The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

The Cameron Highlanders. 41
reaching their furthest sentry, was warned that bullets came
down a narrow street whenever anyone showed. He
accordingly advanced in single file, leading the way
himself, and broke into a house at the end of the street,
attached to which was a cow-shed with cattle in it. Kerr,
entering first, received a kick on the knee, which made him
stumble, and three or four of his party rushed past and
found five or six budmashes, whom they shot or baj'oneted.
After this the compan\' was not molested, and the guns
were withdrawn at sunset.
The same night also, when visiting the sentries, it was
reported to him that Sergt. J. Anderson (familiarly known
as Sergt. Joss) had been lately round with the relief, and on
the sentry reporting to him that he had heard a noise under
his feet, had made search and found the entrance to an
and that the sergeant, taking two
underground passage :
men with him, had gone to explore it. Kerr at once
returned \\\\.\\ the corporal, and reported this to Captain
Macdonald, asking for a search party to return with him,
and to be ready to clear out the place if necessary. Captain
Macdonald, however, resolved to go himself, leaving orders
that if he did not return in a quarter of an hour. Ensign
Kerr was to follow with as many men as could be spared,
and look for him. The corporal accompanied Captain
^Macdonald. The exploring part}', following the under-
ground passage, found a large cellar, apparent!}- under the
mosque, filled with women and children ; one of the former
had died, and it was the wailing for her which the sentry
had heard. The women and children were ordered to
vacate the place, and soon disappeared in the darkness.
This picquet had a very long fast, which they only broke
by eating some pigeons which they caught and cooked.
Page 40 of book (p. 30, vol. III. of magazine).—Some
men were so knocked up with marching on 19th March
that they were seen to throw away rupees rather than carry
them further.