were to hold the place as long as he could, and only in case of absolute necessity to fall back upon Kánhpur.
The six weeks that followed have not incorrectly been termed a blockade. No longer did the rebels make those desperate assaults from posts which dominated the defences. The attacks rather came now from the defenders. They came in the shape of sorties, of countermining, of extending their borders. To write a history of the sorties would require a volume. It must suffice here to state that they were frequent and successful. It is true that an attempt made on the 3d of October, and one or two following days, to open communications with the Álambágh, by way of the intermediate houses, was relinquished. But even this attempt resulted in a certain advantage to the garrison. Boring through a number of houses, they seized a large mosque just beyond them, and made of it a permanent outpost. This was held successfully, and with great advantage, until Sir Colin arrived. By these and similar means the limits of the British position became gradually extended. Extension meant relief to the old garrison from all molestation on its east, north-east, and south-east faces; that is, from the Kánhpur road to the commencement of the river front. Meanwhile, the defences of the original Residency were repaired, and new batteries were constructed. No longer was heard that incessant musketry fire from a distance not exceeding the width of the Strand. From the posts occupied in a vicinity so close the rebels had been driven so far that their musketry fire could no longer effect mischief within the intrenchment. But they did not even then feel baffled. Withdrawing to a convenient distance, they so planted their guns that the balls might be sure to clear the outer defences and lodge within the intrenchment. To annoy still further the garrison they constantly shifted their point
