{{|CHAPTER IV.}}
THE TREACHERY.
THE event of this conflict produced a sudden change in the projects of the Nana.
He forth¬
with began to despair of carrying our fortress by storm, and the circumstances of his position were so critical that he dared not await the unfailing but tardy process of starvation.
The clearing out of
the intrenchment proved to be a more serious undertaking than he had anticipated.
From forty
to fifty score of his stoutest warriors had bitten the dust in front of our rampart, and he appeared to be as far as ever from the object which he had in view.
Every day the English fought with increased gallantry and firmness, while in his own camp disaffection and disgust gained ground from hour to hour.
An Oriental army which has turned
its back on the foe can seldom, in the language of the prize-ring, be induced once more to toe the scratch ; and every section of the rebel force had by this time been well beaten.
The sepoys were
