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 THE ATTACK OX THE JONG 67 trees at the foot of the jong were to be occupied first by our men. No time was lost, and twenty minutes' silent march brought the first attacking parties to their positions a few minutes before four. The alarm was given, and a few shots were fired, but it was a wild and badly-aimed salvo, and no casualties resulted. Two gardens are thrust forward on either side of the eastern or Lhasan road as it curves round the rock and strikes out into the plain. In the darkness there was some confusion, and an unfortunate incident occurred which resulted in the re-organisation of the storming column into two parties instead of three, as had been originally intended. That under Colonel Campbell and Captain Sheppard occupied the garden to the right, where they were for some time held in check by a spirited fusillade from the housetops before them. At the earliest streak of dawn use was made of " Bubble," who had been brought along with the column and was now used with terrific effect at point-blank range. On the left, Lieutenants Gurdon and Burney, of Major Murray's party, gallantly and successfully carried out their storming-work, and four or five explosions cleared the way for a general assault, which rapidly gave us possession of all the houses along the southern foot of the rock. While carrying out this all-important duty. Lieutenant Gurdon, to the deep sorrow of all, met his death. The loss of a man of his calibre was, in itself, a severe blow to the force, and the regret was doubled by the friendly intimacy which acquaintance during two months of investment had necessarily strengthened. He was struck on the head by a piece of stone dislodged by his own charge of gun-cotton, and death was instantaneous. VOL. II. 5*