“I hope in any case, Major, that we shan’t follow the line Havelock took through the narrow streets, for there we cannot use our strength; but will manage to approach the Residency from some other direction.  We know that it stands near the river, and at the very edge of the town, so there ought to be some other way of getting at it.  I consider that we are a match for any number of these scoundrels if we do but get a fair ground for fighting, which we certainly should not do in the streets of the town.”

“I don’t care how it is, so that we do get at them,” another officer said.  “We have heard such frightful details of their atrocities as we came up that one is burning to get at close quarters with them.  I suppose we shall go to the Alumbagh first, and relieve the force that has so long been shut up there.  I only hope that we shan’t be chosen to take their place.”

There was a general exclamation of disgust at the suggestion.

“Well, someone must stay, you know,” he went on in deprecation of the epithets hurled at him; “and why not our regiment as well as any other?”

“Because I cannot believe that after luck has favoured us so long she will play us such a trick now,” Frank Mallett said.  “Besides, the other regiments have done something in the way of fighting already while we have not fired a shot; and I think that Sir Colin would be more likely to choose the 75th, or, in fact, any of the other regiments than us.  Still if the worst comes to the worst we must not grumble.  Other regiments have had weary times of waiting, and it may be our turn now.  Your suggestion has come as a damper to our spirits, and, as I don’t mind acknowledging that I am dog tired with the march, after not having used my legs for the last seven or eight weeks, I shall try to forget it by going off to sleep.”

Making a pillow of his cloak, he lay down on the spot where he was sitting, his example being speedily followed by the rest of the officers.

The next morning the troops were on the march early, but they were not to reach the Alumbagh without opposition, for on passing a little fort to the right they were suddenly attacked by a small body of rebels posted round it.

But little time was lost.  Hodson’s Horse, who were nearest to them, at once made a brilliant charge, scattering them in all directions.  A short pause was made while the fort was dismantled, and then the column proceeded without further interruption to the Alumbagh.

There was some disappointment at its appearance.  Instead of finding, as they had expected, a palace, there was nothing but a large garden enclosed by a lofty wall, and having a small mosque at one end.  It had evidently been a place of retirement when the Kings of Oude desired to get away from the bustle and ceremony of the great town.

The Commander in Chief was thoroughly acquainted with the situation in the city, by information that he had received from a civilian named Kavanagh; who had at immense risk made his way out from the Residency, and was able to furnish plans of all the principal buildings and the route which, in the opinion of Brigadier General Inglis, was the most favourable for the attack.