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Chandra Shekhar

thirst and others calling their father and mother, brothers and sisters, friends and other dear ones, in agony of despair. Ramananda Swami searched for Pratap among them, but did not find him. He next saw a large number of horsemen, their body besmeared with blood, galloping away on their wounded steeds for their very life, crushing under their feet the unfortunate wounded lying disabled on the battle-field. The Swami looked for Pratap among those routed warriors, but did not find him. He then came across with a large band of infantry-soldiers, bathed in blood, running away at a breathless speed, in terror of a fearful enemy. He watched them minutely, as they passed away, in the hope of finding Pratap among them, but all in vain. He then sat down under the shade of a large tree, fatigued and exhausted. Close to that spot, a sepoy was running away in all haste to save his life. Ramananda Swami said to him,

"I see, every one of you is taking to heels—who is it, then, that fought the battle?"

"No one except a Hindu, who has shown great courage and heroism," replied the soldier briefly.

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