SKIRMISH WITH THE NATIVES. CHAPTER IX.
THE TURKS ATTACK KAYALA.
On the 30th May, about an hour before daybreak,
I was awoke by a rattle of jnusketry, which continued
sometimes in irregular volleys, and subsided into a
well-sustained and steady fire in single shots. On
leaving my hut, I found the camp of Koorshid’s people
almost empty, while my own men were climbing on
the roofs of their huts to obtain a view towards the
west. Nothing was in sight, although the firing still
continued at a distance of about a mile, apparently
on the other side of a belt of trees. I now heard that
Koorshid’s people had started at between three and four
o’clock that morning, by Commoro’s request, to attack a
neighbouring town that had been somewhat rebellious.
The firing continued for about two hours, when it suddenly
ceased; and I shortly saw with a telescope the
Turks’ red ensign emerge from the forest, and we heard
