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THE FUMES OF THE HEART 23

THE PRIVATE ACCOUNT 47

A TROOPER OF HORSE 75

A RETIRED GENTLEMAN

_From Bishen Singh Saktawut, Subedar Major, 215th Indurgurh [Todd's]
Rajputs, now at Lyndhurst, Hampshire, England, this letter is sent to
Madhu Singh, Sawant, Risaldar Major [retired] 146th [Dublana] Horse, on
his fief which he holds under the Thakore Sahib of Pech at Bukani by
the River, near Chiturkaira, Kotah, Rajputana, written in the fifth
month of the year 1916, English count._

Having experienced five months of this war, I became infected with
fever and a strong coldness of the stomach [rupture]. The doctor
ordered me out of it altogether. They have also cut me with knives for
a wound on my leg. It is now healed but the strength is gone, and it is
very frightened of the ground. I have been in many hospitals for a long
time. At this present I am living in a hospital for Indian troops in a
forest-reservation called "New," which was established by a King's
order in ages past. There is no order for my return to India. I do not
desire it. My Regiment has now gone out of France--to Egypt, or Africa.
My officer Sahibs are for the most part dead or in hospitals. During a
railway journey when two people sit side by side for two hours one
feels the absence of the other when he alights. How great then was my
anguish at being severed from my Regiment after thirty-three years!
Now, however, I am finished. If I return to India I cannot drill the
new men between my two crutches. I should subsist in my village on my
wound-pension among old and young who have never seen war. Here I have
great consideration. Though I am useless they are patient with me.

Having knowledge of the English tongue, I am sometimes invited to
interpret between those in the hospital for the Indian troops and
visitors of high position. I advance eminent visitors, such as
relatives of Kings and Princes into the presence of the Colonel Doctor
Sahib. I enjoy a small room apart from the hospital wards. I have a
servant. The Colonel Doctor Sahib examines my body at certain times. I
am forbidden to stoop even for my crutches. They are instantly restored
to me by orderlies and my friends among the English. I come and go at
my pleasure where I will, and my presence is solicited by the
honourable.

You say I made a mistake to join the war at the end of my service? I
have endured fiv