suing force telegraphed that he held it in check
and observation.

Unluckily he did not observe that three miles to his right flank a
flying column of Northern horse, with a detachment of Goorkhas and
British troops, had been pushed round, as fast as the falling light
allowed, to cut across the entire rear of the Southern Army, to break,
as it were, all the ribs of the fan where they converged, by striking
at the transport reserve, ammunition, and artillery supplies. Their
instructions were to go in, avoiding the few scouts who might not have
been drawn off by the pursuit, and create sufficient excitement to
impress the Southern Army with the wisdom of guarding their own flank
and rear before they captured cities. It was a pretty maneuver, neatly
carried out.

Speaking for the second division of the Southern Army, our first
intimation of it was at twilight, when the artillery were laboring in
deep sand, most of the escort were trying to help them out, and the
main body of the infantry had gone on. A Noah's ark of elephants,
camels, and the mixed menagerie of an Indian transport train bubbled
and squealed behind the guns, when there rose up from nowhere in
particular British infantry to the extent of three companies, who
sprung to the heads of the gun-horses, and brought all to a standstill
amid oaths and cheers.

"How's that, umpire?" said the major commanding the attack, and with
one voice the drivers and limber gunners answered, "Hout!" while the
colonel of artillery sputtered.

"All your scouts are charging our main body," said the major. "Your
flanks are unprotected for two miles. I think we've broken the back of
this division. And listen! there go the Goorkhas!"

A weak fire broke from the rear-guard more than a mile away, and was
answered by cheerful howlings. The Goorkhas, who should have swung
clear of the second division, had stepped on its tail in the dark, but,
drawing off, hastened to reach the next line, which lay almost parallel
to us, five or six miles away.

Our column swayed and surged irresolutely--three batteries, the
divisional ammunition reserve, the baggage, and a section of hospital
and bearer corps. The commandant ruefully promised to report himself
"cut up" to the nearest umpire, and commending his cavalry and all
other cavalry to the care of Eblis, toiled on to resume touch with the
rest of the division.

"We'll bivouac here to-night," said the major. "I have a notion that
th