Page:Letters from India Vol 2.pdf/298

 after that Doctor —— knew no more except that he saw several officers lying dead, amongst others poor Lieutenant Sturt. Such a dreadful massacre, and such a disgraceful transaction altogether, the Afghans actually allowing them to take only the ammunition in their pouches, and then the two senior officers giving themselves up. It is utterly inexplicable. Those unfortunate women, too, in the hands of such savages.

Tuesday.

We have almost decided on going home in the 'Hungerford' (merchant ship). The 'Endymion,' besides all other objections to her, could not be here in time. She has only had one accident of running aground while Captain — Grey was on shore, and her sickness was not indigenous; but, while she was in dock, the sailors lived on shore at Bombay and got what they there call the mud fever, and he was — obliged to take her to sea to save the men. However, she is out of the question, and the 'Wellesley' also. The 'Hungerford' is a very old ship and 4a slow sailor, but a great favourite, and what they call a very easy ship—