Startled out of their sleep, and in a half-dreamy state of unconsciousness, it may be imagined with what strange feelings they received this assault.  Some, more especially the older officers (for in our zeal we spared no one), seemed perfectly bewildered, and in the midst of the shower of blows which rained on them without intermission vowed vengeance and threatened to put us under arrest.  We answered them that this was a “night-attack,” and they must prepare for defence, as no quarter would be given.

Even the fat and portly Major, notwithstanding his rank, felt the strength of our arms, and, almost bereft of breath between each blow, commanded us to desist.  He might as well have spoken to the winds:  our blood was up, and the spirit of fun had taken possession, so that I verily believe, had the Colonel or Brigadier been lying there, neither of them would have escaped our onslaught.

The enemy were now fully aroused, and, not relishing the fun of being buffeted unmercifully in their beds without resistance, they one and all turned out and, seizing their pillows, joined in the fight.  The attack, begun with tactical judgment, turned now into a confused melee.  Friend and foe were mixed up in one grand shindy, and for many minutes the battle continued without intermission.  Blows fell fast and thick; there was a rushing about of half-clad figures swaying bolsters, and each one intent on the same object—­namely, that of overcoming his antagonist for the time being.  So weird, and yet so utterly ludicrous a sight, surely never has been seen before or since in India.

At length, from sheer exhaustion, the combat came to an end, and, sitting on our beds panting from fatigue, and overcome by the heat of the night, we discussed the incidents of the fight.  Some of the senior officers seemed at first inclined to treat the attack as something more than a joke, and threatened to report us to the Colonel.  We pointed out to them that such a proceeding would be absurd, for had they not also compromised themselves by joining in the fray?  It was not long, however, before they were struck with the grand ridiculousness of this very strange episode; and the question at issue, as may naturally be supposed, ended in laughter.  Peace being restored, we wished each other good-night, and, thoroughly worn out by our exertions, all slept soundly till break of day.

The affair was kept quiet as far as possible, but gradually got noised abroad among other regiments of Her Majesty’s infantry.  Great amusement was caused by the recital, nor for a long period afterwards was the comical “night-attack” at Ferozepore forgotten.

The trial of the sepoys who had been taken prisoners when resisting the detachment sent to disarm them in the fort, and of those also who attacked the arsenal on May 13, had been proceeding for some time.  It was a general court-martial composed of thirteen officers, presided over by a Lieutenant-Colonel.  Of the prisoners taken, some 100 were singled out as the ringleaders, the rest being put back for trial till a future occasion.