He was short of provisions, short of arms, short of ammunition, short of military wisdom, short of everything but courage and devotion to duty.

The defense of that open lot through twenty-one days and nights of hunger, thirst, Indian heat, and a never-ceasing storm of bullets, bombs, and cannon-balls--a defense conducted, not by the aged and infirm general, but by a young officer named Moore--is one of the most heroic episodes in history.

When at last the Nana found it impossible to conquer these starving men and women with powder and ball, he resorted to treachery, and that succeeded.

He agreed to supply them with food and send them to Allahabad in boats.

Their mud wall and their barracks were in ruins, their provisions were at the point of exhaustion, they had done all that the brave could do, they had conquered an honorable compromise,--their forces had been fearfully reduced by casualties and by disease, they were not able to continue the contest longer.