Page:The Earl of Auckland.djvu/117

Rh tempted him to tarry too long within the captured city.

Clibborn's attempt to relieve Brown's isolated outpost at Káhan, among the foot-hills that border the plains of western Sind, issued in a disastrous failure. Nearly half his detachment were slain or wounded on the 31st of August by the swords of their fierce assailants in the Nafusk Pass. Nothing but the fire from Stamford's guns saved the whole 600 from annihilation. Clibborn had to spike all his guns and abandon his large convoy, before beginning a retreat in which many of his famished Sepoys died of wounds or exhaustion under a burning sun. Brown himself, nearly a month later, was allowed to withdraw his little garrison and their only gun from the post he had held so bravely while any hope of succour still remained. Early in November Khelát was reoccupied by troops from Kandahár; but Nasír Khán, who had withdrawn his garrison betimes, refused to humble himself before Sháh Shujá, whom he regarded as his father's murderer. He retreated with his followers to the hill-country about the Bolán, where they still tried the mettle of our troops. At last, on the 1st of December, his brave Biluchis encountered a British column at Kotra. After a fierce struggle, in which some of their boldest leaders were slain or captured by Marshall's men, the remainder fled disheartened. Nasír Khán buried himself in the wilds of Biluchistán; and Nott's communications with the line of the Indus were again secure.