The column therefore retired, severely harassed, the while, by the enemy.
Next day Colonel Hill was again sent forward, with the Border Scouts, the 4th and 5th Ghoorkhas, part of the Queen's, and the Khoat Battery.

They were over the Kotal at nine o'clock, and the 5th Ghoorkhas and the scouts were sent to hold the hills on the left.

The Chamkannis had anticipated a sudden visit, and were in force on the left, where they had erected several sangars.
The little body of scouts, eighty men strong, fought their way up the hill; and waited there for the leading company of the 5th.
Lieutenant Lucas, who commanded them, told off half his company to sweep the sangar, and then the remainder dashed at it.
The Chamkannis stood more firmly than any of the tribesmen had hitherto done.

They met the charge with a volley, and then drew their knives to receive it.

The fire of the covering party destroyed their composure and, when the scouts were within thirty yards, they bolted for the next sangar.
Lucas carried three of these defences, one after another, and drove the enemy off the hill.