We should hurry down-hill and march
quickly up the next undulation, so as to deceive the enemy with the idea
of a precipitate retreat. This would induce an advance on their side.
The Baris would be certain to follow us at full speed if they supposed
we were afraid of them.
It was my intention to cross rapidly the first undulation where my men
would for a few minutes be out of view of the enemy, and there to
conceal them in a deserted village which I had noticed during our
advance. This would be an ambush that would take the Baris by surprise,
as they would imagine that we had passed ahead: they would therefore
come near the village.
The order to the "right about" was given, and my men, who took a keen
interest in the plan, commenced so precipitate a march down the hill
that my horse was forced into a jog-trot. I heard the savage yells of
the enemy, who, as I had expected, now followed us with the hope of
cutting off our retreat to the vessels.
We crossed the dry rocky bed of the torrent in the bottom, and ascended
the hill-face rapidly. Looking back, I saw the natives running at full
speed in pursuit. They began to descend the hill just as we had crossed
the summit of the high ground; thus they lost sight of us, as we quickly
concealed ourselves behind the huts and granaries of a deserted village.
I hid my horse behind a hut, and the men, having surrounded the
position, crouched low on the ground behind the most convenient cover.
