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106 yourself at the head of the great question of Indian military transport? You would do your country more good than all your generals put together.'

The rebels took advantage of this enforced delay to occupy certain forts and difficult passes in the mountainous ridges which separate Bundelkhand from the Ságar district. The passes were three in number — Narut, Mundinpur, and Dhámoní. Sir Hugh Rose resolved to force them without loss of time; more especially as it was necessary to unite his first and second brigades for the attack on Jhánsí. He had accordingly sent orders to his First Brigade to march by the trunk road towards Jhánsí, and by this turning movement to clear his left flank, while he himself moved direct towards the fortress. On the way he heard heavy firing to his left. This was the First Brigade taking the Fort of Chandari on March 17th. The enemy here offered a desperate resistance; but the fort was carried by storm, with a loss on our side of 2 officers and 27 men.

The Pass of Narut was by far the most difficult of the three just named; and the enemy, under the impression that Sir Hugh Rose must move through it, increased its natural difficulties by barricading the road with abattis and parapets of boulders. The Rájá of Banpur superintended the defence. The next most difficult pass was Dhámoní. Very little was known about Mundinpur, the third pass, which was about twenty miles from that of Narut; but a reconnaissance forcée induced Sir Hugh Rose to