New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-09
THE SIEGE OF SUNDA OUNCE.

On the 1st of July, 1857, the Indian Mutiny
at its height. For ten days the little British
Station at Sunda Gunge had been besieged by the
The Station was divided into two portions: the
lower consisting Of the Indian village; and the
upper part of which, including the magazine ana
the British residency. was strongly 1oruneo.
Within this portion the English residents had re-
tired on the first signal Of approaching danger;
The rebels fortunately possessed only one small
piece OF cannon, which had proved quite lnenectual
against the walls of the enclosure. Provisions
were not scarce and up TO the present moment
the garrison had entertained strong hopes OF being
Suddenly new and unexpected danger had
The buildings enclosed within the Notifications
square was the well which supplied the garrison
with water. About o'clock in the afternoon a
group Of several persons were standing within the
square, and gazing with looks Of CONSERVATION
aud dismay in the direction Of the well.
The cause Of their alarm was singular.
The town was situated at the foot of range
Of hills; and from one particular point upon the
slopes outside the walls the well in the middle
of the square was visible, This the Sepoys had
was at once posted at this point. and brought
TO bear exactly on the well within the town.
The result of this proceeding is sef-evident. II
square for the purpose of fetching water he would
run an imminent risk Of being blown TO atoms
by volley Of grape shot D.
well. The same Thought occupied the minds Of
al. There were women In the garrison-delicate
English ladies. girls. and chldren-and within
the room set apart for the purpose Of hospital
all costs. must be had-even in face of vigilant
enemy and loaded cannon. But how?
Over fringe Of mango trees and the roofs Of
some low bungalows to the right of the square q
knot Of dusky figures could be deserted at GER
tain point on the hillside. The dark point
married. the spot where the cannon was posted
ky0w1 In AIraI
cannon beeued-there came puff Of smoke and
a dash Of fre-and at the same moment the r. round
about the mouth Of the well was tern IN by 4
range and what Is more, it sanly ~ ayidsn,
that they had found It. ,,T>~' e''"e -
he spectasess '; ,ss.sd ssacsntly at one
:esshsr -Four q shs sfo9s MN ~ ,Enelish soldiers
water-carriers. each OF whom carried about his
waist large. hollow belt Of skin, capable of con-
tanning several gallons Of water The duty OF
ticular danger. Bat. now the case was altered
There they stood &embling. their dusky faces
turning to . sickly yellow, as they stared at the
shot had torn up all round the mouth of the
well. The other natives were all Sikhs and
these, with the impressive courage Of their race
looked on calmly and betrayed no emotion.
OF the Englishmen, two were private soldiers
the other two were ofiicfY-Colonel Dundas. the
officer in charge Of the garrison, and young
lieutenant. st. George Vane. The colonel was q
lieutenant was a young man of not more than
I'VE or six and twenty, with blue eyes, fail
mustache. and careless, handsome features much
bronzed by exposure to the sun.
The colonel was the first to speak.
This il an awkward business. Vane,' he said
We might drive these towards to the well, but
they will certainly be blown to pieces, and we
shall get no water And at night with this
moon. 1t is as light as day. One could see mouse
stirring
"True." said vane, rejecting, "yet-stay one
of MS might 70 out alone. and try to bring in
water. II they hit him, as they most likely will
three or four others can be ready to rush out and
may bring him in. and the water as we'll before
they have time TO load again. and he looked in
quiringly at the colonel's face. eager TO learn
what he thought of the proposal
The cannon is not the only danger said the
colonel. 81 They have rifles there as we'll"
True" said Vane. I" but rife at that range
would most likely miss-a shower of grape j:
different"
The colonel hesitated. No commander likel
to send brave men on desperate ventures
Bat he could see no other scheme which
would not involve much greater risk of life
with still less prospect Of success. And they mus,
vital. II once their supply Of water were cut Of
their chance was gone. They could not last
twelve hours
vanc had kept his eyes fixed upon the colonel's
Let me try" he said, eagerly. give me
few men-a score will volunteer-and we will
laugh at these black scoundrels yet"
The colonel hesitatcd-but only for moment
ned and trusted more than st. George Vane lie
knew well the danger Of the proposed adventure
and he knew we'll, also, that vane, if he were
allowed to undertake it would never rest until
attempt But in warfare private feelings must
give way to the general good After a moment
the colonel laid his hand on the young mans
shoulder. and said briefly: