fifteen miles from Donabew, they were disturbed
occasionally by the distant shots and noises of the marauders. Early on
the following morning, the column moved on about five miles farther
along the same path, until it abruptly terminated on the side of a broad
nullah or creek, the opposite side of which was high enough to command
the approach, and the whole well entrenched and armed, after the manner
of the native fortifications of Burmah. The road at this point had been
narrowed by an abattis of sharp-pointed bamboos, which rendered it
impossible to deploy the whole strength of the column; indeed, the
advance-guard, consisting of seamen and marines, marched with difficulty
two or three abreast, and the field-guns were in the rear. At this
moment a heavy and murderous fire was opened by the enemy upon the
British troops, the Burmese being wholly concealed by the breastworks,
and the British, on the contrary, entirely exposed.

Almost every man who approached the edge of that fatal creek was mowed
down. Lieutenant Kennedy, of the _Fox_, and Captain Price, of the 67th
Bengal Infantry, were killed on the spot. Captain Loch, with the daring
which had always distinguished him, led on his gallant followers to the
attack. For ten minutes he seemed, to use the expression of one of his
companions, "to bear a charmed life," for he stood unhurt in the midst
of that terrible fire. Twice he made an unsuccessful attempt to lead
his men across the nullah, to storm the fort hand to hand, but each time
he was driven back. As he again rallied the seamen and marines for a
third attack, a ball fired by a man in a tree struck him on the left
side, on his watch, and with such force that it drove the watch itself
into his body. He instantly felt that he was mortally wounded, but had
still strength and self-possession to fall back about fifteen paces to
the rear.

The command of the naval force, which had hitherto sustained the brunt
of the action, devolved by the death and wounds of the senior officers
on Commander Lambert, the son of the commodore. Twice with his brave
companions he made determined but vain attempts to get across to the
enemy, when many more lives were lost. He himself received four balls
through his clothes, though he fortunately escaped unhurt; but a large
proportion of officers and men were already wounded. It therefore
became absolutely necessary to provide without delay for the retreat of
the party by the