1 THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAUB. 99
2 to have been in a fair state of discipline, as far
3 as regards their execution of field evolutions.
4 They form very correct lines, but in ma-
5 neeuvring their movements are too slow, and
6 they would, in consequence, be in danger, from
7 a body of British cavalry, of being successfully
8 charged during a change of position. They
9 would also run the risk of having their flanks
10 turned by their inability to follow the motion
11 of an European enemy with equal rapidity. The
12 late engagements have forcibly illustrated this
13 truth.
14 The arms, that is to say, the muskets, are of
15 very inferior stamp, incapable of throwing a ball
16 to any distance, and on quick and repeated dis-
17 charges liable to burst. Their firing is bad,
18 owing to the very small quantity of practice am-
19 munition allowed by the government; not more
20 than ten balls out of a hundred, at the distance
21 of as many paces, would probably tell upon an
22 enemy's ranks. They still preserve the old
23 system of three ranks, the front one kneeling
24 when firing and then rising to load, a method in
25 action liable to create confusion.
26 In person, the infantry soldiers are tall and
27 thin, with good features and full beards; their
28 superior height is owing to the extraordinary
29 length of their lower limbs. They are capable
30 of enduring the fatigue of long marches for
31 H 2