post at the double. The withdrawal was
effected before the Tibetans made their contemplated rush, but we all
felt that it was rather a narrow shave.

Troops were to have gone out again the next day to clear the village we
had left untaken, but the mounted infantry reconnoitring in the morning
reported that the enemy had fled, and that the lines of communication
were again clear.

On the succeeding day a large convoy and reinforcements under Major
Peterson, 32nd Pioneers, came safely through. The additional troops
included a section of No. 7 (British) Mountain Battery, under Captain
Easton; one and a half companies of Sappers and Miners, under Captain
Shepherd and Lieutenant Garstin; and another company of the 32nd
Pioneers. Major Peterson reported that his convoy had come under a
heavy fire from the village and monastery of Naini. This monastery lies
about seven miles from Gyantse in an opening of the valley just before
the road turns into Gyantse Plain. It holds about 5,000 monks. When the
column first passed by it, the monks were extremely friendly, bringing
out presents of butter and eggs, and readily selling flour and meat. The
monastery is surrounded by a wall thirty feet high, and at least ten
feet thick. The buildings inside are also solidly built of stone.
Altogether the position was a very difficult one to tackle, but Colonel
Brander, following his usual policy, decided that the enemy must be
turned out of it at all costs. Accordingly, on the 24th a column, which
included Captain Easton's two guns, marched out to Naini. But the
monastery and the group of buildings outside it were found absolutely
deserted. The walls were far too heavy and strong to be destroyed by a
small force, which had to return before nightfall, but Captain Shepherd
blew up the four towers at the corners and a portion of the hall in
which the Buddhas were enthroned.

The 27th provided a new excitement. About 1,000 yards to the right of
the post stood what was known as the Palla House, the residence of a
Tibetan nobleman of great wealth. The building consisted of a large
double-storied house, surrounded by a series of smaller buildings, each
within a courtyard of its own. During the night the Tibetans in the jong
built a covered way extending about half the distance between the jong
and Palla. In the morning the latter place was seen to be swarming with
men, busily occupied in erecting defences, making loopholes, and
generally engaged in