"
Some of the officers angrily protested, but Por Sing stood firm,
and the other chiefs were equally determined. Seeing this, the
officers consulted together, and the highest in rank then said to
the Talookdars, "We protest against these conditions being given,
but since you are resolved, we stand aside, and are ready to agree
for ourselves and our men to what you may decide."
"What pledges do you require?" Por Sing asked Bathurst.
"We are content, Rajah, with your personal oath that the lives of
all within the house shall be respected, and your undertaking that
they shall be allowed to go unharmed down the country. We have
absolute faith in the honor of the nobles of Oude, and can desire
no better guarantee."
"I will give it," Por Sing said, "and all my friends will join me
in it. Tonight I will have boats collected on the river; I will
furnish you with an escort of my troops, and will myself accompany
you and see you safely on board. I will then not only give you
a safe conduct, praying all to let you pass unharmed, but my son
with ten men shall accompany you in the boats to inform all that
my honor is concerned in your safety, and that I have given my
personal pledge that no molestation shall be offered to you. I will
take my oath, and my friends will do the same, and I doubt not that
the commander of the Sepoy troops will join me in it."
Bathurst translated what had been said to Captain Doolan.
"It is impossible for him to do more than that," he concluded; "I
do not think there is the least question as to his good faith.
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