he enemy. A brilliant resistance
here ensued, in which more than half of the escort were killed in their
effort to save the guns. Towards the end, Captain Forrester nearly
single-handed kept the enemy at bay until the cavalry, breaking through,
and joining forces with the two columns of the main body as they emerged
on the plain, effectually turned the position and saved the guns. The
loss of the enemy was very considerable, and it is considered that this
action clears the way to Kandahar, which the troops are expected to
occupy in two days without further resistance. Our loss, considering
the perilous position of the cavalry and gunners, was comparatively
slight. Captain Forrester at the last moment fell after a resistance as
heroic as any witnessed in the course of the campaign. Major Atherton
received a scratch on the wrist; which, however, is not likely to
disable him even temporarily. The main body never came into action at
all, and suffered no casualties. A full list of the killed and wounded
is appended."

Jeffreys, who found himself almost as eager for news as if he had been
personally interested, found it difficult to wait patiently until Mr
Rimbolt came after breakfast to the library.

"Is there news from the war?" he asked.

"Yes--good news, Miss Atherton has the telegram. Her father took part
in a very brilliant engagement a day or two ago, which appears to have
cleared the way to Kandahar. He was scratched, but not seriously."

Jeffreys received this good news with great satisfaction. It was a
relief to him to hear it in the first instance not from Raby's lips, for
he never knew what to do or say on such occasions.

"Miss Atherton must be very proud," said he, returning to his work.

He was not, however, destined to remain long undisturbed. Raby, radiant
and excited, entered the library a few minutes later.

"Mr Jeffreys," said she, "such splendid news. Has uncle told you? I
thought you would like to read the telegram; here it is."

Jeffreys looked his congratulations as he took the paper.

"Read it aloud, Mr Jeffreys," said the happy girl, "I should like to
hear how it sounds." Jeffreys smiled and began to read; Raby, who knew
it all by heart, seeming to check off every word.

Suddenly, however, in the middle of the narrative the reader started and
changed colour, and became unaccountably breathless.

"The guns meanwhile, escorted by--" he had got so far.

"`Captain Forrester of