ry, and horse and bullock batteries of field-artillery. Their
cavalry, however, started on the charge at a hand gallop, so that when
they neared the intrenchments their horses were winded, and a round from
the British guns threw their ranks into hopeless confusion; all who were
not biting the dust wheeling round, and galloping off in dismay. One of
the expedients adopted by the enemy was to roll before them large bales
of cotton, under which they managed to approach very near the walls. A
well-directed fire from the batteries soon, however, set fire to these
novel defences, and the skirmishers, panic-struck, took to flight before
the main body had begun to advance.

For seventeen days and nights had the gallant little band resisted all
the efforts made by the overwhelming numbers of the foe to storm the
position. At last it only remained for the enemy to starve them out;
and this operation they forthwith commenced, abandoning all attempts to
take the place by assault. Of the fifty-nine artillerymen, all, with
the exception of four, had perished at the batteries, while the guns
themselves were so knocked about that two only could be made to carry
grape. Even in these, in consequence of the irregularity of the bore,
the canisters could not be driven home. A new style of cartridge was
therefore invented, formed by stockings supplied by the women; and into
these the contents of the canisters were emptied. Among the most
gallant defenders of the fort, and one of the few survivors of the
siege, was Lieutenant Delafosse. Being much annoyed by a small gun in
Barrack Number 1, he resolved to silence it if possible. Giving his own
worn-out gun a monster charge of three 6-pound shots, and a stockingful
of grape, he rammed them all well down. He fired; his faithful piece of
artillery did not burst, and his troublesome little antagonist was never
again heard.

Another gallant exploit on the part of Lieutenant Delafosse occurred at
the north-east battery on the 21st June. A shot had entered the tumbril
of a gun, blew it up, and ignited the woodwork of the carriage, thus
exposing the ammunition all around to destruction. The rebels,
observing what was taking place, directed their fire to the spot with
redoubled fury. Delafosse, with perfect self-possession, went to the
burning gun, and, lying down under the firing mass, pulled away portions
of the wood, and scattered earth with both hands on the flames. Two
soldiers fo