"Why, you said the other day there was nothing like _tay_," cried one of
the men.

"Sure an' I did, for ould women," retorted Brian; "but even they put a
dhrop o' whiskey in it sometimes."

"Silence!" I cried, very much against my will; and the men were back in
their places as stiff as if on parade, till I heard orders given. There
was the clattering of hoofs; the horses came up, the guns were hooked on
to the limbers, and the next minute we were mounted, leaving the company
of foot holding the street.

I was not long kept in doubt as to the arrangements, for, as we were
moved into the square, there was the rest of our troop with the four
guns, and I saw that the ammunition and baggage-waggons, water-tubs, and
provender, were, along with the elephants, ready to come out with the
foot regiment, leaving us free to dash out and clear the way, acting as
cavalry or artillery as the need arose.

When all was quite ready, it had been arranged that we should make for
the open country down the street which Haynes had been holding, and
where a company of foot were now stationed to replace the two guns.

As I glanced up at the residency, I could see that about half a dozen
soldiers were still on the roof, otherwise the place was completely
evacuated, and the men waiting eagerly for the advance.

Then I heard the final arrangements made with the colonel, who was to
put his column in motion directly, and follow us with the elephants and
waggons, it being left to Brace to occupy the best position he could.

At this time a shot or two from a distance was being aimed by the
enemy's matchlock men, at the sentries on the residency roof, but no
harm was done, and, saving the dull distant hum of many people swarming
in the town, all was so still that our evacuation of the place promised
to be a very simple and easy affair.

And there we sat watching the various companies of the foot regiment
ranged up; that occupying the street Haynes had held being the advance;
that by us was the main body and baggage-guard; whilst the company who
had been with us was to form the rear.

Then orders were given, and a message brought back that the road we were
to take seemed clear; and we waited a few minutes more, while Brace sent
out an advance-guard of three of our mounted men, to go on by the
infantry picket straight for the plain.

These were anxious moments. There was a pause, and then we waited for
the order to advance.

How vividly