Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/142

134 it was due to the efficiency of the English officers who led the natives into action that the battles of Kirkí and the Sítabáldí hills had not been lost. It was impossible to calculate beforehand upon these victories; but the British sepoys, having imbibed habits of military discipline, rallied round their leaders and withstood the onslaught of the enemy, who as a mob were subject to panic and became demoralised by the first reverse. Hence was success achieved under the most unpromising circumstances; and the brilliant result enhanced the prestige of the power of England and the fame of her valour, and carrying dejection among the Maráthá princes, impressed them with the invincible character of the opponents against whom they contended. Yet much remained to be accomplished. The predatory system was not eradicated, and many of its upholders were still in arms; time had been given to Bájí Ráo to escape from the 4th Deccan Division, and he gathered sufficient power to maintain the struggle he began; and, lastly, Apá Sáhib had not been deposed, and latitude enough was conceded to him to continue the conspiracy in which he had embarked.

When the Pindárís were forced into Mewár, General Marshall (Left Division) was ordered back to Sironj, to settle the lands they evacuated, and to prevent their return to their old haunts; Adams marched to Gungrar and Donkin to Sháhpura, to guard the districts in the east and north respectively; a lightly equipped column, composed of troops drawn from the Left and