seems sometimes as though we two only are left; but I, who heard them speak of him, can bear witness to their words of praise. Your father was foremost in the storming party who bore the brunt of the entrance into Ghuznee, and his being appointed to the staff was due to an act of signal daring. He saw a man surrounded and fighting for his life without a chance of escape. He knew nothing of who that man was, but he rushed into the conflict against the fearful odds opposed to him, and simply cut his way through his enemies with the sword which he still loves so well, causing such a panic by his bravery and boldness that, few being unwounded, they fell back daunted, and, lifting his fallen countryman in his arms, he carried him from their midst alive. That man proved to be General Sir John — and through life he showed his gratitude to his preserver, being to him a true and sincere friend. The order of the Victoria Cross had not then been instituted, or it would doubtless have been awarded him. I have heard that Shah Shoojah was so struck with his bearing under fire and in the midst of danger, that he begged to be personally introduced to him, and later presented him with a beautiful Arab steed, which I well remember. Those days when I was divided from your father, not knowing his fate, were indeed anxious ones. Still I would not have had him by my side, I think, even if I could have done so, if it would have deprived him of the glory he gained. I would not have had him idle when there was work to be done. No! I could never have borne to have seen laurels on other brows had his been uncrowned-of that I am sure.

But I felt thankful indeed when that glory

was gained, and the war over (for so we thought), that I might be with him again. Ah! how glad I was to start for Cabul, and, after my long and tedious journey, to reach it safely, and feel those dear strong arms about me once more. The very touch of them seemed to make me fearless; there was such a power of protection in them-such grave, firm assurance of safety in the dear grey eyes which looked down so fondly upon me.

"My boy, I must leave off, or you will laugh that your mother has not outgrown romance in her old age."

CHAPTER XIV.

OUR DISASTROUS RETREAT.

DURING the winter Afghanistan was apparently in a state of greater tranquillity than it had experienced for a long time, especially those tribes lying north-east of Ghuznee and the adjacent districts, including Kohistan, Jellalabad, and Cabul proper. The Giljye tribes, however, who occupied a large portion of the country between Ghuznee and Kandahar (or Candahar), being jealous of our permanent occupation of Khelat-i-Giljye, rose partially, but were soon suppressed by the good conduct of our Hindoostanee troops. Akber Khan, too, was inclined to give us trouble, having collected seven thousand followers to the west of Kandahar, but was defeated on the banks of the Heermund, and he fled with those who clave to him to the hills. And again there was a lull in the land. There were many malcontents, however, among the natives, who were inclined to resist our government, being dissatisfied at our occupation of Cabul. These congregated at Nijrow, and the fact that we did not put them down with a strong hand at once, gave our enemies the idea that we were not only weak, but conscious of our weakness, which is always a fatal error in dealing with Eastern nations, with whom

decided measures are invariably necessary. There were many who recognized the mistake, and foresaw danger from it; and some who spoke their fears to the envoy. The murder of an officer was at this time a shock to those who would not believe in the existing ill-feeling against us.

In October, 1841, three Giljye chiefs left Cabul and took up a strong position in the difficult defile of Khoord Cabul, ten miles from the capital, thus blocking us out of the pass, and cutting off our communication with Hindustan. We were ordered to expel the rebels, and re-open the road to India. For this purpose we marched, in company with General Sale's brigade, on the 11th, and on the 12th we proceeded to force the pass.

The heights which the enemy held, overlooking the defile, rose almost perpendicularly to some five or six hundred feet, and a strong fire was brought to bear upon us from the juzails (or long rifles) of the enemy, which was steadily returned by our men in their disadvantageous position; and many gallant fellows bolder than the rest scaled the heights, and dislodged their enemies at the point of the bayonet, the Sappers working hard to destroy the natives' breastworks. We had the satisfaction of reaching the end of the pass, some of the troops remaining at Khoord Cabul, while some retraced their steps through the pass according to order. It was a matter of universal regret that our brave commander General Sale had been wounded during the day, for he was much beloved and respected by his officers and

men.

Possession had been taken of Bootkhak. In this

divided state our force remained for several days awaiting the arrival of troops at Cabul from Zoormut, during which we had many night attacks upon our camp.

My dear wife was in Cabul with the other ladies, and maný an hour of sadness I spent regretting that she should be in the country when in so unsettled a state; and often I blamed myself for not having insisted upon her leaving Cabul for safer residence when first there was seen the small cloud of rebellion upon the horizon. But we were unwilling to part, more especially as the time was not far distant when my darling hoped to become a mother. To have me near her then was all she begged for, and I could not say her nay.

By the end of October it was evident that the whole of the eastern Giljyes had risen together against us, and the Afghans now no longer cared to suppress their feelings of ill-will towards us, and many Europeans were insulted and murdered. I had volunteered for the run through the pass, with a few others, and had been allowed to accompany the party, but when General Sale marched for Gundamuck I was left behind to return to Cabul. On the way thither his force was continually pressed and harassed by day and by night, their way lying through defiles and over mountains, with the labour, whenever they encamped, of throwing up entrenchments for their protection. General Sale remained at Gundamuck until he heard the sad news of the insurrection at Cabul, and fearing that it would spread and become general, he pushed on for Jellalabad.

On the 2nd of November we were startled by a