FROM SABATHU TO KASHMIR. 43 



The campaign, I am sorry to say, did me no good 

 in the way of promotion, owing to my not having 

 been ' posted ' permanently before it commenced." 



On July 3 Hodson begs his father to congratulate 

 him on being posted to so splendid a corps as the 

 1st Fusiliers, " now, alas ! a mere shadow of what 

 it was six months ago. We could only muster 

 256 men under arms when we were inspected by 

 Sir Walter Gilbert on the 1st ; but then there 

 was a most picturesque body of convalescents 

 present with their empty sleeves, pale faces, and 

 crutches, but looking proudly conscious of their 

 good conduct, and ready ' to do it again.' We 

 are under much stricter discipline in this corps, 

 both officers and men, and obliged to be orderly 

 and submissive. No bad thins; for us either. 1 

 hold there is more real liberty in being under a 

 decent restraint than in absolute freedom from 

 any check. I have been much more reconciled to 

 India since I joined this regiment. It is pleasant 

 to have white faces about one, and hear one's own 

 tongue spoken ; and then, besides, there is a home- 

 loving feeling in this corps which I have never met 

 with in India." ^ 



On August 31 Hodson went up to Simla to 

 spend a week with his new friend, Colonel Henry 

 Lawrence, to whom Thomason had introduced him 

 by letter in the previous March. This was to prove 

 the beginning of a friendship which lasted through- 

 out both their lives. The week grew into a month, 

 " thanks to Colonel Lawrence's pressing, and Colonel 

 Orchard's, my colonel's, kindness." 



At Lawrence's own desire the two lived, worked, 



^ Hodson of Hodson's Horse. 



