MILITARY AD VENTURES. 77 



enemy had only lately vacated ; we occu- 

 pied it and began to make preparations for 

 storming their fortress, or stronghold, in 

 the morning. In the mean time the officer 

 commanding, assisted by his staff, was 

 reconnoitring the enemy's position, with a 

 view to attacking him on his weakest side. 



The following morning we all assembled 

 before daylight. Just as the first dawn of 

 day was observed, we moved off and ad- 

 vanced in extended order, with strong 

 supports in our rear ; these were to form 

 the storming party when their services 

 were required. 



Advancing in this way for a short dis- 

 tance we soon observed their line of 

 defences teeming with people ; every 

 available man was pressed into their 

 service and the whole country was re- 

 presented. Our skirmishes now began, 



