uthwest, was known as the Pir-Paimal Hill; and by
turning this the camp of Ayoub's army would be taken in flank, and
the defenses in front rendered useless. The reconnaissance which
was made by the cavalry; supported by the 15th Sikhs, advanced
close to the central hill. The enemy unmasked five guns and opened
upon them, and the Afghans poured down to the attack. There was,
however, no intention on the part of the British commander of
bringing on a battle; and the troops accordingly fell back, in good
order, to the main body.

A mile and a half from the city stood a low ridge of rock--called
the Picket Hill--in the line by which the column would have to
move, to turn the Pir-Paimal Hill; and this was at once seized. A
number of Ghazis stationed here fought, as usual, desperately; but
the 4th Ghoorkas repulsed their charge, and cleared the ridge of
the enemy. The general determined to attack the enemy's position
with his whole force, on the following day.

Chapter 21: The Battle Of Candahar.

The plan of action upon which General Roberts determined was
simple. The 1st and 2nd brigade were to advance abreast, the 3rd to
follow in support. As the 66th were to take no part in the fight,
Will Gale obtained leave to ride out with General Weatherby, with
the 3rd division.

The enemy were well aware of the weak point of the position which they
occupied; and they had mustered thickly in the plain, in which were
several villages; with canals cutting up the ground in all directions,
and abounding with hedges, ditches, and enclosures--altogether, a very
strongly defensible position.

It was at 10 o'clock, on the 1st of September, that the British
force advanced. The first division, on the right, advanced against
the large walled village of Gundi, which was strongly held by the
enemy. Against this General Macpherson sent the 92nd and the 2nd
Ghoorkas and, stubbornly as the enemy fought, the place was carried
by the bayonet.

On the line taken by the 2nd division--under General Baker--three
villages had successively to be carried: Abasabad, Kaghanary, and
Gundigan. The 72nd Highlanders and the 2nd Sikhs advanced to the
attack of these. The resistance of the Afghans was stubborn in the
extreme, but they were driven out. The fighting line of the two
divisions kept abreast and, for two miles, had to fight every inch
of their way; from wall to wall, from garden to garden and, here
and there, from house to house and from la