Sunday, October 25th. The General came and told us he expected the Madras column was close to Allum Bagh; he had received no letters, but a Native had come in. Charlie came to service at 3. The day passed quietly. Monday, October 26th. Letters had come in, in the night, with capital news; the Delhi column had beaten the Mhow mutineers and taken all their guns, and were coming quickly to us, and that 6,000 troops would be at Cawnpore the 10th of next month and here about the 15th. Still they cut our rations down again--14 oz. of wheat a day for a man and no gram or dal for any one, and a smaller portion of rice, so that we can only have it once a day now. Just before breakfast, as I was sitting in the verandah, Col. Napier[9] came up and chatted with me; he had just been visiting the outposts, and said he had not till then had a full idea of what we must have suffered, and added, "I understand your husband has been acting nobly all through the siege." I scarcely thought till then he even knew my name amongst so many ladies. Col. Napier was on the General's staff. I, of course, said I was much gratified to hear such praise; but I went down to breakfast as happy as a queen, to think dear Charlie was duly appreciated, and to hear his praise from such high quarters. His position has been a most dangerous one--a very exposed outpost--as the walls will show. This was the day for the prize auctions--the property that had been collected from the palaces. I knew that Charlie was going, but had no idea that he intended purchasing; however, while I was in my room, Mrs. C---- came running to tell me he had arrived with a most beautiful Cashmere shawl for me. I ran out, and Charlie threw it into my arms; this seemed one of the bright days of the siege. He came over again for me after dinner, and I returned with him to tea, and just at the time a shell burst in the Compound below his house, but without damage. [Footnote 9: Now Lord Napier of Magdala.] Tuesday, October 27th. Letters had come in again during the night, saying the Delhi column was expected at Cawnpore on the 28th. Mr. G---- was mortally wounded at the new battery on the mound behind Mr. I----s' house. Dr. D---- was struck by a piece of shell, as he was walking down to the Ferard Bucksh. Wednesday, October 28th. Letters came in again during the night, from Cawnpore, saying the Delhi column had arrived, and they had had three fights with the enemy--one near Agra, one at Mynpoorie, and one nearer Cawnpore,--and that they had routed them well and taken their guns; and that by the 7th proximo 2,500 of the troops coming up country would have arrived at Cawnpore; and that, altogether, we should be 8,000 strong. The day passed quietly. I went to tea with Charlie, and while there the enemy commenced a slight attack. Thursday, October 29th. No news in! A very quiet day.