_ (or caravansary), silenced the guns there,
and then swept irresistibly down the long line of the mutineers towards
the bridge. Nicholson's plan of attack had succeeded beyond
expectation. Under the terrible fusillade the sepoys broke in
confusion, and ran pell-mell for the bridge and the open country on the
other side, only to be pursued and cut to pieces in large numbers. The
whole affair, from the moment of the first shot fired, occupied one
hour, and in that time between 6000 and 8000 well-armed mutineers were
put to flight.

It was a brilliant action--one of the most brilliant, indeed, that took
place in the whole course of the Mutiny. Not only had a huge force of
rebels been dispersed, but a number of guns had been captured, and this
with the loss on our side of but twenty-five men. Well might General
Wilson thank Nicholson and his gallant troops the next morning, "from
my whole heart," for the signal victory gained. Congratulations poured
in on the hero of the day, Sir John Lawrence telegraphing from Lahore
to say, "I wish I had the power of knighting you on the spot; it should
be done!"

The time was now fast approaching when Nicholson was still further to
distinguish himself. The importance of not delaying the assault longer
than could be helped was being forced upon him daily, and at the
council table he urged the necessity for striking an immediate blow.
To his far-seeing mind it was essential that the mutineers should not
be allowed to gather strength while the army on the Ridge became
enfeebled through forced inaction. There were sorties and dashing
charges almost every hour it is true, but these brought the actual
assault on the city no nearer.

As the days crept by and still nothing was decided, Nicholson's
patience gave out. When at last the startling rumour got about that
General Wilson contemplated abandoning the Ridge and retreating until
he had a stronger army at his back, the leader of the Movable Column
decided on a bold course. The idea of leaving Delhi to the mutineers
as a centre for a rebellion which might within a few days become
universal, appalled him. He went to the next council in the General's
quarters with the fixed determination to bring matters to a final issue.

Lord Roberts, from whose book I am again tempted to quote, relates the
story of how he learned of this momentous decision. Nicholson had been
sitting in his tent talking to the young artillery officer of his