The Disputed V.C.: A Tale of the Indian Mutiny

by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards

  CHAPTER XIX

  Ted's Friends are Bewildered

  The 4th Sikhs had left Aurungpore for Delhi, and the fort was garrisonedby a corps of the newly-recruited Punjab Irregulars, of whom Major Munrowas in command, with Leigh as his second in command. Colonel Woodburnwas now able to hobble about, helped by a stick and his daughter's arm.Sir Arthur Fletcher had resumed the administration of justice, the shopswere open once more, and the town had settled down almost to its normalstate.

  One day late in June Ethel and her father were seated in the officers'quarters of the fort, whither the colonel was wont to resort daily totalk over the latest rumours and reports. Munro and Leigh were lamentingtheir fate, tied down to police and depot duty, when they wanted to beup and doing before Delhi.

  "I am sending a draft to Delhi to-morrow," said the major, "and there'sa new batch of recruits due to-day--raw peasants, who must be polishedup."

  "It is rough on us being shut up here," said Leigh, "drilling andtraining the raw material, and as soon as they are soldiers, comes anorder from John Lawrence saying, 'How many can you send to Delhi?'Still, if we were not here, there'd soon be a rumpus again."

  "How many do you send off to-morrow?" the colonel asked.

  "A hundred; all Sikhs, and fine men too. They go to Lahore first to beinspected by Sir John, and then they join other detachments going toDelhi.---- Well, what is it?"

  An orderly had entered.

  "The draft has arrived, sahib."

  "Very good. Send the officer in charge to me."

  Who should enter the room but Ensign Tynan? The four occupants startedto their feet. They had not heard of his escape from death, and firmlybelieved he had been blown to pieces, his body never having been found,for the best of reasons. Tynan was white, and looked ill both in bodyand mind, and he trembled from head to foot.

  "Tynan! Can it be possible, my lad?" cried Colonel Woodburn, holding outhis hand. "I never thought to see you again."

  Tynan saluted his colonel, and bowed to Ethel. He hesitated, however,and his face flushed as she stepped forward with outstretched hand togreet him. Stammering some more or less appropriate reply, he sat downin a palpable and inexplicable state of nervousness.

  In reply to the shower of questions, he told the story of his rescue.Not the true story, but one he had had plenty of time to fabricate, andhad repeated over and over again to himself in readiness for the dreadmoment. He was committed now to the statements contained in thatdetestable document--the trap set for him by the unscrupulous Pir Baksh.The paper had passed from hand to hand, from one officer to another, andhe would have to attest its truth before Colonel Woodburn and MajorMunro. No wonder he was agitated. Before strangers he had repeated thelie with comparative calmness and confidence, but the officers of the193rd knew both Russell and himself too well, and he had little doubtwhom they would be most ready to believe.

  He had only recently heard that Ted and the two sepoys had also beensaved from destruction, and he did not know what account of the incidentTed had given to the world, neither was he aware that his cowardice hadbeen reported by Ambar Singh.

  He told the story of his escape with unusual caution and deliberation,and painted in more glowing colours the services rendered by Pir Baksh,to whom he gave credit for risking his life in order to save Tynan's.His audience opened their eyes, and Munro interposed:

  "But Russell distinctly stated that Pir Baksh was one of theringleaders."

  "So he appeared to be, sir, but he was forced to play that role. Hetried to save us in the fort, but Russell would not trust him. I feltsure that he was genuine, and was doing his best to hold the othersback."

  "Oh, indeed!" said the major drily; "yet Russell informed us that youtold him and Lowthian that you saw Pir Baksh shoot the colonel."

  "Russell told you that, sir!" Tynan replied with an air of greatsurprise. "He must have misunderstood me completely."

  Tynan had forgotten his unlucky remark, and bitterly he repented thecowardice that had landed him in this net. It was the old story of thefirst easy lie that had to be supported and buttressed by innumerableuntruths.

  "Not Pir Baksh, sir," he continued hastily. "It was Abdul Din who shotColonel Woodburn. I think I see how it was. When they were attacking us,Abdul Din stood by the side of Pir Baksh, and when I pointed, saying,'That's the fellow who fired the shot!' they must have thought I meantPir Baksh."

  "Oh!"

  His hearers hardly knew what to think. Tynan's tale was plausibleenough, and Ted might easily have been mistaken. Perhaps after all PirBaksh had been judged too hastily, and had been less of a scoundrelthan they had imagined. He had always seemed a friendly fellow,apparently proud of his regiment.

  "And after your rescue by the Gurkhas?" asked Colonel Woodburn.

