ts, and our wardrobes were much the worse
for wear. We were given to understand, from the quarter-master-general,
that the post which we took had been vacated by the enemy's troops,
without orders, and that they were sent back reinforced to retake and
keep it, in which attempt, if they did not succeed, their heads were to
be the forfeit. This accounts for the desperate manner in which they
fought and struggled to keep the post.

Having vacated the hill, and our enemies having now become our
friends--for many of them had already come down into camp for the
purpose of purchasing articles in our bazaars--some three or four of us
made a party to visit the fort and stockades; for which purpose we
started after breakfast, and reached their advanced outpost. Here we
were stopped, and informed that we could not be permitted to proceed any
further, without the permission of the keeledar, or governor of the
fort; but that, if we would wait, a man should be sent to ask if we
might advance. To this we consented, and, in about half an hour after,
the man who had been sent on this errand came back, with two other men,
and said the keeledar had been pleased to grant us permission to go, but
that we must go unarmed, leaving our swords in the last stockade. The
ascent of the hill towards the fort was extremely difficult; and at
every turning of the road was a strong stockade with guns; so that our
necessary loss in taking these hills and posts must have been enormous,
for there was scarcely any footing.

We at last reached the grand fort of Muckwanpore, if it deserved the
name. It was built of stone and brick, and was very high; but a dozen
shots from our twenty-four-pounders would have levelled it with the
ground. Indeed, one bastion had given warning of its intending to stand
no longer. The tempests that rage in these hills had shaken its
foundation. The gate was strong, but its hinges were small. On our
entering, a small guard at the gate presented arms, a drummer beat the
grenadiers' march, and a little fifer played the tune. Both the drum and
the fife were of English manufacture. A little further was the tent we
had seen in the stockade--at least some part of it. It was riddled like
a sieve with our shells, and the top of it was hanging in ribbons. Here
we were introduced to the governor, who was seated on a greasy cushion,
the pillows of which, though they had once been white, were now the
colour of his face. He received us cordi