Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/184

176 few squadrons which galloped on, and stationed themselves between the village and the streights. Captain Dalton had began to fire from his two field pieces, when he received orders to quit his post, and join the main body, which had advanced a little way from the camp to favour his retreat: the near approach of the enemy now rendered the execution of this order liable to many difficulties; however to conceal his intentions from them as long as possible, he first drew up the greatest part of his detachment out of their sight behind the village, and then ordered the two field pieces to be sent to him; after which the rest of the detachment marched through the village and joined him. Thus the whole body formed before the enemy discovered their intention: as soon as they were convinced of it, their Sepoys rushed through the village, and began to fire from the huts on the rear of the English party, who had scarcely got out of reach of this fire, when the enemy's whole cavalry, divided into two bodies, came galloping round each side of the village, and surrounded them: the men did not lose courage, and by a heavy fire obliged them to retreat into the village. The detachment moving slowly on toward the camp, had not proceeded far before the enemy, horse and foot, returned to the charge, and surrounded them again. The Caffres, Topasses, and a platoon of Europeans kept up a constant fire, whilst the grenadiers continually presented and recovered their arms, preserving their fire for the last extremity; and by this reserve constantly deterred the cavalry from charging: in this manner they made their retreat good to the entrance of the streights, where the ground being rocky, hindered the enemy's horse from continuing in compact squadrons. The detachment, now reinforced by two platoons from the main body, halted more frequently, giving their whole fire at once, and joined their army in good order, bringing off their killed and wounded, which were fifteen men. The enemy following them, were insensibly led within a small distance of the whole force now united with eight pieces of cannon in front; they at first appeared determined to stand their ground, and bring on a general action; but finding themselves severely galled by the artillery, which, together with the whole line, advanced upon them, they gave way, and lost 300 men before they got out. of cannon-