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170 unseemly haste to Jamrúd. The Brigadier himself, as brave an officer as ever lived, was disabled by a severe wound, and all thought of trying to help Sale in his apparent need had for the time to be given up.

Five days later, on the 24th, Alí Masjid was abandoned, and the garrison under Colonel Moseley fought their way betimes out of the Kháibar with some inevitable loss, but not without honour. Want of food alone had compelled the retreat.

Early in February General Pollock reached Pesháwar three days ahead of the second brigade, which Clerk's energy had been hurrying forward from Firozpur. By that time Wild's regiments were in no mood or condition for new enterprises. Half of the Sepoys were in hospital, and the rest were deeply tainted with the rebellious spirit of those Sikh allies whom even Avitabile could not always manage. They had no heart for another march into the dreaded Kháibar, and some even of their English officers shared the same feeling. Of all the Sikh leaders Sher Singh, who had just succeeded Karak as ruler of the Punjab, stood nearly alone in the display of friendship for the friends of Ranjít Singh; and he had little power to enforce compliance with Clerk's demands for the promised succours and supplies. Deaf to all Mackeson's offers and promises, the Afrídí clans of the Kháibar prepared to defend their passes with all their armed strength. In answer to Sale's and Macgregor's prayers