_July 22nd._--I this day ordered the men to wash their persons, and otherwise to put themselves into as clean and good order as circumstances would permit. At six o’clock P.M. we marched. The road leads through a most romantic valley; at about six miles’ distance, under some craggy rocks on the left hand, are three wells or springs of water. Three miles from these are the nine mile wells, where we arrived at about ten P.M. Here I found an officer and a party of Sepoys, but was informed by him, that my detachment was so numerous it would very soon drain the pits or wells he was posted at; and the next day not a drop of water was to be got from them. At five P.M. I marched, and just before sun-set we saw a wild beast, which proved to be a lion. We continued our route over the dreary, desolate, and solitary waste for seven hours, when I found the men were excessively fatigued. Accordingly I gave orders to halt, although we had not arrived at the half-way distance between the nine mile wells and Legattah. We lay down upon a large and extensive desert plain, and at daylight, as usual, the camp was pitched. I had despatched a light camel or dromedary to Legattah with a letter to the officer stationed there, requesting him to send a supply of water to meet me on my march to that place; and relying upon his being able to comply with my request, I emptied the mussacks before I left this dreary halt, which was by much the worst we had as yet experienced. At six P.M. we marched from this abominable and burning spot. After six hours’ march the men began to complain grievously from the want of water, and I confess I almost feared the officer at Legattah had not found it possible to send a supply as I had required; however, a little after midnight, I had the inexpressible satisfaction to perceive a large escort coming towards us,--the first thing that attracted my attention was the glittering of the Sepoys’ arms, the moon shining in great splendour,--which proved to be twenty-eight camels loaded with water. Words cannot express the sensations of our poor fellows when I rode along the line of march, telling them a convoy of water was in front. I halted, and upon inquiry found that a great number had fallen behind; after supplying all the others in an ample way, I caused a captain’s guard, a surgeon, and seven camels’ load of water, together with every light and unloaded camel we could spare to remain in this spot, in order to bring up the stragglers. I then told the rest that those able to march might go on with me, as after an hour’s rest I was resolved to push on for Legattah (then distant nine miles) with the treasure and those of the troops capable of proceeding. To my great surprise, almost the whole said they could march from the comfortable supply of water they had first had, and the short repose I had given them; therefore, after leaving some of the most weakly with a captain, two subalterns,