FIRST WEEKS OF THE SIEGE OF DELHI. 199 



help of a few subalterns worthy of their dashing 

 leader, speedily drilled them into serviceable form. 



In Sir Henry Barnard, "a fine gentlemanly old 

 man, but hardly up to his work," Hodson gained a 

 warm friend, always ready to further his own efforts 

 for the public good. Another of his friends, 

 Colonel (afterwards Sir Thomas) Seaton, marched 

 into Panipat on the night of May 27 at the head 

 of his regiment, the 60tli Native Infantry, whose 

 loyalty was even then deemed more than doubtful. 

 " I don't envy him," writes Hodson, " his new com- 

 mand ; but he is a good man and a brave soldier, 

 and if any man can get them over the mess, he wdll 

 do it." 



The two men had met for the first time the year 

 before at Dagshai, where Seaton was spending a 

 few weeks with his brother Douo-las of the 1st 

 Fusiliers. "During this visit," he writes, "I had 

 the good fortune to make the acquaintance of that 

 true and gallant soldier. Major (then Lieutenant) 

 W. S. K. Hodson. I was much struck with his 

 appearance, — his broad, handsome, manly brow ; his 

 clear, bright, and keen eye ; his light, active, wiry 

 frame ; his pleasing smile ; his frank and cordial 

 manner, — little dreaming under what terrible 

 circumstances our acquaintance would ripen into 

 friendship." ^ 



Some days had yet to pass before Barnard's little 

 force could begin its final move against Delhi. 

 Meanwhile Hodson was working away with his 

 wonted energy at the various duties which had 

 been intrusted to him. On May 28 he " travelled 



1 From Cadet to Colonel. By Major-General Sir T. Seaton, K.C.B. 

 Eoutledge. 



