obtained an interview with his
Excellency, when he explained to me that after he went past
the Ninety-Third through the breach in the wall of the
Dilkoosha park, Lieutenant Watson sent a trooper after him,
and that the trooper was close to him when the battery
unmasked and opened fire on them, the guns having been laid
for their horses; that the second shot struck the trooper's
horse as described by me, the horse and rider falling
together amidst the dust knocked up by the other round shot;
and that he, as a matter of course, dismounted and assisted
the trooper to get from under the dead horse, and as he
remounted after performing this humane and dangerous service
to the fallen trooper, the Ninety-Third set up their cheer
as I described.

Now I must say the true facts of this incident rather add to
the bravery of the action. The young lieutenant, who could
thus coolly dismount and extricate a trooper from under a
dead horse within point-blank range of a well-served battery
of 9-pounder guns, was early qualifying for the
distinguished position which he has since reached.

FOOTNOTES:

[6] Unleavened griddle-cakes.

[7] Rather less than two ounces.

[8] Laundry-men.

[9] The native official in charge of the bazaar; he possesses certain
magisterial powers.

[10] The _bheesties_, or water-carriers, have been noted for bravery and
fidelity in every Indian campaign.

[11] Now Colonel Bendyshe Walton, C.I.E.

[12] Kavanagh was a European clerk in one of the newly-instituted
Government offices.

[13] _Bagh_ means a garden, usually surrounded by high walls.

[14] See note at end of chapter.

[15] The great Mussulman carnival.

[16] Religious mendicants.

[17] "Victory to the _Khalsa_!"

CHAPTER IV

THE NINETY-THIRD--ANECDOTES OF THE SECUNDRABAGH--GENERAL EWART--THE SHAH
NUJEEF

In the first chapter of these reminiscences I mentioned that, before
leaving Dover, the Ninety-Third obtained a number of volunteers from the
other Highland regiments serving in England. Ours was the only Highland
regiment told off for the China expedition, and it was currently
whispered that Lord Elgin had specially asked for us to form his guard
of honour at the court of China after he had administered a due
castigation to the Chinese. Whether the report was true or not, the
belief did the regiment no harm; i