The truth was soon told.  The mutiny had become a revolt; the sepoys were on the way to Delhi to proclaim the old Mogul as sovereign of Hindustan; and there was no Gillespie to gallop after them and crush the revolt at its outset, as had been done at Vellore half a century before.  One thing, however, was done.  There were no European regiments at Delhi; nothing but three regiments of sepoy infantry and a battery of native artillery.  The station was commanded by Brigadier Graves; and there were no Europeans under his orders excepting the officers and sergeants attached to the three native corps.  Accordingly telegrams were sent to Brigadier Graves to tell him that the mutineers were on their way to Delhi.

Monday at Delhi was worse than the Sunday at Meerut.  The British cantonment was situated on a rising ground about two miles from the city, which was known as the “Ridge.”  The great magazine, containing immense stores of ammunition, was situated in the heart of the city.  One of the three sepoy regiments was on duty in the city; the other two remained in the cantonment on the Ridge.

The approach to Delhi from Meerut was defended by the little river Hindun, which was spanned by a small bridge.  It was proposed to procure two cannon from the magazine and place them on the bridge; but before this could be done the rebel cavalry from Meerut were seen crossing the river, and were subsequently followed by the rebel infantry.  The magazine remained in charge of Lieutenant Willoughby of the Bengal Artillery.  He was associated with two other officers and six conductors and sergeants; the rest of the establishment was composed entirely of natives.

Brigadier Graves did his best to protect the city and cantonment until the arrival of the expected Europeans from Meerut.  Indeed, throughout the morning and greater part of the afternoon everyone in Delhi was expecting the arrival of the Europeans.  Brigadier Graves ordered all the non-military residents, including women and children, to repair to Flagstaff Tower—­a round building of solid brickwork at some distance from the city.  Late detachments of sepoys were sent from the Ridge to the Cashmere gate, under the command of their European officers, to help the sepoys on duty to maintain order in the city.

Presently the rebel troops from Meerut came up, accompanied by the insurgent rabble of Delhi.  The English officers prepared to charge them, and gave the order to fire, but some of the sepoys refused to obey or only fired into the air.  The English officers held on, expecting the European soldiers from Meerut.  The sepoys hesitated to join the rebels, out of dread of the coming Europeans.  At last the Delhi sepoys threw in their lot with the rebels and shot down their own officers.  The revolt spread throughout the whole city; and the suspense of the English on the Ridge and at Flagstaff Tower began to give way to the agony of despair.