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A front was immediately shown, and the 24th advanced to
meet their assailants. Lieutenant Climo, who commanded, detached a
company to the right, and by this turning movement drove them off,
inflicting some loss and capturing a standard. This officer's skill and
conduct in this retirement was again the subject of commendation in
despatches. The troops reached their respective camps at about 11
o'clock. Meanwhile the cavalry had been ordered to push on, if possible,
to Chakdara and reinforce the garrison at that post. The task was one of
considerable danger, but by crossing and recrossing the Swat River, the
squadron managed to cut their way through the tribesmen and reached the
fort with slight loss. This brilliant ride will receive a fuller
description in a later chapter.
The evacuation of the north camp proceeded very slowly. The troops
packed up their kits with great deliberation, and applications were made
for transport. None was, however, available. All the camels were at
Dargai, on the Indian side of the mountains.


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