military secretary
to the governor-general. The Sikh army retreated on the fords of the
Sutlej, and, disheartened by the capture of its artillery, and the loss
it had sustained in killed and wounded, crossed over to the other side
of the river. Early in the next year the victorious British followed
them, and pressed onwards to Lahore. Terms of peace were agreed on; and
one of the stipulations between the two states was the disbandment of
the Sikh force. The importance of these victories was acknowledged by
government, and the people of England at large; who joined in admiration
of the conduct of the governor-general, the commanders, and the troops,
by whom the victory was achieved.

In the vicinity of Scinde Sir Charles Napier was employed in military
operations against the mountain desert tribes on the right bank of the
Indus, north of Shikarpoor.

This was a hazardous service, requiring, as Sir Henry Hardinge remarked,
"on the part of the general, the utmost prudence, skill, and foresight;
and on the part of the troops, the greatest fortitude in enduring
the fatigues and privations to which they were exposed." In these
operations, however, Sir Charles Napier was completely successful. On
the 9th of March he wrote to the governor-general an account of his
victory in these terms:--"I have to report to you the conclusion of the
war against the mountain and desert tribes, who, driven into their last
refuge, the stronghold at Truckee, have this day laid down their arms:
the fort of Deyrah is destroyed; and Islam Boogtie, the only chief not a
prisoner, is said to be a lonely fugitive in the Ketrau country, far in
the north, and ruled by a chief whose daughter Islam married. To detail
the movements which led to this result, would produce a despatch
of greater length than is necessary; nor, indeed, could it be well
understood, as no map exists of this part of Schwistan and Cutchee;
suffice it therefore to say that the mountain tribes occupy a country of
extensive deserts and barren mountains, stretching about one hundred
and forty miles from east to west. Into this apex, or smaller part, we
succeeded in driving the robber chiefs; but with great difficulty, for
this part of the country is full of the most dangerous defiles. To
enter them with a regular force is an operation which threatens it with
destruction. The only credit to be acquired in such a war is that which
results from patience, under privations created by the de