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322 to the south-west of him, within a distance of forty-five miles, the trained soldiers of the Gwáliár contingent were threatening his communications. The road which he had but just traversed, between Allahábád and Kánhpur, was liable to invasion from Oudh, and was far from safe. Only two days before he had proceeded along it Powell and Peel had a very sharp encounter with the rebels at Kajwá, twenty-four miles from Fathpur, in which, though it terminated in a victory, Powell had been killed, and ninety-five men killed and wounded. The problem Sir Colin had to consider was whether, with the road communicating with Allahábád liable to invasion, and his left rear seriously threatened, he could venture to engage in an operation which would occupy many days, and the duration of which any untoward accident might prolong. The rebels were well served by spies, and Sir Colin well knew the opportunities which his invasion of Oudh with the bulk of his force would open to men possessing soldierly instincts. In war, however, it is always necessary to risk something. The rescue of the garrison of the Residency seemed to Sir Colin's mind the most pressing necessity. He resolved, then, to attempt it with as little delay as possible.

We have seen how he had ordered Hope Grant, with a portion of the Dehlí force, to await further instructions in the plain beyond the Banní bridge. There he formed the point d'appui of the invading army, upon which all carts and supplies were to concentrate. Thither, too, he had despatched all his available troops. Arranging to leave behind him at Kánhpur about 500 European troops, under Windham of Crimean fame, and some Sikhs, and giving authority to Windham to detain a brigade of Madras sipáhís, under Carthew, expected the next day, Sir Colin and his staff quitted Kánhpur on the 9th, and joined Hope Grant beyond the Banní bridge the same afternoon.