246 MAJOR W. HODSON. 



pains, I wrote back to explain this, and requested 

 more definite instructions. He must either say dis- 

 tinctly ' do this or that,' and I will do it ; or he must 

 give me cai^te hlanche to do what he wants in the 

 most practicable way, of which I, knowing the 

 country, can best judge. I am not going to fag 

 my men and horses to death, and then be told I 

 have exceeded my instructions. He gives me im- 

 mense credit for what I have done, but ' almost 

 wishes I had not ventured so far.' The old gentle- 

 man means well, but does not understand either 

 the country or the position I was in, nor does he 

 appreciate a tenth part of the effects which our 

 bold stroke at Eohtak, forty-five miles from camp, 

 has produced. N'importe, they will find it out 

 sooner or later. I hear both Chamberlain and 

 Nicholson took my view of the case, and sup- 

 ported me warmly." 



Meanwhile Charles Thomason was proceeding on 

 duty along the Grand Trunk road "very, very 

 down at the sad news " of the supposed disaster 

 at Rohtak, " when, looking up, I saw some native 

 cavalry coming along the road towards me. I was 

 not at all sure who they were, but went on my way 

 until we met, w^hen, to my delight, I recognised 

 Hodson and M'Dowell chatting jovially together 

 at the head of ' Hodson's Horse.' Mutual saluta- 

 tions followed, something in this fashion : ' Hulloa, 

 William, is that you? I just heard before leaving 

 camp that you and all your men had been anni- 

 hilated at Eohtak.' 



" ' Not a bit of it, Charlie,' was the reply ; ' you 

 don't catch a weasel asleep, and here, as you see, we 

 are, as merry as grigs. Fact is, Mac and I have 



