PATNA DURING THE MUTINY, 159 



aspect, Mr. Tayler called a Council of the European residents 

 around, and told them in effect that as he dissented from the 

 conciliatory pat-them-on-the-back policy which appeared to be 

 emanating from Calcutta, he proposed, with our concurrence, to 

 adopt a vigorous policy such as, in his opinion, was best suited to 

 the times and the fanatical nature of the inhabitants of Patna. But 

 he reckoned without his host — the host being the Supreme Govern- 

 ment at Calcutta — and the commencement of his downfall may 

 be dated from that vigorous address, which we, the " Ot iroWoi,'' 

 applauded to the echo. 



Of course, as we were a mere handful of Europeans, a vigorous 

 policy could not make a very effective show. But the Commissioner 

 determined to make it as effective as he could. We collected our 

 force, such as it was, and armed cap a pie, rode through the city 

 each evening, and did everything we could to show the natives that 

 we were a desperate set of fellows, who were not to be attacked 

 without great peril to themselves. Other vigorous steps we took, of 

 course, but it would be tedious to recount them here, and I may 

 refer those who are curious on the subject to Malleson's " Histor}^ of 

 the Mutiny." 



It must not, however, be supposed that I am attempting here to 

 edge myself into the rank of my companions of those days : Ross 

 Mangles, V.C., W. McDonnell, V.C., Col. Rattray, C.B., Alonzo 

 Money, C.B., Wake, C.B., Colvin and Boyle, C.S.I., who, when 

 opportunity occurred, proved themselves heroes. All I pretend to 

 say is, that under Mr. Tayler's orders, we one and all, showed a bold 

 front, doing our best to pose before the natives as a band of 

 desperate men ; and, so far as I can judge, this policy averted 

 danger in my case, and prevented my showing whether I was a man 

 of war or not. 



All that time, when the state of the country would admit of letters 

 passing, I was in correspondence with my Marlborough brother, 

 who was A.D.C. to Sir Sydney Cotton, at Peshawur. He had been 

 enjoying very lively times up there. But he thought we were lucky 



