CHAPTER XV
THE DAY-BOOK OF JOHN BERTHIER HEATHERSTONE
Thull Valley, Oct. 1, 1841.--The Fifth Bengal and Thirty-third Queen's
passed through this morning on their way to the Front. Had tiffin with
the Bengalese. Latest news from home that two attempts had been made on
the Queen's life by semi-maniacs named Francis and Bean.
It promises to be a hard winter. The snow-line has descended a thousand
feet upon the peaks, but the passes will be open for weeks to come, and,
even if they were blocked, we have established so many depots in the
country that Pollock and Nott will have no difficulty in holding their
own. They shall not meet with the fate of Elphinstone's army. One such
tragedy is enough for a century.
Elliott of the Artillery, and I, are answerable for the safety of the
communications for a distance of twenty miles or more, from the mouth of
the valley to this side of the wooden bridge over the Lotar.
Goodenough, of the Rifles, is responsible on the other side, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Sidney Herbert of the Engineers, has a general
supervision over both sections.
Our force is not strong enough for the work which has to be done.
I have a company and a half of our own regiment, and a squadron
of Sowars, who are of no use at all among the rocks. Elliott has three
guns, but several of his men are down with cholera, and I doubt
if he has enough to serve more than two.
[Note: capsicum for cholera--tried it]
On the other hand, each convoy is usually provided with some guard of
its own, though it is often absurdly inefficient.
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