Late in the evening we arrived at the village of Hirchinpore, where we had ascertained from people in the fields that the fugitives were to be found. Again our light-grey uniforms caused alarm and confusion. The gate of a walled enclosure was shut in our faces, and it was with great difficulty that we got those inside to believe that we were friends. At last, on our promising to leave the men outside, Gough and I were admitted; and we rode in, not without suspicion that we might ourselves have fallen into a trap. We found a very dark old gentleman called Cohen, the zemindar of the village, an Orientalised Jew I think, seated in the doorway with a gun in his hand, evidently determined in case of treachery to sell his life dearly. The fugitives of whom we were in search had in despair stowed themselves away in various hiding places, and when they appeared presented a pitiable spectacle from the effects of the hardships they had undergone. All that night we had to remain there while Cohen's people collected carts to convey the women and children. If one of our men or one of the villagers had bolted and carried to Delhi the news of what a haul could be made at Hirchinpore, two or three hours would have sealed our fate. But again Providence befriended us, and early next morning our little caravan started for Meerut, where we safely arrived that night, and I had the joy of once more seeing my Sister, of whom I could not bear to take leave when I started, and who had been in ignorance of my having gone till I was miles on my way. The following are the names of the ladies and gentlemen who composed the party of fugitives:--
1. Colonel Knyvett, 38th Regiment, N. I. 2. Lieutenant Salkeld, Bengal Engineers. (Died of wounds received at the assault of Delhi). 3. Lieutenant Wilson, Bengal Artillery. 4. " Montague M. Proctor, 38th N. I. 5. " H. Gambier, 38th N. I. (Died of wounds received at the assault of Delhi). 6. Captain G. Forrest, _V.C._ (Died from the effects of injuries received in the defence of the Delhi Magazine on 11th May, 1857). 7. Lieutenant Vibart, 54th N. I. 8. Mrs. Forrest. 9. Mrs. Fraser, widow of Major Fraser, who had been killed at Meerut by the mutineer sappers. 10. Miss Forrest. 11. " Annie Forrest. 12. " Eliza Forrest. 13. Mr. Marshall (merchant). 14 & 15. Two European women whose names I do not know.