Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-05-06

for fugitive to hide in. 1t is an ex'
cellenI place also for party of soldiers
to encamp by. The mutineers thought
so, and, throwing themselves on the
parched grass beside the road twenty
yards from where we were hidden, they
began to smoke and discuss in low,
cautious tones, for they were still dis
trustful Of themselves and oach other,
the prospects of the desperate venture
TO which they were now irretrievably
committed
1t was quite light enough now to see
that Boden Singh WAS not with the sol
diers. Where has he gone To ? ask
ed my preserver in a whisper. "lle has
gone to your bungalow, she replied sig
nilcantly. "lle expects to find you
there !"
Situated as | then was, forewarned
and, therefore, forearmed, was siu
cerely sorry that Boden Singh would
not'liud me in my bungalow.
The clump Of tall, thin hamboos
were singing their endless song to the
night breeze, felt by their sensitive,
lofty tops, though not perceptible be-
low; and, our voices lost to the mutin-
eers in the groaning anicreaking of the
branches, learned from Pooniah her
reason for saving me. a few weeks
previously, when The shadow of the
advancing mutiny had fallen on the
country. caught Boden Singh, who
could read and speak English remarka-
bly, Well. about TO open letter given to
me by messenger from Sir John Law
renee to deliver to the commissioner of
Jubbulpore. In view of the expected
outbreak such an intention, if exposed,
would infallibly have been quickly fol-
lowed by Boden Singh's execution; but
he had read nothing Of the dispatch,
and, yielding to Pooniah's entreaties,
was silent, and his life was spared.
The time is close at hand, sahib, {"
said the grateful wife, "when may do
for you what you have done for him,
and"-she stopped down, picked up a
small piece of earth and swallowed it,
following a well-known custom of Hin
doc fanaticism-''mayt this choke me if
betray the trust"
Bonden Singh, too, pledged himself
to repay the debt l had placed him un-
der. How the husband and wife kept
faith with me the coming ordeal show
ed.
"Pooniah Why e.you here ?" 1t
was Bonden Singh who spoke. Coming
by. a short cut from my bungalow he
had approached the rear Of the clump
and had nearly fallen over us. In a
mother second he had seen me, and his
knife--a carving knife from the mess
table was in his hand; and in the next
l had him by the throat, disarmed, and
On the ground He would haye shout
ed for help, but Pooniah stopped, AID
in quick, nervous tones whispered {:
"DOden Singh, utter one word and |
will run out and say you were saving
your sahib! You were his bearer, and
gave him warning in time to prevent
him from going to the mess table. How
long do you think you would liye after
that was told The sahib will spare
your life again if you will promise not
TO join the mutineers. Lie quiet now,
and you will never see me after to-
night
The villain saw his only chance for
safety. Sullenly he gave the promise
required of him, and lay still for twen-
ty minutes. Then the Sepoys moved
away, and half an hour later |, for the
second time, allowed Boden Singh to
go IN peace.
"Sahib," said Pooniah, Il have kept
my trust. l can do no more for you.
Salaam." She was gone, and | never
saw her again.
More fortunately than the Martyr
of Allahabad" got safely ilto Luck
now, and came out with Sir Colin
Campbell's men when they marched to
our relief. 1t is, perhaps, needless to
say that Boden Singh's word was brok-
en-. He was an active mutineer. l
saw him for the last time near Gavin
pore. He was one of long line of Sc
poys tied to a staked rope running for
ward from the muZzle Of shotted gun.
"Boden Singh, l said, 81 cannot save
you this time.''
"Would you if you could ?" he ask
ed.
And as l looked on the traitors face,
and as recollqctions of the past crowd
ed upon me, could only reply
Il don't think l would"