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576 were carried on, with which we have nothing to do; but a treaty was at length agreed to, and received the signature of the Ameers on the 14th of February, 1843.

At this period Sir Charles Napier, with a view of hastening the negotiations, and determined, as he said, not to lose the advantage of the cold weather, crossed the Indus, thus throwing himself between the northern and southern Ameers, and advanced towards Hyderabad. It was constantly represented by the Ameers that the continued advance of Sir Charles Napier would exasperate the Beloochees, and cause them to resort to arms in defence of their country's independence. That officer, however, continued to advance, and on the 15th of February the long- threatened outbreak took place; the first object of attack being the residence of Colonel Outram, the British Commissioner.

A dense body of cavalry and infantry took post in a manner to command three sides of the inclosure in which the residence was situated, the fourth being defended by a British steamer, which, happily, lay in the river at no great distance. A hot fire was commenced and kept up for four hours by the assailants; but their attempts to effect an entrance were defeated by the judicious efforts of Captain Conway, the officer in command, ably and zealously supported by his subalterns. Lieutenant Harding and Ensign Pennefather, of her Majesty's 22nd, and by two volunteers – Captain Green, of the 21st Bombay Native Infantry, and Captain Wells, of the 15th; Captain Brown, Bengal Engineers, was despatched to the steamer, and there rendered valuable assistance in directing her fire.

The number of men under Captain Conway was entirely inadequate to any protracted defence, and the stock of ammunition was scanty. A reinforcement of men and a supply of ammunition were expected by another steamer, but she arrived without either; and it became obvious that nothing could be done but to effect a retreat with as little loss as possible. An attempt was