w that his fall might be followed by an important change in the
attitude of the Mahrattas.

Two days later, Harry returned to Poona. The next eighteen months
passed without any very prominent incidents. In order to furnish
Scindia with money to pay his troops, and to be in a position to
march away, Bajee Rao agreed that Ghatgay should, as Scindia's
minister, raise contributions in Poona. Accordingly, a rule of the
direst brutality and cruelty took place. The respectable
inhabitants--the merchants, traders, and men of good family--were
driven from their houses, tortured often to death, scourged, and
blown away from the mouths of cannon. No person was safe from his
persecution, and the poorest were forced to deliver up all their
little savings. The rich were stripped of everything, and
atrocities of all kinds were committed upon the hapless population.

Bajee Rao countenanced these things, and was now included in the
hatred felt for Ghatgay and Scindia. Troubles occurred between the
Peishwa and the Rajah of Satara, who refused to deliver up an agent
of Nana whom he had, at Bajee's request, seized. As Scindia's
troops refused to move, Purseram Bhow was released from captivity
and, raising an army, captured the city of Satara, and compelled
the fort to surrender; but when ordered by Bajee Rao to disband the
force that he had collected, he excused himself from doing so, on
the plea that he had no money to pay them, or to carry out the
promises that he had given them.

Scindia himself was not without troubles. In addition to the mutiny of
his troops, the three widows of his father who, instead of receiving
the treatment proper to their rank, had been neglected and were living
in poverty, sought an interview with him; and were seized by Ghatgay,
flogged, and barbarously treated. Their cause was taken up by the
Brahmins, who had held the principal offices under Scindia's father;
and it was at last settled that they should take up their residence at
Burrampoor, with a suitable establishment. Their escort, however, had
received private orders to carry them to the fortress of Ahmednuggur.

The news of this treachery spread, soon after they had left the
camp; and an officer in the interest of the Brahmins started, with
a troop of horse which he commanded, dispersed the escort, and
rescued the ladies. These he carried to the camp of Amrud Rao,
Bajee Rao's foster brother; who instantly afforded them protection
and, sallying out