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

THE CONFLAGRATION
assault on the bridge." Hearing this, the general gave the
order to assault. Young Havelock himself rushed to the
bridge with the first batch of twenty-five Englishmen.
The fire was terrible. In one or two minutes, which of
the twenty-five remained alive? And the young Have-
lock himself—beware! beware—a brave and fearless hero
has jumped upon the bridge and is taking aim straight
at you! The brave Sepoy came up to within ten yards
of young Havelock, stood there coolly before all the Eng-
lish host and quietly aimed at Havelock; the bullet went
—but there was a difference of only half an inch! Instead
of entering the head, it entered Havelock's helmet. Still
the dauntless Sepoy stood there calmly while several Eng-
lish guns were aimed at him and began loading his gun
again! At last, you have been shot by Havelock, but
bravo! you have died killing like a hero in this battle for
independence! In a few moments, the vast English army
rushed upon the bridge which began to shake with their
weight. The Revolutionaries had to retire and the English
advanced. The bridge fell; the first road to Lucknow
fell; then, the second fell; then, the third—the English
army pushed onward, victorious. Every few steps, swords
would clash with swords and guns with guns. When a
copious lake of blood accumulated there, the living Battle
would advance again. In the evening, Outram said that
the night should be spent outside. But no, no! How could
the brave Havelock bear even to hear the name of rest?
To those countrymen of theirs, crushed in the very jaws
of death in that Residency, one night would be like an
age. Therefore, Havelock advanced—Neill advanced.
The English army missed the road fixed upon and came
nearer and nearer into the line of fire of the Revolutiona-
ries—still Neill advanced. When he entered the great
arch of Khas Bazaar, he saw that the English artillery
had slacked a little behind. Therefore, he drew up his
horse and turned his head to look back. Now is the time!
This is the time for the country's revenge! O you Revolu-
tionary hero on the arch, even if you lose your life, you
364