82 SPORT AND TRAVEL 



career. A few moments later, having lost seven 

 hundred officers and men in the approach to the 

 Residency, the column breached the intrenchments 

 of the garrison. One unfortunate incident marred 

 the triumph of the entry. Lieutenant Aitken, on 

 hearing the cheers of the approaching soldiers, took 

 out a party of loyal native Bengalis to meet them ; 

 unfortunately the approaching Highlanders in their 

 excitement took them for the enemy and promptly 

 bayoneted three of Aitken's men. As one lay bleed- 

 ing to death, realizing the fatal mistake, he said 

 simply, "It does not matter, I die for the Gov- 

 ernment." Then the Residency was entered and 

 grimy soldiers wrung the hands of officers' wives 

 and embraced little children in the supreme joy of 

 the moment of success. 



But it was not until November 17 that Lucknow 

 was effectually relieved. Havelock and Outram had 

 entered, but they were powerless to do more. The 

 enemy closed in again, and the relievers found them- 

 selves in turn besieged. The final honor of relieving 

 Lucknow belongs to Sir Colin Campbell, and it was 

 only accomplished after the garrison had held out 

 for one hundred and forty days and had known 

 many times over the worst things that war can 

 bring. 



