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

THE ERUPTION
preachers and handed them over to the officers as a
tangible proof of their loyalty. Now, why base suspi-
cions ? But, if the Government still suspects our loyalty,
then the officers should come amongst us and see for them-
selves how pure our hearts are ! The English officers
came on the 6th of June into the lines and saw that their
heart was indeed full to the brim with loyalty everywhere.
Nay, some of the Sepoys actually ran up to the officers,
embraced them heartily, and affectionately kissed them
on both cheeks.¹²
And the same night, everyone of the Sepoys of the 6th
regiment rushed out, sword in hand, shouting “ Mâro
Feringhiko !” ( Kill the Feringhis !) .
While the Sepoys were moving heaven and earth in order
that their plans might not be frustrated and they them-
selves might not be disarmed as at Benares, the English
were removing their families into the fort for protection
under the charge of the Sikhs and the cavalry. The news
from Benares came to Allahabad on the 5th. On that day,
there was so much agitation in the town that the English
pointed some guns in the direction of the bridge towards
the Benares side and closed the castle-gates. At night,
the English officers whom the Sepoys had only then affec-
tionately kissed had assembled at the mess for dinner,
when at a distance the terrible bugle began to blow !
The sounds of the bugle, as it were, conveyed the informa-
tion that the loyal 6th regiment had also risen !
That evening, the order had been given to the Sepoys to
take the guns which were on the Benares bridge into the
fort. But it seemed that the hitherto traditional loyal
practice of obeying all the orders of the English was
suddenly discontinued that evening ; for, the Sepoys them-
selves issued an order that the guns shall be taken not to
12. Narrative.
194