ideck heard that about 4,000 English soldiers and more than 1,000
officers were dead and wounded, while 3,000 men and 85 officers were
prisoners in the hands of the Russians. The losses of the sepoy regiment
could not at present be approximately determined, as the battle had
extended over too wide an area.

Prince Tchajawadse, although showing the same friendly feeling towards
Heideck, now adopted more the attitude of his military superior. He
narrated during the journey that the Russian army was taking the road
through the west provinces, and would leave the valley of the Indus, and
the country immediately bordering it, unmolested.

"We shall march to Delhi," he said, "and then probably advance upon
Cawnpore and Lucknow."

The detachment was unable to make use of the railway which goes via
Amritsar and Ambala to Simla, because it had been to a great extent
destroyed by the English. But the rapidity of the march naturally
depended upon the marching capabilities of the infantry. And although
Heideck could not fail to admire the freshness and endurance of these
hardened soldiers, they yet advanced far too slowly for his wishes.

How happy he would have been if, with his squadron, he had been able
to make a forced march upon the road which the unhappy Edith must have
taken!

On the second day after their start, the blue and violet peaks of the
mountains were silhouetted in the distance. It was the mountainous
country lying beneath the Himalayas, whose low summer temperature
induces the Viceroy and the high officials of the Indian Government
every year to take refuge from the intolerably hot and sultry Calcutta
in the cool and healthy Simla. Moreover, the families of the rich
English merchants and officials living in the Punjab and the west
provinces are accustomed to take up their quarters there during the hot
season.

The vegetation as they advanced became ever richer and more luxuriant.
Their way led through splendid jungles, which in places gave the
impression of artificially made parks. Hosts of monkeys sprang about
among the palms, and took daring leaps from one branch to the other. The
approach of the soldiers did not appear to cause these lively creatures
any appreciable fear, for they often remained seated directly over
their heads and regarded the unaccustomed military display with as
much inquisitiveness as they evidently did with delight. Parrots in gay
plumage filled the air with shrill cries, while here