Warrener's Horse, however, had no share in these struggles, for on the day
after the fight at the flagstaff a report spread among them that they were
again to start upon an expedition. A note had been brought in by a native
to the effect that several English ladies and gentlemen were prisoners at
the fortress of Bithri, in Oude, some hundred and fifty miles from Delhi.
The instructions given to Major Warrener were that he was to obtain their
release by fair means, if possible; if not, to carry the place and release
them, if it appeared practicable to do so with his small force; that he
was then to press on to Cawnpore. Communications had ceased with Sir H.
Wheeler, the officer in command there; but it was not known whether he was
actually besieged, or whether it was merely a severance of the telegraph
wire. If he could join Sir H. Wheeler he was to do so; if not, he was to
make his way on, to form part of the force which General Havelock was
collecting at Allahabad for an advance to Cawnpore and Lucknow. It would
be a long and perilous march, but the troops were admirably mounted; and
as they would have the choice of routes open to them, and would travel
fast, it was thought that they might hope to get through in safety, and
their aid would be valuable either to Sir H. Wheeler or to General
Havelock.

It was a lovely moonlight evening when they started. During their stay at
Delhi they had, profiting by their previous expedition, got rid of every
article of accouterment that could make a noise. Wooden scabbards had
taken the place of steel, and these were covered in flannel, to prevent
rattle should they strike against a stirrup. The water bottles were
similarly cased in flannel, and the rings and chains of the bits in
leather. Nothing, save the sound of the horses' hoofs, was to be heard as
they marched, and even these were muffled by the deep dust that lay on the
road. Each man, moreover, carried four leathern shoes for his horse, with