Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/369

Rh young Havelock, Dodgson, Sitwell, Russell, and Kavanagh attempted it. They did not all pass the ordeal unscathed; Napier, young Havelock, Sitwell, and Russell were struck down. The others reached the Motí Mahall uninjured. Then, to use the language of Sir Colin, 'the relief of the garrison had been accomplished.'

The conversation between the Commander-in-Chief and his visitors was short. When it was finished, again had the visitors to traverse the terrible space. Sir Henry Havelock, leaning on Dodgson, could, from the weak state of his health, walk but slowly, but amid the continuous storm of bullets the two returned unscathed. It was Havelock to whom Outram had consigned the task of working out towards the relieving force so as to give it a hand as soon as the mess-house and Motí Mahall should be carried; and right well had the gallant veteran performed the task allotted to him.

It remained now to Sir Colin to devise a plan for the withdrawal of the women and children. It was no easy task even after he had by his advance made a way for the movement It seemed to him, at first, absolutely necessary to silence the fire of the Kaisarbágh. The plan he adopted was the following.

I have told how, on the first day of the advance, he had directed Russell to occupy Banks's bungalow and the bungalows adjoining. This had been done. But to complete the communications it was necessary also to seize, a building known as the Hospital, between the bungalows and the Barracks, already taken. In attempting to take this Russell was wounded, Biddulph was killed, and Hale who succeeded, though he took the Hospital, was unable to maintain himself there. Whilst this attack was progressing, the rebels, gathering heart, attacked the pickets between the Barracks and the Sikandarábágh in consider-