The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-01-19
An incident of the Indian Mlstiny
RAYMOND Vivian was the only son O

Raymond Vivian was the only son of
a widowed mother. His father had
served with great distinction in India,
and had fallen in action against the
Sikhs at the battle of Chillianwallah.-
Persevering and enefgetic in disposition,
RAYMOND devoted himself assiduously
to his studies; and after having passed
a year at the Royal Military College,
Sandhurst, by means of superior ans.
wering obtained a commission without
purchase, and was gazetted to the Thir-
|ty-second Regiment.
In person the youth was tall and com
manding. His afrable demeanor, as well
as his kind and anliable disposition,
gained him the respect Of the soldiers
and the esteem of his brothcr-officers.
Shortly after his arrival H. India, the
fearful mutiny broke out. raymond,
although young officer, saw much ac-
tive service, and was eventually attached
to the staff of the gallant Havelock, who,
after having succeeded in relieving the
suffering garrison of Lucknow, found
himself. in his turn, shut up in that city,
and closely beseiged by the rebels.
The privations, patience and self-deni-
al of the inhabitants of the beleaguered
city, as well as the indomitable persever-
ance and untiring zeal of their faithful
champion and his devoted followers,
form one of the noblest and grandest
episodes in the annals of unsparing and
deadly welfare,
One night, during the progress of the
protracted siege, faithful Sepoy, hay
ing eluded the vigilance of the mutineers,
brought in intelligence that wounded
English officer and his daughter, having
succeeded in escaping from their dwell
ing, which had been burned by the reb-
els, were now concealed in jungle
about five miles distant, where they
would either perish from hunger and ex-
haustion, or be discovered and slain by
the Struggling marauders who were
securing the country.
1t was question of life or death ;
but the Residency was so closely hemmed
in by swarms of insurgents, that the gal
liant and kind-hearted Havelock deemed
it absolutely impossible to afford any as
sistance, even under such painful circum-
stances, particularly as the siege was
now so closely pressed that scarcely q
solitary soldier could be spared.
The faithful Sepoy looked the very
picture Of despair when he perceived
that his utmost efforts to save his wOuu-
ded master and his young mistress were
doomed to be miserably disappointed
General said Raymond, Il besceCh
you to allow Inc to volunteer to go to
the aid Of these poor people"
young man" answered Havelock
''what could you do? You alone could
not save them. You would be captured
, and slain yourself before you could have
even chance of reaching them
"However, general, let me make the
attempt. This faithful Sepoy informs
me that the English officer, although
severely wounded, is still able to walk
l shall feel justified in using stratagen
to deceive the rebels, and l shall either
succeed in saving the unhappy fugitives
or perish in the effort.
; His entreaties became so earnest and
energetic that Havelock at length yield
ed reluctant consent to daring bu
almost hopeless enterprise
Raynlord at once proteeded to put
his plans into execution. He dyed his
hands and face with a preparation oi
ochre, concealed atot.t his person two
revolvers, and assumed the dress of {
Sepoy; also taking with him two Other
similar suits, for the purpose of dis,
: guising the fugitives, if he shotld be sc
fortunate as to meet them.
The faithful Hindoo, Musser Ali, was
also furnished with additional weapons
and the daring adventurers proceeded
alone toward the ramparts of the city
Raymond's quick eye had previously
marked out portion of the walls which
as yet, had not been fiercely attacked
and which would, therefore, be mostilke
ly to favor their descent into the country
, The night was unusually dark ant
stormy, and this unexpected circumstan
! Cc W tiSSlSU lIlCul III tilCll Ntil
ficult and hazardous enterprise.
The English sentinel at first supposed
them to be descrters, but he was soor
; convinced of his error; and by means
of q graphing iron and a rope, Ray
mond and his companion succeeded i'll
descending into the plain without fur
: ther molestation.
'sSahib," whispered the faithful Hin
doc, "as / crept along to the Residency
| overheard the password of the rebels
t 1t is 'Nana."
This timely intimation, and Raymond
q intimate acquaintance with Hindoostan
ee, proved Of almost incalcuable advan
G tage.
2 As they proceeded, they encountered
Y various groupes of mutineers, who chal
: lenged them us to their purposes anC
movements but the password so in
$ stantly given as well as Raymond S ready
D replies in Hindoostance, completed,
overcame suspicion.
f BY long and circuitous route, the,
r at length reached the jungle where th
fugitives had concealed themselves.
Their arrival had almost proved too
late, for five mutineers had just seizeC
= the aged and wounded officer and hi
:. youthful daughter, and were about t
r kill them, when Raymond and Musse
t Ali sprang amongst the group, and aftc
sharp but desperate encounter, sue
ceeded in staying four of their assail
p ants. But the fifth man, although dies
perately wounded, contrived to- effec
his escape, anl Raymond jus"y ct n
cluded that he would soon endeavor t
. set pursuers on their track.
Between her anxiety for her father
safety and her warm and heartfelt thank
% fulness for this sudden and almost un
. expected deliverance, Edith Acton wa
!. so deeply agitated that she could scarce
ly express her gratitude; but her look
indicated far more than language coul
a utter. .ug
;, Raymond perceived her embarrass
ment. He assisted the wounded office
to rise, and as he gazed on Edith, th
young soldier felt fired with fre sh energ