PREFACE. 



Among the men who fought and bled in their 

 country's service during the flood - tide of the 

 Indian Mutiny, few names shone with a steadier 

 and more inspiring lustre than that of William 

 S. R. Hodson, the prince of scouting officers, the 

 bold and skilful leader of Hodson's Horse. From 

 the middle of May to the close of September 1857 

 the fame of his achievements rang daily louder in 

 the field force which Barnard led from Karnfd to 

 the siege of Delhi. During the next six months 

 he contrived to add some new and noteworthy 

 services to a record already blazing with heroic 

 deeds. 



Dying as a brevet -major in the prime of his 

 strenuous manhood, he had already won for him- 

 self a proud place on the honour-lists of our long 

 island story. Hodson's claim to be remembered 

 as a great soldier has never been questioned even 

 by the boldest assailants of his moral rectitude or 



