spread. You will see the reason when we have spoken to you."

Colonel Inglis gave the sign, and the other officers retired with the
guide.

"Our message, sir, is, I regret to say, far less favorable than that
transmitted by the subadar, and it was for that reason that General
Havelock sent us with him. If taken, he would have told his message, for
the general had ordered him to make no secret of his instructions if he
fell into the enemy's hands, as it was desirable that they should believe
that he was about to advance, and thus relieve the pressure upon you by
keeping a large force on the road up from Cawnpore. But in fact, sir,
General Havelock bids us tell you that he cannot advance. He has but a
thousand bayonets fit for service. He must hold Cawnpore, and the force
available for an advance would be hopelessly insufficient to fight his way
through Oude and force a road through the city. The instant he receives
reinforcements he will advance, and will in the meantime continue to make
feints, so as to keep a large force of the enemy on the alert. He fears
that it may be a month before he will be able to advance to your aid with
a chance of success."

"A month!" Colonel Inglis said; "that is indeed a long time, and we had
hoped that already help was at hand. Well, we must do our best. We are
even now sorely pressed; but I doubt not we can hold out for a month.
General Havelock cannot accomplish impossibilities, and it is wonderful
that he should have recaptured Cawnpore with so small a force."

"We thought it better to give you this news privately, colonel, in order
that you might, should you think fit, keep from the garrison the knowledge
that so long a time must elapse without succor."