CHAPTER III
THE SPREAD OF INSURRECTION
"The Sepoys have come in from Meerut, and
are burning everything. . . . We must shut up,"
had been the last message flashed from Delhi by
a young clerk, who was killed in the act of sending
it. This news, kept secret for a few hours by the
authorities, was soon startling the English stations,
north and west, and was put out of doubt by reports
of the fugitives, as they came to spread their
dismay from various points. On this side, fortunately,
reigned the energy and foresight which had
so disastrously failed at Meerut. Lahore, the
capital of the Punjaub, swarmed with fierce
fanatics, who would willingly have emulated the
deeds of their brethren at Meerut and Delhi. In
the Cantonments, a few miles off, were four
regiments of Sepoys, held in check only by a small
force of Europeans. But here Mr. Montgomery,
the Commissioner in charge, showed a prompt
mastery of the situation. He at once assembled a
