[Footnote 20: Lieutenant-Colonel Fullerton, C.B., died on the 28th of April, 1850, on his way to visit Cashmere, whither his body was conveyed on the following day, and deposited in the Royal Gardens. By his death, the regiment was deprived of a most just, warm-hearted, and honourable man. A simple tablet marks the spot where he is interred.] [Footnote 21: See Despatches, vol. iii. p. 64, 10th of April, 1803.] [Footnote 22: Vol. i. p. 136, April 8th, 1803.] CHAPTER V. Hurrekee Ghât--Chain Bridles--Sir Thomas Dallas--Victory of Sir Harry Smith at Aliwal--Umballa--Preparations of the Sikhs--Capture of Dhurmkote--Loodianna--Runjoor Singh--Buddiwal--Sirdar Ajeet Singh--Invalids at Loodianna--The Pattiala Rajah--Alarm at Loodianna--Siege-train in Danger--Convoy inadequately protected--Sikh Artillery at Aliwal--Major Lawrenson--Singular Formation of the Sikh Infantry at Aliwal--16th Lancers--Desperation of the Sikhs--Colonel Cureton--Charge of Lancers--Marshal Marmont's Opinion--Sikhs evacuate Buddiwal--Rapid Movements of the Sikhs--Brigadiers Godby and Hicks. THE Governor-General and the Commander-in-Chief inspected the 9th Lancers on the morning of the 21st of January. An incessant report of guns of a heavy calibre was heard all day, from the other side of the river. This afternoon I rode in company with my commanding officer to the Hurrekee Ghât, near which was our picquet, to enquire about two boats, said to have been captured by the enemy. We, however, saw only a couple of old boats and a great many unarmed people near them. On the 23rd a false alarm caused the Commander-in-Chief to order us out, and we all stood to our horses at the head of our lines, from twelve till four o'clock, P.M. On the 25th several of our officers had chain reins made for their regimental bridles, because in the last action the enemy had cut some of the bridles of the 3rd Light Dragoons, with their swords, by which their riders became powerless, having lost all command over their horses. This brings to my recollection an anecdote told me of the late Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Dallas, of the Madras Cavalry, well known in the wars with Hyder Ali Khan and Tippoo Sultan, as the best horseman and most experienced swordsman, in the Madras army, having often proved himself the victor in single combat, and killed his man. One of the enemy was noted for possessing a scimitar of the first quality; Sir Thomas, then a Captain, and this man made an agreement to this effect, that they were to fight together, and that the native was not to cut the Captain's reins, nor he to use his pistols. After a long encounter the man violated the engagement and cut the Captain's reins, which were not of steel, upon which the latter drew his pistol and shot his opponent dead on the spot.