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77 suffer heavily. This roused them to immediate action. They resolved to adopt reciprocal measures, and to make up the deficiency in number by bold and rapid movements of their detachments. A body of their horse under Attai Khan marched more than sixty miles, then detouring surprised Govind Rao's camp before daybreak. The enemy, not prepared for such a move, retreated pell-mell, Govind himself was among the slain. This single action so demoralized the Marhattas that hence- forth they had not the courage to meet the Afghans in the open field. The Afghans, posting strong pickets around Marhattas' camp, tried hard to cut off all supplies from reaching them. This state of affairs dragged on for three months and no serious effort was made by the Marhattas to pierce through the Afghan line and force a convoy of food into the camp. With their numerous attendants and innumerable camp followers, their stock of provisions soon ran short. Bhao bore his difficulties with dignity and patience. The Afghans, too, suffered for want of supplies and had to bring them from long distances. But the patience, vigilance and activity of their leader enabled them to face these difficulties cheerfully.