mounted orderly sergeants. One of these was William Gale. They had
only proceeded a short distance when they heard, some distance
ahead of them, the guns of the Royal Horse Artillery--with
Massy--at work; and the general at once rode forward, at a gallop.

General Macpherson had found Mahomed Jan--one of the principal
leaders of the Afghans--with 10,000 men, near Chardeh. A fight
ensued. The guns shelled the enemy, but the water courses prevented
the cavalry with Macpherson acting; and Mahomed Jan, moving across
the hills, placed himself between Macpherson and Cabul. Shortly
afterwards General Massy--who had with him three troops of the 9th
Lancers, and forty-four men of the 14th Bengal Lancers, with four
guns under Major Smith-Wyndham--came in sight of a portion of
Mahomed Jan's force. It was clear that these had, in some way,
interposed themselves between the little force and Macpherson's
column; and Massy supposed that they were a party of fugitives,
flying before the force of Macpherson or Baker.

As they came streaming down the hill, he got his guns into action.
After a few shells had been fired, the enemy advanced in full
force. Four thousand men were extended in the shape of a crescent,
advancing in fairly good order; while behind was an irregular mob,
of some six thousand men.

The ground upon which General Massy found himself, at this time,
was singularly unfitted for the action of artillery. It was cut up
by deep water courses, and anything like rapidity of movement was
impossible. It would have been prudent had Massy--when he saw how
large was the force opposed to him--at once retired, until he came
to ground where his guns could be rapidly maneuvered but, relying
upon the effect of the shell, he remained in the position in which
he had first discovered the enemy. The shell pitched rapidly into
the thick of the Afghans, but no effect was produced in checking
their advance. They did not waver for a moment, but came steadily
on. The enemy's bullets were now dropping fast among the cavalry
and guns. Thirty of the 9th Lancers were dismounted, and opened
fire with their Martini carbines; but the enemy were too numerous
to be checked by so small a body of men.

At this moment, Sir Frederick Roberts arrived upon the spot. The
position was serious and, to retire the guns in safety, it was
absolutely necessary to check the advance of the enemy. General
Roberts therefore ordered Massy to send his cavalry at the