CAMP AMUSEMENTS NEAR CABUL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2211, 19 April 1880, Page 2

CAMP AMUSEMENTS NEAR CABUL.

[]?ip]\ccr Mail, ppb.ljj.j The severe weather that has declared itself during tho last fow days has added new sources of amusement. A week ago the owners of skates were disgusted with the non-appearance of hard frost: now skating goes nearly all day long, and the science of sliding is also being cultivated. Europeans and ajikp indulge in a “ slide and to see Ixalf-a-dozen Gujdes con. tentedly coming croppers on the ice, and rising again with intense satisfaction, only to sit suddenly down the moment afterwards, Timour himself =ipi]u benignautjy. Onpe on the slide every mah seems but a child of large growth, and right gleefully the game is kept up until tired Nature gives in, and various parts of our bodies remind the most hardy that a bruise is painful when excitement dies out. With the fall of snow on Monday came a battle-royal, which will live in the annals of our occupation. To tell the story with due solemnity: at noon word was brought to the 72nd Highlanders that the 'enemy (the 67th Foot and 92nd Gordon Highlanders) had occupied the strong fort on the eastern end of the Romani heights. Without rfcUy’the regjipejit'fell in 500 strong, and, reinforced by the 9th Lancers and some artillerymen, marched with banners dying and drums beating to the attack, (The banners were those lately captured on tho Takht-i-Shah Peaks and tiie Asmai heights; tho drums were various cooking-pots.) On nearing the enemy’s position, the attackingforce was joined by tlic oth Goorkhas, under their British officers ; skirmishers were thrown out, and the bugle sounded the assault. T ;o .storming parties were headed by c standard the cry of. “ Glands to tlic front being answered by a rush of these reckless men up the hilbsidc. They were met with such a terrilic tire, the air being darkened by snowballs, that the assault seemed hopeless. But amid

the din the cry of their leader rang out—- “ Ho ! Ghazis to the front ! Ho ! Ghazis bear the brunt Of the battle waged on snowy Bemura! Let not the stinging hall your fiery hearts appal. That's a one-er on the hose ! Allah hu !” A desperate resistance was made, but a bugler, with the 72nd, succeeded by a ruse in turning the fortunes 5 of ( the day. They crept round in the enemy’s rear, and sounded the regimental call -of-the 92nd, followed by the “ retreatthe 92nd fell back, and with a chcer-the attacking party captured the position. Many prisoners were taken, and the usual atrocities were gallant officer having three men sitting on his chest at once ; while others were buried alive in the snow. The conduct of all concerned fully bore out the estimate formed of the splendid fighting of our men, and several “ V. Cs.” are to be awarded. The number of wounded was unusually great, but all are doing well. The expenditure of ammunition was beyond all precedent, and in this respect the battle of Bemura is noteworthy above all the actions hitherto fought. The defeat of tho enemy was so complete, that they at once sued for peace, which was signed at the club later in the day b} r the principal leaders. In consequence of the ink being frozen, curacoa and brandy had to be used.