145 



from friendship to Captain Torriano, and his good wishes for the 

 garrison in general. 



Being unable to procure cattle from the neighbouring country, 

 and no fresh provision being supplied from Mirza, the commanding 

 officer and gentlemen in the garrison caused the few bullocks they 

 had reserved for their own occasions to be killed, and distributed 

 in equal proportions among themselves and the private Europeans. 

 Such of the garrison as ate flesh, had now lived for some time 

 upon salted buffalo and horse flesh, of which there was constantly 

 a dish at the commandant's table. Roasted rats were esteemed 

 a dainty ; and, upon the report of a cavalry horse being at the 

 point of death, his throat was cut, and the flesh given to the Ma- 

 homedan sepoys and lascars, (native artillerymen) who flocked 

 greedily to receive it. Notwithstanding tobacco had been pur- 

 chased at an extravagant price by the commanding officer, and 

 occasionally given to the European and native troops, several who 

 had cautiously saved this necessary article, sold it to those who 

 had been less provident for its Aveight in silver. 



About this period the fortress exhibited a dreadful scene; the 

 hospitals overflowed with patients in every stage of the horrid 

 disorder already mentioned: such of the remaining inhabitants as 

 could possibly be attended, were placed under care of the sur- 

 geons in their own hovels; many, from necessity, were left to more 

 casual assistance at the village in the out-works. The bodies of 

 the diseased were for the most part so distended by putrid air, as 

 scarcely to leave a trace of the human frame; and it was with 

 difficulty a feature could be distinguished in the countenance; 



while their laborious breathing indicated every appearance of 

 VOL. iv. u 



