circle until at last the swordsman is near enough to deliver his
blow." The tiger, it is said, follows the flying figure of the
horseman, waiting an opportunity to spring upon him, but eventually
becomes too bewildered to act.

The same writer also records an incident which illustrates Nicholson's
remarkable faculty for recognising rebels, however well disguised. On
the march from the camp at Goodaspore, whence the column hurled itself
on the Sialkot mutineers, two natives were observed by the wayside.
They were miserable-looking wretches, with bundles on their backs, and
the soldiers gave them but a passing glance. When Nicholson came
along, however, his keen eyes rested on them with interest. Then,
turning to the Pathans who rode behind him, he uttered the word "Maro!"
(kill), and the stalwart troopers instantly cut the pair down.

Nicholson's instinct had not failed him. The natives, for all their
innocent appearance, were sepoys carrying swords to a mutinous regiment
which had been disarmed at Goodaspore.

How fully the Movable Column justified its existence in those critical
two months of June and July, 1857, there is ample testimony. Nicholson
moved his light-footed force from point to point with surprising
celerity, striking mercilessly at every spot where mutiny threatened,
until the possibility of the Punjaub bursting into a blaze of rebellion
was averted. It was a difficult task throughout, and its magnitude was
the greater in that the famous column itself had to be purged more than
once. There was the ever-present danger of disaffection in his own
ranks. In the end, we are told, his force consisted of little more
than one field battery, one troop of horse-artillery, and an infantry
regiment, all of which were British, with a few hundred trusted Pathans.

Of the native levies special mention must be made of the Mooltani
Horse. These men, Sikhs for the most part, had followed Nicholson from
sheer personal devotion. They recognised no head but him, and, it is
said, refused to accept pay from the Government. At his death they
disbanded, returning to their homes on the frontier.

In the last week of July Nicholson proceeded to Lahore to consult Sir
John Lawrence as to the next step to be taken. The upshot of the
conference was that he received instructions to march the Movable
Column on to Delhi, where General Archdale Wilson had commenced the
siege. So, on the 25th of the month, the Punjaub saw