Those who had so far escaped, thanks in
some instances to the protection afforded them by Sepoy officers,
saw that their trade was ruined, their best customers killed, and
themselves virtually at the mercy of the mob, who might again break
out upon the occasion of any excitement. These were silent when
Bathurst approached them. His attire, and the arms so ostentatiously
displayed in his sash, marked him as one of the dangerous class,
perhaps a prisoner from the jail whose doors had been thrown open
on the first night of the Sepoy rising.
For hours Bathurst remained in the neighborhood of the prison. The
sun set, and the night came on. Then a small party of soldiers came
up and relieved the sentries. This time the number of the sentries
at the gate was doubled, and three men were posted, one on each of
the other sides of the building. After seeing this done he returned
to the house. After he had finished his evening meal Rujub and
Rabda came into the room.
"Now, sahib," the former said, "I think that we can tell you how
the lady is. Rabda has seen her, spoken to her, and touched her;
there is sympathy between them."
He seated Rabda in a chair, placed his hand on her forehead, and
then drew the tips of his fingers several times slowly down her
face. Her eyes closed. He took up her hand, and let it fall again.
It was limp and impassive. Then he said authoritatively, "Go to
the prison." He paused a moment.
"Are you there?"
"I am there," she said.
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