Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/443

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OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.
419

for a short time about Malwa; his once numerous, cruel, and ferocious band being dwindled down to some two hundred half-starved, exhausted, and despairing followers. In this extremity it struck Cheetoo that possibly the Nabob of Bhopaul might make terms for him and the remnant of his durra with the English; and, rapidly acting on this idea, he suddenly entered the camp of that Prince. But when he learned that the Nabob could offer or promise nothing beyond a slender personal maintenance in some remote comer of India, whereas he thought himself entitled to a jaghire in his native country and a place in the British service, he decamped as suddenly as he came.

But though Cheetoo got safely off from the camp of our ally and dependant, he was presently pursued by the Nabob's people, and by parties sent after him by Sir John Malcolm. This distressed him so much that Rajun, one of his most faithful and valuable adherents, left him and made his submission. Yet, after all this, Cheetoo found his way into the Deccan, and made common cause with the Arabs and chiefs of the Peishwa's routed army. His end, however, approached, and it was singular and impressive.

Having joined Appa Sahib, the Bajah of Berar (of whom more hereafter), he passed the rainy season of 1818 among the Mahadeo hills; and upon the Rajah's expulsion by the English in February, 1819, he followed him to his last stronghold of Asseerghur. Here, as he could no longer be of any assistance, his followers having totally melted away from death and desertion, the forlorn Pindarrie chief and his only son, his last and most faithful adherent, were refused admittance. The parent and child then parted for ever – and, whatever their crimes and cruelties may have been to others, it is but charitable to suppose not without some pangs of natural affection. Young Cheetoo fell into the hands of the British Government, and was indebted to its bounty for the means of life; his father sought shelter in a neighbouring jungle,