THE SIEGE OF DELHI. 223 



covered for the first time that they were some rebel 

 cavalry." ^ 



There was much lauohter that nio;ht at the head- 

 quarters mess over this unlucky mistake — laughter 

 in which Hodsoii himself would certainly have 

 joined, for he was still what Napier had described 

 him in his first campaign with the Guides. 



"Affairs at times looked very queer," wrote a 

 distinguished officer, " from the frightful expendi- 

 ture of life. Hodson's face was then like sunshine 

 breaking through the dark clouds of despondency 

 and gloom that would settle down occasionally on 

 all but a few brave hearts, England's worthiest sons, 

 who were determined to conquer." 



It was about this time that Colonel Seaton 

 returned to camp after thirty-six hours of outpost 

 duty under a pouring rain. " On getting into 

 camp," he writes, " I found my own tent pitched, 

 my servants all waiting, clean clothes, washing 

 tackle, a clean breakfast-table, a nice breakfast, and 

 Hodson with a smiling face, waiting my arrival, and 

 enjoying our new mansion." ^ 



" You know," wrote Seaton afterwards to a friend, 

 "that during the whole of the terrible siege of 

 Delhi we lived together in the same tent, and except- 

 ing while on duty, we were never separate. It was 

 there I saw in all their splendour his noble soldierly 

 qualities ; never fatigued, never downcast, always 

 cool and calm, with a cheerful countenance and a 

 word of encouragement for every one. I used 

 often to say, ' Here, Hodson, is somebody else 

 coming; for comfort.'" 



^ Incideuts of the Sepoy War. - From Cadet to Colonel. 



