the bridge to the further side, and getting under shelter of a convenient building, opened fire on the village, and on a toll-bar directly in its front, about which the enemy were collected in considerable numbers.  Our Infantry now crossed over, followed by the Cavalry and Horse Artillery—­a tedious operation, as there had not been time to fully repair the bridge, and in one place planks had only been laid for half its width, necessitating horses being led, and Infantry passing over in sections.  Moreover, the enemy had got the exact range, and several casualties occurred at this spot; one round shot alone killed and wounded six men of the 8th Foot.  Vaughan at last succeeded in silencing the gun which had troubled us most, and preparations were made for an attack on the village.  While we were watching the proceedings, the Interpreter to the Naval Brigade, Henry Hamilton Maxwell, a brother officer of mine who had been standing close to me, was very badly wounded in the leg, and both Sir Colin and Sir Hope were hit by spent bullets, luckily without being much hurt.

There was a feeling throughout the army that Sir Colin was inclined to favour Highlanders unduly; and a rumour got about that the 93rd were to be allowed the honour of delivering the assault on Khudaganj, which was highly resented by the 53rd, and they determined that on this occasion, at any rate, the Highlanders should not have it all their own way.  The 53rd was composed of a remarkably fine set of fellows, chiefly Irish, and it was Mansfield’s own regiment; wishing, therefore, to do an old comrade a good turn, he had placed Major Payn,[1] one of the senior officers, in command of the piquets.  Payn was a fine dashing soldier, and a great favourite with the men, who calculated on his backing them up if they upset Sir Colin’s little plan.  Whether what happened was with or without Payn’s permission, I cannot say, but we were all waiting near the bridge for the attacking party to form when suddenly the ‘advance’ was sounded, then the ‘double,’ followed by a tremendous cheer, and we saw the 53rd charge the enemy.  Sir Colin was very angry, but the 53rd could not be brought back, and there was nothing for it but to support them.  Hope’s and Greathed’s troops were instantly pushed on, and the Cavalry and Horse Artillery were ordered to mount.

The ground gradually sloped upwards towards Khudaganj, and the regiments moving up to the attack made a fine picture.  The 93rd followed the impulsive 53rd, while Greathed’s brigade took a line to the left, and as they neared the village the rebels hastily limbered up their guns and retired.  This was an opportunity for mounted troops such as does not often occur; it was instantly seized by Hope Grant, who rode to the Cavalry, drawn up behind some sand hills, and gave the word of command, ‘Threes left, trot, march.’  The words had hardly left his lips before we had started in pursuit of the enemy, by this time half a mile ahead, the 9th