e troops, and succeeded in
driving them from their guns, and from the protection of the fort; but,
in the heat of the action, the gallant general received a ball in the
foot, and was obliged to retire from the field. He died a short time
afterwards. Colonel the Honourable W. Monson, on whom the command
devolved, completed his work, and a decisive victory was the result.
Holkar, being informed of the disaster of his infantry, then shifted his
course towards Bhurtpore, demanding immense sums of money from the
rajah, under threats of laying waste his country, which at that time
might be called the garden of India. His encampment was close under the
walls of the fort, leaving a body of about two thousand men to harass
and annoy us.

About the 18th of December we took up a position before the fort of
Deig, and in two days after broke ground against it. The two companies
to which I belonged led the column, carrying tools for working. The
night was as dark as pitch, and bitterly cold. Secrecy was the great
object of our mission, and we slowly approached the vicinity of the
fort, steering our course towards a small village about eight hundred
yards from the spot, where we halted under shelter from their guns. This
village had been set on fire two days before, and its inmates compelled
to take shelter in the fort. Small parties were dispatched in search of
eligible ground for trenches, and within breaking distance. I was
dispatched alone through the desolate village, to see what was on the
other side. I was yet but a novice in soldiering; and, believe me,
reader, I had no great fancy for this job; but an order could not be
disobeyed; so off I marched, my ears extended wide to catch the most
distant sound. I struck into a wide street, and, marching on tiptoe,
passed two or three poor solitary bullocks, who were dying for want of
food. These, startled me for the moment; but not another creature could
I see. I at one time thought I heard voices, and that I could see a blue
light burning on the fort, from which I inferred that I was getting
pretty close to it. Just as I had made up my mind that this must be the
case, I distinctly heard a voice calling out, "_Khon hie?_" in English,
"Who is there?" I was riveted to the spot, and could not move till the
words were repeated; when I stole behind one of the wings of a hut close
on my right. Soon after I heard the same man say, "_Quoi tah mea ne
deckah_;" which is, "I am sure I saw somebo