Page:The Earl of Auckland.djvu/140

134 advised the despatch of a regiment thither without delay, in order to help Burnes and attempt the capture of Amínulla and Abdulla Khán. This bold but wise suggestion being scouted as insane, Lawrence urged that Shelton's force should march at once from the Siyá Sang lines to the Bálá Hissár, whence they could act as circumstances required. This proposal was accepted; but instead of marching forthwith, as Lawrence wanted, the Brigadier was ordered merely to hold himself ready for moving forward whenever the Shah might request him to do so. Lawrence himself, with a small escort, rode off at speed to the citadel. After some narrow escapes from Afghán swords and bullets, he entered the Sháh's presence, and learned that some of his Majesty's troops with two guns had already gone off to quell the riot in the city.

Meanwhile Burnes was paying the penalty of his own self-confidence and Elphinstone's inertness. Before dawn of that fatal day he had been awakened by a friendly Afghán, who told him of a plot against his life, and vainly urged him to a timely flight. Presently Uzmán Khán, the Sháh's chief minister, repeated the same tale and pressed him with the same counsel. Still the Envoy-Elect would not budge, though the roar of a great tumult even then reached his ears. He contented himself with writing to Macnaghten for help in terms which made light of the danger at his doors. And he sent to Abdulla Khán a conciliatory message,