We found the
cattle all safe; only a few sheep had been killed by the heavy attempt
at a stampede when the cows took fright at the musketry.
I was informed that the natives in considerable force had made a sudden
rush upon the zareeba, and had thrown showers of stones in order to
create a panic among the cattle, which they expected would break through
the fence and scatter over the country.
It was fortunate that I had taken the precaution of securing them.
I was determined to clear the neighbourhood before the attack should be
renewed. The night was dark. I was provided with matches and port-fires,
and I quickly made an excursion and sent several rockets into the
nearest villages. The Hale's rockets, as usual, rushed through the
houses without igniting them; but a few of the powerful Egyptian rockets
that are used as fireworks, rapidly lighted up the scene, as the
descending fire-balls ignited the thatched roofs.
These rockets were fired from an inclined rest of a soldier's fixed
bayonet.
Having cleared the neighbourhood, I returned to the diahbeeah at
midnight.
I find this entry in my journal:-
"January 29, 1872.-All the googoos or granaries abound with corn. The
natives are so rich, both in dhurra and cattle, that they will not work,
but they are only ready to sleep or steal.
