A bridge had to be built across this but, on the 13th, just as it was finished, a flood came down and washed it away.
"A party were sent across at daybreak to burn the villages; which had, during the night, been firing on the advance guard of the 2nd Brigade.

They accomplished their work but, while engaged upon it, were attacked by a very large force.

The carrying away of the bridge rendered the position extremely dangerous, and the force was ordered, by signal, to fall back upon the river; while the Brigade covered their retreat from the opposite bank.

The retreating column was sorely pressed, although the Maxim guns and the mountain battery opened fire upon the enemy.

Colonel Battye was mortally wounded, and so hotly did the Afridis follow up their attack that a company of the Guides fixed bayonets, and charged them.
"As, however, the enemy still persisted in their attack, the force set to work to entrench themselves.