of Deothul, which was the main object of attack. Sir David Ochterlony reckoned, however, that even if he failed there, the possession of Ryla would still be a great advantage, and that the movement on both points at the same time would contribute to distract the enemy. To assist the enterprise further, a diversion was planned by other detachments, which were directed to march right upon the enemy's cantonment under the walls of Maloun.

It will be proper to explain this movement more in detail. Five columns altogether were put in motion, besides detachments for the diversion, and the following was the part assigned to each.

The first from Pulta, one of the posts opposed to Soorujgurh, on the enemy's extreme right, consisted of two light companies of the 19th N.I. under Lieutenant Fleming, who, attended by a strong body of irregulars, was to make a secret night movement on Ryla, and there show a light as a signal for the

movement of the other columns. Immediately on secing it, Captain Hamilton was to march on the same point with his own and Lieutenant Lidlie's detachments, assembled for the purpose at Iynugur, while a Grenadier battalion from head-quarters under Major Innes moved simultaneously in the same direction. This force was destined to support Lieutenant Fleming and to occupy Ryla; while Major Lawrie with the 2nd battalion of the 7th N.I. from his position at Kalee to the right, and Lieutenant Colonel Thompson with the 2nd battalion of the 3rd N.I., from Sir David Ochterlony's head-quarters, were to lead each separate column on Deothul, and two field pieces were attached to the latter for the defence of the position when occupied. Two smaller detachments, one led by Captain Bowyer, and the other by Captain Showers, and consisting each of three companies, besides irregulars, were to move from opposite sides direct upon the Nepaulese cantonment, in order to create the

diversion above alluded to in aid of the occupa

tion of Deothul.

Ryla was occupied by Lieutenant Fleming in the course of the night of the 14th, and at the sight of the signal, by which it was preconcerted that notice of this event should be communicated, Captain Hamilton and Major Innes marched on the same point, and in the course of the morning established themselves without meeting any opposition. The signal being repeated from a conspicuous station behind the General's camp, the two columns under Colonel Thompson and Major Lawrie marched immediately to the Gumrora, and waiting there till daylight moved from opposite directions on Deothul. They just met at the last ascent, and pushed on together to seize the point, at about ten in the morning, when a contest commenced as severe as any in which our native troops have ever been engaged. As the head of the first column approached the summit of Deothul, a picquet of not more than twenty

or thirty Nepaulese charged fearlessly on the advance guard, and occasioned a check that was near proving fatal to the success of the movement. The exertions of the officers, however, particularly of Major Lawrie, restored the men to a sense of duty, and they advanced boldly and dislodged the enemy as well from Deothul as from other posts in the immediate neighbourhood. The day was spent in desultory fighting about the position, and every exertion was made in the evening, and during the night to throw up defences about Deothul in the conviction that the struggle for the post had yet to

come.

The Nepaulese had been occupied during the day in opposing and pursuing the detachments of Captains Showers and Bowyer, which had thus completely succeeded in withdrawing their attention from the main object. The former officer marched from Rutunghur, and early in the day found himself within the stockades of the enemy. He was of a peculiar chivalrous spirit, and thinking he had instilled the same

ardour and fearlessness into his men, urged them to trust only to the bayonet, and in this view he commanded them not to load. As the column approached the cantonments, a body of Nepaulese came boldly down upon them, when Captain Showers stepped forward to lead the projected charge; the Sepoys, however, not being on ground where they could form readily, proved unequal to the trial, and the captain was left alone to stand the shock. A personal combat ensued with the Nepaulese chief, and he was slain by the Captain, who happened to be an excellent swordsman. This brave officer was, however, shot dead immediately afterwards, which completed the confusion.

The detachment fled precipitately as far as Lag village, and were pursued by the Nepaulese. This spot being however open, the men were rallied by Lieutenant Rutledge; and having had time to load, offered a successful opposition, and again assumed the offensive.

Captain Bowyer in the meantime had marched