b Cavalry, who accompanied the column--charged 400 of them, and
cut down many; until checked by the heavy fire of matchlock men from
the high bank.

No more fighting took place. The combination of tribes which had
attacked the camp were estimated at 6000 men. Eighty prisoners were
taken. These, two nights afterwards, took advantage of a night
alarm to attempt to escape, and attacked the guard. The attempt,
however, was frustrated; but only after several of the prisoners
had been shot down.

Some days passed, quietly. Reconnaissances were made up the valley.
While waiting here, the news of the capture of Candahar, by General
Stewart, arrived. Parties of engineers surveyed the country, and
all passed off quietly.

On the 25th, a portion of the force marched back to Hazir-pir On
the 26th of January the general determined to withdraw this force
altogether; as no advantage was gained by its retention, and the
garrison would be constantly exposed to the attacks of the natives,
who were already threatening it. The fort was handed over to Sultan
Jan, a man of good family, who was appointed to govern the Khost,
temporarily. He had under him the guard of the former governor, and
some fresh natives; being, in all, 300 men. The headmen of the
villages were called together, and these promised to obey his rule.

Some of the chiefs of the Mongals, and other neighboring tribes,
came in. Sheep were given to them, and they were told that, so long
as they desisted from interference in the valley, no steps would be
taken against them. The troops, however, had only made one day's
march when a messenger arrived from Sultan Jan; saying that,
immediately the troops had marched, the Mongals had come down to
attack the fort. A strong party were therefore marched back at
once. After destroying the stores, and setting fire to the fort,
they drew off the governor and marched back to camp; the Mongals,
although in great force, not venturing to offer any resistance.

On the return of the force to the Khuram valley, a wing of the
Norfolk Rangers was sent up to reinforce the troops stationed on
the top of the Peiwar-Khotal; as the Jajis and Mongals had been
gathering in large numbers, and threatening an attack on that post.

William Gale was, with his company, stationed at Ali-Kheyl. The
enemy abstained from any open attack, but they often harassed the
sentries. One night, Will was corporal in charge of a picket of
eight men, posted at a hut ha