१८५७ का स्वातन्त्र्य समर (वीर विनायक दामोदर सावरकर - अंग्रेजों द्वारा छपने से पूर्व प्रतिबन्धित महाग्रन्थ)

THE ERUPTION
among the rascally rebels and we, all loyalists, have be-
come ready to join the English!" At this news, the
English imagined that their scouts must have successfully
sowed discord among the Revolutionaries and, also, that
the English army from Lucknow must have arrived. On
the next day, the same bhishti came up and cried, "Vic-
tory to the English! The English army was late on
account of floods in the Ganges; but, now, all is accom-
plished and they are coming. Before the end of the day,
my masters will be victorious." That day passed, and so
also the next; but the strained eyes of the English could
see neither the army of succour nor the loyalist bhishti!
Azimullah, now, knew enough of the misery of the English
camp, and it was not again necessary for the bhishti to
risk his life. The English were often taken in by such
resourceful tricks of the Revolutionary scouts.
After giving notice of the siege on the 6th of June to the
English, Nana Sahib had brought his camp close to the
besieging armies and near by the tent of General Tikka
Singh. When Cawnpore became free, the whole province
became flooded by a great wave of Revolution. Every
day, new Zemindars and princes came with their retinues
and joined Nana Sahib's camp. Nana had now about
four thousand troops under him; but, of these, the artil-
lerymen were the most active in their duties. Here in
one quarter Nanhi Nabob took his stand. When the
rising began, his house and property were ordered to be
confiscated for his fanatical Hindu hatred. But soon,
a compromise took place and he joined that war of free-
dom. The artillery in Nana's charge were manned by the
finest marksmen and old pensioners. While the Revolu-
tionaries were making efforts to set fire to the English
buildings within the fort, an amateur artillery man dis-
covered a new explosive. The first experiment was so
successful that the barracks, which were of immense value
to the English and against which it was thrown, were soon
burnt to ashes! There was so much competition amongst
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