destroyed by mines," Ned concluded. "Against open attacks I think that the
garrison is safe; but the enemy are now devoting themselves so much to
driving mines that however great the care and vigilance of the garrison,
they may not be always able to detect them, or, even if they do so, to run
counter-mines, owing to the numerical weakness of our force."

"Thanks for your description, gentlemen; it throws a great light upon the
state of affairs, and is very valuable. I will at once telegraph a
_resume_ of it to the central government and to General Havelock. The
pressing need of aid will no doubt impress the Calcutta authorities with
the urgent necessity to place General Havelock in a position to make an
advance at the earliest possible moment. He will, of course, communicate
to Colonel Warrener the news of your safe arrival here. You have gone
through a great deal indeed since you left here, while we have been doing
little more than hold our own. However, the tide has turned now. We have
received large reinforcements and our siege train; and I hope that in the
course of a fortnight the British flag will once again wave over Delhi. In
the meantime you will, at any rate for a few days, need rest. I will leave
you for a day with your friends of the Guides, and will then attach you to
one of the divisional staffs. I hope that you will both dine with me to-
day."

That evening at dinner the Warreners met at the general's table General
Nicholson, whose chivalrous bravery placed him on a par with Outram, who
was called the Bayard of the British army. He was short of staff officers,
and did not wish to weaken the fighting powers of the regiments of his
division by drawing officers from them. He therefore asked General Wilson
to attach the Warreners to his personal staff. This request was at once
complied with. Their new chief assured them that for the present he had no
occasion for their services, and that they were at liberty to do as they