१८५७ का स्वातन्त्र्य समर (वीर विनायक दामोदर सावरकर - अंग्रेजों द्वारा छपने से पूर्व प्रतिबन्धित महाग्रन्थ)

THE ERUPTION
Sepoys were doing their duties without, in the least, dis-
obeying the English officers. A few days before, a hundred
of the revolted Meerut Sepoys came and lived secretly in
the " lines " themselves, and stirred up the revolutionary
spirit by the narrative of the events at Meerut, and then
left. Still, the Sepoys kept the peace outwardly. The
Subahdars of the regiments even went so far as to request
the Europeans to bring their families ! But before this
request was fulfilled, a rumour arose on the 29th of May
that the Sepoys had taken oath, at the time of the morning
bath in the river, that they would massacre the English
at two o'clock ! Immediately the English got ready the
loyal cavalry regiment. They, also, came together and
formed without murmur. But the whole day passed and
the Sepoys never rose. The English retired at night, say-
ing that though the rumour was false, it at least incident-
ally proved that the cavalry could be relied upon. Just
then, sure and certain information came that the cavalry
had sworn, long before, never to lift their swords against
their comrades or help the English ! The English now
could not make up their minds what to believe. Not
only the 29th, but also the 30th passed away
without any incident. And, on the latter day, the
conduct of the Sepoys was so good—if anything,
it was more loyal than ever—that the civil and
military authorities made up their minds that the
danger was surely past and that there was no
longer any reason for fear !
The 31st of May dawned. Early in the morning, the house
of Captain Brownlow was set on fire. But the English
had not much reason to be particularly fearful of any-
thing serious. The day was Sunday. The Sunday mili-
tary parade passed off smoothly, as well as the reports
of native officers. The English officers even observed that
the Sepoys were more than usually quiet that day. The
English prayed in their churches. There was not the least
sign of trouble anywhere.
170