1 98 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS.
2 and we endeavoured to reconcile such a marked diffe-
3 rence by supposing that the Sikhs took more deadly
4 aim at the former, without for an instant doubting
5 that both were equally exposed. The effect, how-
6 ever, produced on both branches of our Native army
7 The courage of at that hard-contested fight, was somewhat to shake
8 our Native
9 troops shaken their courage, and it could not be denied, that,
10 by the fierce
11 beoring of the previous to the battle of Feerozshuhur, a fear pre-
12 Moodkee, vailed that opposed to formidable batteries, our
13 Native infantry might waver, and our regular .
14 Native cavalry shrink from charging guns, or even
15 the squares of Sikh infantry. .
16 Such a feeling was industriously suppressed,
17 however, if ever entertained by the Commander-in-
18 TheCommana- Chief and Governor-general. The Native troops
19 Paterna marched with alacrity to Feerozshuhur, but a re-
20 Nae portien Sistance there awaited them, which they could not
21 tiegudg.” have anticipated, and which certainly caused the
22 wavering of the best troops Europe could produce.
23 The Sikhs defended their entrenched camp with a
24 spirit which even European intrepidity could not at
25 once overcome, and ifa less courageous bearing were
26 manifested by the Native troops, it should be re-
27 membered that they had not acquired that contempt
28 for an enemy, which the European entertains:
29 their highest aim was to follow and emulate him.
30 When entering, therefore, the field of Feeroz-
31 shuhur, some doubted whether the Native character
32 for bravery was equal to the approaching struggle ;
33 but the hopes of all were buoyant, and it was soon
34 to be proved to what extent the Native soldier could
35 he trusted. ,