nine
in the morning
This had never been explored by any European ; but General Roberts determined to return by it , with a portion of his force , as the pass might be found valuable in future operations . The force detailed for the march through the Sappir defile was composed of the 8th Ghoorkas , a wing of the 72nd Highlanders , a company of the Norfolk Rangers , the 23rd Punjaub Pioneers , and a mountain battery . The country through which the march was to be made was inhabited by the Mongals , a turbulent robber tribe . The column marched at nine in the morning and , after their down march , arrived at the village of Sappir at midday . The road lay down the Hurriab river , till the Khuram river was reached ; and then along the right bank , passing through the village of Kermana ; after which it turned up a narrow road , for two miles , till an open plateau was reached , at the farther end of which stood the village of Sappir . It was reported , here , that the Mongals intended to defend a defile and hill pass , two miles farther on . The 23rd Pioneers were therefore pushed on , to occupy the pass and bivouac there .