Every man was told off to his post, and then, sentries being posted to arouse them at the approach of the enemy, the little garrison lay down in their places, to get two or three hours' sleep before the expected attack.
At three o'clock, the firing of three shells from the mortars into the fort gave the signal for assault.

The men leaped up and stood to their arms, full of confidence in their ability to resist the attack.

Soon the shouts of the advancing columns testified to the equal confidence and ardour of the assailants.
Not a sound was heard within the walls of the fort, until the elephants advanced towards the gates.

Then suddenly a stream of fire leaped out from loophole and battlement.

So well directed and continuous was the fire, that the elephants, dismayed at the outburst of fire and noise, and smarting from innumerable wounds, turned and dashed away, trampling in their flight multitudes of men in the dense columns packed behind them.