e, it was very probable that other
parties of the enemy whom we might encounter would not scruple to shoot
us down. I saw, therefore, that I must endeavour to avoid any of their
posts; not an easy matter, as all the roads would be guarded. At
present, however, all we could do was to gallop on to the northward. I
had fortunately noted the outlines of the mountains on either side as I
came along, and was thus able to direct my course. From the unevenness
of the ground, we ran, at the rate we were going, a great risk of
falling; but it was not a time to stop at trifles. Not only our own
lives, but the safety of the army, might depend upon our getting back.
There was no doubt that the Pastucians intended to attempt surprising
our forces; but this, if I should make good my escape, would be
prevented.

Reaching the summit of rising ground, we now saw before us a Pastucian
outpost. I could scarcely hope to pass through it without being
questioned, as the firing from the lines would have been heard, and its
cause suspected. Our best chance of escape, therefore, was to leave the
road by turning to the right, and to make our way across the country. I
looked behind, feeling sure that we should be pursued; but as yet no
enemy was in sight in that direction, nor were we perceived by those
ahead. At first the ground was sufficiently even to allow us to
continue at full speed; but in a short time it became so rough that we
had to make our way with more caution, and finally we were compelled to
dismount and lead our horses over the rocks amid thick underwood. We
had next to pass through a forest, which covered the side of a rising
ground, but here we gained the advantage of being concealed from our
enemies. On emerging from the wood we saw below us a broad stream,
which separated the two armies; and once on the other side, we should be
in comparative safety. My intention, therefore, was to gallop down the
bill, and at once to ford or swim the stream, in the hope that we might
reach the other side before being discovered by the enemy.

We had just remounted, when I saw to the left a considerable body of the
Pastucians, watching, I concluded, a ford in that direction. To the
right the river went foaming and roaring over a rocky bed, but there
were one or two smooth-looking places, across which I thought it
possible we might pass. The question, however, was whether we should be
able to reach a practicable spot before the Pa