Page:Chandra Shekhar.djvu/126

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Golston and Johnson


charan began to ascend the stairs, in a breathless speed, to fetch Pratap's gun. Johnson noticed him. He instantly raised the pistol in his hand and fired at Ramcharan. The shot struck one of his legs and he sat down, disabled to move any further.

Pratap had no arms with him—he was unwilling to run away; besides, he saw with his own eyes the fate of Ramcharan in his attempt to get away. Pratap, therefore, calmly asked the Englishmen,

"Who are you—why have you come here?"

"Who are you?" interposed Golston haughtily.

"I am Pratap Roy," responded Pratap with his characteristic calmness.

Bakaullah had not forgotten that name. From the top of Foster's Budgrow, Pratap, with gun in hand, had boastingly said, 'Know it, my name is Pratap Roy'. Bakaullah at once cried out, "Sir, this man is the ring-leader."

Thereupon Johnson caught hold of Pratap's one hand and Golston the other. Pratap felt that it was useless to apply strength. He endured every thing silently. The native officer had a handcuff with him. He put it on to Pratap's hands.

"What's to be done with that fellow?" asked

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