1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 147
2 on the fortune of the British, or the “Jkbal Un-
3 grez,” as they express it. Without troubling him-
4 self to enquire from what circumstances this
5 good fortune arises, the Native soldier has implicit
6 faith in its permanency; and certainly, during the
7 present campaign with the Sikhs, fortunate occur-
8 rences did take place, under circumstances which
9 boded difficulties, if not disasters.
10 Look at the whole course of the campaign.
11 The Sikhs, instead of awaiting the invasion of Instances of it.
12 the British on the right bank of the river, the
13 passage of which might have been stoutly opposed
14 by them, and great loss necessarily sustained by .
15 the invaders, cross over into the British territories,
16 taking the government by surprise, and causing a
17 hurried movement of troops to oppose their further
18 progress without any guns capable of silencing
19 theirs. This, at first sight, had a serious aspect ;
20 but look at the sequel! The loss of Sir Harry
21 Smith’s baggage and of troops at Buddeewal were
22 thought untoward everits, and the gallant general
23 was censured accordingly; yet, we see that from
24 that very loss the most brilliant results ensued.
25 The Sikhs came out ona fair field, were beaten
26 and sent “headlong over the Sutlej.” Loodianah
27 was relieved, and tranquillity restored on the fron-
28 tier. The siege train made a sure and safe pro-
29 gress, though weakly defended by a Native regi-
30 ment of cavalry, and one of infantry, with a few
31 hundred artillery-men, armed only with their
32 swords.