Chapter 27 Chapter Eleven Enemies Meet
In bloody memory, Hindustan seems to have shaken off the shadow of the Sags, but they have left behind some worthy successors.This is the Daqua, the Sag in a different form.The perpetrator's method of killing has changed, and the purpose of killing is different than before, but the result is the same: pre-planned assassination, murder.
Clearly, killing is no longer an offering to the murderous goddess of death, Gali.These new-style believers no longer strangle people, but steal after poisoning.So the more down-to-earth criminals replace the fanatical strangling cultists, but the brutality of both is equally chilling.
In certain parts of the peninsula the Dakwa organized their own bands for murderers who had escaped British Indian law.Day and night they lie in ambush on all the high roads, and especially in the wildest places, Bendalkhand provides the perfect venue for these violent and plundering dramas to be played out.Moreover, the bandits often gathered more gangs to attack an isolated village, and the residents had only one way to respond: to abandon their homes and flee.But for those unfortunates who fell into the hands of the Daqua, what awaited them was endless torture and torture.reproduced here.These beasts, according to M. Louis Rousley, "have so many tricks and ever-new punishments that even the most fanciful novelist cannot invent!"
Colonel Moreau was under the control of a group of Daquas brought by Caragani.Before he could wake up in the future, he was roughly separated from his companions and dragged on the road in the direction of Jubilee Poor.
From the day he came into contact with the passengers on the Steam House, Calagani's actions had been the work of a traitor.He was urgently sent by Nana Saibu, who specially selected him to prepare his revenge plan.
The reader will recall that in Bhopal on the 24th of May the daring "headman" had infiltrated the last days of Moalun celebrations and overheard Mr Edward Morrow's departure for the South Indian province news.On his orders, Karagani, one of the party members devoted to his cause and greatly admired himself, left Bhopal.His task is to chase the colonel, find him again, and then track the colonel, keep him in check, and risk his life if necessary to become the subordinate of Nana Saib, the sworn enemy.
Karagaer immediately set off for the northern regions.In Kanpur, he was able to catch the "steam house" train.Since then, he has been very covertly watching for the right moment, and never showed any clues.He therefore decided to start out as Marcia Van Kit's servant while Colonel Moreau and his companions were stationed at the "summer station" in the Himalayas.
Carragani's intuition told him that there must be an extremely frequent connection between the "Zill Village" and the "Summer Rehabilitation Station".That's right.From the first day he was overjoyed, not only because he had attracted the attention of Colonel Moreau, but also because he had the latter's gratitude.
Now that the puzzle has been solved, the rest is self-evident.Since then, Indians have frequently visited the "steam room", learned of the future plans of the tourists, and also learned of the route that Bonkers planned to take.Since then, all his actions have been aimed at achieving one goal: to find ways to be accepted as a guide for the Second Southern Expedition.
Caragani will stop at nothing for this.Not only did he not hesitate to risk the lives of others, but his own as well.How many times?Everyone will definitely not forget.
He secretly imagined that if he could accompany the expedition from the beginning of the trip, and be a hired servant of Marcia Van Giet, it would clear up all suspicions, and Colonel Moreau might offer it. His eager request.
However, in order for the plan to come true, the animal supplier must first lose the oxen that pull the cart, so he has to ask the "steel giant" for help.And so there was this raid of the beast—an unexpected attack indeed,—but Calagani knew how to use it.At the risk of causing a catastrophe, others unknowingly pulled down the bolt of the gate of "Zhalan Village".As a result, tigers and leopards broke into the fence, the buffaloes either escaped or were eaten, and several Indians were also killed, but Karagani's plan succeeded: Maria van Giet will Out of desperation, he turned to Colonel Moreau for help.In order to take the mobile zoo back to Mumbai city.
It is true that in an almost deserted area like the Himalayas, it is extremely difficult to regather the animals that pull the carts, not to mention that Karagani is responsible for organizing this matter for the animal dealers.Naturally, he was not at all dedicated, so Marcia van Giet hitched several carts to the "Iron Behemoth" and drove all his men down south to the Etavo station.
