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IN THE NICK OF TIME.

Night in India. Tho scene the fort of Alfibad, on tho Afghan frontier, held for the Queen by a company of the— th Regiment, with a small detachment of Goorkhas and about a hundred >epoys, against the forces of the Ameer of Nullnhpore, a iitnull tributary State, which had revolted. The fort had already held out for six weejks, and a relieving force was reported to be on its way thither, so the garrison felt very little anxiety a* to their fate, and thought that, in about a week, all would be well. Thus, at least, thought Cant. Walters, of the— th, and his friend, Hubert Beresford, special war correspondent of the Thunderbolt, a leading daily paper, as they walked up and down on the ramparts, talking of home and watching the enemy's camp-fires twinkling round the fort. Suddenly there arose a cry of "Fire ?" and at the same moment flames burnt from two buildings in the rear of the fort. '* The storehouse* !"' broke from Btresford and Walters together, and both rushed to the spot, where they found most of the garrison already assembled. A chain was formed, buckets were passed from hand to hand, and the fire was extinguished before it could reach any of the other buildings, but not until the entire contents of the two atorhouacs were consumed. "This is very serious," said the Colonel to Walters and Beresford : "for I do not think it could have happened without treachery. Moreover, we have only provisions left for three days now those in the storehouses are burnt." " And how soon is the relieving force to arrive ?" asked Walters. " The last message I received from General Clarke told me that no truit- > worthy information had reached him from me regarding the best point at which to attack the enemy, and that for this reason he would wait at P to enable all his troops to come up, which would take ! about a fortnight," answered the Colonel. " But we shall all be starved to death ; long before that !" cried Walters. "So it seems at present," said the Colonel, "We ought to send a trustworthy messenger with full direction*, so that Clarke could relieve us at once with the force at hia command. But after this fire, I dare not trust any of the native* in the fort, tor I fear that those already sent have f alwfied their messages or gone over to the enemy, and it would be oertain death for a, European to venture through the Ameer's camp." "I will go," said Beresford suddenly, after pacing up and down for some minutes in silence ; "Yakoob will help me to disguise mynolf as a native, and you all say I know the language very well, I don't mind the danger in the least." "Then I come with yon," cried Walter*. ••No," answered his friend ; "two would only double the risk, and not b« any more jrood than one in taking the mensage. You allow me to try it, Colonel ?" "It is suuh a dreadful risk," said the Colonel, "that I should hesitate about letting you go if you were one of officer?. But no you are a non-combatant, you are in a certain way your own master. But think it over well first. Don't decide hastily." "Thank you, Colonel ; I have quite decided to go," answered Beresford ; "I will start to night. Would you mind calling Yakoob for we, Waken ? I will just put my things in order." Walters went towards the Sepoy's quarters in answer, and Beresford went to his own room. There he fastened up his paper*, directing his notes and sketches to tho Editor of the Thunderbolt, and the rest to his mother in England, for he fully recognised the dangsr of the attempt, and knew that the chances of his stfe return were almost nil. When he had finished arranging his property, he went to the door of his quarters, and called for Yakoob, who had been waiting in the court till he should bo summoned. Walters had evidently told him why he was wanted, for he was carrying a native dress on bi« arm, and a pot of colouring' matter in his hand. Yakoob was an Afghan, a «erj?eant in the Sepoy Regiment, and much trusted on account of his good behaviour. He had just been occupied in helping to put out the fire, so his beard was scorched and his face blackened, With as few words as possible he set to work, and Beresford soon had his face and neck, hands, arms, and feet colourod a light brown, and was equipped in the dress of a respectable Afghan — long loose trousers, a kind of gown reacking below the knee, a large turban, and a broad girdle, in which were stuck a pair ef highly ornamented pistols, His hair happened to be black, so it was unneossary to do anything to it, and he concealed his own revolver in his dres«. After putting the finishing touches, Yakoob stood looking oritically at him. "Yes," he said, "Beresford Sahib look very like Afghan. This gool thing, though, If Sahib take it." He held out a scrap of paper, on which several words written in what was apparently cipher. "What good is it ?" asked Beresford, "and how did you get r" "Yakoob have brother in Ameer's camp, keep Ameer's prisoners. Tim to say, in his name, let Ber««ford Sahib away, if him caught. Can pass any of Ameer's soldiers with it." "Thanks," said Beresford, putting the paper carefully in his girdle, then going out into the court to find Walters and tho Colonel awaiting him. "So you are determined to go ?" asked the latter. •'Quite," answered Beresford. "Well," said the Colonel, "your disguise is perfect. I could not have told you from an Afghan. But how do you mean to get out?" "I brought a rope with me, and if Walters would fasten it at the top of the wall I could climb down, and he could haul it up afterwards." "Very well. Now for the message," and the Colonel gave his instructions very clearly, ending up with *' Remember that it is of the utmost importance for us to know whether General Clarke does exactly as I have said, or not. His attack would be of no use if we did not do our part." "I will remember," said Beresford. " Good bye, Colonel. Goodbye, Walters, old fellovr ; if I should not come back give my love to my mother and Alice, and tell them I died doing ln 7 duty. Good-bye." Walters grasped his friond's hand unable to speak, and busied himself in fastening the rope to one of the .guns on the wall. Beresford climbed over the parapet, steadied himself on a ledge of 6tone outside, and slipped safely to the ground. A minute after he had disappeared in the darkness from the view of those in the fort. Between the fort and the enemy's camp lay an open stretch of uneven ground, which could be swept by the fire of both parties. Over this Beresford hurried as fast as he could, taking advantage of every inequality in the ground to conceal himself, and it was well he did so, for just as he reached the outer edge a moonbean revealed htm to one of the sentries on the walls of the fort, who cried out that he wps a deserter, aud fired at him. Beresfored threw himself flat on the ground, and the bullet passed over him ; then, getting up, he slipped behind one of the huts the euemy had erected. Now began the most dangerous part of his attempt, for he had to creep from hut to hut, keeping out of the range of light from the fires, and taking particular care not to stumble over the sleeping men who lay scattered about, wrapped up like mummies in their long mantles. At a few of the tires men were afill sitting up, talking or telling stories, but no one noticed him and Beresford thought that if he had arranged matters himself to favour his escape the enemy could not have been more unsuspicious of his presence among them. It took him nearly two hours to get through the camp for great caution was requisite,and just as he hough himself tolerably safe an unsuspected accident almost spoilt everything 1 . The outermost range of huts was

