Two
spears struck Colonel Abd-el-Kader, one in the fore-arm; the second
ripped his tough leather gaiter, and glanced off.
The sniders were ready, as the enemy were obliged to show their heads
above the rocks, and one fellow, who was exactly above us, either lost
his nerve, or received a bullet, which allowed his lance to come
rattling down the rocks as a complete failure. I ordered the bugler to
continue to sound "forward" (Illah Reh), as it was advisable to push
through this awkward place as quickly as possible.
Directly that we were out of the pass, I tied up Abd-el-Kader's arm, and
we continued the march until we halted at 2.5 P.M., in a piece of open
cultivated ground, where I determined to bivouac for the night.
I had resolved always to finish the day's journey by one march, as it
would afford time for erecting a protection of thorns and branches of
trees to prevent a sudden night attack.
Fortunately the weather was fine. Abd-el-Kader was now faint and weak
from loss of blood. I attended to his wound, which was an ugly gash, and
gave him a good dose of brandy, and advised him to go to sleep.
Lieutenant Baker and the other officers assisted in erecting the defence
of thorns.
