Such a man assuredly deserved the Victoria Cross, which has often been the reward of isolated acts of bravery. He merited it not only for acting as a guide to Sir Colin Campbell at Lucknow, but also for frequently exposing his life to danger in the field. Our readers, then, will learn with some surprise that, when Lord Canning recommended him for the Victoria Cross, the Court of Directors refused to forward his recommendation to the Queen, under the pretence that “he would be entitled to the medal which they anticipate her Majesty will confer upon the garrison and relieving army of Lucknow.” They doubtless esteemed the Victoria Cross too great an honour for a member of the uncovenanted service. This was a last failure of expiring red-tapeism in the East; for Kavanagh had soon after the satisfaction of announcing a new _régime_ in the capital of Oude, and of wearing the Victoria Cross on his manly breast. He was the means of saving 300,000_l._ of public treasure at Lucknow, and no one will say that he was too liberally rewarded by the gift of 2000_l._ and the appointment of Assistant-Commissioner in Oude. In one sense, the doers of deeds like Kavanagh’s can never be adequately rewarded by gifts or offices: their richest recompense is to be found in the high esteem of their fellow-men and the grateful remembrance of posterity. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XIX. LIEUTENANT BUTLER AND THE VICTORIA CROSS. During several years previous to the Indian mutiny the kingdom of Oude had been a source of much anxiety to the Governors of India. It was formerly an independent province, in which were about 3,000,000 people, but in 1856 it became a province of British India. The capital of Oude is Lucknow, one of the largest cities in India, containing at least 300,000 inhabitants; it is a straggling place, extending over nearly three miles, but contains many large important buildings, forts, &c. The streets are very narrow and winding, thus rendering it difficult for any troops to march through it when an enemy is in possession of the neighbouring buildings. A fine river—the Goomtee—runs past the town, and bounds it on one side. It was on or about the 24th of May, 1857, that the first indications of an outbreak became manifest at Lucknow; at this date there were about 500 available European troops, whilst the mutineers of the native regiments numbered about 4000. In addition to these, the whole of the inhabitants of the district were in rebellion, being led by various leaders, and formed bands of brigands, whose principal object was to hunt down and murder Europeans. Sir Henry Lawrence was at this time Chief Commissioner of Oude, and, being possessed of great foresight and skill, prepared to receive the coming shock. He put a portion of Lucknow, termed the Residency, into a state of defence, stored it with ammunition and provisions, fortified also a place termed the Muchhee Bhowun, and then waited the course of events.