For the past three days the Malikdins and Kambar-Khels had shown a disposition to be friendly, and had made some attempt to open a grain traffic.

Major Sullivan, with three other officers, pushed forward to prospect a site for a camp.

Some apparently friendly and unarmed tribesmen approached them; but Major Sullivan's suspicions were excited when he saw that, instead of coming down direct, they were making a sweep that would cut off his little party.

He therefore whistled for the others to join him.
When the tribesmen saw that the game was up, they poured in two volleys.

Luckily the shots went high, and the four officers gained the cover of a house, and were soon joined by a Ghoorkha company.
There was no doubt that the enemy had played the game of friendlies for the purpose of obtaining four officers, alive, to use as hostages.
The force then retired, bringing in the baggage animals, loaded with forage.