There was now no doubt that Tántia Topi sought battle with the besieging force. The reason of his self-confidence presently appeared from statements made by prisoners. Tántia Topi, they said, had been informed by his spies that nearly all the English force was scattered in the siege and investment, and that he could easily destroy the few who guarded the camp.
A more anxious moment than this seldom came to an officer in command. Sir Hugh Rose grasped the situation as coolly as if he had to deal with a parcel of school-boys out for a holiday. His military capacity was indeed to be tested by no mean ordeal; but he was equal to the occasion. Relying on himself and on the spirit of the troops he understood so well, he resolved to fight a general action with the new enemy, while not relaxing either the siege or the investment.
During the course of the evening, he moved all the available men who could be spared, and drew them up in two lines. Friend and foe bivouacked under arms opposite to each other. At midnight a report was brought in that several thousand of the enemy were crossing the Betwá by a ford some little way off, with the evident intention of turning the left of the little British force and of relieving Jhánsí from the north. The General was at once compelled to send his second line to oppose this flank movement, so that he himself was left with a force which, all arms included, did not amount to more than 900 men. He
