THE NATIVE INDIAN TROOPS AT MALTA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 188, 6 August 1878, Page 4

THE NATIVE INDIAN TROOPS AT MALTA.

The 25th Madras Native lufantry ie an ancient corps, having been embodied at Trichinopoly as long ago as 1777, and it has respectable aanals to present. It did gallant service at Seringapatam, Pegu, and Central India, Tbe head quarters are still located at (tie town which lends tide to tbe stiff cigara beloved of Angle-Indians. Tbe Bcenp, when it was read out in orders that the 25th hait been told off ior service in Europe, was one of indieeribable enthusiasm und exeitetneQi. The happiuesa of the men was unbounded. They had previously, it should be understood, ieked to be allowed Jo go on this expedition, and now that their request had been granted they nbandoued themselves to a frenzy of delight. Colonel Gib, a tall, broazod veteran, straight and wiry, wiib a sharp eye, cheery voice, ana iron-grey beard, ia iJolised by hiß men. He has been five-and-thiriy years ia Indie, and baa mastered language, and habits, and idosyncracies of tbe variona castea without having lost, in one iota, tbe dash of the British officer. It is easy to understand that such leaders should have a strong hold on tbe affections of those they command, as well as a firm control orer them. When Colonel Gib stood out on the parade-ground, and asked bis Itids of the 25th if they were willing to go abroad to serve the Queen, as with one voice they shouted " Yes." " Ready to go at once ? " continued the Colonel. "All ready, was the answer pealed out ia chorua. " Well, I don't know where we're going, recollect," "We don't care," was the reply, loud and cordiaW " Will you go to Yehennum ?" "Yes, we'll follow you anywhere," was the unanimous rep!/." And yet these cheerful ieiiow*.

so ready for duty beyond the kalipani, thoee mysterious dark waterß dreaded of Hindoos, havS family ties. They have been stationed eight years at Cannanore, 'aba 1 had wives and children thefe, bfcfc they are prepared to part from them at the prospect of a brush with an enemy— for it wo'uM be fruitless to concenl that foreign service was accepted as but another phrase for hard fighting. An idea is absolutely prevalent among these Madrassees that tbe Russians are in England, and that they ore coming to help their roasters to drive the invaders out. The officers know (his, bnt such is the delicacy of the Sepoys that they will not broach the subject in their officers' hearino lest they should offand ther susceptibilities. On nrriving at Port Said, among the first questions asked by those of die 25th who understood Arabic or English was this — "Where are the Russians?" They were under the impression that the Russians were to be met somewhere in lhat neighborhood; they did not hide from those who conversed with them their elation at ihe confidence reposed in them, and expressed the bope that whey they had thrashed the enemy — which was a matter of course— they would be vouchsafed a sight of the Queen. Nor ia this feeling confined to this particular regiment. When tbe 15th wax asked for volunteers to make up the 25th to its strength, tb.B entire corps Btepped forward. Three times they were informed that the whole regiment was not wonted, and three times tbe whole regiment persisted in coming to the front to signify its willingness to accompany its for tunate brothers in arms of the old 25th In tbe end tbe colonel was forced to pick out the hundred volunteers required. And this, it is stated, and ihe statement may be believed, ia the spirit which animates the Sepoys of the entire Presidency.