Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c27.s7.t5.19.3

v2.c27.s7.t5.19.3

But it was in vain they urged the raging ardour of their clans, the policy of taking advantage of it, and the absence of De Boigne, owing to whose admirable corps and well-appointed park the day at Patan was lost ; Bhimraj silenced their clamour for the combat by producing a paper from the minister Khub Chand commanding them on their allegiance not to engage until the junction of Ismail Beg, already at Nagor. They fatally yielded obedience. De Boigne extricated his guns from the sands of Alniawas, and joined the main body. That night the Bikaner contingent, perceiving the state of things, and desirous to husband their resources to defend their own altars, withdrew. About an hour before daybreak, De Boigne led his brigade to the attack, and completely surprised the unguarded Rajputs.¹ They were awoke by showers of grape-shot, which soon broke their position : all was confusion ; the resistance was feeble. It was the camp of the irregular infantry and guns which broke, and endeavoured to gain Merta ; and the civil commanders took to flight. The alarm reached the more distant quarters of the brothers-in-arms, the chiefs of Awa and Asop. The latter was famed for the immense quantity of opium he consumed ; and with difficulty could his companion awake him, with the appalling tidings, “ The camp has fled, and we are left alone!" "Well, brother, let us to horse." Soon the gallant band of both was ready, and twenty-two chiefs of note drank opium together for the last time.