PUESUIT OF ROBBERS. Ill 



horses were completely worn out by tlie rapid- 

 ity of their march. The same too might be 

 said of my own party, for only fifteen men were 

 with me, the remainder having dropped behind 

 through sheer inabiUty to keep up. The robbers 

 haying committed shocking atrocities in passing 

 through the village, its inhabitants were ready 

 enough to assist us, and I obtained the most 

 exact information regarding the place where 

 the villains were halted near a large tank. 

 My Sowars, though few in number, were all 

 tried soldiers, well armed and well mounted; 

 but the robbers being upwards of two hundred 

 strong, the disparity in numbers was two great 

 for me to attack them with any hope of success. 

 In my party I had an old Duffadar, who had 

 seen much service in the cavahy of Ameer 

 Khan, and calling him up I asked his advice. 

 ' Hukeem Sahib,' said he, ' wait till the second 

 watch of the night ; by that time our men and 

 horses will be somewhat refreshed, and some 

 Sowars in the rear will have come up. Give every 

 horse a small bit of opium just before avc start ; 

 that will for the time put new life into them, 

 as it acts like the brandy that the SaJdh Logue* 

 * English geutleiueu. 



