therefore, a deep feeling of satisfaction, as well as of surprise, when,
on the tenth day after the formation of the corps, the men were told, on
being dismissed from morning parade, that the squadron would parade for
duty at evening gunfire; that each man was to be provided with a blanket
and a haversack, with cooked food sufficient for four days, and a bag with
twenty pounds of forage for his horse, each horse to be well fed before
coming on parade.

Had the route been free from enemies, the distance might have been done in
two long night marches; but it would be necessary to make a detour on
starting, so as to avoid striking the main road, as on the way out it was
all-important to avoid detection, as the enemy might muster in such
strength that their return would be difficult and dangerous in the
extreme. The girls once in their hands, the return journey would be easy,
as they could avoid any infantry, and had no fear of being able to cut
their way through any body of cavalry whom they might accidentally come
across, especially as they would have all the advantage of a surprise.
Half an hour after sunset the squadron rode out from the lines at Meerut,
amid a hearty cheer from the many troops at the station, who, hearing that
Warrener's Light Horse were off on an expedition against the mutineers,
had assembled to see the start. Major Warrener rode at the head of the
squadron, with Captain Kent, who commanded the first troop, by his side,
and behind them came two native guides well acquainted with the country.
These had been dressed in the uniform of a native cavalry regiment, in
order that if they passed any village and were challenged, they could ride
forward and represent the troop as a body of native cavalry sent out from
Delhi on a mission to a friendly rajah. The precaution was unnecessary.
During two long night marches, with occasional halts to rest the horses,
they rode without interruption. They passed through several villages; but
although the tramp of the horses and the rattle of sabers must have been