While the regiment was stationed at Surat, four troops were detached against the followers of a Mahomedan fanatic, who called himself Jesus, the son of Mary, and had collected much treasure. The inhabitants of the village of _Burding_, having joined this fanatic, refused to pay tribute, and the detachment of the SEVENTEENTH, under Major Supple, formed part of the force sent to reduce them to obedience to the law. As the dragoons approached the village, an immense crowd of these enthusiasts was discovered, and they were summoned to surrender, and to give up their leader; but they refused, with loud shouts in anticipation of victory. A feint attack was made to intimidate them, but they threw clouds of dust in the horses' faces, and dared the dragoons to the encounter. The soldiers then charged; the fanatics fought with spears, and with small hatchets, or javelins, fixed to the end of bamboos, twelve or fourteen feet in length, with which they inflicted severe wounds; but they were overpowered, and cut down or dispersed. Their leader, and four of his companions, escaped, with their treasure, on swift camels. On the arrival of some infantry and guns, the village was razed to the ground. One corporal and two private soldiers were killed; all the officers, several private soldiers, and many of the horses were wounded: Lieutenant Adams had his helmet cut to pieces from his head. [Illustration: 17th Light Dragoons. Officers' Breakfast Mess Baggage arriving on Camp Ground. (17th Lancers.) [To face page 56. ] This year a detachment of the SEVENTEENTH accompanied Sir John Malcolm to Persia; this party rejoined the regiment in December, when the following letter was forwarded to the commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Evan Lloyd:-- "SIR, "I only fulfil a duty when I inform you of the admirable conduct of the detachment of your regiment that accompanied me to Persia. It would, on such an occasion, be presumption in me to notice the merit of an officer of so established a character as Lieutenant Johnson, further than to state, that to his great care and attention the good order of his party is, no doubt, chiefly to be ascribed; but you will, I am assured, forgive me for expressing the high opinion I have formed of Serjeant Willocks, whose unwearied efforts were, at all moments, directed to the object of supporting the character of his corps, in which, from the aid of the non-commissioned officers, Corporals Carrigan and Batson, who are both excellent men, and the general good disposition of the whole party, he was completely successful. I can only add, that the impression which the appearance, discipline, and private behaviour of your men has made upon all ranks, in the countries through which we have travelled, are such as must do honour to the name of a British soldier. (Signed) "J. MALCOLM, _Brig.-Gen._" [Sidenote: 1811]