Siege (1984)

SIEGE / Omar S. Pound (Lucknow: 1857) I May 3rd: The Seventh Native Cavalry mutinied today spearing, looting, burning, then cantering off to Delhi for more of same; firing our stables to draw us out, but the Brigadier'd have none of it! Tuesday: Sir Henry Havelock is here writing and sleeping in Mr. Gubbins' drawing-room, the new H.Q. for his Command. Wednesday: Mr. Lucas reported bitten or killed by his horse. Came back at dawn, an arm hanging loose, Mutineers or horse? Too busy to ask and not much use. Sergeant-Major and the Riding-Master quarrelled today about the use of a whip. One shot the other dead. Not sure which. "The English are very fond of fighting," Corporal Kelly quipped, "especially when they're Irish." Major Gall's body found, he left in disguise for news from behind enemy lines, and perhaps to clear his name. Did another woman trap him again? Mrs. Bird has smallpox and her twins are sickly. 18 - The Missouri Review July 23rd: Cawnpore relieved, we hear, but sad, sad news: Sir Henry Lawrence asked to be buried with his men and died. II Saturday: Sepoys of the 4th and their imported ladies unruly last night. Fine sermon today at Brigade H.Q. (Matthew 22) on The Wedding Garment; appropriate now, but Salvation's tricky at the best of times. Another chimney down at dawn; we are surrounded now, and the siege is on. Thursday: Up all night with water, tea, and brandy for gentlemen at the bailey ordered to sleep at their posts, or when they can. Friday: Again the drawing-room hit and dear Sir Henry's leg ripped open near the hip. Miss Palmer died, but was buried with her other leg intact. Thank God for small Mercies; The Lord will provide. Grape-shot roughed up Capt. Fraser's hat this noon, but later, he and Duncan sortied, firing several houses the snipers used. A busy day: Two shots at breakfast-time, 3 plates broken in their rack, Omar Pound THE MISSOURI REVIEW · 19 a distracting way to start the day. William overworked, his hair falling out. Must doctors always live with the dying and the itchy? No news of the Relief. Will it ever come? Hope makes the heart so ill 3 more bairns buried at dusk, One Catholic and two Chapel. Sir Henry Lawrence supplies auctioned today: Beer: 70 rupees a doz., Brandy: 160, macaroni 55 rupees a packet, and champagne only fifty. Sunday: The Lucas house blown up at sermon-time, Capt. Fulton swears sweetly his timing kept Sunday snipers away! Tuesday: Brandy 17 rupees a bottle, and tobacco one rupee a leaf. Thursday: The glint on Capt. Fulton's telescope got him at dusk. He'll hate his funeral—'too much fuss.' William shot bringing an injured sepoy in. Dear God. Don't take him from us. What would we do without his doctoring. Lucas came by to see him, declining to drink from my meagre store of camomile tea. Another sale today: Property belonging to sundry deceased. Brandy up to 20. 20 - The Missouri Review Omar Pound Thursday: Further sale: With more dead, prices are lower and even soap is down. Ill Sept. 25th: Much firing tonight, women and children screaming, smoke, looting, and wild musketry, but nothing near us. Two elephants heard trumpeting, scared by the rushing and banging, and sporadic shooting from afar. and the distant sound of drum and fife; the bagpipes' drone; the fife and drum, Relief has come. Thank God. The Relief has come. May we all see Dundee again, dear God, if you please. Yesterday's looting brought the servants back, with cloth and stuffs all cheap. Willie's brother is here with the Relief. Came in weary, a bullock had trampled him and the tea he'd brought, outside what used to be the dairy. Must write to mother and my darlings in Dundee, Donald's eight tomorrow, and dining downstairs on Sundays I suppose. He'd be proud of his father doctoring on, despite his wound and limp left arm. Omar Pound THE MISSOURI REVIEW · 21 Heroism and folly . . . Now we are free to doubt again...