The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-07 00:00:00

HUNTING THE NANA.

It was getting hot for the advance guard when the
word came on, "Clear the road for the guns," and up
dashed the hone artillery, as the infantry tumbled up
on either side. A very few shots from the six-pounders
soon cleared the road. By this time day was just
breaking, and we had managed to extend a line of
skirmishers on each side of the road into the jungle,
and so advanced again, tearing through the bushes,
which retained various portions of our clothing. No
sooner were these skirmiskers extended, than the
jungle suddenly seemed to swarm with the enemy—
gentlemen dressed in green, with red turbans on their
heads, who rushed forward shooting, firing, and
trying to outflank us, which latter little game was
stopped by sending another company out on each
flank. They stuck obstinately to on for some
time, firing from lollind the trees, but a sudden panic
striking them, away they went as feet as they could
through such a dense covert, shouting, "Ruffle Ko
Pultan ! Ruffle Ko Pultan !" (" The Rifle Regiment!
The Rifle Regiment !") We learnt afterwards that
these rebels had been told by their leaders that they
were only to be opposed by native troops, which
accounted for their first determined onslaught ; but
among them were many who had fled from Delhi
after its capture, and had joined the forces of the
enemy in Rohilcund ; so when they came across
their old foes, the said Ruffle Ko Pultan" (who had,
like other regiments, dropped down upon them some-
what heavily at Delhi), theirastonishment and dismay
knew no bounds. And now commenced the most extra-
ordinary scene perhaps ever witnessed. As has been
' said, skirmishers had been thrown out on either
flank, and reinforced, forming a tolerably extensive
line across the jungle. Of course; when the Pandies
bolted, a general rush was made after them. Talk
of beating for woodcocks! Hens every bush held game
of some kind—out of this, with a mighty rush,
flutter, and scream, would rise a splendid peacock, or
perhaps a brace of them; then a deer would dart
along the line, seeking in vain for opening to escape, not
knowing which way to turn. his enemy, man, being
in front and rear; then, again, would a pig come
grunting along, eying one with a vicious side squint.
Out of another bush would suddenly start-one of our
red-and-green friends, and fly for his life to the nearest
tree, from behind which he would take a snap shot at
his pursuers. Often enough they would rise from their
lairs almost divestedLof clothing, and proclaim them-
selves only "Poor man, air! poor man, sir!" but a loak
in the grace usually diacovered their arms and accou-
trements that had been hastily concealed; and then a
Millet would do the rest. It was an astonishing sight
to witness as we advancel—pigs. Pandies, partridges,
deer, hares &c., rushing pell-mell about, and only the
most worthless game of the lot could we shoot. Albeit,
once or twice some private Smith or Jones with sport-
ing proclivities could resist no longer, but in defiance
of everything would take a hasty shot at some flying
animal Surely such a day's shooting was never seen,
and probably never will be again. We commenced
our beat at daybreak, finishing late in the afternoon,
and the bag was heavy—between three and four hun-
dred head; in addition were many more, picked up by
the cavalry, who pursued for several miles. Hut we
didn't bag the Nana—Land and Water.