Page:The Earl of Auckland.djvu/100

94 Bálá Hissár. After a delay of six months at Peaháwar, his motley force of Hindus, Sikhs, and Afgháns, under the general control of Colonel Wade, had entered the Kháibar on the 22nd of July. One of Wade's ablest subalterns, Lieutenant Mackeson, a young political of the highest promise, commanded the irregular part of the force. Thanks mainly to his ubiquitous energy, the Afrídí defenders of the Pass were fain, after a few skirmishes, to abandon the fort of Alí Majsjid, which Timúr's troops occupied on the 27th. Before the force reached Dháka at the top of the Pass, Akbar had begun his retreat upon Kábul in obedience or in anticipation of his father's summons. Thenceforth the road was clear for Wade's advance to the common goal, through the mountain ranges that still intervened.

During September the troops at Kábul rested from their prolonged labours, taking their fill of pleasure and recreation under cool skies, in a land of fruits, gardens, and fine scenery. The new king marked his return to power by instituting the Order of the Durání Empire. Among the first knights of the new Order were Lord Auckland, Keane, Macnaghten. Burnes, Cotton, and Wade; while the minor decorations were freely scattered among officers of lower rank.

In England the victors of Ghazní became the heroes of the hour. Past blunders were forgotten or ignored in the blaze of a great success. Sir John Hobhouse was 'in high glee,' writes Greville, at the issue of an