Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/193

Rh within the intrenchment. Nor must I omit to record the stalwart courage of Bridget Widdowson, wife of a private of the 32d, who stood sentry, sword in hand, for some time over a batch of prisoners, bound only by a rope, and took care that not one of them escaped.

It would serve no purpose to enter into the details of a siege of three weeks, the circumstances of every day of which differed only in minor details from the circumstances of its predecessor. The sufferings of the defenders throughout that period were terrible. On the second day of the attack the garrison realised that the supply of water would present great difficulties. There was but one well, in the middle of the intrenchment, and its locality was known to the rebels. Upon that spot they kept so continuous a fire that to attempt to draw water exposed the daring volunteer to almost certain death. So great was the danger that, after the second day, it was resolved that every man should draw water for himself and his belongings. There was generally a cessation of fire about dusk and then the space round the well became crowded with men, who endeavoured to utilise the fleeting moments by filling their buckets.

After the fire of the first few days the barracks became so riddled with shot as to afford little or no shelter. To secure some sort of refuge a great many made holes under the walls of the intrenchment, and covered them with deal boxes, cots, or the first suitable article they could lay hands on. The heat in these was, however, very oppressive, and many died from apoplexy. At night every person in turn was required to take watch. The women and children belonging to them then slept under the walls of the intrenchment, near to their relatives. Here the bombshells kept them in perpetual dread, for during nearly the entire night these were seen flying