Page:Anandamath, The Abbey of Bliss - Chatterjee.djvu/177

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Chapter IX
151

Some one answered from above : " Very near the wood, only beyond a small field."

  • ' Who are you," asked Satyananda.

" I am Nabinananda " came the answer from above. Then Satyananda said, "You are ten thousand and you must win. Go and seize the guns." Then Jivananda who rode before said, " Come." The ten thousand Children, infantry and cavalry, followed Jivananda. The foot-soldier carried a musket on his shoulder, a sword by his side and a spear in his hand. So soon as they came out, they were shattered by a profuse shower of bullets. Numerous Children fell to the ground without a fight. Some one said to Jivananda : " What's the use of killing people without the chance of a fight ? " Jivananda turned round and saw it was Bhavananda, He asked, " What do you want me to do now ?" " Let us defend ourselves from the woods under the shelter of the trees. Without a gun, our army will not stand for one moment the shower of bullets in open space. But we can keep up the fight pretty long from behind the wood." J. You are right, no doubt, but our master has ordered that the cannon must be seized. B. No one can do that. But if it must be done, you had better stay ; I will go. J. That cannot be, Bhavananda, to-day I am to die. B. It is I that must die to-day. J. I must make my expiation.