wn countrymen. They appropriated all the cannon and ammunition
in the magazine by way of preparation for the siege; but some were wise
enough to desert the rebel army and steal to their homes with their
ill-gotten spoil.

About noon the main body of the mutineers, swelled by the numerous
retainers of Nana, got their guns into position, and opened fire on the
intrenchment. For nineteen days--from June 6th to the 25th--the garrison
struggled manfully against a raking fire and fearful odds, amid scenes
of suffering and bloodshed that cannot be recalled without a shudder.

It was the height of the hot weather in Hindustan. A blazing sun was
burning over the heads of the besieged; and to add to their misery, one
of the barracks containing the sick and wounded was destroyed by fire.
The besiegers, however, in spite of their overwhelming numbers, were
utterly unable to carry the intrenchment by storm, but continued to pour
in a raking fire. Meanwhile the garrison was starving from want of
provisions, and hampered by a multitude of helpless women and children.
Indeed, but for the latter contingency, the gallant band would have
rushed out of the intrenchment and cut a way through the mob of sepoys
or perished in the attempt. As it was, they could only fight on, waiting
for reinforcements that never came, until fever, sunstroke, hunger,
madness, or the enemy's fire delivered them from their suffering and
despair.

On June 25th a woman brought a slip of writing from Nana, promising to
give a safe passage to Allahabad to all who were willing to lay down
their arms. Had there been no women or children, the garrison would
never have dreamed of surrender. The massacre at Patna a century before
had taught a lesson to Englishmen which ought never to have been
forgotten. As it was, there were some who wished to fight on till the
bitter end. But the majority saw that there was no hope for the women or
the children, the sick or the wounded, except by accepting the proffered
terms. Accordingly the pride of Englishmen gave way, and an armistice
was proclaimed.

Next morning the terms were negotiated. The English garrison were to
surrender their position, their guns, and their treasure, but to march
out with their arms, and with sixty rounds of ammunition in the pouch of
every man. Nana Sahib on his part was to afford a safe-conduct to the
river-bank, about a mile off; to provide carriage for the conveyance of
the women and children, the