seven in the evening
Men and women in the agonies of thirst and suffocation fought like tigers . Many prayed their guards to shoot them and end their sufferings , only to meet with jeers and laughter . Some of the native officers took pity on them and would have opened the door , but none durst move without the Nawab 's permission , or brave his fury if they roused him from his sleep . From seven in the evening till six in the morning the agony continued , and when at length the order came for their release , only twenty-three of the hundred and forty-six tottered forth , the ghastliest wrecks of human beings . Mr. Holwell and three others were then conveyed as prisoners in a bullock cart to Omichand 's garden , and thence to Murshidabad ; the rest were bidden to go where they pleased . The news was kept from Desmond . It was not till weeks after that he heard of the terrible tragedy .