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Updated: June 25, 2025
We are cut off from support, but now that the guns are here to help us, we could either hold out here until relieved or else fight our way into Jundhra, where I have no doubt we are very badly needed. But" he spoke more slowly and distinctly now, with a distinct pause between each word "there is an officer's lady alone, and practically unprotected at Hanadra. Our duty is clear.
Retreat grew into panic and panic to stampede and, five minutes after the Risaldar's appearance on the scene, half of the Indian line was rushing wildly for Hanadra and the other half was retiring sullenly in comparatively dense and decent order. Bellairs could not see all that happened.
The Mutiny of '57 had blazed out of sullen mystery already, the sepoys were burning their barracks half-way on the road to Jundhra! And down below, to the shadow where the Risaldar had stood, crept a giant of a man who had no military bearing. He listened once, and sneaked into the deepest black within the doorway and crouched and waited. Hanadra reeks of history, blood-soaked and mysterious.
Colonel Carter unfolded the half-sheet of foreign notepaper and read: Dear Colonel Carter: Your letter just received in which you say that you have blown up the magazine at Doonha and are marching to Hanadra with a view to the rescue of Mrs. Bellairs.
Have you lots of ammunition?" "I brought all I had with me at Hanadra." "Good! What you'll need tonight is grape!" "I've lots of it. It's nearly all grape." "Hurrah! Then we'll treat those dirty mutineers to a dose or two of pills they won't fancy! Come on, man set the pace a little faster!" "Why didn't my orders say anything about a mutiny or bringing in my wife?" "Dunno! I didn't write 'em.
The cry went up before the sun was fifteen minutes high. There are a hundred temples in Hanadra, age-old all of them and carved on the outside with strange images of heathen gods in high relief, like molds turned inside out. But there is but one temple that that cry could mean Kharvani's; and there could be but one meaning for the cry.
He looked at the barracks, which were still blazing heavenward and illuminating the whole country-side, and shuddered as he wondered whether his quarters at Hanadra were in flames yet. "It's a good job old Carter happened to be here!" he heard one of his men mumble to another. "He's a man, that is I'd sooner fight under him than any I know of!"
What else could I do but wait? My wife can't ride with the section; she isn't strong enough, for one thing; and besides, there's no knowing what this order means; there might be trouble to face of some kind. I've sent into Hanadra to try to drum up an escort for her and I'm waiting here until it comes." The Risaldar stroked at his beard reflectively.
I old friend, I " "It is forgotten, sahib!" "Tell me what are these rumors you have heard?" "But one rumor, sahib-war! Uprising revolution treachery all India waits the word to rise, sahib!" "You mean ?" "Mutiny among the troops, and revolution north, south, east and west!" "Here, too, in Hanadra?" "Here, too, in Hanadra, sahib! Here they will be among the first to rise!" "Oh, come!
Is his horse comparatively fresh? I'll need him to gallop with a message. I'll dictate it to Captain O'Rourke as soon as he is ready. Let the gunner stay here close to me." Bellairs sought out his best man and the freshest-seeming horse in wondering silence. He felt sick with anxiety, for what could one lone veteran Risaldar do to protect Mrs. Bellairs against such a horde as was in Hanadra?
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