, the general opinion was that the General would
not venture to risk his little force in an operation that, with the
means at his disposal, seemed well nigh impossible. Cholera had made
considerable ravages, and he had but fifteen hundred bayonets at his
disposal. All that could be done pending the arrival of reinforcements
was to prepare the way for an advance, and show so bold a front that the
enemy would be forced to draw a large force from Lucknow to oppose his
advance.

A bridge of boats was thrown across the Ganges, and the force crossed
the river and advanced to Onao, eight miles on the road to Lucknow. Here
the enemy, strongly posted, barred the way; but they were attacked,
and, after hard fighting, defeated, with a loss of three hundred men and
fifteen guns.

In this fight the volunteer horse, who had been formed into a single
troop, did good service. One of their two officers was killed; and as
the party last up from Allahabad were all full of Bathurst's rescue
of Miss Hannay from Cawnpore, and Wilson and the Doctor influenced the
others, he was chosen to fill the vacancy.

There were two other fierce fights out at Busserutgunge, and then
Bathurst had the satisfaction of advancing with the column against
Bithoor. Here again the enemy fought sturdily, but were defeated with
great slaughter, and the Nana's palace was destroyed.

When, after the arrival of Outram with reinforcements, the column set
out for Lucknow, the volunteers did not accompany them, as they would
have been useless in street fighting, and were, therefore, detailed
to form part of the little force left at Cawnpore to hold the city and
check the rebels, parties of whom were swarming round it.

The officer in command of the troop died of cholera a few days after
Havelock's column started up, and Bathurst succeeded him. The work was
very arduous, the men being almost constantly in their saddles,
and having frequent encounters with the enemy. They were again much
disappointed at being left behind when Sir Colin Campbell advanced to
the relief of Havelock and the garrison, but did more than their share
of fighting in the desperate struggle when the mutineers of the Gwallior
contingent attacked the force at Cawnpore during the absence of the
relieving column. Here they were almost annihilated in a desperate
charge which saved the 64th from being cut to pieces at the most
critical moment of the fight.

Wilson came out of the struggle with the l