in my lap. I myself could no longer resist
the inclination to sleep, in spite of the continual roar of the cannon.
Suddenly I was aroused by a wild, unearthly scream close to my ear; my
companion stood upright beside me, her arms raised, and her head bent
forward in the attitude of listening.

4. A look of intense delight broke over her countenance; she grasped my
hand, drew me toward her, and exclaimed: "Dinna ye hear it? dinna ye hear
it? Ay. I'm no dreaming: it's the slogan o' the Highlanders! We're saved!
we're saved!" Then flinging herself on her knees, she thanked God with
passionate fervor. I felt utterly bewildered; my English ears heard only
the roar of artillery, and I thought my poor Jessie was still raving; but
she darted to the batteries, and I heard her cry incessantly to the men,
"Courage! courage! Hark to the slogan--to the Macgregor, the grandest of
them a'! Here's help at last!"

5. To describe the effect of these words upon the soldiers would be
impossible. For a moment they ceased firing, and every soul listened with
intense anxiety. Gradually, however, there arose a murmur of bitter
disappointment, and the wailing of the women, who had flocked to the spot,
burst out anew as the colonel shook his head. Our dull Lowland ears heard
only the battle of the musketry. A few moments more of this deathlike
suspense, of this agonizing hope, and Jessie, who had again sunk on the
ground, sprang to her feet, and cried in a voice so clear and piercing
that it was heard along the whole line, "Will ye no believe it noo? The
slogan has ceased, indeed, but the Campbells are comin'! D' ye hear? d' ye
hear?"

6. At that moment all seemed indeed to hear the voice of God in the
distance, when the pibroch of the Highlanders brought us tidings of
deliverance; for now there was no longer any doubt of the fact. That
shrill, penetrating, ceaseless sound, which rose above all other sounds,
could come neither from the advance of the enemy nor from the work of the
sappers. No, it was indeed the blast of the Scottish bagpipes, now shrill
and harsh, as threatening vengeance on the foe, then in softer tones,
seeming to promise succor to their friends in need.

7. Never, surely, was there such a scene as that which followed. Not a
heart in the residency of Lucknow but bowed itself before God. All, by one
simultaneous impulse, fell upon their knees, and nothing was heard but
bursting sobs and the murmured voice of prayer. Then all