dered the fort by that hour, he assured them that the
bombardment would instantly be begun, and a state of
war would again be declared.
Thus deprived of any chance of further delay, the
delegates adopted the fatally easy course of abstention
altogether. The time, of course, lapsed, and on the
5th of July, at twelve o’clock, no sign whatever had
been made. General Macdonald was slow to begin the
work of assault, and, in spite of Colonel Younghusband’s
warning to the Tibetans, it was not till two o’clock that
the first gun was actually fired. Little was done that
day, and the Tibetans were allowed ample opportunity
to get the women and non-combatants away from the
jong. A small party of Pioneers reconnoitred to the
west of Gyantse town and came in contact with the
enemy who were defending the encircling wall of the
monastery, but only a few shots were exchanged. The
day passed almost quietly, but there was the bustle of
preparation overnight.
There had been rain for some days before, but the
night of the 5th was clear and cloudless. The moon
did not rise till between two and three in the morning,
and as the three columns advanced eastwards across
the plain to Pala, they had her light low in their eyes,
over the jagged outline of the distant hills. They
started from the encampment, about two miles west
of Chang-lo, at about one o’clock, and making a wide
detour, concentrated at the village about three o’clock
in the morning. B y this time the moon was in strength,
and as the men turned again westwards to their objective,
the masonry of the high, steep rock showed up
clearly in its light. The dark masses of gardens and
trees at the foot of the jong were to be occupied first
by our men.
No time was lost, and twenty minutes’ silent march
brought the first attacking parties to their positions a
few minutes before four. The alarm was given, and a
few shots were fired, but it was a wild and badly-aimed
salvo, and no casualties resulted. Two gardens are
thrust forward on either side of the eastern or Lhasan
road as it curves round the rock and strikes out into
the plain. In the darkness there was some confusion,
and an unfortunate incident occurred which resulted in
[the re-organisation of the storming column into two
[parties instead of three, as had been originally intended.
That under Colonel Campbell and Captain Sheppard
[occupied the garden to the right, where they were for
¡some time held in check by a spirited fusillade from the
[housetops before them. At the earliest streak of dawn
use was made of “ Bubble,” who had been brought along
[with the column and was now used with terrific effect
at point-blank range. On the left, Lieutenants Gurdon
land Burney, of Major Murray’s party, gallantly and
¡successfully carried out their storming-work, and four
[or five explosions cleared the way for a general assault,
[which rapidly gave us possession of all the houses
along the southern foot of the rock. While carrying
out this all-important duty, Lieutenant Gurdon, to
[the deep sorrow of all, met his death. The loss of a
[man of his calibre was, in itself, a severe blow to the
¡force, and the regret was doubled by the friendly intimacy
[which acquaintance, during two months of investment
pad necessarily strengthened. He was struck on the
¡head by a piece of stone dislodged by his own charge
[of gun-cotton, and death was instantaneous.
v o l . 11.