result of the attack, when all at once it became apparent that there was a retrograde movement on the part of some of the men, who were emerging from the belt of jungle and hastening towards us.  Norman was the first to grasp the situation.  Putting spurs to his horse, he galloped into their midst, and called on them to pull themselves together; the men rallied at once, and advanced into the cover from which they had for the moment retreated.  I had many opportunities for noting Norman’s coolness and presence of mind under fire.  On this particular occasion these qualities were most marked, and his action was most timely.

More Infantry were brought up, but without avail.  The enemy evidently were determined to prevent the capture of the Shah Najaf.  Fire was now opened upon us from a heavy gun on the other side of the Gumti (the first shot from which blew up one of the ammunition waggons belonging to the Naval Brigade), and all the cannon that were collected at the Kaisarbagh and mess-house were brought to bear upon us.  The musketry fire was incessant, and Peel’s men suffered so severely that one of his guns could not be worked.

Sir Colin was beginning to get extremely anxious, and no wonder—­the position was most uncomfortable, and the prospect very gloomy.  Three hours since the attack began!  The day was rapidly drawing to a close, and we were no nearer our object; on the contrary, the opposition became every moment stronger, and the fire more deadly.  A retreat was not to be thought of; indeed, our remaining so long stationary had been an encouragement to the enemy, and every one felt that the only chance for the little British army fighting against 30,000 desperate mutineers, with every advantage of position and intimate knowledge of locality in their favour, was to continue to advance at all hazards; and this our gallant old Chief decided to do.  Placing himself at the head of the 93rd, he explained to the only too eager Highlanders the dangerous nature of the service, and called on them to follow him.  There was no mistaking the response; cheer after cheer rent the air as they listened to the words of the Chief they knew so well, and believed in so thoroughly, assuring him of their readiness to follow whithersoever he should lead, do whatever he should direct.  They moved off, followed by Peel’s guns dragged by sailors and some of the Madras Fusiliers, the advance of the party being covered by Middleton’s Field battery, which dashed to the front and opened with grape.

Almost instantaneously the narrow path along which we were proceeding was choked with wounded officers and dead and struggling horses.  It was here that Sir Archibald Alison, Sir Colin’s Aide-de-camp, lost his arm, and his brother (another Aide-de-camp) was wounded.  Adrian Hope’s horse was shot dead—­indeed, very few escaped injury, either to themselves or their horses.  I was one of the lucky few.  On reaching the wall of the Shah Najaf enclosure, it was found to be twenty feet high, no