face
overlooking the post would have been foolhardy, but Colonel Brander
decided to make a reconnaissance to a monastery on the high hills to our
right, whence the jong itself could be overlooked. A subsidiary reason
for visiting this monastery was that it was known to have afforded
shelter to a number of those who had fled from the attack on the post.
The hill was climbed with every military precaution, but only a few old
monks were found in occupation of the buildings. More disappointing was
the fact that an examination through telescopes of the rear of the jong
showed that the Tibetans had been also building indefatigably there. A
strong loopholed wall ran zigzagging up the side of the rock. It was
clear that nothing could be done till the General returned from Chumbi
with more troops and guns.

For more than two weeks our rear remained absolutely open. The post,
carried by mounted infantry, came in and went out regularly. Two large
convoys reached us unopposed. The only danger lay in the fact that
people seen entering or leaving the post came under a heavy fire from
the jong. To minimize risks, departures from the post were always made
before dawn.

During the two weeks streams of men could be seen entering the jong from
both the Shigatze and Lhasa roads. Emboldened by numbers, and also by
our non-aggressive attitude, the enemy began to cast about for means of
taking the post. One of the first steps taken by the Tibetan General in
pursuance of this policy was to occupy during the night a small house
surrounded by trees, lying to our left front, almost midway between the
jong and the post. On the morning of the 18th bullets from a new
direction were whizzing in amongst us, and partly enfilading our
traverses. This was not to be tolerated, and the same night arrangements
were made for the capture of the position.

Five companies stole out during the hours of darkness and surrounded the
house. The rush, delivered at dawn, was left to the Gurkhas. But the
entrance was found blocked with stones, and the enemy was thoroughly
awake by the time the Gurkhas were under the wall. Luckily, the
loopholes were not so constructed as to allow the Tibetans to fire their
jingals down upon our men, who had only to bear the brunt of showers of
stones thrown upon them from the roof. The shower was well directed
enough to bruise a good many Gurkhas. Three officers were struck--
Major Murray, Lieutenant Lynch, and Lieutenant Franklin,