1 THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAUB. 63
2 of discipline. They form very correct lines, but
3 in manoeavring their movements are too slow, and
4 they would, in consequence, be in danger, from
5 a body of British cavalry, of being successfully
6 charged during a change of position. They
7 would also run the risk of having their flanks
8 turned by their inability to follow the motion
9 of an European enemy with equal rapidity.*
10 The arms, that is to say, the muskets, are of
11 very inferior stamp, incapable of throwing a ball
12 to any distance, and on quick and repeated dis-
13 charges liable to burst. Their firing is bad,
14 owing to the very small quantity of practice am-
15 munition allowed by the government ; not more
16 than ten balls out of a hundred, at the distance
17 of as many paces, would probably tell upon an
18 enemy's ranks. They still preserve the old
19 system of three ranks, the front one kneeling
20 when firing and then rising to load, a method in
21 action liable to create confusion.
22 In person, the infantry soldiers are tall and
23 thin, with good features and full beards ; their
24 superior height is owing to the extraordinary
25 length of their lower limbs. They are capable
26 * The aathor, in speaking irreverently of the Sikh army, may
27 be considered in a measure to register his own condemnation.
28 Bat the reader will kindly remember, tliat a lieutenant-colpnel
29 only commands a single regiment ; and it may be inferred that,
30 with his eyes open to the deficiencies of others, the author did
31 hif best to repair those of his own corps.