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Rh detached corps that were scouring the country in different directions, they never stationed sentries, or took any similar precaution against an evil to which they were always exposed. On the 25th of December, 1816, Major Lushington, who was at Preputwaree with the 4th Madras Native Cavalry, received intelligence that a party of these plunderers had entered the Peishwa's territories by the Wauklee Pass, and were engaged in plundering to the south-east of Poonah. The news arrived at ten o'clock at night; and three hours afterwards the regiment, with two galloper-guns, moved in the direction in which the plunderers were said to be employed. The carriages of both guns broke down, and they were consequently left on the road, the regiment pursuing its way to Sogaum, where they arrived at seven o'clock on the morning of the 26th, having marched a distance of twenty-two miles. Here they learned that a large body of Pindarries had, on the preceding day, attacked the place; but being beaten off, had moved in an easterly direction.

Leaving at Sogaum the sick, recruits, heavy baggage, and camp-followers. Major Lushington, with 350 men, again marched, after a pause of only half-an-hour; and at noon, having performed a further distance of twenty miles, arrived at Kame. At this place he found that the Pindarries had halted on the previous night: they had departed at daybreak; had occupied the morning in firing and plundering several villages in the neighbourhood, and it was believed that they were then at no great distance. The short space of three quarters of an hour was allotted for refreshment, on the expiration of which the indefatigable band resumed its march in the direction which it was understood the Pindarries had taken.

At Pepree, seven miles from Kame, Major Lushington learned with much satisfaction that his labours and those of his men were likely to be soon rewarded by a sight of the enemy; it being stated that their whole body were halted at Cowah, about three miles further, for the purpose of taking a meal. He immediately pushed forward at a