almost passed, when out of one of them came a native officer, very richly dressed, accompanied by several soldiers and servants oarrying lanterns, and the party proceeded to visit the sentinels round part of the outskirts of the camp. They pasted close by Beresford, who had just time to wrap his mantle round his head, throw himself on his fnce, feign sleep, but they noticed nothing, although they remained some minutes speaking to the nearest sentry, while Beresford lay in the full glare of their lanterns. The slightest movement which could show that he was not asleep would have cost him his life, for his dress showed that he was not on« of the Ameer's soldiers ; and an unknown stranger, found awako in the camp at that hour of the night, would have had I no mercy shown him ; but Beresford remained immovable, and after a time the patrol passed on. Even then tne sentry had to be passed, but he was looking after the officer, and could not have seen the dark figure which elided past him silently, keeping close to the ground. Once out of the camp Beresford hurried on as fast as he could, for much time had been lost, and reached a small river about dawn. Moored to the bank was a small boat loaded with fruit and vegetables, the owner of which soon made his appearance from a hut a little way off. Beresford was glad to see that he was an Afghan, and not one of the Ameer of Gullahpore's subjects. "Ho, brother!" cried the disguised Englishman in the Fuihtu language, "whither goest thou with thy fruits, on which be the blessing of God ?" " Typ P ,to sell my melons to the English sahibs there," answered the genuine Afghan. " Hast thou room for me as a passen* §er! I will pay thee well," and Beresford raw several rupees from hit girdle, at the sight of which the native's eyes sparkled. " Certainly," he said ; u step on board at once, for the wind it jutt right." Beresford stepped on deck, and sat down under the little mat shelter which terved as a cabin, while the owner of the boat cast off from the shore, and hoisted the sail, the current being also with them. The distance wag not very great, and after a voyage of about four hours' duration, which was wiled away in conversation, P came in sight. Beresford paid the boatman, arranged for him to take him np the river again that night, and started to find the English general. His message was gladly received, and General Clarke promised to start to relieve Alhbad the very next day, and to act in accordance with the Colonel* suggestions. The first part of Beresford's mistiou was performed. During the day he took the rest he so much needed, aud at night he appeared again on the river's bank, where he met bit friend, the Afghan. He was landed at a different point from that at which he had embarked, as he thought the fort could more quickly be reached by taking a cut across country. The greater part of the journey was safely accomplished, and from a hilltop he could see the enemy's camp, as usual with its twinkling fires, after which he had to descend into a deep ravine. He was walking through this, when suddenly from the bushes on both sides of the track a number of tho enemy sprang out and seized him, demanding who he was and what he was doing. " You can see by my dress that I am an Afghan merchant,' he answered, " and I have a paßs." So saying, he took from his pirdle the paper given by Yakoob, and he handed it to the leader, who, when he had looked at it, burst into a loud laugh, and said to his soldiers, " This is the man we want. Bring him to his Highness the Ameer." Beresford's hands were bound, and his weapons taken from him. Then his escort dragged aud pushed him along the path into the camp, where he was brought before the Ameer, who seemed very much delighted. " Now, English unbeliever," he said, answer tne truly. Why hast thou passed through our lines and resisted our officer. •'I was on important business," answered Beresford, in Pushtu; "why should your Highness call me an Englishman because I objected to have my journey interrupted ?" The Ameer laughed as if he thought it a very good joke, and desired one of his attendants to call Yakoob. With intense astonishment Beresford beheld the former Sepoy sergeant enter, and bowing low before the Ameer, ask his Highness's pleasure. "Wilt thou swear on what thou holdest moit sacred that this is the Englishman who was sent in disguise with a message to Clarke Sahib?" asked tho Ameer. " Oh leader of believers," answered the traitor, "I swear Ijy the Kaaba, by the beard of my grandfather, by the sacred Koran, that this is the Beresford Sahib, an English scribe, whom I myself disguised that he might carry a message tor the Colonel Sahib to P , in order that your Highness's army might be overthrown. My humble efforts have blighted his wicked designs." "True, 0 wise Yakoob," said the Ameer, ( *and we owe thee therefore much thanks. Now, thou son of Satan," turning to Beresford, " tell me the message thou bearest, or 1 will have thee roasted to death." 11 You will get nothing from me," answered Beresford. "Nothing? 1 cried the Ameer, getting angry ; " why, thou infidel dog, I will have thee torn to pieces with red-hot pincers if thou answer me not." •• You know, sahib," put in Yakoob in Pushtu, " you are not one of the English Queen's soldiers, so you have taken no oath to serre her. And what good would the message do to the sahibs in the fort, if you were tortured to death without being able to deliver it ?" Beresford turned disdainfully from the traitor, and addressed himself to the Ameer : " I will tell your Highness nothing. You may kill me if you like ; I humbly trust I am ready to die, but you cannot force me to betray the message." "Miserable unbeliever!" thundered the Ameer : " it shall be wrung from thee by the severest tortures my executioners can inflict in the sight of thine obstinate infidel countrymen, " Ho, there !" to the attendants standing round ; " bid the executioners prepare their most agonising torments instantly, and let a great fire be lighted in full view of the fort." For a few minutes, while the servants ran to execute their orders, there was silence in the royal pavilion. The Ameer glared furiously at the man who dared to oppose his will, and Yakoob, with his thin lips drawn into a cruel smile, watched the prisoner. Beresford, leaning against one of the tentpolen, saw neither of them. His thoughts were far away in England, with his mother and sister. Very soon a servant came back, and bowing low, announced that his Highness the Ameer's commands were obeyed. The prince stalked wrathful ly out, followed by Yakoob, and the prisoner's guards came after with their charge to a spot so close to the fort that Betesford could distinctly see the horrorstruck faces of the garrison thronging the walls by the light of the fire which was kindled. The Ameer took his stand upon a slight rise where he could have a good view, and Beresford was led into an open space in the midst of the crowd of soldiers who had assembled, where several tall, powerful -looking meu were engaged in boiling oil in a great cauldron, heating irons, and so ou. Then the Ameer addressed his prisoner : " I give thee thy last chance, unbeliever," he said ; "onco more, will thou tell me the message ?" 11 Never," answered Beresford firmly, and at a sign from the Ameer he was seized by four of the executioners, bound hand and foot, and thrown on his back on the ground. Inside the fort Walters and the Colonel, among others, were watching in horror the preparations, the object of which they could only too well guess.

