This released three men, whom he brought upstairs and posted above the door.
The Afridis continued to riddle the upper wall and the door with bullets.

Several times they attempted a rush, but were unable to withstand the heavy magazine fire which met them, when within twenty yards of the house.

Twice they attempted to pile faggots at the side of the door, but the defence was so strong that many of the bearers were killed, and the survivors fled.
Knowing that the Afridis were in the habit of hiding their store of grain, Lisle prodded the floor in all directions with his bayonet and, at last, found a good supply in one corner of the room.
Unfortunately, however, there was only one vessel, half full of water.

It would not have done to light a fire to cook the grain, as any illumination within the house would have shown the exact place of the loopholes to the enemy.

Lisle therefore served out some grain to each of the soldiers, to eat raw.