They  defended  themselves  with  their  carbines,  and  thus  checked
the  attacking  party,  two  of  their  number  being  wounded.    The  whole

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354  THS  INDIAN  MUTINY


of  the  horses  of  the  detachment  having  been  kept  saddled,  no  time  was
lost  in  turning  ont,  and  the  instant  the  twenty  leading  men  were  on
their  horses,  the  enemy  was  charged  and  driven  back  in  confusion
towards  the  town,  their  flight  being  covered  by  the  matchlock-men,  who
had  occupied  some  buildings  and  compounds  between  the  kutclierry
and  the  town.  Directly  the  whole  of  the  detachment  was  ready  and
formed  up,  I  sent  what  little  baggage  and  followers  we  had  to  the  rear
under  a  sufficient  escort,  and  prepared  for  a  further  attack.  I  formed
the  main  body  on  the  road  in  three  lines,  the  Guides  in  front,  sending
a  troop  out  to  the  right  front  under  Lieutenant  Wise,  and  one  to  the
left  under  Lieutenant  McDowell,  ready  to  take  the  enemy  in  flank,
should  they  again  charge  up  the  roads  (of  which  there  are  three  leading
from  the  town  to  our  position).  These  movements  were  covered  by
skirmishers,  and  by  the  excellent  fire  of  the  Jhind  horsemen  armed
with  matchlocks,  whom  I  desired  to  dismouht  and  drive  back  by  their
fire  any  party  of  the  enemy  who  might  come  from  under  shelter  of  the
buildings.  This  service  they  performed  exceedingly  well  and  most
cheerfully.