  "I had the fever for at least a fortnight, sir. My first thought when Iheard that Aurungpore was saved was to report myself, and I receivedorders from Colonel Bratherton at Jehanabad to take Pir Baksh with me,as an investigation of his conduct must be held by his C.O. We were tohave accompanied the 49th Punjabis, but at the last moment they wereordered to Delhi, so I was told to wait for this draft and bring themhere."

  "I suppose," asked Colonel Woodburn "that some enquiry was held,considering the suspicious conduct of Pir Baksh at the moment of yourrescue?"

  "Yes, sir;" and Tynan's agitation increased. "I have to hand you thestatement signed by the officer whose men rescued me, and of course thesubadar's character must be cleared."

  He handed various documents to the major, and broke into a perspirationas he anticipated the coming amazement, incredulity, and growingsuspicion. He hated Ethel Woodburn for being there, and would have givenanything to have induced her to leave.

  It was surely by the irony of fate that Tynan, being in command of thedraft, was also responsible for the safe custody of Pir Baksh, whosefinal disappearance he longed and prayed for. The Moslem had tried hardto find some excuse for slipping away, but Captain Hornby had kept himunder arrest, and so had Colonel Bratherton, both having their ownopinion of the fellow's loyalty. Pir Baksh was no more anxious to be offthan was Tynan to rid himself of his "old man of the sea".

  In fact the subadar of the 193rd was having a less anxious time than hisaccomplice, for he still hoped, by force of lying, to pull through theenquiry. He reflected that in all probability he had not been recognizedby anyone except Russell, who was at Delhi, having been more concernedwith the attacks on the fort than with those on the house, and neitherhe nor Tynan were aware that Ambar Singh and Dwarika Rai had been saved.Of course the budmashes of Aurungpore would know the part he had played,but they would say nothing for fear of incriminating themselves.

  Major Munro first read through Colonel Bratherton's covering letter andlooked hard at Tynan, who was sitting in profound contemplation of hisboots, and boorishly repelling the friendly advances made by Ethel.Munro then read Hornby's report of the rescue, and finally theremarkable papers signed by Tynan and Pir Baksh. Colonel Woodburn,watching him narrowly, saw that the major was striving hard to overcomesome strong emotion. The contents mastered, he handed the documents tohis former colonel without a word.

  "I don't believe a word of it," said the latter, throwing the papers onthe table.

  Tynan flushed.

  "My word should be as good as Russell's," he muttered; "but he wasalways in favour, and you were always down on me."

  "It has been your fault, Tynan," said the major mildly, "if we have hada higher opinion of Russell than of you. Russell said nothing about thisaffair, and gave you as much credit as himself, until Ambar Singh toldus the whole story."

  This was another blow for Tynan, for he had not heard that Ambar Singhwas to be reckoned with. He was becoming more and more entangled in themeshes.

  "Ambar Singh?" said he after a moment's hesitation. "I expect he did itto curry favour by praising Russell."

  It was now Ethel's turn to flush. She was on the point of expressing avery decided opinion, when a look from her fath
er checked the words. Itwas no business of hers at present.

  "That is not very likely, Tynan," the major replied. "To speak plainly,this won't wash with us, though it may do for strangers who know nothingabout the matter. You've had fever, and you've imagined all this andforgotten what really happened."

  Tynan heartily wished that this had been the case, and the colonelpointed out that the document was signed before the fever, not after.

  "But I expect the poor fellow was raving," said Munro, "after the shockand the blow on his head."

  "It's perfectly true," Tynan vehemently asserted as the major's wordsgave him an idea. Dull though he was, like many foolish people he had acertain amount of cunning.

  "Why should it not be true?" he continued. "I don't wish to say anythingagainst Ted Russell, but I don't see why he should have the creditthat's due to me."

  "Tell us, then," suggested Colonel Woodburn, "what really did happen inthe fort, and when the idea of blowing up the magazine first occurred toyou."

  "As soon as we got inside," Tynan doggedly answered, "I whispered toRussell that perhaps we should be reduced to that. I whispered, becauseI did not wish the Rajputs to suspect. Then during one of the quietintervals I slipped away and laid a trail of powder from the magazine tothe door of the room we were holding. I didn't carry it farther, for thesame reason--fear of our sepoys' terror."

  Tynan had now completely abandoned himself to the father of lies, and hewent on recklessly.

  "When Pir Baksh offered to save our lives I felt convinced that hereally wished to help us. Russell and I quarrelled because he would nottrust him."

  "Then you admit that you would have surrendered the stores and munitionshad it not been for Russell?" the colonel coldly remarked.

  "No, sir, I would not. I should first have made conditions that beforewe marched out the sepoys must clear away and leave the streets clearfor us, and I believe Pir Baksh could have induced them to agree, and Ishould have lighted a slow match as we left the place and run for it.But Russell would not give me the chance of explaining, and heinfluenced the sepoys against me and closed the negotiations before I'dany chance of showing what I meant."

