1 110 HISTORY OP THE SIKHS.
2 Different con- "Phose who do not know the Native character may
3 stitution of
4 Barepean and smile at our endeavours to extenuate their want of
5 diers, and its @ combative spirit, but with those who know how
6 incompetent a Native is to do anything without
7 his water and food, the excuse will go far to prove,
8 that we have not attached too much weight to
9 these circumstances. A Native knows none of the
10 stimulating and exciting effects of wine, beer, or
11 spirits. ‘The European soldier can exist, it is true,
12 without either, and be a robust, courageous indi-
13 vidual; but the energy of the Native is paralysed
14 when he cannot procure water ; his physical strength
15 Benefici:l and courage give way in its absence. A European
16 effect of a
17 ieee soldier, on the other hand, suffering from thirst,
18 European. finds a mouthful of rum sufficient to quench it
19 more effectually than perhaps a gallon of water,
20 and this was verified on the night of the 2Ist, at
21 Feerozshuhur. Those who were dying of thirst,
22 and loathed the taste or even the smell of the
23 soldiers’ rum, were speedily obliged to own its
24 magical effect, in moistening their parched lips, and
25 cose ce restoring the energy of mind and body. Fortu-
26 proot. nately, the causes which we have assigned for the
27 apparent want of spirit and purpose, on the part of
28 the Native soldier, were afterwards tested at
29 Sobraon, where many Native corps charged side
30 by side with the European regiments, and with a
31 __ gallantry equal to that of their brethren in arms.
32 Not advisable . nee ° A
33 to try the cou- This, it is hoped, will act as a warning to com-
34 Naisect = manders in all future battles, not to call upon the
35 ore sipahee to fight on an empty stomach. So well are
36 privation.