Page:Clyde and Strathnairn.djvu/92

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82
CLYDE AND STRATHNAIRN

satisfaction of remembering that it had previously marched up country as a part of General Franks's force, which in thirteen days had covered a long distance, beaten a superior enemy in four actions, and taken 34 guns. It performed admirable service after the siege in various parts of Oudh in frequent operations against the rebels up to November, 1859.

By March 21st, 1858, the city of Lucknow itself, after a series of desultory fights, was completely in our hands. 'It was late in the evening,' wrote Dr. Russell, the Times correspondent, 'when we returned to camp through roads thronged with at least 20,000 camp followers all staggering under loads of plunder — the most extraordinary and indescribable spectacle I ever beheld. Coolies, Syces, Kitmutgars, Dooli bearers. Grass-cutters, a flood of men covered with clothing not their own, carrying on head and shoulders looking-glasses, mirrors, pictures, brass pots, swords, firelocks, rich shawls, scarves, embroidered dresses, all the loot of ransacked palaces. The noise, the dust, the shouting, the excitement, were almost beyond endurance. Lucknow was borne away piecemeal to camp, and the wild Gúrkhas and Sikhs, with open mouths and glaring eyes, burning with haste to get rich, were contending fiercely against the current as they sought to get to the sources of such unexpected wealth.'

    land regiments, he left others, which did equally good work, unnoticed. Few, however, grudged the honour done to the Highlanders, for they always behaved splendidly.