DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0448
398 KIRBY'S WONDERFUL MUSEUM.
It was now about eight o’clock, the night was exceed-
ingly close and sultry, and there being no opening but to
the west, the air within could "neither circulate nor be
changed. As soon as these particulars, and the size of
the room, were known, the consequences were easily fore-
seen ; every one was thrown into an agony of despair and
terror, and many attempts were made to force the door, but
as it opened inwards, and as the prisoners had nothing to
work with but their hands, these attempts were as fruitless
as they were violent. Mr. Hol well being at the window,
was less affected by the closeness of the place, and as
long as he could continue there, was in no danger of
suffocation. His mind was therefore proportionably less
agitated, and perceiving that the perturbation, restlessness,
and struggles of the rest would exhaust their strength, in-
crease their heat, and hasten their destruction, he conjured
them, in a short but earnest address, to keep both their
minds and bodies as quiet as possible, as the only chance
they had of surviving till, the morning should give them liberty
and air. This address produced a short interval of peace
and silence, which, however, was interrupted by the groans
and complaints of the wounded, some of whom were even
in the agonies of death.
At this time Mr. Holw'ell looking through the grate of
the window7 into the piazza, saw one of the Jemmautdaars,
in whose countenance he thought be discovered some traces
of compassion. This man he called to him, and represent-
ing the misery of himself and his fellow-prisoners, and the
frightful consequences that would inevitably follow their
continuing in that room all night; hethen earnestly en-
treated, that he would endeavour to get them separated, by-
putting half of them in some other place ; and to quicken
his compassion by self-interest, he told him, that if he could
procure the favour that he requested, he should in the morn-
ing receive a 1000 rupees, which are equal to sterlings
It was now about eight o’clock, the night was exceed-
ingly close and sultry, and there being no opening but to
the west, the air within could "neither circulate nor be
changed. As soon as these particulars, and the size of
the room, were known, the consequences were easily fore-
seen ; every one was thrown into an agony of despair and
terror, and many attempts were made to force the door, but
as it opened inwards, and as the prisoners had nothing to
work with but their hands, these attempts were as fruitless
as they were violent. Mr. Hol well being at the window,
was less affected by the closeness of the place, and as
long as he could continue there, was in no danger of
suffocation. His mind was therefore proportionably less
agitated, and perceiving that the perturbation, restlessness,
and struggles of the rest would exhaust their strength, in-
crease their heat, and hasten their destruction, he conjured
them, in a short but earnest address, to keep both their
minds and bodies as quiet as possible, as the only chance
they had of surviving till, the morning should give them liberty
and air. This address produced a short interval of peace
and silence, which, however, was interrupted by the groans
and complaints of the wounded, some of whom were even
in the agonies of death.
At this time Mr. Holw'ell looking through the grate of
the window7 into the piazza, saw one of the Jemmautdaars,
in whose countenance he thought be discovered some traces
of compassion. This man he called to him, and represent-
ing the misery of himself and his fellow-prisoners, and the
frightful consequences that would inevitably follow their
continuing in that room all night; hethen earnestly en-
treated, that he would endeavour to get them separated, by-
putting half of them in some other place ; and to quicken
his compassion by self-interest, he told him, that if he could
procure the favour that he requested, he should in the morn-
ing receive a 1000 rupees, which are equal to sterlings