1 532 DANGER OF CAPTAIN FERRIS.
2 that terrible onset. Another attack on the
3 part ‘of the Khaibaris was expected, and, as
4 the sequel proved, was not long in being made.
5 F. had, however, prepared a warm reception
6 for them, and he described the appearance of
7 the pass, as they advanced, to be nothing but a
8 sea of heads. Onwards they came till within
9 thirty or forty yards of a low.,wall, behind
10 which a party of picked men had been re-
11 clining with their matchlocks in readiness, and
12 who, starting up at the word of command,
13 poured q deadly and unexpected volley into
14 the midst of the foe, which caused them to
15 send forth an unearthly and terrific yell,
16 heightened by the shrieks and groans of the
17 wounded. Ferris then, at the head of a party
18 of horsemen, at hand for the purpose, boldly
19 galloped forward, and was in the act of turn-
20 ing round to give a shout of encouragement to
21 his followers, preparatory to charging, when
22 he discovered he was, with one exception,
23 alone; the cowardly sowars having hung back.
24 He was, by this time, close to, and partly in-
25 termixed with, the Khaibaris, who could have