CHAPTER  IV

The missing Major—A " personally conducted " journey
—The voice of the guns—On the safe side—
Bivouac at Karishtiran—Foraging for fuel-—The
dawn and after—An order to retire—The retreat
through Karishtiran—Panic.

The appointed morning hour found every
member of the party, with one exception,
assembled at the rendezvous and eager
for the road. The exception, unfortunately,
was an important one. " The Major," our
guide and guard, who was to lead us to
battle—he, by the way, was the well-
meaning officer by whom my films had
nearly been impounded—was missing, and
presumably, like Kathleen Mavourneen,
was slumbering still. Two long hours
elapsed ere he put in an appearance with

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