ough unwounded. Here the Giljye chiefs, Mahomed
Shah Khan, and his brother Dost Mahomed Khan, presently joined
us, and endeavoured to cheer up our flagging spirits, assuring
us that the Envoy and Trevor were not dead, but on the contrary
quite well. They stayed with us during the afternoon, their
presence being absolutely necessary for our protection. Many
attempts were made by the fanatics to force the door to
accomplish our destruction. Others spit at us and abused us
through a small window, through which one fellow levelled a
blunderbuss at us, which was struck up by our keepers and
himself thrust back. At last Ameenoollah made his appearance,
and threatened us with instant death. Some of his people most
officiously advanced to make good his word, until pushed back
by the Giljye chiefs, who remonstrated with this iniquitous old
monster, their master, whom they persuaded to relieve us from
his hateful presence. During the afternoon, a human hand was
held up in mockery to us at the window. We said that it had
belonged to an European, but were not aware at the time that it
was actually the hand of the poor Envoy. Of all the Mahomedans
assembled in the room discussing the events of the day, one
only, an old moollah, openly and fearlessly condemned the acts
of his brethren, declaring that the treachery was abominable,
and a disgrace to Islam. At night they brought us food, and
gave us each a postheen to sleep on. At midnight we were
awakened to go to the house of Mahomed Akber in the city.
Mahomed Shah Khan then, with the meanness common to all
Affghans of rank, robbed Lawrence of his watch, while his
brother did me a similar favour. I had been plundered of my
rings and every thing else previously, by the understrappers.

"Reaching Mahomed Akber's abode, we were shown into the room
where he lay in bed. He received us with great outward show of
courtesy, assuring us of the welfare of the Envoy and Trevor,
but there was a constraint in his manner for which I could not
account. We were shortly taken to another apartment, where we
found Skinner, who had returned, being on parole, early in the
morning. Doubt and gloom marked our meeting, and the latter was
fearfully deepened by the intelligence which we now received
from our fellow-captive of t