Sivajee himself
handed me a letter, which the man who had taken my note had brought
back in reply. Major Knapp, the writer, who was the second in
command, said that he could not engage the Government, but that if
Lieutenant Hastings was given up the act would certainly dispose
the Government to take the most merciful view possible; but that
if, on the contrary, any harm was suffered by Lieutenant Hastings,
every man taken would be at once hung. Sivajee did not appear put
out about it. I do not think he expected any other answer, and
imagine that his real object in writing was simply to let them know
that I was a prisoner, and so enable him the better to paralyze
the attack upon a position which he no doubt considered all but
impregnable.
"I was given food, and was then allowed to walk as I chose upon
the little plateau, two of the Dacoits taking post as sentries at
the steepest part of the path, while the rest gathered, chatting
and smoking, in the depression in front of the storehouse. It was
still light enough for me to see for some distance down the face
of the rock, and I strained my eyes to see if I could discern any
other spot at which an ascent or descent was possible. The prospect
was not encouraging. At some places the face fell sheer away from
the edge, and so evident was the impracticability of escape that
the only place which I glanced at twice was the western side, that
is the one away from the hill.
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