There, the railway wagon can transport all the facilities of the zoo.Karagani, who is useless, will naturally be fired by the animal dealer just like those "Shikari".So he deliberately appeared extremely bewildered.Bonkers is blinded by the illusion.The engineer thought that this Indian was witty and faithful, and knew the situation in this area of India like the back of his hand, and would be of great help, so he asked Karagani to act as a guide and lead the "steam house" to Bombay.From that day forward, the fate of the expedition was in his hands.
No one doubted that this Indian, who was ready to risk his life at any time, was a traitor.
But Caragani narrowly escaped once.It was when Bonkers told him about Nana Saib's death.He couldn't hide his suspicious expression at that time, shaking his head in disbelief.However, which Indian is not like this?For them, the legendary "Headman" is a supernatural being that even death cannot conquer.
Then, when Caragani met a former companion in a gypsy caravan—it was by no means a coincidence—did he confirm the news?No way of knowing yet, but it's conceivable that he knew exactly what to do next?
In short, the traitor did not give up his despicable plot, as if he wanted to fulfill the last wish of the "headman".
So, the "steam house" went all the way through the various valleys of the Vandias Mountains, and after going through those twists and turns, the travelers arrived at the Putiria Lake, which was used as a place of refuge.
On the lake, when Kalagani tried to get out of the floating vehicle under the pretext of going to Jubil Bor alone, he finally showed his true self.Despite his strong self-control, a subtle physiological phenomenon failed to escape the colonel's sharp eyes, and he was suspected. Now, we know that Edward Morrow's guess is too reasonable.
He was allowed to go, but Gumi was going with him.The two jumped into the lake and swam for an hour, finally reaching the southeast shore of Lake Putiriya.
In the dark night, the two walked together, one was wary of the other, but the other didn't know that suspicion had been aroused.The advantage was thus on the side of Gummi, Colonel Moreau's other Mark Reel.
For three hours, the two Indians walked in this way on the main road that traverses the southern branches of the Vandias Mountains and leads to Jubilapor Station.The fog in the mountains is much thinner than that on the lake.Gumi kept a close eye on this traveling companion. He had a steel knife stuck in his waist. As long as he sensed any suspicious behavior, he would pounce on Karagani with his agility and catch him without a fight.
Unfortunately, loyal Indians have not had time to act as they envisioned.
There was no moon, and the night was pitch black.You can't tell a pedestrian twenty paces away.
Suddenly, at a certain bend in the road, a voice suddenly sounded, calling Carragani's name.
"It's me! Nasin!" the Indian responded.
At the same moment, a strange sharp whistle sounded from the left side of the road.
This whistle Gumi is all too familiar: it is the "Ghithri" of those barbaric tribes in Gondwana!
The stunned Gummi was momentarily at a loss.Moreover, after killing Karagani, how would he deal with the large group of Indians attracted by the whistle as a communication signal?Reason told him to run away immediately to inform his companions.right!There was nothing else to do but to get out of the way without being caught, and then go back to Pu Lake and try to swim to find the Iron Behemoth and stop it from coming to shore.
Gumi no longer hesitated.Taking advantage of Karagani's meeting with Nasin who was talking to him, Gumi jumped to the side and got into the jungle by the roadside.
When Caragani and his companions returned together to get rid of the traveling companion assigned to him by Colonel Moreau, Gumi had disappeared.
Nasin was the leader of a group of Daquas, and also devoted his allegiance to Nana Saib's cause.After learning that Gumi had escaped, he ordered his men to search the jungle.Want to find this bold servant who has just escaped at all costs.
Searches turned up nothing.Either Gumi lost his way in the dark, or he had found a cave to hide in, anyway, there was no trace of him, and he couldn't catch him.
Then again, what do the Dakwa people have to worry about?In this wilderness, Gumi was alone. Even if he tried his best, he would never rush back to Putiria Lake, which was a three-hour journey before them, would he?
Caragani then gave up.He conferred for a while with the chief of the Daqua, who seemed to be at his service.Then, the whole team turned back to the direction of Puhu and strode on the road.
Now, the reason why this team came out from the Vandiyas Valley where it had been stationed all along was because Caragani had informed them that Colonel Moreau was going to arrive near Lake Putiriya.By whom?It was through this caravan mixed with gypsies, an Indian named Nasin.Who should I tell? ——The guy who planned this conspiracy behind the scenes.
