Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-07-15

IA HEN the great mutlny broke out
w there was no end to the princes
and nabobs in India, and without ex-
ception, all were rich. The Honorable
East India company had forcibly de-
posed some from power and had bought
off others; but from highest to lowest
they still had their palaces and retinues
and retainers. A few of these poten-
tates threw their fortunes with the Brit
fish, but the great majority cast their
lot with the rebels or affected neu-
trality almost as dangerous. No doubt
many of them sacrificed all their wealth
90 help along the cause; but there were
others who transferred their treasure
to safe places, and let it remain in con-
cealment until long after peace had
been proclaimed. Under military
edict all hidden property became loot
for the soldiers, and scores of them
were enriched by their findings.
1t was ten years after the close of the
war that 1 landed in Delhi, and the
search for hidden treasure had long
been given up in that district. I had a
number of friends among the English
officers in the Tenth native infantry;
and one night, as l sat smoking with
Maj. Trainor in his quarters, he sudden
ly turned on me and said:
You saw me in the bazaar to-day
talking with a native?"
Eyes"
"That man was for a year or so in
command of the 400 soldiers in the
retinue of the nabob of Jumna, as he
called himself. The place stood over in
the hills, and the nabob leaned towards
our side for few weeks-that is, until
he got his treasure safely away. Then
he went over to the rebels, bag and bag
gage, but he made mess of it. Inside
Of three months he was killed and his
force scattered; and dozen of his fol-
lowers who found their way back after
peace was proclaimed, were hung in
short order. This man, whom we used
to call Col. Bounce, arrived here only
to-day; and do you know, l believe he
has an eye on that treasure. He insists
that am mistaken in his identity, and
that he was never in this part of the
country before; but l know am right"
what do you propose?" asked.
"That we find the treasure ourselves.
You were going up the country. Just
settle down here for three months, and
I'll make millionaire of you. The ma
bob of Jumna was not as rich as some,
but his treasure house held a kings
ransom. AS things are dull now, can
get leave of absence for three months.
Capt. Gordon can do the same. We three
will then form treasure-hunt-
ing syndicate; and if you don't wear
eome of the dead nabob's rubies and
diamonds out of India I'm no prophet"
Capt. Gordon was called in, and
the syndicate duly organized. Unlike
most other syndicates, little or no capt.
tai was needed for it. The major was
satisfied that the native had returned
with but one object in view. The first
idea was to arrest him, and brighten
him into giving up the secret This
could probably have been done five
years earlier, as the British did not
stick at trifies when prisoner was OBJ
durate; but the days. had gone 10y when
confession might be forced. 1t was
finally decided to leave him at liberty
and watch his every movement; and
this plan was set in motion the next
morning.
Capt. Gordon had Ceylonese servant
who had often shown his smar.ness in