FROM FATHIGARH TO CAWNPORE. 319 



of the charge and pursuit, Hodson's Horse got out 

 of hand and broke into scattered parties. The 

 enemy rallied round their remaining gun, and 

 poured grape and volleys of musketry into their 

 disordered ranks. "Our men, gallant and forward 

 in pursuit or a charge, could not stand being 

 hammered at a disadvantage. There was a din 

 of shoutino- and noise, officers doins; their best to 

 bring the men up, but all to no effect, and it 

 looked sadly probable that ' Hodson's Horse ' would 

 in their turn retreat. 



" Hodson at this crisis managed to get a few 

 brave spirits together — not more than a dozen. 

 Well I remember him, with his arm in a sling from 

 his w^ound at Shamsabad, shouting to the men to 

 follow him as he made an attempt to charge." As 

 Hodson and his adjutant were riding close together, 

 followed by a few of their men, Hodson's charger, 

 badly wounded, came down with him. At the next 

 moment Gough's own horse reared straight up and 

 fell dead. " The fire was most deadly. The range 

 was short, and just suited to the point-blank fire 

 from the smooth-bore musket under wdiich we were 

 exposed, so that nearly every one of our small party 

 was killed or wounded. Fortunately I fell clear of 

 my horse, and catching a sojvar's whose rider had 

 just been killed, I speedily mounted, and, as good 

 luck would have it, was able to rally our men to a 

 certain extent, who, seeing our supports coming 

 up (7th Hussars and Military Train), now came 

 on with a will, and charging the remaining gun, 

 scattered the enemy in all directions." 



While Hodson was still in search of another 

 mount, Hugh Gough led his men in pursuit of 



