Their flat roofs are
covered with earth, and will not burn properly, unless a hole is made
first in each. This took time. Meanwhile the troops held on to the
positions they had seized, and maintained a desultory fire with the
enemy. At about noon the place was lighted up, and a dense cloud of
smoke rose in a high column into the still air. Then the withdrawal of
the troops was ordered. Immediately the enemy began their counter
attack. But the Guides were handled with much skill. The retirement of
each company was covered by the fire of others, judiciously posted
farther down the hill. No opportunity was offered to the enemy. By one
o'clock all the troops were clear of the broken ground. The Buffs
assumed the duty of rear-guard, and were delighted to have a brisk
little skirmish--fortunately unattended with loss of life--with the
tribesmen, who soon reoccupied the burning village. This continued for,
perhaps, half an hour, and meanwhile the rest of the brigade returned to
camp.
The casualties in this highly successful affair were small.
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