Everything in the shape of wheeled carriage and laden animals had to keep to the road, which was narrow, and for the greater part of the way raised, for the country at that time of the year was partly under water, and _jhils_ were numerous.

Thus, the column was about twelve miles in length, so that the head had almost reached the end of the march before the rear could start.

Delays were constant and unavoidable, and the time each day's journey occupied, as well as the mode of conveyance--country carts innocent of springs--must have been most trying to delicate women and wounded men.

Fortunately there was no rain; but the sun was still hot in the daytime, causing greater sensitiveness to the bitter cold at night.
My place was with the advance guard, as I had to go on ahead to mark out the camp and have ramps got ready to enable the carts to be taken off the raised roads.

Soon after leaving the Alambagh we heard the sound of guns from the direction of Cawnpore, and when we reached Bani bridge (about thirteen miles on, where a small post had been established) the officer in command told us that there had been heavy firing all that day and the day before.
Camp was pitched about two miles further on late in the afternoon; but my work was not over till midnight, when the rear guard arrived, for it took all that time to form up the miscellaneous convoy.
Next morning we made an early start, in order to reach our destination, if possible, before dark.