Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
LEGEND OF KUNAI.

We were stationed in the Bengal presidency.
Shortly after our arrival in the country,
when was quite griff, I was sent with a
detachment Of men to a place called Fort
Kunai, situated on the banks Of the Ganges.
At that time this was one OF the most dreary
stations | have ever been at Everything
about it reminded one of its past greatness,
which contrasted painfully with its present
desolation- 1t was built on a small hill ct
point where the river takes sudden bend;
and from our quarters the Gauges could be
seen vending its way for a considerable dis
tance on each side.
At the time that was stationed there the
only European inhabitants consisted Of the
colonel commanding, the padre, the doctor
and myself. Shortly after that the colonel
went on leave, and 1 took over command
Then the padre was ordered to another
station, and his duties also devolved on me-
Finally, the relief Of the doctor YVES ordered;
but as l was not skilled in medicine, another
was 70 replace him. The doctor had two very
nice spaniels that had taken great fancy
70; and as he did not wish to take them away
with him, he presented both of them to me
shortly before he left | must tell you that,
IN India, the man who usually looks after
ones dogs is the mahter or sweeper, a man of
very low caste, or perhaps Of no caste at all
These men often become absurdly fond of the
animals under their charge; ard TABOO, the
doctors sweeper was no exception to the
general rule The parting between him and
Beauty and Bouncer was most affecting
Lest they should get away and follow him
I shut them up in the one remaining room
OF the old palace in which the rajahs for
nnerIy used to live. 1t was an odd looking
in nj -
then. It was approached by flight OF
well worn stone steps, and was probably
used in former times as lookout tower. The
floor consisted of large fagstones; the walls
were of solid masonry about three feet thick;
the roof was vaulted. There was at that time
but one small window-the rest being walled
up-and that looked onto the Ganges. 4
metal ring was fastened to one of the flag
stones, and to this l tied the dogs.
The next day TABOO came to my room in a
state of considerable excitement He had
brought a nOte-or chitti, as they call i5 in
those parts-from the doctor for me, and had
evidently noticed something on his arrival
which exercised him greatly. In the inter-
walls between his numerous salans he wrung
his hands and jabbered away in g most in
comprehensive manner. l occasionally de-
tected the words kutta and kutti in his inco-
heuent ranablings 50 knew be must be- saying
something about the dogs, that word being
the HindustaDi for dog.
1t appears that in the days of the East In
dia company some soldiers, while out shoot
ing, were met by party Of villagers in the
neighbOrhood Of hunai. \ quarrel ensued,
which was followed by fight, and Euro
pean was killed. The quarrel arose out of
the Europeans having killed peacock, which
is q sacred bird IN that part of India. The
villagers took refuge in the fort The rajah
of hunai was called upon to give them up to
justice; but he, secure in his fortress, babe
the messengers return and tell their sahib TO
come and fetch them hlmself-If he could.
Only one result could follow such a reply
The East India company had long cast an
envious eye on this strong and powerful fort.
This was an opportunity not to be neglected.
An aI57y was sent to subdue the lmperious
rajah, and his territory was proclaimed.
The fort was soon besieged
For many weary months the siege went on.
Eunai would never have been taken had
there not been traitor within its gates. The
rajah had a lieutenant, by name Iuttri, in
whom he placed the greatest confidence.
Though Muttri feigned the utmost devotion
for his lord, MS heart was black with tIeach-
cry, for be had dared TO lift his eyes to the
beautiful rance. and he loved her Day and
night he cherished his passion. and thought
how be could make her his own All the
favors that he owed to the "a jah's generosity
were forgotten. Love alone for the Rance
burned in has soul, absorbing every other
passion. At last plan suggested itself TO
Muttri's mind by which be thought he could
gain his ends Among the garrison were
certain relatives of his own. He took them
into his confidence and promise of g large
reward made them his devoted tools. That
night, when all were at rest except the sen
tries, swift messenger left the fort for the
English camp He returned unperceived, and
was admitted by Muttri. The reply he
brought was favorable Muttri's black eyes
CLEANED with savage delight.
j few nights afterward Muttri and his
friends were all on guard at the principal en-
trance TO the fort. While the rajah was
sleeping in fancied security, stealthy steps
approached; the gates were silently opened;
one by one the English soldiers crept in, and
stin the rajah slept. Then came q sudden
shout, followed by heartrendinS cry. One
Of the the soldiers on guard at the palace,
within the citadel had seen the intruders and
gave the alarm ar the same moment that he
received DIS OS8I0 NOUIlli. 4ncI1. Al SILL
night, followed the din of war and the clash
ing OF arms, confusion and dismay. The vic
tory was not bloedlsss one, for the rajah, at
tbs head Of few stanch adherents, fought
desperately, with all the courage of despair,
while the rance, with her young child, was
being lowered from the walls overhanging
the river. She escaped by way Of the Gauges.
Shortly afterward her gallant lord fell
Inortally wounded
In the morning the English were masters Of
the fort The heads Of the villagers who had
killed the Europeans were hung over the
gateway by which they had entered. War in
those DAYS WIS much more savage game
than it is now. Then Muttri claimed the full
funent of his compact, which was, that his
life and those Of his friends should De spared:
also. that be was to be left in command of
the fort. Tie English were in such sore
straits when they were offered these condi-
lions that they were only too glad 10 accept
them; 50 they retired, and Muttri ruled in
place OF his master. But with power was
only another name for tyranny
The rance IN the meantime. hearing that
the English had withdrawn, collected great
force and led it in person ON kuEai On her
arrival the gates were joyfully fung open
by the garrison; the traitor Muttri was made
q prisoner by Ris own servants. He was
brought before the rance 70 receive the SEN
tence that his perfdy deserved. Bescre she
could utter q word he fung himself as hsr
feet and poured forth his tale Of love with all
the ardor OF 4 pelt up passion suddenly
broken loose His story made his traitorous
act appear dou6ly back The Rance hsard
him in severe silsncn; then q smile Of bitter
scorn curled her lips, and she briefly pro-