sted the British guns, as the walls were old and ruinous.

On the 12th of October formal possession was taken of Cabul, the troops
occupying the Bala Hissar. Delay had taken place in this operation, as
it was feared that the Afghans might explode large quantities of
ammunition known to be stored there. A _durbar_ was held after we had
entered the Bala Hissar. The whole of the sirdars and principal men of
Cabul and its neighbourhood attended. Of these the leaders, who had
been more than suspected of heading the plot against us, were at once
seized and held as prisoners. A proclamation was issued by Sir
Frederick Roberts, warning the people that any attempt against our
authority would be severely punished; forbidding the carrying of weapons
within the streets of Cabul, or within a distance of five miles from the
city gates; and commanding that all arms issued to, or seized by, the
Afghan troops should be given up, a small reward being given for the
delivery of each. A reward also was offered for the surrender of any
person, whether soldier or civilian, concerned in the attack on the
British Embassy.

For some time things went quietly. The people were clearly intensely
hostile to us. But except in the case of the women, no open insults
were ventured upon. But it was unsafe in the extreme for small parties
to ride about the country. On the 16th the camp was startled by a
tremendous explosion at the Bala Hissar, where the 67th Foot were
encamped, and where a body of Engineers, under Captain Shafto, were
examining the various small buildings in which powder was stored. The
southern wall of the arsenal was blown down, and great damage was done;
but, singularly enough, no soldiers of the British regiment were killed,
but of the Ghurkas, who were on guard at the arsenal at the time, twelve
were killed and seven wounded. Captain Shafto was unfortunately killed.
No examination could for a time be made, as some of the buildings were
on fire, and explosions continued frequent. In the afternoon another
tremendous explosion occurred; four Afghans were killed and several
soldiers hurt at a distance of 300 or 400 yards from the spot. Although
it was never proved, it was believed that these explosions were caused
by the Afghans; and as large quantities of powder still remained in the
Bala Hissar, it was determined that, for the present, the place should
remain unoccupied.

The little force at Cabul was now isolated. Betw