At the Point of the Bayonet | Page 2

twenty troopers, not for defence--there was little fear of attack by the
natives of the Concan--but to add to his authority, to aid in the
collection of the small tax paid by each community, and to deter the
mountain robbers from descending on to the plain. He generally spent
the cool season in going his rounds while, during the hot weather, his
headquarters were at Bombay.
He had with him his wife and infant child. The child was some three
months old, and was looked after by an ayah, who had been in Major
Lindsay's service ten years; for three elder children had been born to
him--all, however, dying from the effects of the climate before reaching
the age of five. The ayah had nursed each, in succession, and had
become greatly attached to the family, especially to her youngest
charge. She had come to speak English well; but with the child she
always talked in her native tongue, as the major saw the advantage it
would prove to the boy, when he grew up, to be able to speak fluently
one, at least, of the native languages.
The nurse was a Mahratta. She had been in the service of the British
Resident at Poona and, when he was recalled, had entered that of Major
Lindsay, at that time a captain who acted as secretary to the Resident.
A young officer from Bombay had just ridden out, to spend a day or
two with the major, and was sitting with him at the entrance to the tent.
"The news from the army," he said, "is most unsatisfactory. As you
know, to the astonishment of everyone Colonel Egerton was appointed
to the command, in spite of the fact that he was so infirm as to be
altogether unfit for active service; and Mostyn, our late Resident at
Poona, and Carnac accompanied him as deputies of the Council."

"That is altogether a bad arrangement," the major said. "It has always
been a great disadvantage for a general to be accompanied by civilians,
with power to thwart his combinations. Against Mostyn's appointment
no one could raise any objection as, having been for some years at
Poona, he understands the Mahrattas, and indeed is much liked by them,
so that in any negotiations he would have far more chance of success
than a stranger; but Carnac is hot headed and obstinate, with a very
high idea of his own importance, and it is certain that there will be
difficulties between him and Egerton."
"I am sorry to say, Major, that these anticipations were very speedily
verified. As you know, the advance party landed at Aptee, on
November 23rd, and seized the roads over the gorge; and on the 25th
the main body disembarked at Panwell. No sooner had they got there
than there was a quarrel between Egerton and Carnac. Most
unfortunately Mostyn, who would have acted as mediator, was taken ill
on the very day after landing, and was obliged to return to Bombay;
and I hear there is hardly any chance of his recovery. The army did not
reach the top of the Ghauts till the 23rd of December--instead of, at the
latest, three days after landing--and actually spent eleven days before it
arrived at Karlee, only eight miles in advance of the Bhore Ghauts. Of
course this encouraged the enemy, and gave plenty of time for them to
assemble and make all their arrangements and, when we last heard,
they were harassing our march. For the past two days no news has
arrived, and there seems to be little doubt that the Mahrattas have
closed in round their rear, and cut off all communications."
"It is monstrous that they should march so slowly. The whole thing has
been a hideous blunder, and the idea of encumbering a force of four
thousand men with something like thirty thousand camp followers, and
with a train of no less than nineteen thousand bullocks, to say nothing
of other draught animals, is the most preposterous thing I ever heard of.
In fact, the whole thing has been grossly mismanaged.
"I don't say that the conduct of the Mahrattas has not for some time
been doubtful, if not threatening. It is well known that the Governor
General and the Council at Calcutta have most strongly disapproved of

the whole conduct of the Council at Bombay. Indeed, no explanation
has ever been given as to why they took up the cause of Rugoba, the
scoundrel who grasped the crown; and who was privy to, if he did not
instigate, the murder of his nephew, the young Peishwa.
"He was not unopposed, for Nana Furnuwees and Hurry Punt, two of
the leading Mahratta ministers, formed a regency under Gunga Bye, the
widow of the murdered Peishwa. While matters were undecided,