Rujub, the Juggler

Rujub, the Juggler

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Title: Rujub, the Juggler
Author: G. A. Henty
Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7229] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 28,
2003]
Edition: 10

Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUJUB,
THE JUGGLER ***

This etext was produced by Martin Robb

Rujub, the Juggler by G. A. Henty.

PUBLISHERS' INTRODUCTION.
"Rujub, the Juggler," is mainly an historical tale for young and old,
dealing with the Sepoy Mutiny, in India, during the years 1857 to 1859.
This famous mutiny occurred while the reins of British rule in India
were in the hands of Lord Canning. Chupattees (cakes of flour and
water) were circulated among the natives, placards protesting against
British rule were posted at Delhi, and when the Enfield rifle with its
greased cartridges was introduced among the Sepoy soldiers serving the
Queen it was rumored that the cartridges were smeared with the
forbidden pig's fat, so that the power of the Sepoys might forever be
destroyed.
Fanatical to the last degree, the Sepoys were not long in bringing the
mutiny to a head. The first outbreak occurred at Meerut, where were
stationed about two thousand English soldiers and three thousand
native troops. The native troops refused to use the cartridges supplied
to them and eighty-two were placed under arrest. On the day following
the native troops rebelled in a body, broke open the guardhouse and
released the prisoners, and a severe battle followed, and Meerut was
given over to the flames. The mutineers then marched upon Delhi,
thirty-two miles away, and took possession. At Bithoor the Rajah had
always professed a strong friendship for the English, but he secretly
plotted against them, and, later on, General Wheeler was compelled to
surrender to the Rajah at Cawnpore, and did so with the understanding
that the lives of all in the place should be spared. Shortly after the
surrender the English officers and soldiers were shot down, and all of

the women and children butchered.
The mutiny was now at its height, and for a while it was feared that
British rule in India must cease. The Europeans at Lucknow were
besieged for about three months and were on the point of giving up,
when they were relieved through the heroic march of General Havelock.
Sir Colin Campbell followed, and soon the city was once more in the
complete possession of the British. Oude was speedily reduced to
submission, many of the rebel leaders were either shot or hanged, and
gradually the mutiny, which had cost the lives of thousands, was
brought to an end.
The tale, however, is not all of war. In its pages are given many true to
life pictures of life in India, in the barracks of the soldiers and
elsewhere. A most important part is played by Rujub, the juggler, who
is a warm friend to the hero of the narrative. Rujub is no common
conjuror, but one of the higher men of mystery, who perform partly as a
religious duty and who accept no pay for such performances. The acts
of these persons are but little understood, even at this late day, and it is
possible that many of their arts will sooner or later be utterly lost to the
world at large. That they can do some wonderful things in juggling,
mind reading, and in second sight, is testified to by thousands of people
who have witnessed their performances in India; how they do these
things has never yet been explained.
Strange as it may seem, the hero of the tale is a natural born coward,
who cannot stand the noise of gunfire. He realizes his shortcomings,
and they are frequently brought home to him through the taunts of