These fired a volley, killing the colonel and some of the men.

The surprise, therefore, as a surprise failed; but an attack was made in the morning, the village taken, and the turning party extricated from its dangerous position.

That is a good example of the difficulty of attacking a hill fort.
"Another instance is the attack upon Nilt fort.

The place was one of great natural strength; the fort, which was a large one, faced the junction of three precipitous cliffs, several hundred feet high, where a great ravine runs into the Hunza river.

Owing to the nature of the ground, the fort could not be seen till the force was within three hundred yards of it; and fire could not be properly opened upon it until within two hundred and fifty yards.
"The walls of the fort were of solid stone, cemented by mud, and strengthened by strong timbers.