  "Well, go on," said the colonel more kindly.

  "Well, sir, I will say this for Russell, that he was very plucky, and atthe end, when all was hopeless, he finished the powder-trail. Until thenAmbar Singh and the others had not dreamt of my plans."

  He broke off abruptly, and, as though suddenly enlightened, continued:

  "I see it now! I dare say that Ambar Singh really did think that Russellalone was responsible. When it came to firing the powder I claimed theright to do it, but he had hold of the candle, and said he had takenover the command, that he'd deposed me, and he would do it. We had a bitof a scuffle, and he threatened me with a pistol. So he set the powderalight. But I claim that I was in command; it was my suggestion, and Ilaid most of the train, and therefore I should have the credit. I willsay for Russell that he backed me up well, and was plucky. That's allI've got to say."

  Woodburn and Munro were silent for some time. Tynan's tale was certainlyplausible enough, and it seemed as if there might have beenmisunderstanding. Perhaps Ted had been too hasty in thinking that Tynanwas willing to surrender unconditionally. Still, it was very strangethat he had never mentioned that Tynan had first suggested theexplosion, and that he had laid the train. Though, now they came tothink of it, Ted had at first said "we". They had put it down tomodesty, yet the words might have been correct. Could it be that whenAmbar Singh had given his version, the temptation to take the credit tohimself, now that he believed Tynan dead, had been too strong for theboy?

  This was not like Ted, but in justice to Tynan they must admit that itwas possible.

  "We must consider your report, Tynan," said the major. "If any wrong hasbeen done to you, we will try our best to get at the truth without anyfavouritism. Go and see to your men now. We dine in an hour."

  "Well, Woodburn, what do you make of it?" he continued, when the ensignhad departed.

  "I can't make head or tail of it. There is evidently room for doubt, andit may have been as he says."

  "I'm afraid I was hasty in sending off that recommendation for theV.C.," said Munro, "because if Tynan's tale is true, Ted will not beentitled to it."

  "You'd better put that right at once," advised the colonel. "Write andexplain that there is some doubt."

  "I will at once. I hope the letter may be received before anything hasbeen said to Ted. It would be cruel to raise the lad's hopes."

  "I don't believe a word of what Tynan has said," Ethel declared. "I'msure he was lying. I was watching his eyes all the time, and there wasno truth in them."

  "It may be so, but I must write," said Munro.

  For a long time the major wrestled with pen and paper before hecomposed a letter to his satisfaction. The contents we already know, andhow they dashed Ted's hopes to the ground. The missive sealed, thecolonel observed:

  "I suppose we can trace Havildar Ambar Singh? His evidence will bewanted."

  Ambar Singh had returned to his home in Merwar. The 193rd had beendisbanded, and the few who remained loyal had been drafted into thenewly-raised corps. But the havildar was not in a fit condition toendure the strain of a campaign, so he had gone home to recruit hishealth. However, they thought they knew where to find him.

  "We can hold no enquiry," said the major, "until Delhi has fallen andTed is free again, and the case ought certainly to be tried beforeofficers other than those of the 193rd. We are hardly impartial, oursympathies being with Ted. Luckily Dwarika Rai is still here, and he maythrow some light on the subject."

  For Dwarika Rai, the fourth survivor of Lowthian's handful, had beenpromoted to the rank of havildar, and was now employed in drilling theraw material and teaching them the beauties of the goose-step.

  "I'll drive Ethel home," said the colonel, "and come back presently withSir Arthur, and we'll examine Dwarika Rai."

  When the Woodburns had gone, Tynan returned to dine with Munro andLeigh. The colonel and the deputy-commissioner entered as the officerswere smoking after their meal, and Dwarika Rai was sent for.

  The Rajput entered the room, and in the act of saluting started back onbeholding Tynan, who also gave a start and rose to his feet.

  "Why!" he gasped, for no warning had been given him, "what is he doinghere? I thought only Russell and I and Ambar Singh were saved."

  Dwarika Rai still stood open-mouthed as though he had seen a ghost.

  "He also was saved," explained the major. "Dwarika Rai, it is indeedTynan Sahib."

  "I am rejoiced to see him, for I thought he was dead," said the soldiersimply.

  "We wish to recall to your memory some of the events that took place inthe fortress when you were attacked," Munro began. "Didst thou noticethe part taken by Pir Baksh during the fighting? Was he a ringleader?"

  "Indeed, sahib, I'm not sure. Russell Sahib and Ambar Singh consideredhim so, but I could not help thinking that he wished us well. He seemedto fire without aiming, and never hit anyone, and I verily believe thathe wished to save our lives. But the others would not trust him, andperhaps they were right."