Indeed, everything that has happened and is happening stems from a well-thought-out plan, from which Colonel Moreau and his companions cannot escape.Therefore, when the steam locomotive landed at the southern end of Lake Pu, the Dakwa people under the command of Nasin and Karagani successfully robbed it.
But it was Colonel Moreau they hated, and he alone.As for the colonel's friends, because the last residence was destroyed and abandoned in the mountains, there is nothing to fear.So only the colonel was caught, and by seven o'clock in the morning he had walked six miles beyond Lake Putiria.
It was obviously impossible for Carragani to bring the H.E. Edward Moreau to the Jubilee Pole station.The Colonel then guessed that he would not leave the Vandías area, and knowing that he was in enemy hands he might never get out.
But the brave man did not lose his composure at all.He walked among these wild Indians, ready for anything.Even pretended not to look at Carragani.The traitor has come to the head of the line, in fact he is the leader of the group.Escaping is not realistic.Even though they were not tied hands and feet, Indian soldiers were crowded around the colonel, with no gaps in sight.Moreover, even if it gets out, it must be caught immediately.
The colonel then considered the seriousness of his situation.Can it be considered that Nana Saib's black hands are manipulating all this?Won't!He believed that the "leader" was certain to die.Could it be some associate of the former rebel chief, Barlow Low perhaps?Wasn't he determined to complete the revenge plan for his younger brother's death, to avenge the "leader"?Edward Morrow had a premonition of something similar.
At the same time he thought of poor Gummi who had not been a captive of the Daqua.Did he escape?possible.Wasn't he killed first?More likely.If he is safe and sound, can he be counted on to bring rescue?too difficult.
Indeed, if Gummi thought it was time to run to Jubilapor Station to fetch reinforcements, it was too late.
Instead, what if he went back to the south shore of Lake Pu to find Bonkers and the others?But what about friends who are almost out of ammunition and food?Will board the road to Jubilapor too? ...But before they catch up, the colonel will be pushed into a secret place in the Vandias Mountains.
So don't get your hopes up in this regard.
Colonel Moreau calmly analyzed the situation.He does not despair, for he is not one to resign himself to bad luck, but he prefers to consider events in their full context, rather than indulge in some fancy which does not befit a calm mind.
The team moved very fast.Nassin and Calagani evidently intended to reach some agreed place before sunset, where the Colonel's fate would be decided.The traitor was anxious, and Mr. Edward Morrow was also eager to have a conclusion earlier. He no longer cared about the ending waiting for him.
Only once, near noon, Carragani gave the team a half-hour break.The Dakwa people took food one after another and sat down by a stream to eat.
The colonel was also given a share of bread and dried meat, which he ate up without ceremony.He hadn't eaten since the night before, and he didn't want his enemies to finally see him gloat over his exhaustion.
At this time, nearly sixteen miles had already been marched in haste.With an order from Kalagani, the team went back on the road, still heading in the direction of Jubilee Poor.
It was only around five o'clock in the evening that the Dakwa people left the main road and drove to the left.If Colonel Moreau had managed to hold on to any hope before, he now knew that he was left to his fate.
A quarter of an hour later, Karagani led the Daqwa through a narrow pass at the top of the Narbuda Valley, leading to the remotest part of Bendelkhand.
The destination was about three hundred and fifty miles from the village of Dondi, on the east of the Sotpura Mountains, which seemed to be the westward continuation of the Vandias Mountains.
On one of the highest ridges stood the old castle of Ripoll, long since abandoned, for as long as the western pass was occupied by the enemy, the fortress' supplies of war and food were cut off.
The fort stood on the summit of one of the highest peaks in the range, a natural bulge some five hundred feet high, overlooking a great trumpet-shaped valley between the mountains.There is only one narrow path, which winds into the rocky mountain and leads to it. The path is so steep that it is almost impossible to walk.
On the high platform of the fortress, there are still some demolished parapets and collapsed stone pillars.The open space in front of the fort is adjacent to the cliff, and there is a row of stone piles. In the middle of the open space stands a building that looks like a ruin. It used to be used as a barracks for the small garrison of Ripoll, but now it may not be used as a stable. People want it.
