Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/80

72 marching towards his colleague, he found the way blocked by a hill fort, before which he had to spend the month of March in trying to reduce it.

Lord Hastings, who was all this time directing every military movement from a distance, and who had full knowledge of political events, found that the dangers to be apprehended in Central India in January had now passed away; he accordingly ordered up a force of 2500 men with 10 guns, under Colonel Nicholls, 23rd March, to the support of Gardner's irregulars. The junction between these two bodies was effected early in April, and it was not a day too soon, for Hearsey got into difficulties that might have brought ruin on the whole expedition.

The Gúrkha government finding that they were not pressed in the eastern theatre, and having heard of the Rohillá invasion as well as the necessities of Amar Singh (who as will be seen presently was at this time harassed by Ochterlony), now dispatched a body of troops across the Kali to ward off the danger that threatened them. This force defeated Hearsey, and not only took him prisoner, but recovered all his posts, and overran the country he had conquered. Flushed with this success, the Gúrkhas marched to Almora, and reached that town a day or two after Nicholls had joined Gardner. They now endeavoured to manœuvre against the British, but on the 23rd April they were defeated and their commander killed, and two days later an outwork of the town was assaulted and carried. The enemy, though much