ed from the slopes on their flanks. Still the
Mahratta infantry struggled bravely on, until within a few yards of
the entrenchments. Then, suddenly, with a mighty shout, the rajah's
troops leaped to their feet, poured a volley from the crest of the
breastwork into the enemy; and then, with fixed bayonets, flung
themselves upon them.

The effect was decisive. The Mahrattas had, at the commencement of the
fight, scarcely outnumbered the troops of the rajah in front of them,
and had derived but little assistance from the levies of their ally;
who, indeed, had contented themselves with keeping up a fire upon the
defenders of the slopes. They had already suffered very severely, and
the charge made upon them, along the whole line, was irresistible.

Before the bayonets crossed they broke and fled, hotly pursued by the
troops of the rajah. These, in accordance with Charlie's orders, did
not scatter, but kept in a close line, four deep, which advanced,
pouring tremendous volleys into their foe.

In vain did Murari Reo endeavour to rally his men. His infantry, all
order lost, fled at the top of their speed, their flight covered by
their cavalry, who sacrificed themselves in two or three brilliant
charges, right up to the line of pursuers, although suffering terribly
from the withering volleys poured into their ranks.

The troops were now formed into heavy columns, and these rapidly
marched down the valley, after their flying enemy. An hour later, the
sound of heavy firing was heard in front, and at redoubled speed the
troops pressed onward. When they arrived, however, at the gorge, they
found that the last of the fugitives had passed through. The ground in
front was strewn with dead and dying, for as the mass of fugitives had
arrived at the gorge, the infantry from above had opened fire upon
them. Several times the frightened throng had recoiled, but at last,
impelled by the greater fear of their pursuers behind, they had dashed
forward through the fire, only to fall in hundreds in the gorge,
crushed beneath the rain of rocks showered down upon them from above.

Chapter 14: The Siege Of Ambur.

The victory was a complete and decisive one. A thousand of the best
troops of Murari Reo had fallen, besides some hundreds of their
irregular allies, whose loss was incurred almost wholly at the gorge
in the retreat. The rajah was in the highest state of delight at the
splendid result, obtained by the European training of his