[This applies to Swat and Bajaur, where the
sword charge is still to be apprehended.] The result is that the
transport animals must be exposed to long-range fire at night. The
reader will observe, as the account proceeds, that on two occasions a
large number of transport mules were killed in this way. When a certain
number are killed, a brigade is as helpless as a locomotive without
coal. It cannot move. Unless it be assisted it must starve. Every year
the tribesmen will become better marksmen, more completely armed with
better rifles. If they recognise the policy of continually firing at our
animals, they may bring all operations to a standstill. And so by this
road I reach the conclusion that whatever is to be done on the frontier,
should be done as quickly as possible. But to return to the story.
The next day, the 11th of September, the troops remained halted at
Ghosam, and another squadron was ordered to escort the Intelligence
Officer, Captain H.E. Stanton, D.S.O., while making a topographical
reconnaissance of the passes into the Utman Khel country.
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