1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 267
2 greater destruction, had their gunners been Natives —
3 of Europe, instead of the Punjab. The efficiency
4 of the Native artillery in our own service, likewise
5 confirms the high character of this branch of the
6 army, whether the gunners be Native or European.
7 The former are proud of this branch of the service,
8 they love their guns as they do their brothers, and
9 never desert them but in death. The same feeling
10 was strongly evinced among the Sikh artillery-men-
11 on several of them being disbanded. They were
12 offered service in the line; but they, one and all, re-
13 fused to serve as infantry soldiers.
14 The Native of India forms his own opinion re- The reason of
15 garding the efficiency of his weapons, and while the
16 Native cavalry-soldier longs for a heavy cutting
17 sword, instead of one meant merely for the thrust,
18 and the infantry soldier may also wish for some
19 other weapon in lieu of the bayonet, the artillery-
20 man has nothing further to demand; there is his
21 noble gun, which, if properly served, needs no fur-
22 ther assistance ; once in position, it deals out its
23 murderous contents with certainty and terrible ef-
24 fect. A sword or a lance may fail in penetrating
25 the quilted clothes of the Sikhs, but not so the shot
26 or grape! The arm is perfect in itself, and is not
27 feeble when exposed to the indomitable charge of
28 the British bayonets. Allowing therefore, every toferiority of
29 weight to this important arm, we yet see that it ove aut
30 must yield the palm to European infantry, and the Pé* infantry.
31 charge of the latter against the Sikh guns, sustains