Page:Sir Henry Lawrence, the Pacificator.djvu/186

Rh ordnance and supplies, and a place of refuge — a post against an attack not supported by artillery — was begun; and before another week had elapsed that work was completed. The Mutchi Bhown had been powerfully armed with artillery, was garrisoned by British troops as well as selected natives, and was being rapidly filled with provisions and ammunition. At the same time the Residency entrenchments were begun, storehouses were started, and the commissariat and district officers had set to work collecting food and supplies from all the sources and through all the agencies within their reach.

By May 23, which ended the first week of the 'state of siege,' Sir Henry was able to breathe more freely. The mutiny had not begun to spread, except in the immediate neighbourhood of Delhi; while the Mutchi Bhown was secure, the military position at Lucknow was sound, and not only was the province showing no signs of grave disturbance, but the Tálukdárs, and even the descendants of the Bhow Begum from far Faizábád, were giving satisfactory proofs of good-will.

The following is a memorandum of Sir Henry's showing his mind and views during that week: —

'Time is everything just now. Time, firmness, promptness, conciliation, and prudence; every officer, each individual European, high and low, may at this crisis prove most useful or even dangerous. A firm and cheerful aspect must he maintained; there must be no bustle, no appearance of alarm, still less of panic; but at the same time there must