COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 273 



threatened, if possible for two hours, to give time 



for Parkes and the others to get out. I took with 



me the three Sikhs. After leaving the main body 



of the Chinese army, I rode along the road by 



which our army must advance ; but I had not gone 



half a mile when I found a strong force of Chinese 



cavalry extending for at least two miles, moving in 



a formation not unlike sections of threes across their 



front from left to right. They said nothing to me, 



but gave me no space to pass, so I was obliged to 



gallop, followed by the Sikhs, at the first opening, 



and to my surprise they did not resent my doing 



so. Within a quarter of a mile of this I met our 



advance guard. Brabazon was with it. I asked 



him to halt until I had communicated with the 



General, whom I met half a mile in rear at the 



head of the column. They had just come in sight 



of the Chinese cavalry, who were passing round 



the left flank as if to get in rear. I informed him 



of the changed aspect of affairs. The French, who 



were on the right, now sent to say their right flank 



was threatened, and wished to engage as their troops 



came up ; but Sir Hope Grant decided on massing 



his baggage in a village to the rear, and getting 



his whole force up if possible before he acted on 



the offensive. I asked him how long he thought 



it possible he could put off the action, and he said 



not above an hour. I mentioned the importance 



it was for those at Yung-chow to delay it as much 



as possible, and begged him, as the time he could 



give was so much less than Parkes hoped might be 

 VOL. I. 18 



