dent among Pathans.

The affair of Reshun, which cost the lives of so many brave men, was the
indirect cause of the loss of many more at the same time. For as soon
as the British officers discovered the state of things at Reshun, they
sent back word to Mastuj, and Captain Ross and Lieutenant Jones with 93
Sikhs at once set out to their assistance. Thirty-three men were left
at Buni, and the remaining 60, with the two officers, pushed forward
towards Reshun. On the way they had to pass through a narrow ravine
with precipitous cliffs on either side. Here they were suddenly
attacked by the enemy in great force from the cliffs above. Soon the
enemy closed the end of the pass, and retreat or advance was equally
impossible. For a time shelter was found in a cave, and an attempt was
made to rush out of the defile in the night; but the enemy were found on
the alert, and though the rifle fire could be faced, it was impossible
to pass several stone shoots which were in the possession of the enemy,
who could annihilate with avalanches of rocks any troops passing below.
The cave was again occupied for a day, but without food, and therefore
it was necessary to make one desperate effort if the men were to escape
starvation. Accordingly, in the middle of the night a sudden rush was
made, and after a desperate fight the sangars held by the enemy were
taken, but with heavy loss, Captain Ross being among the first killed.
Eventually, after desperate fighting, and a great number having been
killed in crossing the stone shoots, a small remnant reached the end of
the ravine; here a stand was made, and at length Lieutenant Jones with
17 men, of whom 9 and himself were wounded, returned to Buni, where the
enemy did not attack them; and on the 17th reliefs arrived from Mastuj,
to which the whole party returned. Here they were besieged, and would
in all probability have in time been reduced by famine had not Colonel
Kelly's force arrived.

COLONEL KELLY'S MARCH.

While these stirring events were taking place on the frontier, the
Indian Government had not been inactive, for in the month of March an
army of 14,000 men was mobilised, under the command of Major-General Sir
R. Low, the intention being originally that this expedition should be
sent to Chitral through Swat and Bajour, starting in April. On receipt
of the news of the disaster at Karagh it became necessary to not only
advance the troops as early as possible, but also to take