CHAPTER V.
Thus far it seemed as if these mutineers — to whom we were indebted for our late trials — were caught in a fatal trap. For here they were surrounded and intercepted by the Terai, the Kose, and a force of European troops; and, moreover, as the friendly relationship between the Government of India and Nipal appeared true and genuine, we naturally-concluded that the Nipalese themselves would readily help us to clear this part of the country — adjoining their own — of the cut-throats who had taken shelter in it, and we also anticipated no delay or difficulty in accomplishing this object; but how far, and with what results, these anticipations were realised will be seen by-and-bye.
That the mutineers had not crossed the river, was a fact known to us all; but the actual locality of their bivouac no one knew — not even the Nipalese inhabitants of the surrounding villages! And yet, they were busy in circulating rumours to the effect that the villains, apprehending certain death from jungle fever by lingering in; the Terai, had risked the passage of the river in the darkness of night, and had thus succeeded in getting away!
Needless to say, a deaf ear was turned to these
