Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/280

250 left, the larger calibre of the enemy's guns asserted its superiority. They had, moreover, the exact range. In a short time they succeeded in exploding two tumbrils, and in inflicting considerable damage among the drivers and horses of the British. Vainly did D'Oyley and Pearson send messages to Polwhele to tell him that a persistance in those tactics would exhaust their ammunition without securing for him any corresponding advantage. Polwhele heeded not. Eyre, at Árah, had been in a position somewhat similar, but the moment he had realised that pounding with guns would not win the day against an enemy strongly posted, he had tried the never-failing British charge. But Polwhele would not. Probably he was hampered by the considerations which hampered Lawrence at Chinhat. The infantry he had with him constituted the sole means at his disposal for the defence of the fort. At all events he persisted in waiting until another tumbril had been exploded by the enemy's fire, and until their cavalry, gathering courage from his inactivity, charged Pearson's half-battery. Cool and collected, Pearson awaited their approach, whilst the company of the Europeans nearest to him rose to their feet, their muskets levelled. A simultaneous fire, well directed, from the guns and the infantry sufficed to ward off the attack, and to send the survivors reeling back to the place whence they had ridden. A similar attempt threatened against D'Oyley's half-battery was defeated by the volunteer horsemen. These, eighteen in number, charged the 200 of the rebels, and though they lost one-third of their number, they forced the rebels to retire.

Two hours and a half had now elapsed. The rebels still occupied their unthreatened position. The English had effected nothing to drive them from it. D'Oyley reported to the Brigadier that his ammunition was all but