ers; "but
this I do know that he is a stout-hearted fellow, and deserves a better
fate." "_I_ understand you," exclaimed the other Sepoy, and taking his
musket he placed the muzzle of it to the prisoner's head, and literally
covered the serjeant with his brains.

The quantity of carrion which we every where left upon our route
attracted numbers of the ravening beasts of prey with which these hills
abound, and we could not rest at night from the dismal howling which
surrounded us. Even the new made graves of our comrades did not escape
the keen and hungering scent of the jackall, their remains being
scarcely interred before we found them again torn up, their whitening
bones alone attesting the nature of the visitation. Amongst the greatest
of our annoyances, however, was the intolerable stench which proceeded
from the putrefying bodies of the camels, that lay scattered every where
upon our track, and which was enough to breed a mortality.

As we emerged from the Pass into the open country, the heights became
literally alive with Belochees, who gave expression to their rage and
disappointment in the most absurd and violent gesticulations. We
bivouacked late at night in the open plain, after a fatiguing and
harassing march of twelve hours, during which we had been unable to
procure a drop of water. The same privation awaited us in the place
where we passed the night, and the sufferings of both men and cattle
were dreadful. It was not until six o'clock next day that we fell in
with a stream that traversed the road to Quettah, and were able to
satisfy the thirst which consumed us. We were now in the valley of
Shawle, which presented a most agreeable contrast to the barren hills
through which we had just passed: here we found a succession of vast
orchards, whose fruit trees bursting into blossom and gladdening the
wearied eye with a variety of the most beautiful tints recalled to most
of us the pleasant scenery of dear old England.

On our arrival at Quettah the troops underwent a medical inspection, and
it was determined that the sick should be left behind. A depot was
accordingly established here, consisting of one regiment of Bengal
Infantry, one company of European Foot Artillery, some heavy ordnance,
and some Gikwar, or native horsemen, the whole under the command of
Brigadier-General Nott. This arrangement was reported to have given rise
to some angry altercation between the latter officer and Sir John Keane
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