The Lamar register., 1892-01-23
From Binekwood.


III u hA India is very
dull; and | have
often wondered that British soldiers
out here are, on the whole, such a
steady, well-bchnved set of lads
Compare n soldiers life in a small
Indian station, with being quartered
even Mt Malta or Gibraltar, and
either Of these places will seem like
Paradise; though the Rock" is by
no means popular, and is always
Called n prison by the troops for the
time being in garrison there.
Well, we found Arcot horribly dull,
and it was with great satisfaction
thnt we heard an order had been
given for our company to march to
Nellore TO strengthen the garrison
there, which had been very much re-
duced by cholera.
IL was then nbout the middle OF
March, and consequently later than
is usual for moving troops, as the
days begin to get very hot on the
plains in the Carnatic about that
time OF the year. But ours was special
duty; and as we should only march
II the early morning, we did not fear
the eincouyenience otthe mid day heat,
but LOOKED upon the whole thing as
rather n lnik, and welcome change
from themonotony of garrison duty.
As to the cholera. not one of us gave
ii "A thought. Not likely it would
touch one of u.s.
a was on the second day after
luc wing Arcot that Private Thomas
Atkins, who was my right file, sud
denly had to tall out. ] expected him
to r,.join our ranks before long, but
did not trouble myself about his ab-
seuce IL was not until we reached
the camp, and had finished breakfast,
that heard anything more about
him.
/ then learned that he was buried.
knew cholera was awfully sudden
In its attack and effects, but l had
not imagined the possibility OF its
CARRYING off a healthy man quite SO
rapidly. OF course immediate inter
ment must take place in the case OF
death on the line of march. | had
liked Atkins much, but | fancy his
death and burial were SO sudden that
the rest OF us failed to realize the
truth of what had happened to our
comrade, and half expected to see
him turn up again. Anyhow we soon
forgot the incident.
Late in the afternoon l was listen
ing to a description of Nellore by one
OF our fellows who had been there,
and speculating on the chance OF see-
ing the crocodiles which Tippoo Sui
tan had placed in the moatround the
fort, al the best possible sentinels to
prevent prisoners from escaping, or
any of his troops from attempting
To desert, when suddenly felt spasms
and sickness.
"Holloal old fellow, how blue you
lookI" remarked n companion sitting
next to me: and as he spoke II ycom-
radesshranE terror-stricken from me.
IL needed no doctor to tell me what
was the matter. Tne cholera had
seized mel
wns hastily conveyed to the tenn
porary hospital where our assistant
surgeon already had several cases OF
the disease under treatment, and
was laid on charpoy. l rapidly
passed from the first to the second
stage ofthat malady, and by 8 O'Clock
Mt night the incessant vomiting and
purring had reduced me to n con-
dition OF weakness approaching IN
sensibiIity. / was consumed by
burning, raging thirst, but the dress
er disregarded all my entreaties for
n drink of water. The system OF
trea ting cholera in those days allow
ed the patient nothing more than
inst to have the lips moistened oc-
casioually with weak brandy-and-
water; and this simply aggravated
the torture of thirst. Nowadays
champagne is given, and the sufferer
is allowed to drink pretty freely.
The hospital was, OF course, only
n pandal, hastily constructed with
paimvra leaves, with Il large cuscus
mat at the entrance at each end. Two
large chattics of water were placed
lust outside of each entrance, from
which n coolie from time to time threw
n pannikinful on the cuscus TO TINS,
so that the wind. blowing through
the west mats, might cool the tenn
perature inside the pandal. This re-
suit certainly was attained, but at
the cost OF intensiiying the pangs OF
the patients, whose thirst was tamil
lied by hearing the splashiDg OF the
water.
had begged, sworn and mennced
Mt intervals, but no one paid tine
slightest heed to me, and | was sink
inr into that condition OF torpor