"It will be beastly having nothing to do but wave one's sword, while they are potting at us.

I don't think I should mind the heaviest fire, if I could reply to it; but to be compelled to stand by idly, while the men are blazing away, would be enough to drive me mad." "I dare say when the fighting begins, Bullen, you will soon find that there are plenty of rifles disengaged; and I don't see any reason why an officer should not pick up one of them, and take his share in firing, till he has to lead the men on to an attack." Lisle was now nearly eighteen, of medium height, with light active figure, and likely to be able to undergo any hardships.
On their arrival at Khusalghar, they found that several regiments were already there, with an enormous amount of stores and baggage.
The officers lost no time in examining the fort, that had been so nobly held by a party of Sikhs who, having for a long time held the enemy in check, had fought to the last when they burst in.

One by one the noble fellows fell.

One wounded man, lying on a pallet, shot three of the enemy before he was killed; and the last survivor of the little force shut himself up in a little chamber, and killed twenty of his assailants before he was overcome.

Not a single man escaped, and their defence of the little fort is a splendid example of the fidelity and bravery of our Sikh soldiers.
After a few days' stay at this place, the regiment marched on to Shinawari; and here remained for some little time, until the column was made up.