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. 1 8 