In the middle of the central platform, there is only one defensive weapon that used to line up along the gun emplacements of the stacks: a cannon aimed at the front of the clearing.Because the gun body was too heavy to disassemble, and it was too damaged, it lost its use value, so the cannon was abandoned on the gun mount, and the iron shell was corroded and rusty.
With its length and volume, this cannon is comparable to the Bilsa bronze cannon cast in the Jeanghi period, with a huge body, six meters long, and a caliber of forty-four millimeters.In the same way it is compared with the mighty picabul, whose roar can, according to the Hindoos, raze a city to the ground.
This was Fortress Ripoll, where the captured colonel was escorted by Karagani and his gang.It was five o'clock in the afternoon when they arrived, having traveled more than twenty-five miles in a day.
Which enemy is the last one Colonel Moreau will see?It will be clear soon.
A group of Indians were guarding the abandoned barracks in the clearing.They also came out as the Daqua formed a circle along the stacks.
Colonel Moreau stood in the center of the circle, arms folded, and waited patiently.
Carragani left the line and took a few steps towards the group.
On the opposite side, a plainly dressed Indian walked in the lead.
I saw Carragani stopped in front of him and bowed deeply.The Indian held out a hand to him, and Karagani respectfully kissed it.The man nodded, expressing his satisfaction with his effectiveness.
Then, the Indian walked slowly towards the colonel, but his eyes were burning, and he seemed unable to suppress the anger in his chest.It was like a wild beast pounced upon its prey.
Colonel Moreau let him approach without taking a step back, and fixed him just as intently.
When the Indian was only five steps away from him, the colonel said in a rather disdainful tone:
"It turned out to be the elder brother of the 'Headman', Balao Luo!"
"Look carefully!" said the Indian.
"Nana Saib!" Colonel Moreau yelled out of control, this time involuntarily taking a few steps back. "Nana Saib is alive! …"
Yes, it was the "chieftain" himself, the former leader of the Indian uprising, Morrow's sworn enemy!
But who died in that encounter in Tangdi Village? —His brother Barlow Low.
Both brothers had pockmarked faces, had the same finger amputated on the same hand, and were so similar in appearance that they fooled the soldiers of Lucknow and Kanpur, who did not hesitate to identify their brother as It is the "head man".Indeed, it is almost impossible not to make this mistake.Thus, when the official announcement authoritatively announced the death of the "Headman", Nana Saib was still alive: it was Balau Lo who died.
Nana Saib took advantage of this new situation with extreme caution.Once again the situation afforded him almost absolute security.Because the British police would not hunt his brother as hard as they searched for him, and Barlow Low was not yet on the wanted list.Not only did the massacres at Kanpur have nothing to do with him, but he also did not possess the very pernicious influence that the "headman" could exercise over the Indians in the central region.
Previously, Nana Saib, seeing that he was being closely hunted, decided to hold back until he could act with great fanfare. He temporarily gave up the plan of the uprising and devoted himself to revenge.And the timing couldn't have been better: Colonel Moreau, always under the watchful eye of his minions, had just left Calcutta for Bombay.Is it not possible for him to pass through the provinces of Bendelkhand and reach the Vandiyas mountains?Nana Saib thought of this, and it was for this purpose that he sent the astute Karagani out.
The "headman" also left Tangdi Village later, and this place could no longer be used as a safe hiding place for him.He penetrated into the valley of Narbuda and ran as far as the hinterland of the Vandiyas Mountains.Fort Ripoll, located here, seemed to him a safe haven, because the police believed that the "headman" was dead and would not think of chasing him anymore.
So, Nana Saib and several loyal Indian party members stationed here.Presently he raised his ranks with a party of Daquas,—savages worthy of such a chief, and everything was ready, he waited patiently.
But what had he been waiting for for four months? ——Waiting for Caragani to complete the task, waiting for the news that Colonel Moreau was going to reach the Vandias Mountains that he controlled in the palm of his hand.
However, Nana Saib was very worried.He was afraid that the news of the death of the "leader" who had spread throughout the Indian peninsula would also reach Karagani's ears.If the latter really believed the rumors, would he give up his original intention of betraying Colonel Moreau?
