INSURRECTION AT BENARES. 
157 
The moment intelligence of the arrival of armed 
men at the Rajah’s residence was conveyed to Mr. 
Hastings, who had taken up his abode in a different 
quarter of the town, he instantly directed Major Pop- 
ham to proceed to his encampment without delay, and 
bring up the whole of the force under his command to 
support the grenadiers. The encampment was unhap- 
pily upwards of two miles from the scene of carnage. 
Though this order was executed with all possible 
promptitude, that gallant officer arrived too late to 
rescue his brave but unfortunate men from destruction. 
The whole detachment lay butchered within the 
square, and the manner in which the bodies of the 
three British officers were mangled, showed by what a 
fierce spirit of revenge their murderers were actuated. 
Major Popham looked upon the dismal scene with feel- 
ings of the most poignant sorrow, greatly embittered 
by the consciousness that he had not the power of re- 
taliating the injury upon the author of it. He however 
took the best precautions which circumstances would 
admit, though it was clearly evident that both Mr. 
Hastings and the small force at his disposal, were in 
a situation of great peril. 
p 
