Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/143

Rh Central Hindustán Divisions, and placed under the command of General Brown, was also pushed to the south of Kotah, and in communication with Adams; the battle of Mehidpur had moreover rendered the 1st, 3rd, and Gujarát Divisions available to act against the Pindárís from the south. All these forces were to close in as had been done before, and to hunt the freebooters from their new retreat.

As there was now no fear that any considerable force could attack small detachments, the pursuit was carried on by numerous light columns unencumbered by heavy artillery; but the rapidity of the enemy, the difficulties of movement and supply in a rugged and little-known district, the support clandestinely given by native chiefs, and the obstacles thrown in the way of procuring correct information, rendered the service peculiarly arduous and harassing to the troops engaged, and frequently frustrated the plans of the commanders. The operations, however, served in a great measure to pacify the country so traversed, and in this manner Sindhia's officer Jaswant Ráo Bháo who commanded at Jáwad was reduced to order, and punished for harbouring the freebooters. Meanwhile the three Pindárí bands finding no shelter in Mewár, determined to retrace their steps and to return to Málwá by circuitous routes. Chítu was by far the most capable leader, and had lost less than Kárím or Wasil in the first operations; he succeeded in baffling pursuit with the small loss of part only of his baggage, in spite of the strenuous efforts of Sir W. Keir (Gujarát