These discharged their muskets, and
some rockets, and took to flight. One of the rockets caused a serious
disaster. The Sepoys had their ammunition pouches open, and the
contents of one of these was fired by the rocket. The flash of the
flame communicated the fire to the pouch of the next Sepoy, and so the
flame ran along the line, killing, wounding, and scorching many, and
causing the greatest confusion. Fortunately the enemy were not near,
and Captain Eyre Coote, who led the British infantry behind them,
aided Charlie, who led the advance, in restoring order, and the
forward movement again went on.
A new obstacle had, however, arisen. With the morning a dense fog had
set in, rendering it impossible for the troops to see even a few yards
in advance of them. Still they pushed on and, unopposed, reached a
point opposite Omichund's garden, but divided from it by the Mahratta
Ditch.
Presently they heard the thunder of a great body of approaching
cavalry. They waited quietly until the unseen horse had approached
within a few yards of them, and then poured a mighty volley into the
fog. The noise ceased abruptly, and was followed by that of the
enemy's cavalry in retreat.
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