170 PATNA DURING THE MUTINY. 



"But, stop, you have not heard me out ; he sa^ys if he misses me, 

 he intends to shoot you." 



" Then, I trust you will at once put him under arrest, Colonel ! " 

 almost roared the sergeant. 



Could volumes say more ? 



The Wahabees had no lack of entertainment, for as their new 

 abode was close to where Ross Mangles lived with me, we turned 

 the surrounding space into a recreation ground, where we challenged 

 the Sikhs to cope with us in feats of agility and strength. 



As I had won " the hundred yards " at College, and lately the 

 jumping prize at the Calcutta races, the Sikhs had very little chance 

 so far; but in feats of strength — particularly where peculiar skill was 

 wanted — we found it hard work to hold our own. 



The second in command of the grand Sikh Corps, who bore the 

 euphonious name of Hidayat Ali, or the Guide to Heaven, took 

 much interest in our games, and we made great friends with him, 

 for he was a rare specimen of an Oriental soldier ; his physique 

 was splendid, and the sight of him, with his sharp drawn sword, 

 running at the head of the Sikhs by the side of Colonel Rattray, 

 was one which the enemy never cared to stay very long to contem- 

 plate ; and it was fortunate for us that he cast his lot with us. 



The last time I saw my friend Hidayat Ali, some years after, he 

 had grown very stout ; his breast was covered with decorations, 

 and he was sitting fast asleep in one of the front seats at Govern- 

 ment House in Calcutta, whilst a Concert was going on around; 

 but when he awoke he recognised me, and we talked over happy 

 Patna days. 



The Wahabees used to sit in the verandah of their house telling 

 their beads, and viewing what doubtless they called our antics 

 unworthy of sober men. But it was quite impossible to judge from 

 their Fagin-like faces, in which low cunning was mingled with 

 ferocity, whether they were pleased or not, for they never laughed 

 or even smiled at incidents which ordinary mortals would consider 

 highly entertaining. 



