after his acceptance of the position, requesting to be informed when he could be ready to leave England for the East? His prompt and Spartan reply was telegraphed back, “To-morrow!” The old chief's promptitude reminds one of another “to-morrow” in India's history. At the battle-field of Bidera, when Lord Clive, who founded the British Empire in the East, was Governor-General, Forde, who commanded, applied for written authority to begin the attack. His note reached Clive as he was playing cards with his company, and without quitting his seat, he took a pencil and wrote—
“Dear Forde: Fight them immediately, and I will send you
the order in council to-morrow!”
Sir Colin, of course, outran his army, for they could not, like
him, start “to-morrow.” But a merciful Providence had provided
a vanguard of help in the army from Persia, (with which peace had
just been concluded,) on their return to India. With this little
force was that great and good man, General Havelock, whose
promptitude and wonderful valor did so much to turn the dreadful
tide, and rescue the besieged long months ere Sir Colin Campbel
or his troops could reach India. General Havelock, returning
victorious from Persia, landed at Bombay with his Highlanders on
the very day before the massacre at Bareilly. Unable to cross the
country, he went around by sea to Calcutta as rapidly as possible,
reaching there June 17, having been delayed on the way by the
total shipwreck of the vessel which carried him. His troops
followed, and all that could be done to prepare for pushing up the
country was accomplished by this indefatigable man, whom God
had brought so opportunely to our aid.
Not a day too soon did his succor come. Up to that hour the Sepoys had it all their own way; one post after another had fallen before them; they were gaining ground every week, and the horrors of the situation for the English were deepening daily. Sepoy success was followed by more desperate resolutions and more terrible measures, falsehood and blasphemy being added in any quantity for their purpose. The measures and spirit of these men may
