A History of the Mahrattas v2.c57.37

v2.c57.37

Two officers, Cornets Hunter and Morrison of the Madras establishment, on the route from Hyderabad to Poona with a small escort, were attacked when they approached the latter place, and after a manful resistance, being compelled to surrender, they were confined in a hill-fort¹; some small parties who stood on the defensive in various situations, and surrendered on terms, were permitted to join the British camp. Amongst this number was the Resident’s moonshee, who, having a party of Arabs in his pay, defended his house in the city for several days, until Gokla interposed and sent for him. During their interview, at which several persons were present, Gokla showed him the Peishwa’s paper investing him with the full powers of his government, and after some conversation observed, ‘I have given you protection because your master was an old friend of mine; we are now enemies; the trial we have already had’ (alluding to the action of the 5th), ‘has not turned out as I expected, but tell him we shall persevere: we may have taken our shrouds about our heads, but we are determined to die with our swords in our hands.’