"I can't see him tortured before my eyes," cried Walters. ' I believe I can rescue him, sir, if you will let me have the men." " I daro not spare any of the Englishmen," was the answer, " and tho natives are not to be tru»ted." " The Goorkhas are," said Walters ; " do let me take them ?' " You may," was the answer ; and Walters rushed to the Goorkhan. In lew than two minutes tho whole contingent was assembled in the courtyard ready to start. Walters explained his plans, and a postern door in th© rear of tho fort was opened very softly, and the rescuers filed out. They had to make a circuit to avoid the glare of the fire, but managed to get close up to the enemy without being perceived, so engrossed were all in watching the scene going on in the ring. Walters lifted his swoid, which flashed in the firelight, and his sturdy little followers fell upon the enemy with a howl, which was something between a British cheer and a native yell. So sudden and uuexpected was the assault that the Goorkhas had almost cut their way to the ring before anyone realised the state of affairs, and the enemy were so confused when they found it out, that Walters and his men penetrated to where Beresford lay, fearfully scalded with boiling oil picked him up, and were I carrying him off in triumph before any general attempt was made to prevent them. Even then they manaeed to cut their way through the confused throng, though they were pursued to the very gate* of the fort, where the Colonel opened fire on their assailants, and the rescuers got in without the loss of a single man. Beresford was able to give the Colonel General Clarkes message, hut he was so fearfully burnt that for some time his life was despaired of. and by the time he was able to get about again General Clarke had arrived, a great battle had been fought before the walls, the enemy utterly routed, the Ameer taken prisoner, and the fort relieved. And so Hubert Beresferd saved AUibad.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18861211.2.33

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2251, 11 December 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

Word count
Tapeke kupu
3,121

IN THE NICK OF TIME. Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2251, 11 December 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

IN THE NICK OF TIME. Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2251, 11 December 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

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