They now made for Sir Colin’s camp, which the spy told him was situated at a village called Bunnee, about eighteen miles from Lucknow.  The moon had risen by this time, and they could now see their way clearly.  About three o’clock a villager observing them approach called out a Sepoy guard of twenty-five men, who asked them all kinds of questions.  Kunoujee Lal now got frightened, for the first time; and threw away the letter he had received, for fear of being taken, but Kavanagh kept his in his turban.  At last they satisfied the guard that they were poor men travelling to the village of Umroola to inform a friend of the death of his brother, and they were directed on their perilous road.

Hardly had they got through one difficulty than they were into another.  For now they found themselves in a swamp, where they waded for two hours up to their waists in water.  This might have proved the worst accident of all, for in forcing his way through the weeds nearly all the black was washed off Kavanagh’s hands.  Had they after this been seen by the enemy there would have been little chance of either of them reaching the British lines alive.

Much against the spy’s advice, Kavanagh now insisted on a quarter of an hour’s rest, for he was about worn out.  After this they passed between two of the enemy’s pickets who, happily for them, had no sentries thrown out, and reached a grove of trees.  Here he asked Kunoujee Lal to see if there was any one who could tell them where they were.  Before they had gone far, however, they heard with joy the English challenge, “Who goes there?” They had reached a British cavalry outpost, and Kavanagh’s eyes filled with tears as he shook the officer’s hand.  They took him into a tent, gave him some dry clothes and refreshment; and he thanked God for having preserved him through the perils of that awful night.

All through the British camp spread the tale of Kavanagh’s brave deed; and the enthusiasm of officers and men alike knew no bounds.

The information he was able to give proved of the greatest assistance; and a little later he had the honour of conducting Sir James Outram and Sir Henry Havelock into the presence of Sir Colin Campbell, and witnessed the meeting of these three great commanders.

When the army of relief forced its way into Lucknow, Kavanagh was always near the commander-in-chief; and, when at length they drew near to the besieged, he was one of the first at the Residency, and as he approached a loud cheer burst forth from his old associates.  “It is Kavanagh!” they shouted.  “He is the first to relieve us.  Three cheers for him!”

In consideration of his gallant services he received the Victoria Cross, and was afterwards made Assistant-Commissioner of Oude.

THE MAN WHO BRAVED THE FLOOD.

THE STORY ON CAPTAIN LENDY’S BRAVE DEED.

In the autumn of 1893 a police force of forty men, under the command of Captain E.A.W.  Lendy, Inspector-General of Police, in Sierra Leone, was sent to open a road to Koinadugu, which, owing to the war with the Sofas, had been closed.