1 84 PATNA DURING THE MUTINY. 



there was any fighting going on, he always took so prominent a 

 part that everyone exclaimed, " That gentleman has mistaken his 

 profession, he should have been a soldier." 



I was in good company then, for Sir W. Champain,* of the 

 Engineers, and I, shared Mr. Money's tent, though I confess I was a 

 mere sleeping partner, as my scanty knowledge of the patois of the 

 place prevented my being of any real assistance to my chief. I 

 accordingly spent most of my time in shooting round about the 

 camp, and noticing anything in the shape of birds or plants which 

 seemed either curious or rare. 



One day when I extended my excursion farther than usual, I saw 

 in the distance a laden cart, without either attendant man or beast ; 

 and on going up to it I found a load of cases filled with wine. I at 

 once set my seal upon it as spoils of war, and when I returned to 

 camp, I told Colonel Douglas and Alonzo Money of my claim. But 

 they said, everyone must share alike. I managed however to get 

 several bottles of champagne for my share, and although we were 

 well supplied, as civilians always are in India, those bottles had a 

 rare manna-in-the-wilderness flavour which was quite refreshing. 



Soon after this, Jugdispoor was taken by the troops, and I 

 experienced the peculiar sensation of standing under fire for some 

 time. I think we burnt the place, for the figure of Sir W. Champain 

 rushing about with a lighted torch, now rises up before me, but 

 perhaps I may be mistaken in this particular. 



We had a grand batteau in the woods of the rebel chief, Koer 

 Singh ; and when the time arrived in early morning for a start, at 

 least a hundred willing hands were present to beat the jungles. 

 Sikhs and Goorkhas, and the villagers who lived around, came 

 forward to see the fun. Plenty of rough music was forthcoming 

 too ; drums, and horns, and bells to scare the savage boar or bear, 

 and rouse him from his den. I went forward with the other guns, 

 and soon we had all arranged ourselves behind some bush, or rock, 

 or tree. What a lovely scene it was of joyous freedom. One for 



* Sir W. Champain subsequently was Director-General of Telegraphs in Persia. 



