and the fort a lively communication was opened, and conscious of security, the authorities took few if any precautions regarding the characters they admitted.
But the rebels, instead of being, as the Agra authorities believed, 'beyond the Kárí Nadí, ten miles from cantonments,' were in the cantonment itself, hidden from the sight of the troops by the long crops which bounded the view of Greathed's force. Taking advantage of the security into which the men of that force had been lulled, and of the facilities permitted to strangers of every degree to go in and out of the camp, four of them, dressed as conjurors, came strolling up to the advanced guard of the 9th Lancers. The sergeant in charge of the post ordered them off, whereupon one of them drew his talwár and cut him down, and another who rushed to his rescue. Eventually these four men were despatched by the troopers, but before the occurrence had become known to everyone in the camp round-shot, from the leafy screen in its front, came pouring in. The alarm sounded, but there was scarcely need for it. The soldiers of Dehlí, accustomed to sudden attacks, turned out with all possible speed. But though they used every despatch,[1] before they were ready, the rebel cavalry, springing from no one knew where, appeared as if by magic on the scene. They had charged the still motionless artillery, and had sabred the gunners of one gun, when a squadron of the 9th Lancers, which had formed up very rapidly, dashed on them and drove them back in disorder. The charge cost the squadron dear, for French, who led it, was killed, Jones, his subaltern, was dangerously wounded, and several men were killed or wounded. But it gave the respite that was wanted, and allowed Greathed, who had hurried from the
- ↑ For a lifelike description of this surprise, and the events connected with it, everyone should read Bourchier's Eight Months' Campaign.
