1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 113
2 from the expenditure of all the ammunition. The
3 computation of events was most disheartening.
4 Even if the infantry could be formed into line with
5 the light of day, there was no gun to defend their
6 advance, and no cavalry capable of completing any
7 advantage they might gain. On the other hand,
8 the Sikh force was numerous, and their strength in
9 » cavalry incalculable ; with such advantages on
10 their side, nothing could be expected but a fierce
11 renewal of the fight.
12 “ The Sikhs during the night remained in posi- Large Sikh
13 . * ‘ a gun taken by
14 tion, and in possession of a considerable portion of Sir Henry
15 the quadrangle. The British kept possession of si
16 the rest and bivouacked, their ranks greatly thinned
17 and exhausted by their arduous efforts, but above
18 all by the want of water. In the middle of the
19 night a large Sikh gun was advanced, and played
20 with deadly effect upon the British. To silence
21 this formidable cannon, Sir Henry Hardinge formed
22 Her Majesty's 80th and the Ist European light
23 infantry, and “the guri was captured by as brave ‘a
24 charge as there is on record."* The incessant
25 booming of the gun here alluded .to was heard
26 during the stillness of night, and though numerous
27 parties of Native infantry and cavalry were seen on
28 the road leading to Feerozpore, it was evident the
29 battle still raged, and the Sikhs maintained their
30 position. The shells aimed at the British infantry
31 often found their way to the interval which sepa-
32 * The Commander-in-chief's despatches.
33 VOT... Tf. T