The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-13
An Astoria Authoress Throws
Llghton Famous Story.
ORIGIN OF sEpoy MuTINy
Mrs. Elinor M. Davis Ayers Horrid
Rebellion Had Its Rise at Sealcote
and Not in Meerut, and Gives Ex-
eellent Testimony in That Behalf.

the first outbreak OF the Sepoys in the
great Indian Mutiny Of 1857 took
place in Meerut This is not so, as
related by Captain Mark Carew, at
that time an ensign with the Honor
able East India Company and later
in life on the staff OF Sir Frederick
Roberts in Afganishtan. The first
rising was in Sealcote, and from
thence the mutineers marched to
Meerut, where the great coup and
massacre took place.
The writer travelled over the prin-
cipal scenes OF this great rebellion,
and had the company OF Captain
Carew during that time. The follow
ing miraculous escape was related by
him.
Sealcote possessed fine Roman
Catholic Church served by the Jesuit
Fathers. Adjoining was the convent
OF the Sisters Of ST. Vincent de Paul.
These devoted daughters had trodden
in the paths OF their sanity founder,
serving the poor Hindoos in dire
times of Cholera and famine.
They had a large school, where
Eurasian and some low caste Hindoo
orphans were taught In fear and
themselves to suffer martyrdom. But,
mutterings OF the storm, and resigned
themselves to suffer myrtadom. But,
when the rebellious Sepoys marched
swiftly down to doomed Meerut, they
congratulated themselves that Seal
cote's white inhabitants had escaped.
Alas, "and alas" short lived was their
JOY. Barely had three weeks passed
when their old Arab gardener rushed
into the Reverend Mothers parlor,
crying, Save yourselves, save your
selves, the Sepoys are almost here, to
slaughter and kill" Pale and tremb-
ling the Mother rang the bell for
general assembly" With frightened
faces, white as the spreading "cornet-
tes," the sisters gathered round the
Superior
"My sisters"-she said-"The time
has come when Our Lord who gave
his life to save us, asks now our sac
rifice. Come, gather the children and
we must hasten to the Altar steps,
there Father Francis will bless us,
and by the throne Of God we will
give our blood to Him who gave us
life"
Quickly the frightened orphans
formed in procession and entered by
the sanctuary door of the adjoining
church. The heavy teak portal was
hastily barred by the priests. The
main entrance, also of teak wood, was
securely fastened, but the upper por-
ton being latticed to admit air, left
the church in view.
The sisters gathered round the Al
tar steps. ;iile the pri ;t7, robed IN
copes rich in gold and jewelled en-
broidery, intoned the Miserere Psalm.
The din of shouting fanatics, the clash
Of arms, the frenzied shrek of
Deem" "deen," death to the Fering-
hees reached their ears.
Nearer, nearer came the hoarse
voices, and then through the latticed
doors were seen the dark scowling
faces Of the mutineers. Heavy blows
resounded on the doors. Father
Francis rose from his knees, and with
unruffled mien assembled the steps to
the Altar, and unlocking the door Of
the tabernacle placed the Host in a
richly jewelled Monstrance Raising
it on high he blessed the now silent
sisterhood. Then descending, he said
MY sisters, intone the ninety first
psalm-we go to meet our victory"
With slowly moving steps, two by
two, the orphans and sisters formed a
procession. In front Father Francis
with the elevated Monstrance, on
either side Fathers Ambrose and Ber-
nard, the little chorister boys in scar
let and white, the children and lastly
eight sisters, their wide and peculiar