1 SIEGE OF LAHORE. 51
2 of them actually bound to the wheels, the Dogras in their
3 gallantry to the sex or their pity for the individuals, averted
4 then* fire, and thus the Seiks by this cruel stratagem were
5 enabled to continue their's in perfect safety. But at length the
6 Dogras found that the fire of these g'uns, thus strangely protected,
7 was not only making' sad havoc in their ranks, but was likely
8 to bring* down a portion of their defences ; they therefore re-
9 luctantly set to work to silence these as they had done the others
10 by a vigorous return. Even now, however, greatly to the credit
11 of their gallantry and humanity be it said, they took all possible
12 care to avoid injuring the wretched women, aiming with their
13 best skill to strike their enemies without hitting their involun-
14 tary protectors. The best proof, not only of their kind feel-
15 ing but of their skill as marksmen, is the fact that of a thousand
16 or twelve hundred women who were thus barbarously exposed, only
17 nineteen lost their lives, while not less than one hundred and
18 eighty-six of the artillerymen were shot down at their guns.
19 The rest of that day was passed in comparative quiet, which
20 afforded to the little garrison an opportunity, of which they
21 were not slow to avail themselves, for repairing as well as they
22 could the damage done, and for strengthening their defences
23 in anticipation of a renewed attack. They were, however,
24 exposed throughout the day to a desultory and almost harmless
25 fire from the Seiks, who had taken up secure positions in and
26 behind the houses of the city ; and some of the guns which had
27 from the commencement of the fray been blocked up in narrow
28 passages and lying unemployed, were now, under cover of houses
29 and walls, dragged off to a distance and brought to bear upon
30 the defences of the fort. By favour of the darkness the Seiks
31 managed also to haul up their deserted artillery, but not without
32 considerable loss from the watchful garrison. The guns were
33 placed in houses and behind walls, and pointed on the place
34 through embrasures made for the occasion ; and thus the Seiks
35 awaited for the day to renew the assault.