Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/87

Rh nearly 20.000 men, in eluding three European regiments, was by this time collected and divided into four strong brigades, of which one on the right was directed upon Hariharpur, another on the left up the Gandak to Rámnagar, and the remainder, the main body under the general himself, moved straight up the road to Khátmándu. On the 10th the latter force reached the entrance of the pass and there found the enemy strongly entrenched behind a triple line of fortification, which being reconnoitred was judged to be too strong to be taken by a direct attack. But the Gúrkhas contented themselves with a mere passive defence, and remained quiescent behind their stockades; thus the invaders were enabled on the 14th to proceed up an unguarded path and turn these formidable defences.

A brigade started at night on this perilous march, led by General Ochterlony, unaccompanied even by a solitary baggage animal; they struggled along slowly and laboriously in single file, through deep and rocky defiles, across sombre and tangled forests, and up rugged and precipitous ascents; but after lengthened toil and numerous difficulties, their efforts were amply rewarded, for the next day they reached and occupied a position in rear of the enemy's defences; and the Gúrkhas surprised and almost surrounded were obliged hurriedly to evacuate all their works, and to retreat precipitately to the north without even striking a blow.

Pressing on as rapidly as possible, the two brigades of the central column formed a junction on the banks