such as his refusal to add to the odds against you at Meanee, Sir Charles.’
‘He is a fool then,’ Napier sa
id bluntly.
‘No doubt. However, I believe I can persuade him that it is now too late to take up arms against us, if you will give me permission, sir.’
Napier considered. He had intended to lead his men directly against the Lion’s troops, but he was well aware that the odds would probably be as great as at Meanee, that the Lion’s men were entirely fresh while his own were exhausted, and that he had a substantial number of wounded, for whom a few days’ rest was essential.
He also needed a brief cessation in the campaign to enable him to summon reinforcements from the garrison at Sukkur. ‘Very well, Major,’ he said. ‘But my terms remain unchanged. I wish the unconditional surrender of all Baluchi arms, and also of Prince Batraj.’
*
An envoy was immediately despatched to Sher Mohammed’s camp, and the army settled down to prepare itself for whatever lay ahead. Messengers were also immediately sent up to Sukkur.
Meanwhile, Napier moved his people out of the city to the north, to prepare a fortified camp on the bank of the Indus, which was reasonably easy to do because of all the natural defences. The artillery were emplaced, wells and latrines were dug, and the army made itself as comfortable as it could.
‘I am concerned about the ladies,’ the General confided to Guy. ‘But they will just have to sit it out until a ship arrives.’ He glanced at his chief-of-staff. ‘I suppose that pleases you?’
‘I am sure the Dowager Rani prefers to be here, close to her children, than in Bombay, sir,’ Guy replied.
Napier snorted.
*
‘Will there be another battle?’ Laura asked, as they walked outside the encampment.
‘That depends on Sher Mohammed. Or should I say, more likely on Batraj.’
Laura shuddered. ‘Then there will be another battle. Oh, Guy, what will become of us?’
‘Why, if there is another battle, we shall beat them again.’
‘And a lot more men will be killed.’
‘That is inevitable. Believe me, I will do everything in my power to see that your son survives.’
Laura sighed. ‘And perhaps die yourself in the attempt.’
‘Well, they haven’t made a very good job of killing me yet. I doubt they’ll improve.’
‘But why, Guy? Why? What do we wish with this...this desert? It is the Baluchis’ country. Why cannot they be left in possession of it? Surely we have enough of India for even our greedy needs?’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘You are starting to talk like one of the missionary wallahs. Left to themselves, and stirred up by Batraj, the Baluchis would soon be crossing into British India and forcing us to beat them all over again.’
Laura knew she would never persuade any Company officer otherwise. But Guy could see her distress.
‘From our point of view, beating Sher Mohammed is the only possible way of ever regaining your children.’
‘Our point of view?’
‘Your hopes are my hopes, Laura. You know my wife’s petition of divorce has been granted by the Lords?’
‘I did not know.’
‘It is very unusual for a woman to be granted a decree against her husband. I suspect it has only happened because the Dowager Rani of Sittapore has become quite a well-known figure in the English press.’
‘You mean I am pilloried there, too.’
‘You have your detractors, certainly, but also your staunch supporters. Florentia Sale is certainly one of your leading defenders, and she is a formidable advocate. Laura, what I am trying to say is that I am now a free man. Will you marry me?’
‘But that would ruin your career.’
He smiled. ‘Not even you can do that to me now, Laura. I am quite a famous solider. The General intends to mention me in despatches yet again. There is every possibility of a brigadier-generalship.’
‘Not if you marry me.’
‘If I am prepared to remain in India, if you are prepared to remain in India, we have only success to look forward to.’
Laura could not meet his eyes. ‘I am dedicated to restoring my son to his inheritance.’
‘I’m afraid that will have to wait on circumstances. He is doing his cause no good at the moment. However, I will lend you, and him, all the support in my power.’
‘Will you?’ Her head came up, and then drooped again. ‘But I am married to Batraj.’
Guy put his finger beneath her chin to raise her face, and lightly kissed her lips. ‘That also needs to be attended to.’
He was so confident, so different from the boy she remembered.
Marriage to Batraj had been a long and painful captivity, in which only hatred had sustained her.
Now, at last, she was sure of one man’s love and understanding.
*
Outram returned from his meeting with Sher Mohammed somewhat chastened.
‘The Lion refuses to consider any terms, Sir Charles, save that of your surrender.’
‘What did you say?’ Napier inquired.
‘Sher Mohammed bids me tell you that he commands thirty thousand men whose only dream is to come to grips with John Company, but that if you agree to surrender, he will permit us, together with the women and children, to evacuate Sind, on condition that we never again seek to invade his lands or those held by his compatriots.’
