they thought, nothing
between them and victory, they left the shelter of the rocks and came
rushing down, a furious, howling throng, with the green banner of the
Prophet in their van.

Now was our chance, and gloriously we utilised it.

From every cranny and slit of the waggons came a blaze of fire, every
shot of which told among the close-packed mob. Two or three score rolled
over like rabbits and the rest reeled for a moment, and then, with their
chiefs at their head, came on again in a magnificent rush.

It was useless, however, for undisciplined men to attempt to face such a
well-directed fire. The leaders were bowled over, and the others, after
hesitating for a few moments, turned and made for the rocks.

It was our turn now to assume the offensive. The guns were unlimbered
and grape poured into them, while our little infantry force advanced at
the double, shooting and stabbing all whom they overtook.

Never had I known the tide of battle turn so rapidly and so decisively.
The sullen retreat became a flight, and the flight a panic-stricken
rout, until there was nothing left of the tribesmen except a scattered,
demoralised rabble flying wildly to their native fastnesses for shelter
and protection.

I was by no means inclined to let them off cheaply now that I had them
in my power. On the contrary, I determined to teach them such a lesson
that the sight of a single scarlet uniform would in future be a passport
in itself.

We followed hard upon the track of the fugitives and entered the Terada
defile at their very heels. Having detached Chamberlain and Elliott with
a company on either side to protect my wings, I pushed on with my Sepoys
and a handful of artillerymen, giving the enemy no time to rally or
to recover themselves. We were so handicapped, however, by our stiff
European uniforms and by our want of practice in climbing, that we
should have been unable to overtake any of the mountaineers had it not
been for a fortunate accident.

There is a smaller ravine which opens into the main pass, and in their
hurry and confusion some of the fugitives rushed down this. I saw sixty
or seventy of them turn down, but I should have passed them by and
continued in pursuit of the main body had not one of my scouts come
rustling up to inform me that the smaller ravine was a _cul-de-sac_, and
that the Afridis who had gone up it had no possible means of getting out
again except by cutting their way through our ranks.