unicated to none of those who, on all former occasions,
were fully in his confidence, viz. Trevor, Lawrence, and
myself. It seemed as if he feared that we might insist on the
impracticability of the plan, which he must have studiously
concealed from himself. All the following morning his manner
was distracted and hurried, in a way that none of us had ever
before witnessed.

* * * * *

"After breakfast, Trevor, Lawrence, and myself were summoned to
attend the Envoy during his conference with Mahomed Akber Khan.
I found him alone, when, for the first time, he disclosed to me
the nature of the transaction he was engaged in. I immediately
warned him that it was a plot against him. He replied hastily,
'A plot! let me alone for that--trust me for that!' and I
consequently offered no further remonstrance. Sir William then
arranged with General Elphinstone that the 54th regiment, under
Major Ewart, should be held in readiness for immediate service.
The Shah's 6th, and two guns, were also warned."

Sir W. Macnaghten, halting the troopers of the escort, advanced about
500 or 600 yards from the eastern rampart of the cantonment, and there
awaited Akber Khan and his party:--

"Close by where some hillocks, on the further side of which
from the cantonment a carpet was spread where the snow lay
least thick, and there the khans and Sir William sat down to
hold their conference. Men talk of presentiment; I suppose it
was something of the kind which came over me, for I could
scarcely prevail upon myself to quit my horse. I did so,
however, and was invited to sit down among the Sirdars. After
the usual salutations, Mahomed Akber commenced business by
asking the Envoy if he was perfectly ready to carry into effect
the proposition of the preceding night? The Envoy replied, 'Why
not?' My attention was then called off by an old Affghan
acquaintance of mine, formerly chief of the Cabul police, by
name Gholam Moyun-ood-deen. I rose from my recumbent posture,
and stood apart with him conversing. I afterwards remembered
that my friend betrayed much anxiety as to where my pistols
were, and why I did not carry them on my person. I answered,
that although I wore my sword for form, it was not necessary to
be armed _cap-a-pie_. His discourse was al