“My Dear Sir,—Your long-expected letter, dated the 18th January, reached me on the 1st instant. Though the interval is very long, still it was a source of very great consolation to me. It has given fresh vigor and courage. I became happy, exceedingly happy, from its perusal. And nothing could exceed my joy then to hear of the safety and welfare of self and Mrs. Butler, and the little bachchas, (children;) increased more by the joyous news that another precious little darling [our daughter Julia, born after our flight] has been added to the number of the family, for which I must congratulate you. You ask in your letter why I did not write to you? True, I knew you were in Nynee Tal; but I could see no way of safety for months and months. I could not know whether communication with Nynee Tal was open or not. The whole country was in such a dreadful disorder I was conscious that it would never reach you; but the moment that I was assured communication was open, and my letter would fall in your hands, I immediately addressed you two letters in succession, but I am sorry to see it did not reach you. According to your request, I sit down with the greatest pleasure to give you an account of how I escaped. It was on the memorable 31st of May, on Sunday, that the mutiny of the Bareilly troops took place. I was busy with prayers with the other Christians after a sermon on ‘Fear not, little flock,’ etc., and about the middle of the closing prayer I was informed of the outbreak. I instantly closed, and began to look out for the safety of my wife and child. The Chowkeydar (watchman) aided me in getting the Christian women concealed. I then returned to the Bungalow, (my residence.) By this time it was partly looted and in flame. Seeing it on fire, I threw down the keys, thinking no use to keep keys now, [a very innocent and just conclusion of poor Joel's.] Palwansing and Isaac [two of the native Christians] disguised themselves as gardeners. I went to see if the women were safe, and returned, when I saw Tuggu and another man attacking Isaac with a tulwar to rob him. Palwansing signaled me not to come near, as Tuggu had just said they
