the mob had tried to burn down;
and, as we neared the spot, and the men, who were half mad with
excitement, made way for us to look in, I felt for the moment as if
turned to stone, and then the tears started to my eyes, weak as it may
sound to say so, and formed a veil which shut out the horrors of the
scene before me.

Shall I describe it? Yes; from no morbid wish to dwell upon the
frightful scenes which, alas! grew too common, but as some palliation of
the acts of our men, against whom charges were plentiful about their
want of mercy.

Twelve poor creatures lay there, but only two were men in the prime of
life, and who, hacked almost to pieces, had died bravely in the defence
of their wives, sisters, and the helpless children, who lay in a heap
with them--nine white women and children; and, holding it tightly to her
breast even in death, a black woman, the faithful ayah or nurse of the
infant she held, in protecting and trying to save which she had died.

I will try to describe no more, save that the funeral pyre, which the
murderers had raised to hide their crime, had not reached them, not a
garment being singed.

The men stood back, panting as if after a hard run, watching us now, as
if to see what effect it would have upon us, and the silence after their
fierce oaths and shouting was terrible.

As we drew back, one of our corporals cried fiercely--

"We don't want no more rest, sir. Take us on at once."

"Oh," shouted another, "how can we hold our hands after this, sir?"

"Ay," cried an Irish gunner, who was one of the party, "we were ready to
foight the mutineers as min again min; but it isn't min, lads--it's
savage bastes. And, hurrah! boys, come and take a last look of the poor
darlins, to harden your hearts!"

"Halt!" cried Brace, sternly. "Joliffe,--Brian, advance; draw! Stand
sentry at this door. No one is to profane the resting-place of our
dead. Go back, my lads; you want no such sight to nerve your arms for
the work we have to do."

The men uttered a low murmur of acquiescence, and, without orders, fell
in and marched behind us to the spot we had made our head-quarters.
Here there was a short consultation between the officers, and directly a
party of men was marched out to the foot of a clump of trees, where one
great shallow grave was dug, and an hour afterwards, every man under
arms, and the infantry lining the road to keep back the crowd of natives
gathered from all parts of the town,