their crutches and kneeled down, and fired as fast as they could out of the loop-holes; while others, who could not do this much, lay on their backs on the ground and loaded for those who were firing. With such endurance as this the fierce enemy was beaten back; and Asiatics were taught how Christian soldiers could fight and die when defending the lives and honor of Christian women. The storming over, the usual cannonade and musketry were resumed; but the garrison had become so used to danger and death, that by this time the balls would fall at their feet, or whiz past and graze their hair, frequently without causing any remark about their escapes—they were so common, yet so narrow. The very children began to act like soldiers, playing the mimic “game of war.” One urchin of five years was heard saying to another, “You fire round shot, and I'll return shell from my battery.” Another, getting into a rage with his playmates, exclaimed, “I hope you may be shot by the enemy!” Others, playing with grape instead of marbles, would say, “That's clean through his lungs,” or, “That wants more elevation.” These young scamps picked up all the expressions of the artillery, and made use of them at their games.
The peacock abounds in India, wild and “in all his glory.” On the 30th of June, during a lull in the firing, one of these magnificent birds flew near the Residency, perched on the ramparts, and there quietly plumed his feathers. The hungry men looked at him for awhile, and all felt what a welcome addition he would be to their scanty fare. They could easily have shot him, but they refrained; the beautiful creature seemed like an omen of coming liberty and peace, and he was allowed to remain unmolested as long as he liked.
To insult the garrison, the Sepoys would frequently send the regimental bands to the opposite banks of the river Goomtee, and have them perform the popular English airs that they used to play there for their officers in other days. With any thing but pleasant feelings, the garrison would have to listen to “The Standard Bearer's March,” “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” “See, the Conquering Hero Comes,” etc. The disloyal rascals had the
