The men stood irresolute and mute with terror! the women, trembling, knew scarcely whither to fly for refuge.

'Who are yonder ruffians ?' said I.A hundred voices yelped in reply--some said the Pindarees, some said the Mahrattas, some vowed it was Scindiah, and others declared it was Holkar--no one knew.
"'Is there any one here,' said I, 'who will venture to reconnoitre yonder troops ?' There was a dead pause.
"'A thousand tomauns to the man who will bring me news of yonder army!' again I repeated.

Still a dead silence.

The fact was that Scindiah and Holkar both were so notorious for their cruelty, that no one dared venture to face the danger.

Oh for fifty of my brave Abmednuggarees!' thought I.
"'Gentlemen,' said I, 'I see it--you are cowards--none of you dare encounter the chance even of death.