possibility of a mutiny first struck me. The subject of the cartridges quite new to me—was being discussed, and the colonel said if the materials for greasing them were such as suspected, and biting them was insisted upon, the Sepoys would certainly not obey orders. "And," he added, "though John Sepoy seems such a quiet fellow in the lines, on such matters as his caste, his religion, or his women, if he gets off his head, there is no violence or cruelty he would not commit." Thus was the seed sown in one's mind of much subsequent anxiety. During my stay at Agra, Wulleedad Khan, who afterwards gave much trouble at his own town, Boolundshuhr, got an introduction to me, and called two or three times. He was then as was known afterwards, plotting against our Government amongst the Mahomedans of Agra, and I suppose made up to me in the hopes of hearing from me what Harington and men in his position thought of the crisis. I remember one day saying that the misapprehension in the Army was very extraordinary, and Wulleedad answered, "But it is of no importance. What could revolted Sepoys do? A soldier untrue to his salt is not a formidable enemy." When we finally parted, he said he hoped sooner or later the Government (Sircar) would send me to Boolundshuhr. It is very odd he should have taken the trouble to talk in this false way. I can only suppose he wished to create a favourable impression of loyalty, as a string to his bow in case of accidents. My report was approved of by the new Lieut.-Governor, Mr. John Colvin, and he appointed me to act as Magistrate and Collector of Futtehpore-Hussowa, a district situated in the Doab, between Cawnpore and Allahabad. The town |