s determined to leave a force to garrison the Peiwar, and
to take up his headquarters in the lower valley, there to winter. On
the way down he followed a route hitherto unknown, leading through the
defile of the Chappri. It turned out to be extremely wild and
difficult, and the people of this part, a tribe called Mongols, attacked
the baggage, which was proceeding under a small escort only, the troops
having passed through ahead. The attack was sudden and unexpected; but
the men of the baggage guard stood their way well. Captain Goad,
assistant-superintendent of transport, was shot through the legs, and
fell while fighting bravely. The natives made a rush towards him, but
four soldiers of the 72nd stood over him and gallantly defended him
against a crowd of enemies until the 5th Ghurkas, under Major Fitzhugh,
came up from the rear. Heavy as the fire was, singularly enough, only
one of these gallant fellows was wounded.

The Mongols stood boldly, and, taking to the rocks, kept up a very rapid
fire, while the Ghurkas repeatedly charged home with the bayonet, using
their terrible knives with great effect, and finally putting them to
flight, three of the 5th being killed and 13 wounded. Farther up the
defile the Mongols made another rush upon the train, but were here more
easily beaten back. The attack was made with the hope of plunder only,
and from no political animosity.

The population in the valley, although not hostile to British rule, were
eager to plunder British waggons, and constant outrages of this kind
took place, many soldiers and camp followers being killed. The
marauders were in some cases taken and executed upon the spot.

Early in January, General Roberts started with a force up the valley of
the Khost. The General reached Khost without much opposition. The
villages round sent in their submission, and all appeared likely to
terminate quietly. But upon the day after their arrival at the fort,
the natives from around mustered in great numbers, and advanced to an
attack upon the camp, occupying a number of steep hills around it, and
massing in the villages themselves. A troop of the 5th Punjaub Cavalry
advanced to attack them, with orders, if possible, to tempt them out on
to the plain. This was well managed. The enemy, seeing the smallness
of the force, poured out of the villages, when Major Bulkeley with the
10th Hussars swept down upon them, and the Afghans fled and took post on
the hills.