believed that in the course of fifteen days the force would be so strengthened in numbers as to render it possible to hold all that might be gained. There can be no doubt but that their decision was a wise one.
The decision was arrived at on the 18th, and though Greathed (of the engineers) again subsequently urged a reconsideration, the generals were not to be tempted. In the interval there had been a great deal of fighting. On the 12th the rebels had attacked the British camp in front and rear, and had almost penetrated to its very heart. They were, however, ultimately driven back, and pursued through the grounds of Metcalfe House to the very walls of the city. From that date a strong picket was posted at that house, the communications being maintained from the Flagstaff Tower. The same day attacks made upon Hindu Ráo's house and the Sabzímandí were repulsed with great loss to the rebels. A regiment of irregular cavalry, however, seized the opportunity to go over to them. It was perhaps fortunate, as, under the circumstances in which the British were, it was better to have an open than a secret foe. The day following the rebels made another attack, the 60th Regiment N. I., which had joined them the previous day; taking a leading part in it. They were, however, repulsed On the 17th the besiegers took the initiative, their attack being led most gallantly by Reid of the Gurkhás, from Hindu Ráo's house, and by Tombs of the horse-artillery, from the camp. The assailants destroyed a battery the rebels were erecting, and drove them back headlong into the city. But the fire from the heavy guns of the rebels prevented a complete following up of the success.
On the 18th, the day on which the decision not to attempt a coup-de-main was arrived at, the rebels were reinforced by the mutinied sipáhí brigade from Nasirábád
