Being thus disappointed in their hope of surprising the white soldiers, the 3rd Cavalry proceeded without a moment's delay to the gaol, broke into the cells, and released their eighty-five comrades and all the other prisoners, about 1,200 in number.
While this was going on, the two Native Infantry regiments assembled on their respective parade-grounds in wild excitement, discharging their muskets at random, and setting fire to their own huts.

The British officers, hearing the tumult, hastened to their lines and did their best to restore order, but in vain.

The sepoys had gone too far, and were absolutely deaf to threats and entreaties.

They did not attack their own officers, but warned them to get away, telling them the Company's '_raj_'[4] was at an end.

Their clemency, however, did not extend to officers of other regiments.
Colonel Finnis, who had served forty years with the sepoys, and firmly believed in their loyalty, was the first victim; he fell riddled with bullets from a volley fired by the 20th, while exhorting the men of his own regiment (the 11th) to be true to their salt.