If you will give me your word and your honor that all
shall be spared, I will come out in the morning with a flag of
truce to treat with you. If not, we will defend ourselves to the
last, and then blow ourselves into the air."
"And you think," Por Sing said doubtfully, "that if I agreed to
this, it would be taken into consideration should the British Raj
be restored."
"I can promise you that it will," Bathurst said. "It will be properly
represented that it is to you that the defenders of Deennugghur,
and the women and children with them, owe their lives, and you may
be sure that this will go a very long way towards wiping out the
part you have taken in the attack on the station. When the day of
reckoning comes, the British Government will know as well how to
reward those who rendered them service in these days, as to punish
those who have been our foes."
"I will do it," Por Sing said firmly. "Do not come out until the
afternoon. In the morning I will talk with the other Zemindars,
and bring them over to agree that there shall be no more bloodshed.
There is not one of us but is heartily sick of this business, and
eager to put an end to it. Rujub may report what he likes to the
Nana, I will do what is right."
After a hearty expression of thanks, Bathurst left the tent. Rujub
was awaiting him outside.
"You have succeeded?" he asked.
"Yes; he will guarantee the lives of all the garrison, but he seemed
to be afraid of what you might report to Nana Sahib.
Pages:
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396