Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/128

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102
Mutiny at Mainpurí.

some miles from the station. Early the following morning the ladies and children were duly despatched on their journey, and reached Agra, unmolested, in due course.

Meanwhile, the two officers of the 9th N. I., Crawford and De Kantzow, were doing all they could to induce their men to march from the station. The sipáhís, however, steadily refused to budge one inch from the extreme end of the parade ground. Finally, they warned their officers that it was well for them to depart, and some of them even discharged their muskets. In the confusion that followed, the two officers got separated from one another. De Kantzow had dismounted, and Crawford, believing that he had been killed, rode back to warn the civilians of the mutiny of the men, and to announce his own intention to ride for Agra.

Crawford found assembled Mr Cocks, above referred to, the elder Power, Dr Watson, and a missionary named Kellner. The younger Power, just returned from escorting the ladies on their first stage, joined them. After a brief consultation, Cocks and Crawford decided to make for Agra. The two Powers, Watson, Kellner, three sergeants of the Road and Canal departments, Mitchell, Scott, and Montgomery, and a clerk, Mr Glone, determined to remain. The cousin of the Rájá of Mainpurí, Ráo Bhowání Singh, with a small following, expressed his intention of standing by them.

Meanwhile, De Kantzow, on foot, had been doing all he knew to stem the torrent of mutiny. He had, in turn, implored, upbraided, and menaced the turbulent sipáhís. In vain did they level at him their loaded muskets, threatening to kill him; still did he persevere. At length, casting off the last bonds of discipline, they rushed towards the treasury, carrying their officer with them. Just as they reached the building De Kantzow dashed forward