In 1852 the Burmese broke their treaty with us. A strong force was, therefore, at once despatched to punish them, and it did not take long to satisfy them, or knock the conceit of fighting out of the head of the "King of Two Worlds," while another nice little slice was added to our already overgrown dominions. * * * * * In all the fights--from Plassey (June 23rd, 1757,) to 1852--the Sepoys had fought well by the side of our troops, and had frequently shown a gallant spirit. At the storming of Bhurtpore our regiments were driven back with frightful slaughter, when these noble fellows boldly stepped forward to lead another assault, and actually walked over their own comrades' dead bodies into the place! They were brave enough for anything, and would go anywhere and do anything when led by British officers; but they were afterwards (as the following pages will prove) spoilt by injudicious though well-meant kindness, and their minds were poisoned against us by fanatics. OUTBREAK OF THE MUTINY. This India--the brightest gem in Her Most Gracious Majesty's crown, was shaken to its foundation in 1857. It was held by a few desperate Britons, who could well lay claim to the motto of Napoleon's old guard: "They might die, but not surrender." The Mutiny had been predicted by a far-seeing man--Sir Charles Napier--years before the Bengal army showed their teeth, for Sir Charles wrote to the Government of India when he was Commander-in-chief, telling them that some of these mornings the much-pampered Sepoys would find out their strength, and that they would upset the King, the King would upset the magazine, and the magazine would be ignited, and blow up both King and country. Sir Charles was not liked by the directors of the East India Company, and was sent home, but his every word came true. He told them how to avoid it, but they laughed at him. Had that grand old soldier's advice been taken, England would not have had to mourn over the horrible tragedies of 1857-8-9, when her supremacy hung in the balance, and for a time it was doubtful whether we should not have to reconquer the whole of India. * * * * * I will now try and trace the Mutiny from its commencement, and describe some of the most revolting scenes as far as it is prudent to mention them; but there were many sights that no pen can or would dare to describe. The blood runs cold to think of poor helpless creatures--delicately nurtured ladies and children--in the hands of such bloodthirsty fiends; but stern vengeance was inflicted before we had done with them. * * * * *