stored in various buildings at
the Bala-Hissar and, at the moment of the explosion, a body of
engineers, under Captain Shafto, were examining the buildings in
which it was stored, and making preparation for the removal of the
powder. Singularly enough, no soldiers of the 67th were killed but,
of the Ghoorkas, who were on guard at the arsenal at the time,
twelve were killed and seven wounded. Shafto was, unfortunately,
killed.

The 67th were at once called out, and set to work to extinguish the
flames which had been kindled by the explosion--great damage being
done. The southern wall of the arsenal had been blown down, and
several buildings set on fire. Explosion followed explosion, and
the work of extinguishing the flames was an extremely dangerous
one.

In the afternoon another magazine blew up. Fortunately, no troops
were in its neighborhood at the time; but four Afghans were killed,
and several soldiers hurt, at a distance of three or four hundred
yards from the spot. Although it was never proved, it was strongly
believed that these explosions were caused by the Afghans and--as
large quantities of powder still remained in the Bala-Hissar--it
was determined that, for the present, the place should be
evacuated. The general therefore, with his staff and the regiment
in garrison, left the place and joined the camp in the plain.

The little force at Cabul was now isolated. Troops were slowly
coming up the Khyber Pass to Jellalabad; where a division was to be
formed, destined in the spring to join the force at Cabul, should
it be necessary to carry on further operations.

Between Cabul and the Shatur-Gardan the natives were in a restless
and excited state. Two attacks, by 3000 men, had been made on the
garrison holding the crest of the latter position--three hundred in
number. These bravely sallied out, attacked the enemy in the open,
and killed large numbers of them. Still, great numbers of the
tribesmen were gathered round; and General Gough, with the 5th
Punjaubee Cavalry, the 5th Punjaubee Infantry, and four guns, was
therefore sent from Cabul to bring down, from the Shatur-Gardan,
the garrison and all the stores accumulated there. The pass, which
would shortly be closed by snow, was then to be deserted.

Several executions now took place, at Cabul, of men who were proved
to have shared in the attack on the embassy. Some of the leading
men of the place, who had instigated the troops to the attack, were
among t