Reminiscences of Behar (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII. WE FORTIFY THE DOCTOR'S HOUSE--THE "VIEILLE GUAKDE "--TAKING A PRISONER--FALSE ALARM-MURDER OF MAJOR AND MRS. HOLMES-MUTINY OF THE NATIVE INFANTRY AT DINAPORE-DEFENCE OF ARRAH--THE MUTINY OVER--HOMEWARD BOUND. fHE Magistrate could not entertain all, and it would not do for us to be scattered over the place, so the doctor and Mr. Weston offered their houses and grounds, and we formed two camps and messes. The houses were 500 yards apart, but stood almost in the same grounds. We all moved into our new quarters; the ladies and children occupying the houses, while the gentlemen slept in tents formed into small camps, one at each flank of the houses, and one in the front, as an advanced guard. Each of the camps supplied two sentries, and we all had to do our two hours' watch every night. At a meeting, one of our member was appointed commandant of the garrison, and he again named his subordinates, placing one man in command of each small camp. Besides these camps, there was a portico guard composed of old gentlemen, who kept watch till 11 at night. The reason for establishing this "Vieille Guarde" was, that the ladies would not see that there was any danger, and insisted on enjoying themselves. The young men were quite of the same opinion, and the commandant was at his wit's-end how to keep the sentries to their duty. At last the bright idea of a guard, to consist of non-dancing men, who were to act till 11 o'clock, suggested itself, and the arrangement was carried out. A General Order was issued to the effect that at 11 o'clock all lights were to be put out, and dancing, &c, stopped. We had just got things into working order, when the Magistrate asked for a few men to go out and seize a darogah (head inspector of police), who was reported to be up...