Captain Mallett sat down on the parapet, took out a notebook, and wrote in pencil: "Dear Sir John: "Although it is but four days since I posted you a long letter from Cawnpore that I had written on our way up the river, I think it as well to write a few lines in pencil.

You will not get them unless I go down tomorrow, as I shall of course tear them up if I get through all right.

I am writing now within sight of the Residency.
We had a bit of a fight today, but the rebels did not make any serious stand.

Tomorrow it will be different, for we shall have to fight our way through the town, and there is no doubt that the resistance will be very obstinate.

I have nothing to add to what I wrote to you last.