| Description | He was glad to see his father's handwriting in the last mail and the contents have done William as much good as seeing his father. He had the far that he would be shocked if he saw his father after the 'pulling down'. He has received letters from his mother at Abbeville, from Bella [Isabella Herschel], Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel] and copies from his uncle [Duncan Stewart] which William has forwarded to Margaret Cowrie. William is now one of the actors in the Santhal rebellion, being in charge of one of the districts bordering their hills. He sketches a map to help his father to understand the situation. He notes the stationing of troops and that the rebels 'have not yet been reduced to obedience'. He was sent with a proclamation offering a government pardon, but as yet he has seen no Santhals and they have no idea of giving in. Troops are under orders not to shoot and not to burn villages or property. Troops in William's division have been marched to Ranelgunj where most of the army is, ordered not to molest the enemy unless attacked. William thinks that Aurangabad has been abandoned to pillage, therefore and cannot understand the reasons for such a sacrifice. Newspapers provide the only information, but this is slow and cannot be depended upon. William gives his assessment, thinking that troop movements are to contain the Santhals, and keep watch on the Grand Trunk Road which they must cross to escape. He must act independently, while being ignorant of government intensions. William breaks off to consider his egotism, and notes his pride at his concertina, which is the best in India. His quickness of fingers at the piano has not left him and has learned scales rapidly. He tells his father that he has 'discovered traces of truth in the nation of Bengal', expanding on his meaning. |