plans. He ended by making a dramatic announcement. "Delhi must be
taken," he said, "and it is absolutely essential that this should be
done at once; and if Wilson hesitates longer, I intend to propose at
to-day's meeting that he should be superseded."

On Roberts venturing to remark that, as Neville Chamberlain was _hors
de combat_ through his wound, this step would leave Nicholson senior
officer with the force, the other smiled and answered, "I have not
overlooked that fact. I shall make it perfectly clear that, under the
circumstances, I could not possibly accept the command myself, and I
shall propose that it be given to Campbell of the 52nd. I am prepared
to serve under him for the time being, so no one can ever accuse me of
being influenced by personal motives."

It was a characteristic declaration, and Roberts knew that Nicholson
would carry out his word. As it happened, however, the occasion did
not arise. That day Wilson agreed to the assault being made, and the
next morning an order was issued to the troops informing them of the
welcome decision.

CHAPTER X.

IN THE HOUR OF VICTORY.

The date fixed for the final leap on Delhi was the 14th of September.
Before that historic day arrived there was a week of anxious
preparation. The siege-train, to whose assistance Nicholson had gone,
as related in the previous chapter, came into camp safely, bringing
with it eighteen guns, 24-pounders, 18-pounders, and howitzers. These
were quickly placed in position in new batteries close to the walls of
the city, and the thunder of their fire warned the mutineers that the
siege had entered upon its last phase.

The initial work fell mostly to the engineers. Under the direction of
Alexander Taylor, second in command to Baird-Smith, who was
unfortunately on the sick list, they worked day and night constructing
the breaching batteries and getting ready fascines, gabions, and
scaling-ladders. Owing to the heavy musketry fire concentrated on them
by the sepoys, the task was one which cost many valuable lives; but,
like the true heroes they were, the engineers never flinched. As one
after another was laid low, a comrade was ready to step forward and
take the fallen man's place.

Now was it that Medley, Greathed, Lang, and Home, among others, won
fame for their daring reconnaissances of the enemy's position. The big
guns had battered down the Mori bastion, and made great breaches in the
wall near the Cashmer