he rapidly regained his health. On all sides he received kindnesses and congratulations. 'People of all classes,' he wrote August 18, 1858, 'continue to give me all sorts of ovations, but public favour is a very fitful thing and may change in a contrary direction at any moment. I am all ready however, thank God, for another campaign, although from all accounts I think there will not be one.'
Only two anxieties, at this period, weighed on his mind. One was owing to the delay in the submission of his reports and despatches; which delay not only elicited a reproof from Government, but also helped to postpone a proper appreciation of the value of his campaign. The other anxiety was the escape to Southern India and the vain and continued pursuit of the ubiquitous Tántia Topi. The delay of the despatches was much to be regretted, and was almost unaccountable. Judging from the correspondence which passed at the time, it arose partly from the labour which it cost to place on record an accurate account of the rapid events that had taken place; and partly from the fact that during the campaign he had no plans of forts or positions, and was therefore unable to undertake any operation without reconnoitring localities himself, being often — one might almost say daily — fourteen and fifteen hours in the saddle on that kind of duty. As regards Tántia Topi, it was not until the spring of 1859 that his hiding-place was betrayed by an associate, and he was captured by Meade and hanged at Sipri on April 18th of that year.
