The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-10-19
ROBBED BY MISTAKE.
A NIGHT ADVENTURE IN BENAREs.

4
Had | known what was going to befall
me when | took the steamer passage from
Ceylon to India, L should probably con-
! tinued my journey eastward around the
! world without stopping at the Land OF
the Rajahs." In bllssful ignorance |
landed at Calcutta.
| The time of the year WAS that when the
climate most taVors up-country travelling
| and so, after brief visit with friends, /
| started north by rail. was the richer by
| half dozen Introductory letters to men
OF more or less prominence in the chief
| cities Of the empire.
| went to Benares, the sacred city on
! the mighty Ganges and sought the house
OF Sta Ram, to whom one of nly letters
was addressed. Sta Ram was wealthy
and cultured Hindoo banker. aud my
| friends had pictured. in glowing colors,
the hospitality that [ would receive
Before my ride through the city was
over | felt that hospitality of any sort
and from any one would be doubly well
come. 70 my surprise most of the bazaars
and business places were closed, though
1t WAS early afternoon. Groups of evil
faced natives stood about in the squares
and streets, while police and soldiers ap-
peared TO be unusually plentiful. [ was
made a target for sullen glances from all
sides, ann [ could no. help recalling the
stirring times OF the great mutiny, more
than thirty years back.
| found Sta Rams house to be a pala-
tial cream-colored building not far from
the river. Its owner proved to be absent,
but his private secretary received me and
opened the letter of introduction.
Baboo Das was a sleek mahogany faced
gentleman, who spoke Erglish perfectly
and wore European garments of fautless
cut.
My honored master is in Allahabad
on matter of business he explained.
He will return IN a day or two, and
meanwhile the house ana servants are at
your disposal"
| thanked Baboo Das, and inquired the
meaning OF tie strange sights | had wit
messed in the city.
There has been danger Of a riot dur
ing the past twenty-four hours" he re-
Piled, gravely, but it is believed to be
past nov. The most ignorant OF the Hin
doc population are angry because the
municipality have acquired the Ramjee
Temple for the purpose of erecting new
waterworks on It's site. The MahOme-
dams have taken part IN the disturbances
because the dearness of PROVISIONS for
which the municipality is also held re-
sponsible. My honored master belongs
to the board of government, and helped
to purchase the temple"
suspected Sta RAMS departure might
be more in the order of flight than busi-
ness trip.
"Are you sure that the danger is over?"
| asked for | had s1me notion OF gong to
Il hotel.
YES" replied Baboo Das, "the rioters
are cowed and submissive. My masters
house was under the protection of the
police, but they withdrew this morning."
His manner was SO calm and decided
that [ quite forgot my fears. | was
shown a luxurious bed-chamber, and q
little latter | dined IN solitary state off
dishes OF god and silver. Tue entire
house was furnished in asumptuous style
that showed its bachelor owner to possess
a sense of European taste as we'll as of
barbaric splendor.
During the evening | was left pretty
much to myself, and as | dld not care to
venture into the streets passed the time
with cigar and laGe magazine About
ten o'clock Bahoo Das appeared, and
when [ signified my wish to retire he pre-
ceded me upstairs.
Squattlng on a rugIn the hall, just out
side of my room, was bright-faced Hin
doc lad. about twelve years old. A cord
dangled by his side. and passing through
the door, communicated with the fans
that were attached to the ceiling of the
apartment. The lad was evidently the
"punky Wallah" or fan puller. His name
was Gunpat, Baboo Das Informed me,
and his duty was to keep me cool through
the sultry hours OF the night.
| chatted with the boy for few moments,
and found HIM to be intelligent and fair
| ly cOnversant In English. Then L enter
ed my room and lowered the square of
rice mating that was furled above the
doorway. There was also door of heavy
teak-wood, but | did not think 1t neces-
sary to close it. The apartment had two
windows, overlooking a small court yard
that contained shrubbery and a fountain.
After riding most Of the day in a stuify
and jolting railway carriage [ was weary.
1t did not take me long to undress and
fall asleep. The last thing [ remember
was the soft whirrIng OF tho fans and
their refreshing current of air.
was awakened by hard tugg1ng at
the bed clothes. Rouse, Sahib, there is
danger" was poured into my years by a
shrill childish voice.
sprang out of bed in a trice, and struck
light. 1t revealed the half-naked figure
of little Guupat. His expression was one
of indignation rather than of terror.
What is 1t? | demanded.
Those pigs Of rioters, Sahib," he re-
piled. They have broken loose at last"
Then, for the first time, became aware
Of the tumult IN the streets surrounding
the house. Brawling voices and the rest
less patter of feet rose hoarsely on the
night air. | could distinguish the shrill
Din! DIM of the Mahomedans-their
ralIying cry tnbattle. From afar [ heard
| the FAINT pealing of bells and the rattle of
musketry. a lively commotIon was GO
| ing On down stairs, banging OF d1ors and
| showing of furniture, lnterlarded with
| husky voices.
Gunpat slipped away for moment,
| and L hurried on my shirt and trousers.
| | felt decidedly uncomfortable, to say the
| least. | could not forget the black looks
! that had greeted me on the previous
| fternoon. Europeans were in bad odor
at Benares just now. | glanced at the
clock. The hands pointed to an hour
past midnight. l began to consider what
l had better do. | was puzzled to ac-
count for the non-app earance of Baboo
Das.
/ Meanwhile the tumult had swelled to
frightful din. The street without seem
ed to be choked with rioters. Kill Sta
RAM" they yelled. 'Slay the hereto
Loot his house. Down with the destroy.
ers Of the faithr'
was fully alive to the situation now
and the thought of my peril sickened me
4 moment later a succession of heavy
thuds followed by a tremendous crast
| and n hurst Of nhaars told that the pnair