and inclosures, and we could not act, even if we had orders to do so."

"We may be very useful in going out to bring convoys in," Major Warrener
replied, "and to cut off convoys of the enemy, to scout generally, and to
bring in news; still, I agree with you, Dick, that I hope we may be sent
off for duty elsewhere. Hullo! what's that?"

As he spoke a sudden fire broke out from the walls and bastions; shot and
shell whizzed over their heads, many of them plunging down behind the
Ridge, among the troops who were engaged in getting up their tents; while
a crackling fire of musketry broke out in the gardens around Hindoo Rao's
house, our advanced post on the right front.

"A sortie!" exclaimed the major. "Come along, boys." And those who had
gathered around the flagstaff dashed down the hill to join their
respective corps. The Sixtieth Rifles, however, of whom two companies held
Hindoo Rao's, repulsed the sortie, and all calmed down again; but the
enemy's artillery continued to play, and it was evident that the foe had
it in his power to cause great annoyance to all our pickets on the Ridge.

Fortunately our position could only be assailed on one side. Our cavalry
patrolled the plain as far as the river, and our rear was covered by a
canal, possessing but few bridges, and those easily guarded. It was thus
from our right and right front alone that serious attacks could be looked
for.

The next afternoon a heavy firing broke out near Hindoo Rao's house, and
the troops got under arms. The enemy were evidently in force.

An aid-de-camp rode up: