FROM UMBALA TO FATHIGARH. 303 



He had a wonderful knowledge and command of 

 the native language, and was a thorough master of 

 all the various idioms, phrases, and accents peculiar 

 to the different districts through which we were 

 campaigning ; and by this knowledge, and his own 

 keen commanding way of applying it, he was able 

 to obtain the surest and best information. Sir 

 Colin was much pleased at the result of his ride, 

 and the opportunity of obtaining from such a re- 

 liable source the information he was so anxious to 

 gam. ^ 



Hodson was closeted for some time with Sir Colin 

 Campbell, who invited him and M'Dowell to dinner 

 in his tent. 



During that afternoon — to quote the words of a 

 sergeant in Sir Colin's old regiment, the 93rd High- 

 landers — " a man of my company rushed into the 

 tent calling, ' Come, boys, and see Hodson ! He 

 and Sir Colin are in front of the camp : Sir Colin 

 is showing him round, and the smile on the old 

 chief's face shows how he appreciates his companion.' 

 I hastened to the front of the camp, and was re- 

 warded by having a good look at Hodson ; and, as 

 the man who had called us had said, I could see 

 that he had made a favourable impression on Sir 

 Colin. Little did I then think that in less than 

 three short months I should see Hodson receive 

 his death -wound, and that thirty -five years after 

 I should be one of the few spared to give evidence 

 to save his fair fame from undeserved slander."- 



On entering the chief's tent M'Dowell " found 

 Hodson seated by Sir Colin, and carrying on a most 



1 Old Memories. 



2 Forbes- Mitchell's Reminiscences of the Great Mutiny. 



