Behind the guns and flanking them the remaining hundred men of the Guides, conspicuous by their powerful and soldierly bearing, maintained some appearance of discipline, whereas the majority of the sepoys and of armed fanatics and budmashes were acting as seemed best in their own eyes.
Ressaidar Bahram Khan, however, insisted with many threats and much strong language on some kind of order being maintained. He placed the 193rd Sepoys in one position, the poorbeahs[7] of the 138th in another, and the Sikhs of the latter corps to the right front of the guns.
"When the guns have battered down the walls," thundered the rebel commandant, "then must ye take the house by storm. The Feringhi dogs prevail against us because they trust to the bayonet, instead of staying to fire as ye do, for the bayonet is more certain than the bullet. We must learn from them and attack as they would, for our aim must be to destroy utterly the hated tyrants; not one must escape our vengeance."
The mob applauded, shouting "Din! din! Death to the Feringhis!" And the ressaidar went on:
"Take, then, the charges from your muskets, lest ye be tempted to stop and fire, for if ye do that doubtless many of the dogs may escape our wrath. Trust to the bayonet! Kill the infidels with the steel! Now, unload!"
"That dacoit fellow has some idea of discipline; he seems to know what he's about,--though he's placing some of his men in queer positions, to be sure!" commented Major Munro stoutly, bent on showing an undaunted front to the end.
"Oh for a good, wholesome, red-coated regiment," sighed Lieutenant Leigh, "to wipe these fiends off the earth! Watch that treacherous, murdering Pathan! What's he up to now?"
"Trusting to the bayonet!" exclaimed Munro in astonishment. "That's not like an Asiatic, but he's right."
They heard but could not distinguish Bahram Khan's commands, and saw the sepoys empty their muskets and begin to fix bayonets. Their hearts were beating wildly, and small shame to them, for they were helpless and could not strike back--as helpless as condemned criminals bound and gagged. Would the word never be given to fire? What was the matter now?
Waiting in silent agony for the fatal word, they perceived the Pathan commandant turn hastily to his gunners, who stood port-fire in hand.