The guns were brought at once into action, and while Captain Blackwood[3] was preparing his fuses, I advanced towards the village with the Infantry.

The first shell burst a little beyond the village, the second was lodged in its very centre, for a time completely paralyzing the Lushais.

On recovering from the shock, they took to their heels and scampered off in every direction, the last man leaving the village just as we entered it.

The houses, as usual, were made of bamboo, and after it had been ascertained that there was no living creature inside any of them, the place was set on fire, and we began our return journey.

There was a bright moon, but even aided by its light we did not reach our bivouac until midnight.