112 A NIGHT ATTACK. 



are so fond of. Let us fall on them when they 

 are sleeping and put them to the sword, for 

 every one is a murderer and robber deserving 

 of death. See the atrocities they committed 

 here only a few hours ago ! Attack them we 

 must, or our faces will be blackened for ever ; our 

 numbers are too few to stand upon punctilio, 

 and if we delay the attack they will be be- 

 yond our reach and in the hills to-morrow.' 

 Thus spoke the old Duffadar, and although 

 strongly averse to slaying sleeping men, I 

 could not but concur in the advice that he gave ; 

 and having been joined by ten or twelve 

 Sowars, we marched at midnight under the 

 guidance of some of the villagers, who joined 

 us in the desire of taking their revenge and 

 sharing in the booty recoverable from the 

 robbers. The night was pitch-dark, and the 

 distance greater than we had been told ; but we 

 came in sight of their fires about two in the 

 morning, and were soon amongst them. I had 

 strictly enjoined silence, and was well obeyed ; 

 but just as we were approaching the foe, one of 

 our horses neighed, and this aroused a drowsy 

 sentinel, who shouted Kone-Hai, Who is there ? 

 A spear was through him in a moment, and 



