Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/469

Book X. of the two field-pieces, and the musketry there, met them so hotly, that they broke within 30 yards of the post, and retreated with precipitation to their division, which on this repulse recurred again to their field-pieces. Calliaud, nevertheless, was convinced that the post would be soon attacked again, and could not be maintained throughout the day, and therefore drew off one of the field-pieces. At ten the enemy sent a stronger detachment to make another attack, who were beat off as the first; and half an hour after another attack was made by 200 of the division, who were likewise repulsed; but these successes had so much elated the defenders, that all the Sepoys, with most of the Europeans, accompanied by ensign Airey himself, rushed out to pursue the detachment; who, as if by design, retreated fast, and led them 300 yards into the plain; two troops of horse, who had been patrolling in the rear of the infantry, chanced at this moment to be just behind the remaining Europeans of the division to the right; and seeing the advantage, set off at full gallop and fell sword in hand upon the pursuers, before they had time to form in proper order to resist the shock. All were in an instant scattered, and many were cut down before they reached the swamy-house; when, although safe, they did not think themselves so, but leaving the field-piece, ran out on the other side to gain the gate of Lawrence's garden, which stood open before them; but before they got there, the troopers galloping round the east side of the post, fell upon them again, up to the very gate, where their career was checked by a strong fire of the Sepoys, whom Mahomed Issoof, seeing the disaster, had ranged along the walls. The surprize, for several fell, deprived the cavalry likewise of the recollection to return, and take shelter behind the cover at the swamy-house; but they galloped across the angle of Lawrence's towards the angle of Carvalho's garden, where Calliaud seeing them coming, met them with the fire of the 4 field-pieces in this post: but the gunners having hitherto only used ball, forgot to change their charge for grape shot, which greatly diminished the execution; for the cavalry passed within 30 yards of the angle, and continued galloping onward to the north-east, until out of reach, when they turned in the rear of their Sepoys behind