Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/269

Rh cleared of its defenders, and Barrow and Outram and their companions were galloping in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. As they were returning from pursuing the rebels to the Yellow House, near the Chárbágh bridge, a despatch was placed in Outram's hands. It told him that our countrymen had stormed Dehlí. He galloped to Havelock with the news a few minutes later, and Outram, bareheaded, announced the glad tidings to the hurriedly collected soldiers. The ringing shouts with which they received it might almost have been heard in the Residency.

No tents were up, no food was forthcoming, but the day's work had been eminently satisfactory, and the men, exhilarated by their success and by the news, were content to wait until food should arrive. The next day they rested whilst their general made his last arrangements for the advance of the morrow. The rebels kept up a heavy fire all day in their direction, but Havelock had thrown back his line so as to be beyond its range.

At last the decisive day dawned. The final scheme adopted was to force the Chárbágh bridge, then to follow a winding lane skirting the left bank of the canal, thence to make a sharp turn to the left and push through the fortified palaces and bazaars which covered the ground extending to the very gates of the Residency. It was certain that the Chárbágh bridge and every inch of ground beyond it would be desperately defended. The sick and wounded, the hospital, the baggage, and the food and ammunition reserves would meanwhile be left in the Álambagh, guarded by 300 men, mostly footsore, commanded by Major M'Intyre of the 78th.

At half-past eight o'clock the advance sounded, and the first brigade, with Maude's battery in front, accompanied by Outram, moved off towards the Yellow House