odies of the enemy were seen, advancing from all sides.
The city was now in open revolt, and the small garrison there with
difficulty held their own.

One more effort was made to drive the enemy off the hills. Early on
the 15th General Baker, with 1200 infantry and eight guns, left the
cantonment. After very severe fighting, the enemy were driven from
their lowest positions but, as Baker advanced, a body of from
15,000 to 20,000 of the enemy marched out across the plain, towards
the position just captured. Steadily they advanced, and the shells
which our mountain guns sent among them, and the volleys poured
down from the face of the hill, did not suffice to check them in
the slightest. Reassured by their own enormous numbers, and feeling
that success was in their grasp, they pressed forward; and
desperate fighting took place. A position held by the 5th Punjaub
Infantry was carried by their attack, and two guns were lost; but
the rest of the positions were maintained.

Seeing that it was impossible to hold the Bala-Hissar and Cabul, in
the face of the hordes opposed to him--which were estimated, by the
general himself, as numbering 80,000 men; but which the Afghans,
themselves, afterwards acknowledged were between 100,000 and
120,000--General Roberts determined to concentrate his troops at
Sherpur. Baker was ordered to maintain the position he held, at all
costs, until the troops from the Bala-Hissar were withdrawn. This
he did; and although, as he fell back, the Afghan hordes swarmed
round him, he fought his way back to Sherpur and, by nightfall, all
the British force were safely gathered in the cantonments there.

Two days previously, General Roberts had telegraphed for the
regiments most advanced in the passes, below, to come forward. They
arrived on the morning of the 16th, and the general had no longer
any anxiety as to his ability to hold the cantonments--for months,
if necessary--against the attacks of the Afghans.

Had these attacked on the morning following what was virtually a
victory--whilst still flushed with triumph and excitement--it would
have needed all the efforts of the English to hold their position,
against so formidable an attack. The Afghans, however, contented
themselves with occupying several walled villages near the
cantonment, and keeping up an incessant fire upon it. Meanwhile,
their main body indulged in wild excesses in Cabul--sacking the
Hindoo quarter, and plundering all the shops, wit