le.

In the plain to the south of the hills stand two pillars, or obelisks,
of brickwork, about one hundred feet in height, and twelve in diameter
at the base, which are said to have marked the limits of the bazaar of
ancient Ghuznee, and which at present form serve only as conspicuous
landmarks for the traveller.

CHAPTER VII.

Reconnaisance of the Fortress.--Skirmish with the Enemy.--Rejoicings of
the Garrison at our Supposed Defeat.--Preparation for a Coup de
Main.--Engineer Operations.--Storming and Taking of the Fortress.

We debouched on the plain in front of the fort about eight o'clock in
the morning, and advanced upon it in three columns--the Cavalry on the
right, the Artillery in the centre, and the Infantry on the left. The
Commander-in-Chief determined to reconnoitre the place in force, and
make the enemy show their strength. On approaching the orchards and
walled gardens before described, we found them occupied by the enemy,
and the 1st Brigade having been immediately thrown into them, drove the
Affghans out of the enclosures in capital style, and forced them to take
shelter behind the defences, with a comparatively trifling loss on our
side. Our guns were now brought to bear upon the fortress, which had
kept up a sharp fire on us from the moment of our appearance, but owing
to our having left our heavy battering train behind us at Candahar we
did but little or no damage. About eleven o'clock we drew off, and
pitched our camp out of range of the fire of the foot. On our
skirmishers retiring from the gardens they were immediately occupied by
the enemy, who commenced cheering our retreating parties, in the
conviction that they had obtained a victory. Under this impression they
instantly sent off expresses to Cabul, to announce the fact, and state
that if the whole of the surrounding country could be raised, they had
little doubt of being able to cut us off to a man. The garrison spent
the night in rejoicings, and blue lights were constantly sent up as
signals to their friends on the neighbouring hills.

Next morning the Shah's camp was threatened on the left by large bodies
of horse and foot who were driven off by the Cavalry and some of his
Highness's troops; whilst another force, consisting chiefly of horse,
under the command of one of Dost Mahommed's sons; and at a short
distance from him a Ghiljie Chief, with about fifteen hundred Cavalry,
who had hung upon our flank all the way from Khelat-i