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 Captain Brown and his little garrison were given up for lost, as all communication was cut off, and in fact troops cannot live in this country with the thermometer at 130°. But George had a letter yesterday written by him, which some native has conveyed to Bombay, in which he says he knew all succour was cut off, but he did not at all despair. He could make out a scanty allowance of food for another month, ‘and then, if nothing better offers, small parties have cut their way through large ones, and I think we may.’ In the meanwhile he had piled up large sacks full of gravel, which were to be shown off to one of the Beloochee chiefs who was coming to treat with him as bags of grain. It was a very striking letter, and I always hope that a man with so much spirit will contrive to get off.

Thursday, 15th. We are going up to Barrackpore this evening, and, as to-morrow is the lawful post day, I may as well send this off now.

We are all quite well. Love to all. Yours most affectionately, E.E.