His head, cut clean in two between the
eyebrows and nostrils, even between the two front teeth, fell one side
on each shoulder, and he galloped on till his horse was stopped by my
men, who were not a little amused at the feat.
As I had expected, the remaining ruffians fled on seeing their leader's
fate. I took home his helmet by way of curiosity, and we made a single
prisoner, who was instantly carried before old Jowler.
We asked the prisoner the name of the leader of the troop; he said it
was Chowder Loll.
"Chowder Loll!" shrieked Colonel Jowler. "O fate! thy hand is here!" He
rushed wildly into his tent--the next day applied for leave of absence.
Gutch took the command of the regiment, and I saw him no more for some
time.
*****
As I had distinguished myself not a little during the war, General Lake
sent me up with despatches to Calcutta, where Lord Wellesley received me
with the greatest distinction. Fancy my surprise, on going to a ball at
Government House, to meet my old friend Jowler; my trembling, blushing,
thrilling delight, when I saw Julia by his side!
Jowler seemed to blush too when he beheld me. I thought of my former
passages with his daughter. "Gagy my boy," says he, shaking hands, "glad
to see you. Old friend, Julia--come to tiffin--Hodgson's pale--brave
fellow Gagy.
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