The greater portion of these were, however, absent on another expedition; and there remained available a few squadrons of cavalry, and eleven companies of infantry.
"Cavagnari kept his plans a profound secret.

He did not even give the slightest hint of his intentions to their commanding officer, Captain Wigram Battye.

So well, indeed, was the secret kept, that the officers were playing a game at racket when they were called upon to start.

The first intimation that the men had of the movement was the serving out of ball cartridge, when the gates of the fort were closed in the evening.

The old soldiers were well aware that this meant that fighting was at hand; and they gave a great shout, which was the first intimation to the officers that something was on foot.