he Tezeen
valley, having lost 12,000 men since leaving Cabul; fifteen officers had
been killed and wounded in this day's march.

After resting three hours, they marched, under cover of the darkness, at
seven P.M. Here the last gun was abandoned, and with it Dr Cardew, whose
zeal and gallantry had endeared him to the soldiers; and a little
further on Dr Duff was left on the road in a state of utter exhaustion.

"Bodies of the neighbouring tribes were by this time on the
alert, and fired at random from the heights, it being
fortunately too dark for them to aim with precision; but the
panic-stricken camp-followers now resembled a herd of startled
deer, and fluctuated backwards and forwards, _en masse_, at
every shot, blocking up the entire road, and fatally retarding
the progress of the little body of soldiers who, under
Brigadier Shelton, brought up the rear.

"At Burik-ab a heavy fire was encountered by the hindmost from
some caves near the road-side, occasioning fresh disorder,
which continued all the way to Kutter-Sung, where the advance
arrived at dawn of day, and awaited the junction of the rear,
which did not take place till 8 A.M."

_January_ 11.-- ...

"From Kutter-Sung to Jugdulluk it was one continued conflict;
Brigadier Shelton, with his brave little band in the rear,
holding overwhelming numbers in check, and literally performing
wonders. But no efforts could avail to ward off the withering
fire of juzails, which from all sides assailed the crowded
column, lining the road with bleeding carcasses. About three
P.M. the advance reached Jugdulluk, and took up its position
behind some ruined walls that crowned a height by the
road-side. To show an imposing front, the officers extended
themselves in line, and Captain Grant, assistant
adjutant-general, at the same moment received a wound in the
face. From this eminence they cheered their comrades under
Brigadier Shelton in the rear, as they still struggled their
way gallantly along every foot of ground, perseveringly
followed up by their merciless enemy, until they arrived at
their ground. But even here rest was denied them; for the
Affghans, immediately occupying two hills which commanded the
position, kept up a fire from which the walls of the enclosure
afforded but a partial shelter.

"The exh