Page:The Earl of Auckland.djvu/180

174 were stronger than ever, Akbar had lost his opportunity. Foraging parties from the garrison still went out daily, to return with full loads. In the successful sally, made by Dennie's column on the 10th of March, Broadfoot's sappers, always ready for any kind of service, led the attack and covered the retreat in a style which won for them Sale's ungrudging, if tardily rendered, praise.

All through that winter General Nott, ably seconded by Major Rawlinson, held strong possession of Kandahár. The news of the Kábul outbreak in November and Elphinstone's request for help had reached him just in time for countermanding the homeward march of one of his two brigades. Maclaren's return in December from his unsuccessful attempt to reach Kábul gave Nott all the strength he needed for the maintenance of his own position against a country in arms. Whatever dangers menaced, he was ready to meet them with the firm courage of a commander justly confident in his officers, his men, and above all in himself. Aktar Khán was again in the field, and round him rallied most of the neighbouring Kháns in concert with the rebellious prince Safdar Jang. On the 12th of January Nott himself marched out against a strong force of insurgents encamped on the Arghandáb, five miles westward of Kandahár. After half an hour's fighting the enemy were scattered in wild flight. Surrounded by cunning foes, and watched by secret plotters within the city, he busied himself