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

LUCKNOW
fixed, regular, and orderly organisation of the English
army, even during the uncertain terrors of a siege, the
death of a commander had no more effect than the death
of a common soldier as regards the efficiency of the army.
When the second commissioner fell, Brigadier Inglis took
charge as commissioner, and the work of defence went on
as before. At this time, however, the losses, deaths,
the removal of leaders, the scarcity of food, and
the activity of the Revolutionaries had made the
English at Lucknow fairly desperate, though not
altogether hopeless.
Just then Angad returned from Cawnpore ! This Angad
was an Indian formerly employed in the English army and
now a pensioner. Since the siege of Lucknow, it had be-
come impossible for any white messenger to go out and
return with information. His white skin, his yellowish
hair, and his blue eyes could never escape the swords of
the Revolutionaries. Therefore, it became necessary to
employ brown men on the English messages, and thus,
many “ loyal ” brown messengers had been sent out from
Lucknow. But, out of all these, only Angad returned
alive ! He did not bring any letter or anything else
suspicious with him for fear of the Revolutionaries, but
he gave commander Inglis the assurance that he had him-
self seen the English army set out from Cawnpore for the
relief of Lucknow. Encouraged by this news, the English
told Angad to go back and get a written reply. Angad
left Lucknow on the 22nd and returned at eleven o’clock
on the night of the 25th. With him was Havelock’s letter,
“ Havelock is coming with an army sufficient for all odds.
Lucknow will be relieved in five or six days.” In order
to furnish Havelock, who was coming to relieve them,
with all information, the English gave military plans and
maps to Angad and told him to go to Havelock again.
That marvellous scout again went to Havelock’s camp
and delivered to him all the military maps of Lucknow.
Now, all English eyes were turned towards the direction
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