diately falling into a state of perspiration, which entirely saturated his bed and bedding, rendering him obnoxious to the severest cold from the most gentle breath of air which might pass over him. To make matters worse, at this hot season of the year, a rash very commonly breaks out over every part of the body, marked by small red pimples, filled with water, and attended by a very severe and uncomfortable irritation. This rash is forced out by the great heat, and is sometimes so bad that men who put on a clean shirt at eight o'clock in the morning, after taking it off at eleven, to change, were in such a state, from the rash, that large flakes of flesh would come away with it: so dreadfully painful is the burning irritation of this disease, that men often, although conscious that it is at the imminent risk of their lives, would go down to the river and sit up to their neck in it, for the sake of a few minutes of temporary relief.

The political functionaries were unremitting in their endeavours to procure troops from all points, and detachments were daily pouring into Sukkur ; the 38th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry arrived on the 9th of October, in perfect field order; the right wing of the 40th that same day received instructions to hold themselves ready for a like duty at the shortest notice. Sukkur now became the scene of active preparation, and everything now wore the appearance of immediate war. Some difficulty having arisen in the procuring of trans

port, in consequence of resistance having been offered by the native Chiefs of Roree to the parties sent out to procure camels and carriages, Major Forbes then commanding, ordered the Grenadier company of the 40th, two companies of Sepoys, and two 6-pounder field pieces to proceed at two hours notice into the Roree, District to enforce obedience and compliance. The whole party returned the next day, followed by vast numbers of camels, which, it is presumed, were sent in consequence of the sudden appearance of the British Troops, for their march scarcely attained the importance of a demonstration, and of enemies they certainly saw none. My experience in the eastern nations has taught me that there is something in the prestige of a British Force, before which the bravest of the Native Troops constantly quail.

Had it been a suite of their own countrymen, who so peremptorily demanded carriage, doubtless, there would have been much bloodshed, but I have ever seen that when the British wish to effect an object, they seldom or never fail.

On the 10th of October, the 38th Native Regiment marched from Sukkur under the command of Capt. Burney, and on the 12th were followed by five Companies of the Queen's 40th, under the command of Capt. Boscawen, who was ordered on his arrival at Shikarpore to assume the command of the whole, as a Field force, having been joined by about 200 irregular cavalry and two field pieces, then stationed

at that place, which was three days march from Sukkur. Immediately on our arrival active measures were adopted to organise the whole force into the most perfect and efficient order-each man equipped for active service, and furnished with extra rounds of ammunition, to be carried in his pack; his allowance of baggage was reduced to twenty-eight pounds weight, including bed and bedding. Each soldier carried his kit, weighing about eighteen pounds; his musket on his shoulder, his accoutrements, bayonet and pouch, containing forty rounds of ball cartridge-a havre-sack containing his knife, fork and spoon, with sometimes two or three days' rations, and also, a tin pot to drink out of; and, in addition to all these, a small wooden canteen, or round flat keg somewhat the shape of a Staffordshire cheese, but not so large in circumference, holding, and to carry, about two quarts of water-a tolerably good load for a long march.

The general appearance of Shikarpore is very pleasing, but too close inspection shows the prevailing vices of the country, filth and misery. It apparently carries on a flourishing trade, and contains very extensive depot of government stores, for the use of the troops employed in Scinde, Beloochistan, and Cabool. Food was very cheap, and fruit of many kinds very beautiful, and plentiful.

We had here an extensive godown, or store for grain, &c., and owing to the great supplies brought into this town's market, our stocks were kept up at a

cheaper rate; the plans adopted by the Indian Government were excellent, and, as practice makes perfect, so did they improve, although the expenditures from the coffers of the East India Company were vast indeed. I shall give a brief account of the enormous outlay of several departments, which will give an idea what the total would be.

CHAPTER V.

Description of a March in the East; Extreme Change of Weather; European Constitution; Young Officers; Their Praiseworthy Conduct; Preparations for Active Service completed; Departure of Force; Destination; Dadur; The Enemy; Nusseer, the Youthful King of Kelat: His Mother, Beebee Gunjan; His Uncle, Gool Mahomed; Their Efforts to Annihilate Small Forces; Attempt to recapture Kelat; Lieutenant Loveday, Bombay N. I.; Massacre of his Force; His life ransomed by two Banyans; Becomes a Hostage; His Treatment; Nusseer's unsuccessful attack on Dadur; Three times Defeated; Arrival at Rojan; Fatiguing March across the Desert of Scinde; Confidence of Captain Boscawen in his Men; Certainty of British Valour; Enemy Encamped on the other side; Arrival at the Spot; Decampment of the Enemy towards Kunda; Cavalry despatched after them; Movement of Force to Kunda; Appearance of the Enemy; Battle; Description of Scene; Private Feelings; General Acknowledgment; My First Battle Field; Prisoners taken; Arrival of Nawab, Mahomed Shereave; Sentence passed on Prisoners; Mahomed's Manner; Anecdote of an English Rifle; Night Alarm; March to Oodana; Want of Water; Encampment on a Barren Plain.

HAVING fairly got on the march, it perhaps will not be out of place here to give my readers an idea of an army on the line of march in the field, in India, as it materially differs from that of one in England, where the soldier, surrounded by countrymen and