n's Royals
loudly demanded to be allowed to take revenge on the inhabitants of the
district. This of course could not be permitted, and the clamour that
had been raised about the matter soon died away.

Shortly after our arrival an order came down from the Ameers of Scinde,
that the inhabitants of Jurruk should vacate the town and retreat to
Hyderabad. It was obeyed with great reluctance, the love of home being
stronger with these poor people than their fear of the British. Their
removal was one of the most distressing and painful scenes I have ever
witnessed, both men and women giving way to wild bursts of passionate
grief, and casting back long and lingering regards at the habitations
they had abandoned. They left in bodies of between two and three
hundred, carrying with them all their portable effects, and at night the
town was completely deserted. We neither interfered with, nor molested
them during their preparations for departure, but immediately on their
quitting, a strong picket was posted in some of the empty houses.

Provisions became extremely scarce in the camp, and owing to the
remissness of the Commissariat in forwarding the stores from Tattah, our
grog was reduced from two drams daily, to one dram on halting days. This
was attended with the worst possible effects, for it encouraged the
troops to search after the liquor of the country; which proved not only
injurious to the constitution of the soldier, but to the discipline of
the service. Desertion became of frequent occurrence, and from one
hundred to one hundred and fifty camel drivers from India, together with
some Ghorra Wallars, or native horsekeepers, succeeded in making their
way across the river to Cutch Bhooj. A few were caught, and from six to
twelve dozen lashes each were inflicted on the delinquents.

Captain Outram was again sent forward to Hyderabad on a mission to the
Ameers of Scinde, but they received him in the haughtiest manner and
refused to come to any sort of terms. The Captain found them fortifying
the hills round the city, under the superintendence of an European
officer, and he observed a battery of twenty pieces of cannon, posted on
the banks of the river. Twenty thousand Belochees armed with talwar,
shield, and matchlock, and two thirds of whom were dismounted, occupied
a position on the right bank, so as to protect the battery. Half of this
force subsequently moved across the river and took up a strong position
on the western