Page:The Sikhs (Gordon).djvu/184

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150
THE SIKHS.

their claymores, and rush upon the English dragoons. The British infantry concentrated upon the village held, carried it and the guns there, the remnants of Avitabele's brigade being driven to the river. The enemy, completely hemmed in, precipitated themselves in disordered masses into the boats and ford, while horse artillery galloping up committed great havoc among them. The débris of the Sikh force appeared on the opposite bank in full flight to their base position there. Fifty-six guns were taken and the rest sunk in the river. The victory was complete. The conquerors fired a royal salute in its honour, which was repeated by the vanquished on the other side as their au revoir. The Sikh camp at Sobraon was soon made aware of the defeat by the sight of the many dead floating down the river.