He then opened the despatches which, after reading, he passed across to Colonel Burns.
"Of course, we have heard reports of the disaster to Monson's force.

Was it as serious as they say ?" "It was very serious, sir.

I was with them, and they suffered terribly.

They lost their guns and baggage, and at least a third of their infantry." "It is unfortunate, very unfortunate, Captain Lindsay.

We have had so many victories, of late, that the natives must have almost concluded that we were invincible; but this check will encourage them, and will doubtless bring many waverers over to their side." "I don't think that it was, in any way, Colonel Monson's fault.