bank, where we lay. The city was reported to be full of
armed men, and the idea of attacking it previous to our junction with
the Bengal army was regarded as worse than folly, the river being
eighteen hundred feet wide and our pontoons of insufficient length to
traverse it. The enemy, triumphing in our seeming inaction, sent
vaunting and threatening messages to us. The Commander-in-Chief took no
notice of their bravadoes, but silently made all the necessary
preparations for attacking the city as soon as he was joined by the
Bengal army. Strong cavalry pickets were thrown out on the hills to the
right, which commanded an extensive view of the surrounding country, and
the sound of drums and other military instruments was strictly
prohibited in camp.

On the 25th, Sir Henry Pottinger came into camp from Hyderabad, the
Ameers not only refusing to pay the arrears of tribute that were due,
but treating the Envoy with every sort of indignity. The Bengal army
having come through the Punjaub, and crossed the Indus at Roree was now
ready to act in conjunction with us on the right bank of the river, and
the Commander-in-Chief resolved to lose no further time in investing the
city. He accordingly commenced operations by planting a battery on some
heights which commanded its walls, but which were at too great a
distance for the guns to do much damage. To the great disappointment of
both officers and men, who already revelled in the anticipation of prize
money, the Ameers became alarmed at these demonstrations and came to
terms. An envoy, whose appearance created no small amusement in the
camp, was despatched from Hyderabad to adjust the necessary
preliminaries. He was a short, thick set old fellow, with a merry
twinkling eye, and as little as possible of what is called official
dignity about him. He brought with him from twenty to thirty lacs of
rupees, but the reception which he met with from Sir John Keane was not
calculated to elevate the worthy functionary in his own estimation.

Positive orders having been issued that neither officers nor men should
be allowed to enter Hyderabad on any pretence whatsoever, I am unable to
give my readers a description of the town. It appeared to be of
considerable extent, but of such little strength, that had the Ameers
driven matters to extremities, I have no doubt we should have carried
the place in an hour.

We were exceedingly amused at the surprise and consternation displayed
by the inh