the scoundrels to give them their first taste of the
bayonet, cutting Captain Dyer and two more men out, just as the other
two went down.

It was as fierce a fight that as it was short; for we soon found the
alarm spread, and enemies running up on all sides. It was bayonet-drill
then, and well we shewed the practice, till we retired slowly to the
entrance of the alley; but the pattering of feet and cries told that
there were more coming to meet us that way; when, following Captain
Dyer's orders we retreated in good form in the other direction, so as to
get round to the gate by the other alley, on the south side.

And now for the first time we gave them a volley, checking the advance
for a few seconds, while we retreated loading, to turn again, and give
them another volley, which checked them again; but only for a few
seconds, when they came down upon us like a swarm of bees, right upon
our bayonets; and as fast as half-a-dozen fell, half-a-dozen more were
leaping upon the steel.

We kept our line, though, one and all, retiring in good order to the
mouth of the second court, which ran down by the south side of the
palace; when, as if maddened at the idea of losing us, a whole host of
them came at us with a rush, breaking our line, and driving us anyhow,
mixed up together, down the alley, which was dark as pitch; but not so
dark but that we could make out a turban or a calico cloth, and those
bayonets of ours were used to some purpose.

Half-a-dozen times over I heard the captain's voice cheering us on, and
shouting: "Gate, gate!" Then I saw the flash of his sword once, and
managed to pin a fellow who was making at him, just as we got out at the
other end with a fierce rush. Then I heard the captain shout, "Rally!"
and saw him wave his sword; and then I don't recollect any more, for it
was one wild fierce scuffle--stab and thrust, in the midst of a surging,
howling, maddened mob, forcing us towards the gateway.

I thought it was all over with us, when there came a cheer, and the gate
was thrown open, a dozen men formed, and charged down, driving the
niggers back like sheep; and then, somehow or another, we were cut out,
and, under cover of the new-comers, reached the gate.

A ringing volley was then given into the thick of the mutineers as they
came pouring on again; but the next moment all were safely inside, and
the gate was thrust to and barred; and, panting and bleeding, we stood,
six of us, trying to get ou