over the top of the walls. In these towers, and at the loopholes, Major
Warrener placed twenty of his best shots. There was a great deal of moving
about on the rising ground; then the footmen cleared away in front, and
most of the elephants withdrew, and then were seen ten guns ranged side by
side. Close behind them were two elephants, with gaudy trappings, while
others, less brilliantly arrayed, stood further back.

Major Warrener was in one of the little towers, with his second in
command, and his two sons to act as his orderlies.

"Run, boys, and tell the men in the other towers to fire at the howdahs of
the chief elephants; let the rest of them fire at the artillery. Tell them
to take good aim, and fire a volley; I will give the word. Make haste, I
want first shot; that will hurry them, and they will fire wild."

The boys started at a run, one each way, and in a minute the instructions
were given. The major glanced down, saw that every carbine was leveled,
and gave the word:

"Fire!"

The sound of the volley was answered in a few seconds by a yell of dismay
from the enemy. One of the state elephants threw up its trunk, and started
at a wild gallop across the plain, and a man was seen to fall from the
howdah as it started. There was also confusion visible in the howdahs of
the other elephants. Several men dropped at the guns; some, surprised and
startled, fired wildly, most of the balls going high over the village;
while others, whose loading was not yet complete, ran back from the guns.
Only one ball hit the wall, and made a ragged hole of a foot in diameter.