The company was standing in reserve, eager to go forward to join in the fight and, without delay, they now went off at the double.
They were badly wanted.

The baggage was struggling up the last kotal that the troops had passed, and the rear guard were engaged in a fierce fight with a great number of the enemy; some of whom were posted on a rise, while others came down so boldly that the struggle was sometimes hand to hand.

When the 4th company reached the scene, they were at once scattered along the line of baggage.
For a time the enemy fell back but, seeing that the reinforcement was not a strong one, they were emboldened to attack again.

Their assaults were repulsed with loss, but the column suffered severely from the fire on the heights.
"We must stop here," the officer in command said, "or we shall not get the baggage through before nightfall; and then they would have us pretty well at their mercy.

The Punjabis must go up and clear the enemy off the hill, till the baggage has got through." The Punjabis were soon gathered and, led by an English officer, they advanced up the hill at a running pace, until they came to a point so precipitous that they were sheltered from the enemy's fire.