The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rujub, the Juggler, by G. A. Henty

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Title: Rujub, the Juggler

Author: G. A. Henty

Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7229]
Posting Date: July 25, 2009

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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Produced by Martin Robb

RUJUB, THE JUGGLER

By G. A. Henty.

PUBLISHERS' INTRODUCTION.

"Rujub, the Juggler," is mainly an historical tale for young and old,
dealing with the Sepoy Mutiny, in India, during the years 1857 to 1859.

This famous mutiny occurred while the reins of British rule in India
were in the hands of Lord Canning. Chupattees (cakes of flour and water)
were circulated among the natives, placards protesting against British
rule were posted at Delhi, and when the Enfield rifle with its greased
cartridges was introduced among the Sepoy soldiers serving the Queen it
was rumored that the cartridges were smeared with the forbidden pig's
fat, so that the power of the Sepoys might forever be destroyed.

Fanatical to the last degree, the Sepoys were not long in bringing the
mutiny to a head. The first outbreak occurred at Meerut, where were
stationed about two thousand English soldiers and three thousand native
troops. The native troops refused to use the cartridges supplied to them
and eighty-two were placed under arrest. On the day following the native
troops rebelled in a body, broke open the guardhouse and released the
prisoners, and a severe battle followed, and Meerut was given over to
the flames. The mutineers then marched upon Delhi, thirty-two miles
away, and took possession. At Bithoor the Rajah had always professed a
strong friendship for the English, but he secretly plotted against them,
and, later on, General Wheeler was compelled to surrender to the Rajah
at Cawnpore, and did so with the understanding that the lives of all
in the place should be spared. Shortly after the surrender the English
officers and soldiers were shot down, and all of the women and children
butchered.

The mutiny was now at its height, and for a while it was feared that
British rule in India must cease. The Europeans at Lucknow were besie