hey perfectly agreed with me, and had
already sent off a messenger to Nana stating their willingness to
recognize Bajee as lawful heir to the late Peishwa.

"Things are working well. The Nizam's general has been ordered to
watch Purseram Bhow, who is raising troops for the purpose of
aiding in crushing Bajee's supporters. Holkar and Scindia's troops
also are in readiness to move and, after the fete of the Dussera,
the regular battalions in the Peishwa's service, commanded by Mr.
Boyd, will march to the Neera bridge, and a brigade of Scindia's
regulars will move against Raygurh.

"It is evident that neither Balloba nor Purseram has the slightest
suspicion of what is going on, or they would never have despatched
troops from here. I certainly have felt very uneasy, since Bajee
was carried away; for he is a necessary figure, and should be here
as soon as Nana arrives, otherwise there would be no recognized
head. It would have been hopeless to try to deliver him, once
imprisoned in one of the strong fortresses in Scindia's dominions;
and the latter could have made any terms for himself that he chose
to dictate.

"Your news has relieved me of this anxiety, and I think it probable
that everything will now be managed without bloodshed; and that we
may, for a time, have peace here."

The next morning, Harry rode off and rejoined Nana, who thanked him
warmly for the manner in which he had carried out his mission, and
especially for his offer to attempt to rescue Bajee from his
captors.

"It would have been the greatest misfortune," he said, "had he been
carried far away. I should have been obliged to recognize his
brother Chimnajee; and Scindia, having Bajee in his hands, would
have kept up a constant pressure, and might probably have marched
to Poona to restore him; which he would certainly have succeeded in
doing, for the feeling of the population would have been all in
favour of the lawful heir.

"As a token of my satisfaction, here is an order upon my treasurer
for fifty thousand rupees."

All being ready, Scindia, on the 27th of October, suddenly arrested
Balloba; and sent a body of his troops, with those of the Nizam's
general, for the purpose of seizing Purseram Bhow. The latter,
receiving news of what had happened in good time, and taking with
him Chimnajee, fled to a fortress; but was quickly pursued, and
obliged to surrender. Bajee Rao was brought back to Beema, eighteen
miles from Poona. His brother Amrud, a