sowars, who galloped
towards Palmer, at that moment engaged in hand-to-hand conflict
with a standard-bearer. Palmer had been shot through the right
wrist and was only saved by the opportune appearance of these two
men, who enabled him to get back to the shelter of the ziarat in
safety. Meanwhile Fincastle, who had had his horse killed while
galloping up to where Greaves lay, tried to lift Greaves on to
Adams's horse, in the process of which Greaves was again shot
through the body, and Adams's horse wounded. They were soon joined
by the two sowars who had been to Palmer's assistance, and almost
immediately after by Maclean, who having first dismounted his
squadron in the ziarat, had very pluckily ridden out with four
of his men to the assistance of this small party, who otherwise
would have been rushed by the enemy. With his assistance Greaves
was successfully brought in, but unfortunately Maclean, who had
dismounted in order to help in lifting the body on to his horse,
was shot through both thighs and died almost immediately.

Of the survivors Colonel Adams and Lord Fincastle received the Victoria
Cross for their valour on this occasion; while ten years after, as a
graceful tribute to the heroism of the dead, the Victoria Cross was also
bestowed on Hector Maclean, and sent to his family. As Lord Fincastle
was attached to the Guides during the campaign the probably unique
historic record was established of three officers in one regiment
earning the Victoria Cross on the same day. Nor were the men forgotten,
all those who had shown conspicuous gallantry being decorated with the
Order of Merit.

CHAPTER XIV

THE HOME OF THE GUIDES

When the Guides about the middle of the last century first pitched their
wandering tents in the plains of Yusafzai they were only birds of
passage, in hot pursuit of some band of marauders, or swiftly marching
to surprise a distant stronghold. But as the border became more settled,
and sudden movements were less seldom called for, a position was chosen
within striking distance of all the centres of disturbance. And thus
came to be selected the site of the little cantonment, which since has
sent forth generations of steel-bred warriors to keep bright the ancient
flame; a small oasis, rescued by rough but kindly hands from the dry and
desolate desert, and which the leisure of sixty years has served to turn