, without allowing them to get to close quarters.

This was the end of the Afghan resistance. General Stewart moved on
to Cabul without further fighting, and effected a junction there
with the force under General Roberts.

Chapter 18: On The Helmund.

With the junction of the forces of Generals Stewart and Roberts,
what may be called the second period of the Afghan war came to an
end. All opposition had ceased, and it appeared probable that there
would be no more fighting.

Abdul-Rahman, a prince of the royal house who--after for some time
fighting against Sheer Ali--had been defeated, and obliged to fly
the country; had, for a long time, been a resident among the
Russians. Upon the abdication of Yakoub he had crossed the
frontier, and had entered at the north of Afghanistan; assuming the
title of Ameer. He had been well received in that part of the
country, and as no other competitor for the throne appeared to have
chances equal to his, and as the British government were most
anxious to withdraw their forces from the country, his authority
was recognized by us. Negotiations were opened with him; and it was
arranged that, as he approached Cabul, the British force would
retire.

The summer had passed not unpleasantly, at Candahar. The country
was peaceful. Cricket matches were got up between the various
regiments, and horse races established. Candahar was governed by a
protege of the British, named Wali Shere Ali. He had organized a
native army, to support his authority upon our withdrawal.

The only circumstances which occurred to mar the pleasing time were
isolated attacks, upon British officers and men, by Ghazis. These
attacks were sometimes made in broad daylight, in the streets of
Candahar, where the escape of those who perpetrated them was
impossible. These fanatics regarding their own life with
indifference, so that they could but kill one or more of the
British, before being cut down.

One day, as William Gale was walking in the principal street of
Candahar, at a short distance behind Colonel Ripon--an Indian
official of very long standing and experience, who had come up on a
special mission to arrange, with the Wali, the details of the civil
government of the province--he saw three Afghans, who were
loitering in the road, draw their long tulwars and dash upon that
officer.

The first who reached him delivered a sweeping blow; which the
colonel, taken by surprise, partly received on his uplifte