So strong was this conviction among them that when, on the 22d of May, a council was held of the chief civil and military authorities, Colonel Simpson deliberately proposed that the whole of his regiment should be moved into the fort to hold it. Mr Court most strenuously, and ultimately successfully, opposed this proposal. The day following the invalids arrived from Chanár, and then all the non-combatants of the station, those in the civil service excepted, moved into the fort with their property.
A circumstance occurred towards the end of May which seemed to justify the confidence of the officers of the 6th N. I. The sipáhís of the regiment, professing the greatest indignation at the conduct of their brethren in the North-west, formally volunteered to march against Dehlí. Their offer was telegraphed to Calcutta, and afforded ground to the councillors of Lord Canning to insist upon their contention that the mutinous spirit was confined to but few stations.
About a week after the sipáhís of the 6th had volunteered to march against the capital of the Mughals they rose in revolt, and murdered many of their own trusting officers, and some young boys, newly-appointed ensigns, who happened to be dining at the regimental mess. It happened in this wise. In reply to the offer to volunteer, the Governor-General had thanked the regiment for its loyalty. A parade was ordered for the morning of the 6th of June to read the Vice-regal thanks to the sipáhís. Colonel Simpson read the words of Lord Canning, and then, on his own behalf, spoke feelingly to the men in their own language, telling them that their reputation would be enhanced throughout India. The sipáhís seemed in the highest spirits, and sent up a ringing cheer. But that evening, whilst the officers and the
