There is no need for me to enter into the wretched business again, or to
detail at any length the events of October 5th, 1841, and the various
circumstances which led up to the death of Ghoolab Shah, the arch adept.
I have torn a sheaf of leaves from my old journal, in which you will
find a bald account of the matter, and an independent narrative was
furnished by. Sir Edward Elliott, of the Artillery, to the Star of India
some years ago--in which, however, the names were suppressed.
I have reason to believe that many people, even among those who knew
India well, thought that Sir Edward was romancing, and that he had
evolved his incidents from his imagination. The few faded sheets which
I send you will show you that this is not the case, and that our men of
science must recognise powers and laws which can and have been used by
man, but which are unknown to European civilisation.
I do not wish to whine or to whimper, but I cannot help feeling that I
have had hard measure dealt me in this world. I would not, God knows,
take the life of any man, far less an aged one, in cold blood. My
temper and nature, however, were always fiery and headstrong, and in
action when my blood is up, I have no knowledge of what I am about.
Neither the corporal nor I would have laid a finger upon Ghoolab Shah
had we not seen that the tribesmen were rallying behind him. Well,
well, it is an old story now, and there is no profit in discussing it.
May no other poor fellow ever have the same evil fortune!
I have written a short supplement to the statements contained in my
journal for your information and that of any one else who may chance to
be interested in the matter.
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