| caption: |
Rechim and Changse villages implicated in Pangti's attack |
| text: |
13. While we were in camp below Pangti, we made careful inquiries from the friendly Nagas who visited us as to what villages took part in the attack on us on the 25th; and, from the evidence, there seemed to be but little doubt that Rechim and Changse were implicated. For, although the various witnesses differed as to other villages, each introducing the name of some village against which he had a grudge, yet they were all unanimous in accusing those I have mentioned. Rechim had sent in a deputation to us at Pangti, but, as none of the headmen had accompanied it, we said we could only hold communication with the chiefs, who must come in to see us. This, however, they refused to do then, nor did they afterwards avail themselves of Colonel Tulloch's presence for four days on the Doiang (only two hours' journey from their village) to make any further overtures of peace; on the contrary, defiant messages were brought to us, and we were told that Rechim had threatened with dire vengeance any villages friendly with us. Therefore, Colonel Tulloch determined to attack it and Changse at an early date. We halted on the 18th to finish some correspondence, and give Mr. Hinde a chance of joining us, which, however, he did not do. In the evening, Soleji, an Angami dobasha, pointing out a large star in the west, with a smaller one close by, remarked that it was a good sign that the small star should be on the right of the larger one, as we were then in the same position with respect to Rechim, over which we should consequently gain a victory. Had the positions been reversed, we should have had cause for apprehension, as apparently the large star, which would then have represented us, always gets the worst of it. |
