'I can send your Excellency 500 or 1000,' replied Mahmoud; men who will not fail when the Ameer orders.'

I may explain that a khujawah is one of the most. horrible modes of locomotion ever invented. It is simply a long wooden or wicker framework, covered with canvas or cloth, with seats for two wounded men or invalids, and can be either carried on each side of a camel or on poles by bearers; six bearers are required for one of these doolies.

After the interview was over we adjourned to General Roberts' tent, where he explained to me at some length full details of his proposed march.

'I hope, should all go well,' said he, 'and we can start on Saturday, the 7th, to be at Ghuzni on the 15th, at Khelat-i-Ghilzai on the 23rd, and Kandahar on the 31st. We shall be lightly equipped, no man to carry more than 30 lbs., no wheeled vehicles, perhaps no sick or wounded; the hardest lot will fall, I fear, on our poor camp-followers and our animals, but I know the troops are full of enthusiasm, and will follow me anywhere.'

In reply, I told the General that the whole garrison were delighted at his good fortune in having been once more selected when an arduous task had to be performed. The General then gave me the draft of his order, which will be issued to the troops to-morrow :

'It has been decided by the Government of India that a force shall proceed with all possible despatch from Cabul towards Khelat-i-Ghilzai and Kandahar for the relief of the British garrisons in those places, now threatened by a large army under the leadership of the Sirdar Mahomed Ayub Khan. Sir Frederick Roberts feels sure that the troops placed under his command for this important duty will cheerfully

respond to the call made upon them, notwithstanding the privations and hardships inseparable from a long march through a hostile country. The Lieut.-General wishes to impress upon both officers and men the necessity of preserving the same strict discipline which has been so successfully and uniformly maintained since the commencement of the war, and to treat all the people who may be well disposed towards the British troops with justice and forbearance. Sir Frederick Roberts looks confidently forward to the successful accomplishment of the object of this expedition, convinced as he is, that all ranks are animated with the proud feeling that to them is entrusted the duty and the privilege of relieving their fellow-soldiers and restoring the prestige of the British arms.'

Such were the few simple yet soldier-like words addressed by the most popular and successful General in our army to the men who, European and native, would and will make any sacrifice for their leader, a leader who, like Bayard, is sans peur et sans reproche.

On taking leave of our young chief, he informed me that the Ameer had sent all his Turkestani camels and baggage-animals to our camp, and is at the same time forwarding all kinds of useful supplies. He has appointed governors to Ghuzni, Jellalabad, and Bamian, and the Governor of Ghuzni has received orders to assist and accompany our column when it arrives near his jurisdiction. The headman of the Wardek, Hazara, and Southern Ghilzai tribes, from whom we expected hostility, have, on the contrary, been sent on to collect supplies and to conciliate the people. And, in fact, I may say,' concluded the General, 'that if, under all these favourable conditions, and with soldiers such as mine, we do not achieve success, we will do moredeserve it!'

K

BANQUET TO GENERAL ROBERTS-THE NEW AMEER-THE MARCH.

Head-Quarters Camp, Hissarak, Logar Valley, Aug. 10.

I HAD just finished my despatch to you of the 5th inst., when my orderly reminded me of the banquet to be given in honour of Sir Frederick Roberts that same evening, and to which I had the honour of a special invitation. Grande tenue out here is a very different affair from full dress at home; and although uniform is rigidly a sine quâ non, its various modifications suitable to the climate render it a costume perhaps as comfortable as the most inveterate lover of mufti could desire. White jean patrol jackets, deftly starched and glazed by the wily native washerman, a waistcoat and overalls of the same, and a pith helmet with white and gold puggaree, form the usual regimental and staff attire of all ranks, and give us a costume at once cool and comfortable, and yet neat and soldier-like. On duty a white pouch belt, and for evening a gold one, with patent leather boots and gilt spurs, complete the 'get-up;' and in this latter attire some thirty of us assembled on the evening of the 5th, to give a valedictory entertainment and farewell symposium to one who has earned and won the goodwill of all ranks-European and native—out here.

The dinner was inaugurated by Mr. Lepel Griffin and our political staff, and presided over by the former gentleman, than whom a better chairman it would be difficult to select. It took place in the same marquee formerly used by Yakub Khan, and in which Mr. Lepel Griffin a few days ago received the Ameer Abdurrahman. Amongst the invited guests the principal were Sir Donald Stewart, our Commander-in-chief; Generals. Hills and Ross; and Brigadiers Macpherson, Baker,

Macgregor, and Gough; as well as Colonel A. C. Johnson, R.A., and the very numerous staff allotted to the relieving column.

The tent was most artistically decorated with flags, trophies of arms, and wreaths of beautiful flowers, while over the President's chair a floral device was hung, with the words, 'God Speed,' in large letters. As the dinner hour drew near the portion of the marquee partitioned off to form an ante-room began to fill, and conversation became general. Greetings were interchanged, and warm wishes for success were proffered by the unfortunates to be left behind to their more lucky brethren selected for the expedition. The menu was in excellent taste, and had been entrusted to General Hills (and two other officers), whose reputation at the Bengal Club as a host can have suffered no loss by his efforts on this occasion. Soups, fish, roast, boiled, stewed, broiled, and curried meats, poultry and game, pastry, jellies, blancmange, &c., were there; while one plat was specially commended by the cognoscenti, being a dish, I subsequently ascertained, of rice, split peas, fried onions, chillies, small raisins, and curried fowl. Instead of lamb we had kidthe flesh of the young goat-which dish is much esteemed, as being small, tender, and nutritious, whether roasted or cut up into cutlets. But England supplied us with many a dish not procurable in Cabul; and our friends at home who fancy we live on ration beef and mutton will perhaps be gratified to learn that we are sufficiently Sybaritic to procure here from the mother country such articles as York and Westphalia hams, reindeer tongues, cheese of all kinds, hermetically sealed vegetables and fish, anchovies and sardines, potted meats, German sausages, pickles, preserved fruits; and indeed all those delicacies,

called here technically 'Europe,' which can be obtained from those soldiers' friends, Fortnum and Mason.

Never shall I forget the pleasure of this farewell banquet; never cease to remember the brilliant character of the conversation, the stories that were told, the speeches that were made, and the songs that were sung. Everybody was in the highest spirits; and although, doubtless, it was impossible for a little soupçon of envy not to creep into the breasts of those who had no prospect of sharing in the dangers and glories of the march, yet this feeling, I feel sure, was but momentary, and soon driven away by more generous sympathy for the parting guests. After an excellent dinner, washed down by the generous vintage of Moët and Roederer, the Chairman gave, as usual, 'The Queen,' drank upstanding and most enthusiastically; and then, after a short pause, the health of the guest of the evening-Sir Frederick Roberts,—and with it, Success, and a speedy return with honour! May my lips be never again moistened with a glass of this Roederer if in my thoughts I associate the Kandahar column with aught but honour, glory, and success, a force commanded by the most brilliant and dashing leader of our day, and composed of the flower and the pick of our Indian army. His first march over the Peiwar Kotal and the Shutargardan will long be remembered in history, and will, I feel sure, be paralleled by his present march to Kandahar.'

General Roberts in his reply was, as befitting his nature, manly, terse, soldier-like, and modest; attributing his past successes to the materials placed at his disposal, and the character and quality of his men and officers.

I have given you some particulars of Abdurrahman, the new Ameer, in a former letter describing my private