HOMEWARD BOUND
As Heideck had foreseen, the announcement of the victory was followed by disastrous tidings for the English.Up to noon on the following day Bombay had waited in vain for confirmation of the despatch and fuller particulars.Very late in the evening, amidst a general feeling of depression, the Governor published the following despatch from the Commander-in-Chief:--"The enemy having been reported in great force yesterday to the north of Delhi, our army took up a favourable defensive position, and a battle was fought with great honour to the British arms.The Russians suffered enormous losses.The approach of darkness preventing us from following up the advantages we had gained, Iordered the main body of the army to carry out a strategic retreat on Lucknow, chiefly along the railway.Simpson's brigade remained behind to defend Delhi.The heavy guns of the Sha, Calcutta gate, and north gate bastions were very effective.All arms distinguished themselves, and deserve the highest praise.The bridge over the Jumna is intact and affords direct communication with General Simpson."While Mr.Kennedy was sitting pondering over this despatch, Heideck came up to him.
"A decisive defeat, isn't it, Mr.Heideck?" said he."As a military man, you can read between the line, better than I can.
But I know Delhi.If the Jumna bridge batteries have been firing, the Russians must be on the point of capturing this passage.The north gate bastion is the head of the bridge."Heideck was obliged to agree; but he had read more in the despatch, and drew the worst conclusions from the general's retreat on Lucknow.
No more despatches from the theatre of war were published during the day, since the Governor was desirous of concealing the melancholy state of affairs from the people.But Mr.Kennedy, who had been in Government House, knew more.He told Heideck that the English army had fled in complete disorder, having lost 8,000killed and wounded, twenty guns, and a number of colours and standards.The Government had already abandoned all hope of saving Delhi, for General Simpson could not possibly hold it."We have lost India," sorrowfully concluded Mr.Kennedy."It is the grave of my last hopes.".......
The Caledonia was moored in Victoria Dock, which formed part of the magnificent harbour on the east coast of the peninsula.In the midst of a seething crowd the passengers were making their way on board.Many wounded and sick officers and soldiers were returning on the fast steamer to England, and filled the places intended for passengers.No travellers to Europe on business or pleasure were to be seen.All the women on board belonged to the families of the military.The general feeling was one of extreme melancholy.
Before embarking Heideck had discharged his faithful servant.
Morar Gopal, with tears in his eyes, had begged him to take him with him, but Heideck was afraid that the European climate would be the death of the poor fellow.Besides, he would have been obliged to part with him on active service.So he gave him a hundred rupees--a fortune for Morar Gopal.
The great steamer moved slowly out of the basin of the harbour, past English merchantmen and the white ships of war, which had brought troops and war material.
As the Caledonia, continually increasing her speed, made her way through the outer harbour, Heideck saw some twenty men-of-war in the roadstead, including several large ironclads.English troops from Malta were being landed in boats from two transports, the decks of which glistened with arms.
The Caledonia proceeded with increasing rapidity into the open sea.
The city and its lighthouses disappeared in the distance, the blue mountains of the mainland and of the island were lost in a floating mist.A long, glittering, white furrow followed in the wake of the steamer.
It was a wonderful journey for all whom a load of anxiety had not rendered insensible to the grandeur of Nature.Heideck, happy at being at last on the way home, enjoyed the beauty of sea and sky to the full.The uneasy doubts which sometimes assailed him as to his own and Edith's future were suppressed by the charm of her presence.Her impetuosity caused him perpetual anxiety, but he loved her.Ever since she had declared that she would never leave him she had been all devotion and tenderness, as if tormented by a constant fear that he might nevertheless one day cast her off.
So they sat once again, side by side, on the promenade deck.The azure billows of the sea splashed round the planks of the vessel.
The boundless surface of ocean glittered with a marvellous brilliancy, and everything seemed bathed in a flood of light.The double awning over the heads of the young couple kept off the burning heat of the sun, and a refreshing breeze swept across the deck beneath it.
"Then you would land with me at Brindisi?" asked Heideck.
"At Brindisi, or Aden, or Port Said--where you like.""I think Brindisi will be the most suitable place.Then we can travel together to Berlin."Edith nodded assent.
"But I don't know how long I shall stay in Berlin," continued Heideck."I hope I shan't be sent to join my regiment at once.""If you are I shall go with you, wherever it may be," she said as quietly as if it were a matter of course.
"That would hardly be possible," he rejoined, with a smile."We Germans make war without women.""And yet I shall go with you."
Heideck looked at her in amazement."But don't you understand, dear, that it would be something entirely novel, and bound to create a sensation, for a German officer to take the field with his betrothed?""I am not afraid of what people think.I don't care what the Kennedys may say if I leave the ship at Brindisi and go with you.
Of course it will be a sad downfall for me.They would look on me as a lost woman from that moment.But I care nothing about that.
