I Was Greatly
Annoyed Lest Maula Should Come And Try To Drive Him Away.
I
waited, restraining my impatience until noon, when, as I could
stand it no longer, I ordered Bombay to strike my tent, and
commence the march.
A scene followed, which brought out my
commander-in-chief's temper in a rather surprising shape. "How
can we go in?" said Bombay. "Strike the tent," said I. "Who will
guide us?" said Bombay. "Strike the tent," I said again. "But
Rumanika's men have all gone away, and there is no one to show us
the way." "Never mind; obey my orders, and strike the tent."
Then, as Bombay would not do it, I commenced myself, assisted by
some of my other men, and pulled it down over his head, all the
women who were assembled under it, and all the property. On
this, Bombay flew into a passion, abusing the men who were
helping me, as there were fires and powder-boxes under the tent.
I of course had to fly into a passion and abuse Bombay. He, in a
still greater rage, said he would pitch into the men, for the
whole place would be blown up. "That is no reason why you should
abuse my men," I said, "who are better than you by obeying my
orders. If I choose to blow up my property, that is my look-out;
and if you don't do your duty, I will blow you up also." Foaming
and roaring with rage, Bombay said he would not stand being thus
insulted.
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