Of the soldiers, "if we could only get them on a
clear space like this."
The men were mustered. Poor Howarti was dead, and they had left him in
the grass by the roadside, as it was impossible to transport him.
The rear-guard had been hotly pressed, and the natives had rushed upon
the path close to the sniders, which had punished them severely. Had we
depended upon muzzle-loading muskets, the party would have been quickly
destroyed; the sharp fire of the sniders at close quarters must have
caused immense loss at the first onset.
I now determined to lighten the loads considerably. It was difficult to
carry the angarebs, as the leas caught in the high grass. I spoke a few
words to my men, who declared that they were not afraid of the natives
if they were not so heavily laden.
We collected wood and made a fire, upon which I ordered everything to be
burnt that was really cumbersome. The bedsteads were broken up; a case
of good French cognac was committed to the flames; Lieutenant Baker's
naval uniform, with box, &e.; the cocked hat frizzled up on the top of
the bonfire.
The men were provided with raw hides, upon which they slept at night;
these were now wet through and cumbersome:
