Part 149

= sabred down; as they passed, +auf ihrem Zuge+.

= and dashed (+sprengen+) into the ranks of the flying Infantry behind the same, which they (+sie+, f. Sing. to agree with +die Reiterei+) cut down (+nie´dermetzeln+).

+bei+; men = regiment.

= with one stroke (+Schlag+, m.) at an end (+zu Ende+).

= followed.

= thundered still.

+einzelne Teile.+

bodies — plain = and numerous bodies (+Haufen+) of Cavalry were still here and there upon the moonlit plain visible.

= and the enemy stood between us. (The verb must stand last, since also this clause is a depending one, co-ordinated to the preceding clause by the conjunction ‘and’.)

our way round, +einen Weg seitwärts+.

Section 177.

THE BATTLE OF KASSASSIN.

The Infantry there had indeed had a hot time of it. Hundreds of shells had (S. 29, N. 3) burst in the confined space, and the shelter trenches afforded but an insufficient protection. On the left of the position, next to the Canal, were the Marine Artillery, then came the 46th, and next to them the 84th, the slight earthworks sweeping round again in a semi-circle almost to the Canal. The Mounted Infantry were in front under Captain Pigott, who has received a wound, having been shot through the thigh.

The Egyptians came on with great bravery, and in spite of the heavy like of our men, were rapidly gaining ground, and would soon have rushed into the entrenchments, when the roar of our guns on their left rear, followed by the rush of our Cavalry, proved too much for them, and from (S. 102, N. 4) that moment they thought only of flight.

Our casualties are surprisingly small considering the fire to which our men were exposed. Lieutenant Edwards, of the Mounted Infantry, was shot in the arm, Surgeon-Major Shaw, of the 46th, was killed, and some ten or a dozen men, but, fortunately, the Remington bullet wounds rather than kills; the hospital was crowded with wounded men.

About 10 o’clock the Cavalry came in in high spirits over their brilliant achievement. Many, of course, are missing in the darkness, but will, no doubt, turn up in the morning. Upon their return from the pursuit they were unable to find the guns over which they had charged, but these will doubtless be discovered at sunrise. After learning from them the events of the charge, I started to ride here to get off my despatches,—a distance of twenty-four miles. This solitary ride over the dismal desert by moonlight was not the least exciting part of an exciting day.

Late as it was, I found at (+auf+) the different posts the men busy at work entrenching, and met troops also on their march to reinforce those at the front.

The enemy’s force engaged was estimated at 13,000. The Egyptians fought well until our Cavalry and guns took them in the rear, and, had it not been for the gallantry of the defenders of Kassassin, would have carried the position before our reinforcements came upon the scene.

At the time I left, the losses were unknown, but were supposed to be about twenty killed and a hundred wounded.

As I am writing, Sir Garnet Wolseley and the entire army are marching to the front.—THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE LONDON “STANDARD.”

there, +dortig+, which is an attributive adj., to be placed before the noun ‘Infantry’.

to have a hot time of it, +einen schweren Stand haben+.

= narrow.

+die Schanzgräben+.

= camp.

= stood.

next to them = finally.

Supply ‘regiment’.