The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-28
THE NAT OVAL ERA: WASHINGTON D. c. JANUARY % 1858

seige, and had fallen away visibly within the
last lew days. A constant fever consumed her,
and her mind wandered occasionally, especially
that day, when the recollections of home seem.
ed powerfully present to her. At last, over
come with fatigue, she lay down on the ground,
wrapped up in her plaid. l sat beside her,
promising to awaken her when, as she said,
"her father should return firm the plowisg."
She fell at length into profound slumber, mo-
tionIess, and apparently breathless-her head
resting in my lap. /, myself, could no longer
resist the inclination to sleep, in spite OF the
continual roar of the cannon. Suddenly was
aroused by wild, uEearthly scream close to
my ear my companion stood upright beside
me, her arms raised, and her head bent for
ward in the attitude of listening A look of in
tense delight broke over her countenance; che
grasped my hand, drew me towards her, and
exclaimed: Dinna ye hear it? dinna ye hear
it? Ay, I'm no dreamin' it's the slogan O.
the Highlanders We're saved we're savedl"
Then, finging herself on her knees, she thank
ed God with passionate fervor. I felt utterly
roar of artillery, and I thought my poor Jessie
was still ravng, but she darted to the batteries,
and heard her cry necessarily to the men
Courage courage! bark to the slogan-to
the Macgregor, the grandest o them a.. Here's
help at last!"
To describe the effect of these words upon
the soldiers would be impossible. For q mo.
ment they ceased firing, and every soul listened
in intense anxiety. Gradually, however, there
arose a murmur of bitter disappointment, and
the wailing of the women who had focked to
the spot burst cut anew as the colonel shook
his head. Our dull lowland ears heard moth.
ing but the rattle of the musketry. few
moments more of this desth-like suspense, of
this agonizing hope, and Jessie, who had sunk
on the ground, sprang to her feet and cried, in
a voice so clear and piercing that it was heard
along the whole line" will ye NO believe it
moo? The slogan has ceased indeed, but the
Campbells are comm Dye hear? dye
hear? ?" AT the moment we seemed indeed to
hear the voice of God in the distance, when the
pibroch of the Highlanders brought us tidings
OF deliverance, for now there was no longer
any doubt of the fact. That shrill, penetrating,
ceaseless sound, which rose above all other
sounds, could come neither from the advance
of the enemy, nor from the work of the sap
pers. No, it was indeed the blast of the Scot
fish bagpipes, now shrill and harsh, as threat.
ening vengeance On the foe; then in softer tones
seeming to promise succor to their friends in
need. Never, surely, was there such scene
as that which followed. Not heart in the
residency of Lucknow but bowed itself before
NoA' All ~ ohC uilducOuS Impulse Tell up.
on their knees, and nothing was heard but burst.
ing sobs and the murmured voice of prayer.
Then all arose, and there rang out from a thou.
sand lips great shout of JOY, which resounded
far and wide, and lent new vigor to that blessed
pibroch. To our cheer of 'God save the
Queen" they replied by the well-known strain
that moves every Scot to tears, Should auld
acquaintance be forgot" &c. After that, moth
ing else made any impression on me. scarcely
remember what followed. Jessie was present
ed to the General on his entrance into the fort,
and at the officers banquet her health was drunk
by all present. while the pipers marched around
the table, playing once more the familiar air of
"Auld lang syne."
Our readers, however, will remember. that
since Lucknow was relieved by General Have.
lock, the Sepoy force, from $4,000 to 10000
strong, had again surrounded the residency,
and at later dates were threatening the gal
liant Havelock and his little army with destruc.
ton. Sir Colin Campbell, at the head of 20, 1000
men, was, however, quickly advancing to the
rescue.