erulean chambers of the east,
the faithful moon still lingering on the tops of the western hills, loth
to bid us farewell. I was of course in the centre of my regiment. We
halted a considerable time, till broad daylight, when we could see, from
where I stood, the soldiers in advance of us, ascending by means of
projecting rocks and boughs. We were halted in a kind of basin,
surrounded by high hills. In the course of a couple of hours, the whole
of the 87th regiment, with our gallant general and suite, ascended this
difficult ghaut. From this eminence we could see a great distance; and
on every hill we could discern signals, which were communicated from
post to post. From this we concluded that the enemy had gained
information of our approach; but I do not think they knew whereabouts we
were, as will appear afterwards, but merely that some of our troops had
marched from their old ground.

What will not good examples effect on the minds of soldiers? Our gallant
general walked every yard of this critical march, encouraging his men.
These well-timed examples will accomplish wonders. The question now was,
how to get the guns up, and the powder and shot; but those who are
accustomed to wars in India are not often at a loss for expedients.
Having got all the men up, except the rear-guard, the pioneers went to
work with their pickaxes, some making a road, and others felling trees.
As we were but two regiments, the general's primary object was to place
our little force to the best advantage. This accomplished, the guns were
our next object. Having cut a good deal of the most prominent part of
the hill away, and laid trees on the ascent as a footing for elephants,
these animals were made to approach it, which the first did with some
reluctance and fear. He looked up, shook his head, and, when forced by
his driver, he roared piteously. There can be no question, in my
opinion, that this sagacious animal was competent instinctively to judge
of the practicability of the artificial flight of steps thus
constructed; for the moment some little alteration had been made, he
seemed willing to approach. He then commenced his examination and
scrutiny, by pressing with his trunk the trees that had been thrown
across; and after this he put his fore leg on, with great caution,
raising the fore part of his body so as to throw its weight on the tree.
This done, he seemed satisfied as to its stability. The next step for
him to ascend by was a proj