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

BEHAR
gion, of country, of interest, of freedom. They shouted
heart-rending implorations to leave the side of the Feringhi.
They threatened to massacre them if they still persisted
in acting treacherously and helping the foreign despots.
Not only had all this no effect on the Sikhs, but the reply
they would give was a shower of bullets, while the Eng-
lish clapped hands in applause shouting, “ Bhalé! Bhalé!”
(Well done !). Thus, the siege went on for three days.
On the third night, on the 29th, the English force was
suddenly awakened by the noise of distant guns. Their
faces beamed with smiles. Was it not the English army,
coming to kill the Revolutionaries and raise the siege ?
Yes, it was the English army. About two hundred and
seventy Englishmen of the English regiments at Danapur
and about one hundred Sikhs under the valiant Captain
Dunbar had come to the banks of the Shon river to raise
the siege. Never was the English army so jubilant and
hopeful of victory ! The Englishmen and women who
had come to see them off bade farewell to them, all smiles.
The boats sailed smoothly on the Shon and, about seven
in the evening, the army reached the outskirts of Arrah.
The bright orb of the waxing moon, also, marched along
with them to partake of their victory. Oh, Captain Dun-
bar ! Arrange your troops properly while the moon is
shining, for soon it will be dark. In this arrangement, as
usual, the “ loyal Sikhs ” must be put in the front. They
also stepped forward lightly. Where is the black guide
who is to show the way in the thick jungles of Arrah ?
Put him forth, and then, oh victorious warriors ! march
on brandishing your swords in the bright moonlight.
Trees were left behind, the ground was being covered, mile
after mile was being crossed, and even the Arrah bridge
is reached. But, what is this ? Where is the enemy ?
How is this, that not a single Revolutionary has yet fallen?
The cowards have run away ! They have run away at
the bare news that Dunbar is coming ! Even Alexander
did not inspire his enemies with such terror ! Oh Moon!
You have so long waited in cold and wind to witness the
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