ons, bringing
its numbers up to a total of over four thousand men, less than a third
of whom were British. This formidable body made a welcome
reinforcement to Wilson's little army, and put fresh encouragement into
the hearts of the besiegers. In the camp Nicholson renewed his
acquaintance with Chamberlain, then recovering from a wound; Hodson,
the dashing cavalry leader, who had raised a regiment of horse; and
other distinguished leaders. One and all were unfeignedly glad to see
him on the scene, and looked to him to spur the over-cautious
commander-in-chief to a more resolute course of action.

The opportunity for Nicholson to prove his worth came before very long.
A powerful siege-train had been despatched by Sir John Lawrence from
Ferozepore. About the middle of August it was learnt that a large body
of mutineers had sallied out from Delhi with the intention of
intercepting the train, which was proceeding slowly under a rather weak
escort. The duty of attacking the rebels and preventing what would be
a terrible disaster was allotted to Nicholson, and he at once started
off with a column of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, to give battle.

Inquiries revealed the fact that the sepoys occupied a strong position
at Najafgarh, where they had repaired the bridge across the river. The
road thither was a difficult one, and was rendered almost impassable at
places by the swampy nature of the ground. It was the rainy season,
unfortunately, so that the streams that had to be crossed were in
flood. But, despite all obstacles, Nicholson pushed on doggedly,
taking the lead with Sir Theophilus Metcalfe, who had volunteered to
act as guide.

Sir John Kaye records the opinion of a Punjaubi officer of note who
averred that not another man in the camp--"except, perhaps,
Chamberlain"--could have taken the column to Najafgarh. "They went
through a perfect morass," he states. "An artillery officer told me
that at one time the water was over his horses' backs, and he thought
they could not possibly get out of their difficulties; but he looked
ahead, and saw Nicholson's great form riding steadily on as if nothing
was the matter, and so he felt sure all was right."

[Illustration: "He saw Nicholson's great form riding steadily on as if
nothing was the matter."]

The engagement was opened briskly with artillery fire. Forcing the
rebels' left centre, the troops drove the enemy from their strongest
position near an old _serai