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

OFFERING IN THE SACRIFICIAL FIRE
They told him that if he would surrender himself and help
them in capturing Tatia, they would use their influence
with the Scindia and not only have him pardoned but give
him the kingdom of Narwar. This Man Singh was of such
a base nature that he had before this tried to hand over
even his own uncle to the English. The wretched Man, at
once, consented and closed with the offer. He saw Tatia
and informed him that he was going to surrender to the
English. But, even after this, Tatia would not even
think of surrender. Feroze Shah had just written to him
to return to the camp. Tatia showed the letter to Man
Singh and asked him "Shall I then go or remain in this
jungle? I will do as you tell me." The treacherous Man
replied, "Wait for some time ; I will soon let you know."
Though Tatia knew that Man Singh had surrendered to
the English, he reposed full confidence in him. Man
added, "Until I return, you can remain in safety where
my guide will take you to." In the place showed by the
guide, believing it to be the safest place, Tatia remained
for three days. But on the third day, at midnight, the
Mahratta tiger, who had hitherto evaded the enemy after
fighting innumerable battles and skirmishes, marching
thousands of miles, and effecting hair-breadth escapes, was,
by the treachery of a countryman, made a prisoner.
For, giving Tatia in charge of the guide, the basest-born
of men returned to the English ; hands were shaken to
complete the agreement, and some Sepoys of the Bombay
native regiment were sent to accompany Man. Such was
the sympathy with Tatia in all Indian hearts that the
English could not trust any Indian with him, as a rule.
So, they did not even mention Tatia's name to the
Sepoys. The order was simply "to obey Man Singh's
orders and to arrest the suspected person whom he would
point out." With this detachment, Man went his way
to the Paron jungle. He had promised Tatia to return
in three days to tell him definitely whether he should go
to Feroze Shah or not. And, he came at the appointed
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