He replied: 'Return to me here, that I may be sure the order has been received.' I rode off with my companion, and soon found I had undertaken to perform a far from easy, and rather hazardous, duty.

I had only been over the ground twice--going to and returning from the position on the 18th--and most of the villages then standing had since been burnt.
There was no road, but any number of paths, which seemed to lead in every direction but the right one; at last, however, we arrived at our destination, I delivered the order to Colonel Hale, and set out on my return journey alone.

My consternation was great on reaching the Sikandarbagh, where I had been ordered to report myself to Mansfield, to find it deserted by the Generals, their staffs, and the troops; not a creature was to be seen.

I then began to understand what a long time it had taken me to carry out the errand upon which I had been sent, much longer, no doubt, than Mansfield thought possible.

I could not help feeling that I was not in at all a pleasant position, for any moment the enemy might discover the force had departed, and come out in pursuit.