  Munro and the colonel looked at one another.

  "Your opinion, then, was that he had been forced to rebel?"

  "I thought it might be so, Colonel Sahib; in fact, once after the firinghad been hot, Bisesar Singh whispered to me that the heart of Pir Bakshwas not in the affair. When I asked him why, he replied that the subadarhad covered him with his musket, and then winked at him and fired high.Yet sometimes he appeared to lead the dogs; but perhaps that was todivert suspicion, perhaps he had to feign to be as faithless asthemselves whenever they were watching him."

  "That is probable enough," Sir Arthur whispered to his colleagues."Under the circumstances I can quite understand a man doing that."

  "Yes, so can I," the colonel agreed. "Ted and Ambar Singh might easilyhave been mistaken, and have misjudged him."

  When Leigh ha
d finished recording the evidence, Major Munro asked Tynanto retire for a few moments. He then questioned Dwarika Rai as to wholaid the powder train.

  "Russell Sahib, I think," was the reply.

  "Did you notice Tynan Sahib enter the magazine?"

  "Yes, sahib, before they battered the door in. He was away some time,and I wondered why."

  The major turned to his colleagues and observed in English:

  "Tynan's tale is true so far;" and the others nodded assent.

  "Tell us, then," asked Leigh, "is it true that Tynan Sahib tried toprevent Russell Sahib firing the train?"

  "In short," said the deputy-commissioner, "did Ensign Tynan act as anofficer or as a coward?"

  "Nay," the man earnestly replied, "I do not like Tynan Sahib overmuch,greatly preferring Russell Sahib, but he was not a coward. He was verymuch excited, as we all were, and he tried to snatch the candle from hiscomrade's hand. But I thought they were contesting who should light thetrain, as if it matters who did it. The important thing is that it wasdone."

  The Englishmen whispered together, and presently Munro said: "You maygo, Dwarika Rai."

  "I must say," began Colonel Woodburn, "his evidence confirms Tynan's inevery important respect. I'm afraid we've done the lad a seriousinjustice."

  "Yet his account differs from Russell's in point of actual fact, notmerely in the interpretation put upon facts," the deputy-commissionerargued.

  "Ted was probably excited, and the shock may have temporarily affectedhis memory," Leigh suggested.

  "Ted is certainly to blame," said Munro. "He may easily have mistakenTynan's excitement for terror."

  Said Leigh:

  "We forget. Ted Russell never accused Tynan of cowardice. That was AmbarSingh."

  "But Ted did not deny it," said Munro, "and he ought to have done so.But when asked, he did state implicitly that the suggestion was whollyhis. Either he or Tynan is lying. We must have a full enquiry, andmeanwhile Tynan must be treated as 'not guilty' of cowardice."

  "My humble opinion," said Leigh thoughtfully, "is that I'd believe TedRussell's word against Tynan's oath. I don't understand it."

  Had he seen Dwarika Rai's cheerful nod, as, returning to the men'squarters, he passed Ensign Tynan, he might have understood it better.

  The havildar was a brave and loyal fellow, but he was a Hindu with aHindu's respect for truth. Tynan, returning after the first interviewwith his superior officers, had almost run into Dwarika Rai as heentered the men's quarters. The surprise was great on both sides.

  "I'm done for," was the first thought of our unscrupulous ensign. "Thisfellow will knock my tale on the head." His next was: "Why not bribe himto confirm what I have said?"

  No one was looking on; he drew the Rajput aside into the orderly-roomfrom which he had just emerged, and offered him a big bribe to bearfalse witness. The sepoy was greatly in want of money. In common with somany others of his class, the fields owned and tilled by manygenerations of his forbears were hopelessly mortgaged to themoney-lending parasites, the curse of Hindustan. Here a sum was offeredthat might redeem them, and save his family from disgrace and ruin.

  He hesitated. Would his evidence injure Russell Sahib? Tynan assured himit would not, he simply wanted a share of the credit for himself; andthe Rajput consented. Tynan warned him what questions would be asked,and coached him to give suitable replies. He cunningly advised him notto appear too eager, and not to pretend to know too much, the chiefpoints being that Pir Baksh was to be absolved, and that he, Tynan, wasto have a share of the credit attached to the destruction of themagazine. The sharp-witted Hindu quickly understood his part, andimproved upon his teacher's suggestions.

  "It will do Russell Sahib no harm," he reflected.

  Tynan then warned him that when they should meet in the room they wereboth to express the utmost amazement, and Dwarika Rai nodded inacquiescence.

  He thoroughly earned his pay, as Tynan discovered when he rejoined hiscomrades.