CHAPTER XII

A MILITARY TRAGEDY

In the Mess--A gloomy conversation--Murder in the army--A gallant officer--Running amuck on a rifle-range--"Was that a shot?"--The alarm--The native officer's report--The "fall in"--A dying man--A search round the fort--A narrow escape--The flight--Search parties--The inquiry into the crime--A fifty miles' cordon--An unexpected visit--Havildar Ranjit Singh on the trail--A night march through the forest--A fearsome ride--The lost detachment--An early start--The ferry--The prisoner--A well-planned capture--The prisoner's story--The march to Hathipota--Return to the fort--A well-guarded captive--A weary wait--A journey to Calcutta--The escort--Excitement among the passengers on the steamer--American globe-trotters--The court martial--A callous criminal--Appeal to the Viceroy--Sentence of death--The execution 232