1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 143
2 sion that the loss on the part of the British, had
3 the Sikhs entrenched themselves at the former
4 place, would have been great in a corresponding
5 degree. The British troops were, however, fresh
6 at Alleewal, and they fought during the morning
7 uuder 2 clear, serene sky ; whereas at Feerozshuhur
8 they were obscured by clouds of dust. The Native
9 portion of the force behaved gallantly, both cavalry
10 and infantry, thus confirming our position that they
11 are thoroughly effective when neither fatigued by
12 long marches, nor deprived of food and water.
13 The only occasion on which the Sikhs had been
14 molested, since the battle of Feerozshuhur, by the
15 British was on the 14th January. On that day,
16 some cannonading took place on both sides, but
17 without producing any decided effect on either.
18 The bridge across the Sutlej was completed by the Siths allowed
19 Sikhs, and covered by guns on the right bank, so their bridge.
20 as to prevent its destruction by the British. Why
21 the Sikhs were suffered to prosecute so important
22 a work unmolested, is & problem to the present
23 moment.
24 The picquet formerly mentioned as occupying
25 Little Sobraon had been withdrawn for some time,
26 during the night, and only planted at day-break on
27 the following morning. The Sikhs discovered this, The Sikhs ob-
28 and therefore took possession of the post one night sion of Little
29 with their usual war cry,—“ Wah! wah! Gooroo daring the
30 jee ke futteh” The circumstance was not known 7"
31 to the sergeant of pioneers, who was superintending
32 a party of men in constructing a small entrench-