‘The devil!’ Napier swore.
Outram looked thoroughly distressed. ‘There is one proviso, sir.’
‘Only one? What is it?’
‘That the Dowager Rani of Sittapore be handed over to answer for her crimes and submit to Baluchi justice.’
Napier glanced at Guy.
‘Batraj!’ Guy said.
‘Of course.’
‘What answer shall we send to Sher Mohammed, sir?’ Outram inquired.
‘Tell him my terms are the same as before,’ Napier said.
*
The two armies then settled down to a waiting game. Even though he claimed to command thirty thousand men, the Lion was not apparently disposed to attack a well-entrenched British force. And while Napier had every intention of carrying the fight to the enemy as soon as it became possible, he needed his reinforcements from Sukkur. He was in no hurry; he had sufficient water and food for a lengthy stay. He controlled the river, so that he could always withdraw his people if he chose, having now accumulated sufficient boats and small ships, including the two steamers.
From Guy’s point of view the waiting meant he could see Laura, even if it was frustrating to have to behave with the utmost propriety. To an extent he shared her distraction as to what might be happening to her children: Mary had now been married for well over a month.
*
A ship came upriver from Kurrachee, and the women and children were embarked.
‘I am to go to Bombay alone?’ Laura asked in dismay.
‘Outram is accompanying you. And Jennie Fisher will look after you,’ Guy said reassuringly. ‘Until I get there.’
She smiled bravely, but he knew she was thinking: what if you never do arrive there?
*
The reinforcements from Sukkur arrived on the morning of 23 March, and brought the British strength up to five thousand men. Two cavalry regiments came with them, so Napier now had a thousand mounted men, as well as nineteen guns.
The rest of the day was spent in teaching the new troops the tactics he intended to use. At dusk a further emissary arrived from Sher Mohammed, once again demanding that the British force surrender, or the Lion would march upon them.
Napier merely smiled. ‘You have been to our camp before,’ he told the envoy.
‘Oh yes, General sahib.’
‘And do you remember what you saw?’
The envoy looked nervous. ‘I remember some things, General sahib?’
‘Nonsense,’ Napier told him. ‘You remember everything. That is part of the business of being an envoy. Now my aide, Colonel Bartlett, is going to take you through the camp. I wish you to tell what you have seen to the Lion. He will be intereste
d.’
The envoy followed Guy as he was led through the various detachments, most of which were standing to. Then the unhappy Baluchi was brought back before Napier.
‘You will have seen that my numbers have been doubled since last you were here,’ the General said. ‘Be sure you tell the Lion of this. And tell him also, he has no need to come to me. I intend to come to him. Tomorrow.’
The envoy mounted his horse and rode from the camp as fast as he could.
Napier smiled at his officers. ‘Tomorrow, gentlemen.’
Hyderabad, 23 March 1843
We join battle again tomorrow morning.
Batraj still keeps the field. He has now allied himself to a chieftain who calls himself the Lion of Meerpure, and is reputed to command the usual astronomical numbers of followers. But as our strength has recently been doubled, we approach the coming conflict with total confidence.
Laura has been sent to Bombay with the other women and the children, and is thus removed from all danger, to my great relief. Outram went with them, bristling with indignation at what he regards as the indecent and impolitic treatment of the Baluchis who surrendered to us, particularly their womenfolk. In fact, much as I admire the General for his determination and his warlike qualities, I feel he was a little harsh in his approach to the Baluchi ladies, apparently regarding them as being every bit as guilty of insurrection as their husbands. No doubt there will be a great to-do when Outram’s report reaches London. By then, however, this campaign will surely be completed.
How many times have I claimed to have Batraj in my sights? But now at last I have a general who is determined to bring him down, no matter what it takes.
15 The Pursuit
Having established that the Lion was to be found near the village of Dubba to the north-east of the city, with twenty-five thousand men, Napier determined to repeat the strategy which had stood him in good stead at Meanee, and march straight at him. Reveille was sounded at three in the morning, and the Company army moved out soon after.
The column was led by the Poona Horse, followed by the 9th Cavalry. Then came the five infantry regiments, the 22nd, now under the command of Major Poole, and the Bombay Native Brigade commanded by Major Woodburn, consisting of the 25th, the 21st, the 12th and the 8th. The 3rd Cavalry and the Sind Horse brought up the rear. Of the guns, five were horse artillery at the rear of the column, the other fourteen were at the head.
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