Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19

THURSDAY, January 10, 1911, there
passed away in London one Of
the few survivors Of that once
large army of military adventures
who have seen the world in the MAX
ing, and after thousands Of perils have
retired to die at a green old age. This
man was Maj. James Carruthers Best.
believed to be the last survivor Of the
East India Company's private army in
India. and certainly the only member
or that army who was never dis
charged. He was a factor in history.
Before Best was eleven years old he
was frying sausages in Barnet fair
and hungry enough to eat himself out
OF. his own stock. Finding that the
sausage business was not a bonanza
he took to the road and for five years
was a wanderer. He came to know the
ways of the gypsies. horse dealers and
hedglings as few men have known
them. He had a wealth of informa-
ton on the customs of those who gain
"a living by precarious ways But,
while the carefree itinerants seldom
starve they seldom amass riches, and
his gypsy life only inspired the boy
with desire to see more OF the world
He ran across a recruiting sergeant
for the East India Company. accepted
the sergeant's glowing description of
the boundless opportunities in the
golden east. also the shilling, and
sailed to join one of the motliest
armies. as the English writer's describe
it, that was ever formed. Composed
OF wild spirits from all over the world
and directed by private corporation
wonder in military annals-but
achieved great results. BY the time
of the Sepoy mutiny in 1857 the runa-
way boy had become sergeant
When the mutiny broke out eleven
twelfths of the army-the native con-
tingent-deserted and turned on their
white bunllies in John Companv's"
service. Sergt Best was among those
who besieged Delhi and went through
all the excitement Of that memorable
affair. When the city was captured
September 20. 1857, he was one Of the
detachment that gave chase to the
rebel Tantia Topee.
Having taken an active part in tho
suppression of dangerous rebellion. it
was the majors fate to become involved
IN serious instruction against
BRUSH authority on his own account
ne was prominent factor in settling
IN 1888 what Is known as .the white
Mutlny: This is a subject which many
school histories and strongly pro-British
writer's skim over with as little notice
as possible. but the death of Mai. Best
mas called it to mind. The trouble
arose over the efforts to absorb the
company troops into the imperial forces
without first guaranteeing the adven-
turers the money coming to them under
their Old contracts. The queens uni
form was good enough for them, but
they wanted their back pay.
Three regiments Of the COMPANY
soldiers seized cannon. barricaded them
selves and announced that they would
die before they would surrender il their
demands were not granted. 1t was no
idle threat. 1t was made by some of
the most thoroughly tried and desperate
soldiers In the world, every man a dare
devil on his own account. The govern
ment massed troops against them, but
the reckless soldiers refused to scare
even a little bit. They double-shotted
their guns and prepared as calmly to
fight the regular army as they had
been to withstand the Indian mutineers
Fortunately. the general in command of
the imperial force was broad-minded
enough to appreciate that there was
justice in the grievance Of the men be-
hind the barricade and was willing to
parley. Maj. Best persuaded his fellow
soldiers to enter negotiations, which he
carried on for them. The claims were
admitted and the Instruction came to
With the t1sua1 fate Of neacemaker