For on reaching Cawnpore Windham met them, on his way from the front to the intrenchment, whither all were retreating; and putting himself at their head, he led them through the streets, ordering Fyers to fix swords, and prepare to defend the intrenchment. This they did well, gaining the high praise of General Windham, who then and long afterwards expressed in strong terms how important the arrival and the action of these companies had been to him. Footsore and weary as they were on their march, their fatigue was forgotten as soon as the sounds of fight told them that work was to be done; and they fought in Cawnpore and in defence of the intrenchment as if they were fresh from their camp. When they got to the intrenchment they were refreshed with an issue of grog, biscuits and tea, after which they were despatched on outpost duty: another parallel to the march to Talavera. On this day Ensign Travers was wounded by a bullet in the shoulder, 2 sergeants and 4 men were also wounded.[275] The companies took up their position for the night in a ruined house. Captain Atherley’s company of the 3rd Battalion also arrived at Cawnpore on the 27th. They had landed at Calcutta on the 8th, and on the next day started by rail for Raneegunge, and thence proceeded by bullock-cart up the country. On nearing Cawnpore a messenger met them with instructions that Atherley was not to advance, as the force at Cawnpore was in retreat, and he might be cut off. A second messenger informed him that he was to push on, as every man was wanted. A third soon followed with a repetition of the first message. All this time for many hours, and while marching many miles, the sound of heavy firing was heard. About six in the evening a youth (a cadet), mounted on a pony, met them, saying that the road was clear, and that they were to hasten on and reach the town if possible. He added that General Windham’s force was getting the worst of it. Accordingly Atherley pushed on as fast as possible. The firing seemed to become heavier and more furious. As the company approached the bank of the canal, a mounted officer, extremely agitated, rode up and said, ‘Leave all your carts, except the ammunition; fix your bayonets, and I will show you the way.’ Atherley, with great _sang-froid_, said, ‘We have not got any bayonets; we have swords.’ ‘Well,’ said the other, ‘fix what you have got.’ Saying which he galloped off and they saw him no more. Neither as they advanced did they see any enemy; but they met some of the 2nd Battalion retiring in good order. Captain Atherley found General Windham in or near the intrenchment, and reported his arrival. Windham, expressing himself much pleased at being reinforced with a hundred ‘fresh’ Riflemen (they had just come off a fatiguing march), told him to patrol during the night, and guard the house in which he was living. He then asked if Atherley had had anything to eat; and being answered in the negative, he gave him