Page:The Seven Cities of Delhi.djvu/359

The Mutiny of 1857, and the Siege to be made In broad daylight, for the guns had to reopen on the breaches, which had been repaired during the night. The Cashmere Gate was blown in, although the fire of the enemy nearly prevented the match being lighted, and killed more than one of the party; the walls were gained at the Cashmere and Water Bastions. But the enemy were not to be driven out of the city, and made just that stout resistance which had been anticipated by those who had demurred to the constant cry of " Why not assault? " in the early days of the siege. By evening hardly any of the city was held. On the left the Government College, Ahmad Ali Khan's house, and Skinner's house were occupied by the 3rd and Reserve Columns; but the rebels were still in the magazine, and had guns pointing down all the streets, along which further advance could not be made. The 3rd column had been nearly to the Jama Masjid, but had been checked there; the rebels, coming down the Chandni Chouk in great force, had almost cut them off, and had driven them back to the vicinity of Skinner's House. The 1st and 2nd columns had not been able to work round the walls beyond the Cabul Gate, in a narrow lane near which John Nicholson had fallen mortally wounded. The 4th column had completely 291