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518 may, in a great measure, be ascribed the disasters which followed.

To prevent our communications from being interrupted, Sir Robert Sale, who was about marching a force to Jellalabad preparatory to its return to India, was sent forward with her Majesty's 13th and the 35th regiments of Bengal Native Infantry, to clear the pass of Khoord Cabul. He found the enemy stationed behind a breastwork, which they quitted on the approach of the assailants, but kept up a well-directed fire from the rocky heights on each side. In an early stage of the action Sir Robert Sale was wounded and compelled to quit the field; but the troops under Colonel Dennie, on whom the command devolved, drove the enemy from all the cliffs except the very highest; whither, as the object was only to clear the pass, it was thought needless to follow them.

Later in the month of October, Sir Robert Sale having been reinforced, marched in the direction of Tazeen, whither the Affghans had retreated; and though they occupied the surrounding heights, they were driven from all in succession whence they could cause any annoyance. The chiefs then sent proposals of negotiation, making friendly professions, and promising no longer to annoy the march of the column; but their sincerity was rendered more than doubtful by the continued molestation which the troops experienced. After passing Jugduluk on the 29th of October, they entered a long winding gorge, overhung by terrific eminences, every one of which was held by men showing the most obstinate determination to dispute their progress. An advance could only be effected by the arduous operation of scaling the heights, while a heavy fire was still maintained from above. A single company, however, having dashed through the defile, found its main outlet unguarded. The whole then passed, but their rear-guard continued to be harassed till their arrival at Gundamuk.

The labours encountered by the detachment, and the spirit in which they were sustained during this long and