Again the rear bugle sounded "halt!" I immediately sent the sergeant of
the bodyguard, Mohammed-el-Feel, to shoot the donkeys, and to throw
their loads into the high grass. Two shots announced their end.
The bugle sounded "advance", and we at length travelled comfortably.
The weather was fine: we rejoiced in the sun, as it dried our reeking
clothes.
Suddenly the advance-guard opened fire! then the rear-guard was closed
upon by a sudden rush of the enemy, and the whole line commenced
file-firing into the thick covert.
I ordered the bugler to sound "forward," and "cease firing," as the men
were getting a little wild.
One of "The Forty", Ali Goboor, had been wounded by a lance through the
leg, but he managed to limp along.
We now began to understand the places at which we were sure to meet an
ambuscade. Whenever we descended a slope towards a marshy bottom, there
was certain to be a large force concealed behind the lofty reeds that
grew in the swamp. I ordered the advance-guard to fire a few shots low
down in the reels whenever they should approach these places. By this
plan we generally induced the enemy to throw their spears before we were
in the midst; in which case we opened a heavy fire into the grass, and
marched straight forward.
