Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/347

Rh guns had been retaken by a body of the enemy's horse, and turned against the English. But the advantage was enjoyed for a very short time: Captain Norford, with only twenty-eight men, retrieved the guns, the life of the gallant officer being unhappily sacrificed in the exploit.

The loss of the enemy was estimated at nearly two thousand, and eighty-seven pieces of cannon fell into the hands of the English, including some which Colonel Monson had lost on his retreat. The victory was brilliant and complete, but it was not purchased without heavy loss. The English return of killed and wounded amounted to upwards of six hundred and forty, and among them was the brave officer who had planned and commanded the attack: the wound of General Frazer proved mortal, and he survived the victory only a few days.

Meantime Lord Lake was in hot pursuit of the Mahratta chief, following him at the rate of twenty-three miles a day. The distance between them kept gradually diminishing until, on the 17th of November, after a night-march, the head of the British column reached the skirts of the freebooter's camp under the walls of Furruckabad. The horses were at picket, and beside them lay their riders, wrapped in their blankets, sleeping.

For many days the English had been subjected to most harassing marches; and within the twenty-four hours immediately preceding their arrival at Holkar's camp they had marched fifty-eight miles. Their fatigues were, however, forgotten, for the enemy whom they had so perseveringly pursued was now before them; and on the preceding evening fresh vigour had been given to their hopes by the receipt of the news of the glorious battle of Deeg. The first intimation which the slumbering camp of Holkar received of the presence of the English was a discharge of grape from their horse artillery. "It awakened some," says Major Thorn; "but sealed many in an everlasting sleep." Before the surprise