So Nana Saib sent Nasin, an Indian, to join the caravan of Gypsies, cross the roads of Bendelkhand, and finally met the "Steam House" on the way to Sindia And connected with Carragani, told him the real situation of the incident.
After the matter was over, Nasin did not dare to delay for a moment, and immediately returned to Ripoor Fortress, and reported to Nana Saib everything that had happened since Karagani left Bhopal.In addition, there was news that Colonel Moreau and his party were coming to Vandiyas every day with a short distance, that Caragani was their guide, and that an ambush should be set up near Lake Putiria.
In this way, everything is carried out according to the wishes of the "headman".His vengeance will not fail again.
Sure enough, tonight Colonel Moreau was alone, unarmed, right in front of him, at his mercy.
After exchanging a few words, the two stared at each other without saying a word for a long time.
Suddenly, the figure of Mrs. Moreau appeared very clearly in front of his eyes, and the colonel could only feel a rush of blood rushing from his chest to his forehead.He threw himself on the executioner who killed all the captives in Kanpur City! ...
Nana Saib only took two steps backwards.
Earlier, three Indian soldiers charged at the colonel viciously, but it took a lot of effort to subdue him.
Edward Morrow regained his sanity in an instant. The "Headman" evidently saw this, for he signaled for the Indian soldiers to retreat.
The two enemies glared at each other again.
"Moro," said Nana Saib, "your people tied a hundred and twenty of our prisoners of war in Pezchavo to the guns, and since that day more than twelve hundred Indian soldiers have died. For this dreadful punishment! Your people brutally massacred the fugitives from Lahore, three princes and 29 members of the royal family after the capture of Delhi, and it was you who massacred six of us in Lucknow. Thousands of compatriots, another 3,000 died after the Battle of Punjab! Altogether, 120,000 Indian officers and soldiers and 200,000 civilians died under cannon, rifles, gallows or butcher knives. Gave this war of national liberation!"
"Kill him! Kill him!" shouted the Daquas and Indians surrounding Nana Saib.
The "leader" waved his hand to silence them, waiting for Colonel Moreau to answer.
The Colonel said nothing.
"As for you, Moreau," continued the chief, "you have killed Lani de Gancey with your own hands, my faithful companion . . . she has not avenged her!"
Colonel Moreau remained silent.
"Finally, four months ago," continued Nana Saib, "my brother Balau Low fell at the gunpoint of the British who pointed at me... My brother has not been avenged! "
"Kill him! Kill him!"
This time, the yelling was louder, and the whole procession rushed towards the Colonel.
"Silence!" shouted Nana Saib, "wait for justice!"
The Indian soldiers suddenly fell silent.
"Moreau," said the Chief again, "it was one of your ancestors - Hector Moreau - who first carried out this horrific torture, It was brought into full play in the 1957 War! It was he who issued the order to tie the Indians—our parents, brothers... to the muzzle of the guns alive!"
There was another burst of shouting and demonstrations, which Nana Saib could not calm down this time.He then said:
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! Moreau, let you die like so many of our victims today!"
After speaking, he turned sideways:
"Open your eyes and look at this cannon!"
The "headman" pointed to the huge object - it was more than five meters long and it was standing in the middle of the open space.
"You will be strapped to the muzzle of this gun! It has been filled with explosives, and as soon as the sun rises tomorrow, the roar that will spread over the Vandias Mountains will announce to all: Nana Saib's blood debt is finally Got paid!"
Colonel Moreau just stared at the "headman" with a calm expression about the torture he was going to suffer.
"Very well," said he, "you have done exactly what I would have done—if you had fallen into my hands!"
As he said that, the colonel automatically walked to the front of the gun muzzle, so he was placed behind his back with his hands crossed and tied firmly to it.
For a full hour afterward, all the Daquas and Indians gathered around to humiliate him shamelessly.It's almost like a group of Native American Sioux reveling around a captive tied to an execution stake.
Colonel Moreau was indifferent to these insults, as if that was how he wanted to face death.
After dark, Nana Saib, Karagani and Nasin went back to the barracks to rest.The group of soldiers finally got tired of the quarrel and left the square to join the leaders.
Only His Excellency Edward Morrow was left alone to face death and God.
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