The
Rajah of Bithoor had offered Sir Hugh Wheeler a reinforcement of
two guns and 300 men, and it was believed that, seeing this powerful
and influential chief had thrown his weight into the scale on the
side of the British, the four regiments of native troops would
remain quiet.
Sir Hugh had but a handful of Europeans with him, but had just
received a reinforcement of fifty men of the 32d regiment from Lucknow,
and he had formed an intrenchment within which the Europeans of
the station, and the fugitives who had come in from the districts
around, could take refuge.
Several communications passed between Sir Hugh Wheeler and Major
Hannay. The latter had been offered the choice of moving into Cawnpore
with his wing of the regiment, or remaining at Deennugghur. He had
chosen the latter alternative, pointing out that he still believed
in the fidelity of the troops with him; but that if they went to
Cawnpore they would doubtless be carried away with other regiments,
and would only swell the force of mutineers there. He was assured,
at any rate, they would not rise unless their comrades at Cawnpore
did so, but that it was best to manifest confidence in them, as not
improbably, did they hear that they were ordered back to Cawnpore,
they might take it as a slur on their fidelity, and mutiny at once.
The month had been one of intense anxiety. Gradually stores
of provisions had been conveyed into the hospital, as it was now
called; the well inside the yard had been put into working order,
and the residents had sent in stores of bedding and such portable
valuables as could be removed.
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