If his enemies were within they would naturally be weak in numbers; outside, they would find it extremely difficult to make an entrance.

More than this, he had sent a troop toward the colonel's camp.
The gates had scarcely been closed when Ahmed, his elephant and his armed keepers came into view.

The men sent Pundita back to camp, and the actual warfare began.

They approached the gate, demanding to be allowed to pass.

The soldiers refused.