Part 4 Chapter 30 Summary

Early the next morning, prayers ring out over the plain. Fleury finds the "singing" beautiful. Fleury inspects his array of weapons, including a heavy pistol from the Collector's collection. Hari prepares the cannons, using the women's stockings to help load the brass cannon, though its muzzle has been distorted from overuse. The Collector sits on the roof so that he can give the order to retreat when it is necessary. He feels giddy with exhaustion and hunger, and he shouts out orders to stand to arms when he hears the first signs of the enemy's approach. The sepoys let out a war cry, and the Collector waits until they are within firing distance to give the order to shoot the cannons. He gives the order too soon, however, and the sepoys advance over the ramparts. Half of his men fend them...