224 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



About this time we were joined by one of Scindiah's officers, 

 the Sir Soubah or chief governor of the district, from whom 

 I received much valuable assistance. From his scouts we 

 obtained intelligence that a body of the enemy was coming 

 southwards, and our march was so accurately regulated that 

 we arrived on the ground at Mongrowlee on the 9th October, 

 about one hour before they came in sight. We at once met 

 them, and after some sharp firing they fled, leaving their four 

 guns in our hands. 



On the following morning General Michel, with all his 

 cavalry, marched north to Serai, where we fell in with a column 

 under Colonel Parke, 72d Highlanders. A considerable por- 

 tion of his cavalry and horse artillery was transferred to our 

 force. Our own infantry and guns had been directed to move 

 due east to Malthone, on the north-west corner of the Saugor 

 district. From Serai we also moved east, intending to cross the 

 Betwa and advance through the jungle to Lullutpore. The 

 river was deep and rapid, and the passage was attended with 

 some difficulty, and on our attempting to push on a body of 

 irregular cavalry by the direct route through the jungle to Lul- 

 lutpore, they were fired on from the thickets, and driven back. 

 The entire force was therefore moved round to Malthone, and 

 thence we marched through a pass in the hills to Narhut. 



At this time, the second division of the rebel army, 

 augmented by the men who had fled from Mongrowlee, was 

 encamped at Lullutpore, twenty-five miles to the north, and 

 from that place to Narhut was the metalled road towards 

 Saugor. As we had reason to believe that the enemy would 

 attempt to turn our right flank, the General determined to 

 intercept them, and had ordered the march on Sindwaho, ten 

 miles to the north-east of Narhut, for the following morning. 

 With this view I had sent men ahead to the surrounding vil- 



