them, wrenched them out of their hands; unroofed the building, and pistoled the six men inside, killed 5 and wounded 1; the rest, outside, ran up the mountains.

Sir A. Burnes returned about this time from Khelat, but without any supplies. Mehrab Khan made many excuses for not furnishing grain, saying that he could not force the grain merchants to sell, while it was known that they were willing to sell, but dared not to do so without his orders. Another object of Sir A. B.'s mission was, to try and bring the Khan to tender his submission, in person, to the Shah. Here too, he interposed obstacles; he said he was a poor Beloch, and what harm could he do, that he was attached to the King's service, (21) and that if the Envoy and Minister would give him the "Istiqbal" (or meeting) he would come. (22) There were several interviews, during which the Khan would not allow even his minister to be present. The Khan, moreover, before he entered into any treaty, wanted to obtain Kurachee and its port in Sindh, but he waived this claim on the British Govt. agreeing to stand between him and the king, and giving him 1 Lakh of Rs. (£15,000); for which he said he would protect our supplies, convoys, &c. (23)

Not much grain was obtained by the Convoy which was sent to the valley of Moostung. To judge of the conduct of Mehrab Khan, who said to Sir A. B.-" You have brought an Army into the country; but how do you propose to take it out again?"-it is necessary to state, that it was, afterwards, ascertained, that the night before the departure

(21) Khelat always belonged to the Dooranee empire, and it is quite true as the Khan said, "When the Shah was defeated in 1834, at Candahar, and sought shelter here, I gave it to him; and when urged by the chiefs of Candahar to give him up, I refused."

(22) This would not have been according to etiquette, and was tantamount to a refusal.

It is said he was afraid the king would seize and imprison him; however, he was told no such thing should occur, and that he should be escorted back to Khelat in safety.

(23) He could have brought about eight or 10,000 Belochees into the field if they were united, and if he had money.

L

of Sir A. Burnes, a plan had been formed to murder the whole party, which was defeated by their unexpected departure. (24)

Distress of the followers.-So scarce and dear had grain become, that some of the camp-followers were known to have fried the skins of the sheep, and to have eaten them, and also to have devoured the congealed blood of animals, roots, &c. The thermometer, here, at 5 A. M. averaged from 30° to 55°; and at 3 P. M. from 58° to 76°, while we had, at times, heavy rain and cold cutting wind. The Bombay Column was now at Dadur, near the entrance to the Pass, 8 marches in our rear. There were detachments of Bengal troops also there. The Belochees were daily attacking and carrying off the cattle belonging to the troops of both.

"All open communication with their front and rear, was entirely cut off, except by large detachments; and these were invariably menaced by strong bodies of Beloch horse." (25)

(24) I was told so by Lt. Simpson, S. A. C. G., one of the party. The Khan said, "Your army will be starved, and the water of the country will kill your people."

(25) Capt. Outram says, p. 59, that the Bombay column " was obliged to wait at Dadur for supplies from Shikarpoor." Shikarpoor to Dadur is 10 marches. The Bombay column made 12 marches from Larkhana to Dadur. Had it marched from Larkhana viâ Shikarpoor (52 miles, or four marches) it would have made two marches more; but would have saved time, and have procured supplies at Shikarpoor. The object of the march viâ the Gundava Pass was, to try and move by Khelat, and thus, avoid the Bolan Pass and the route between Shikarpoor and Dadur. The march of troops viâ Khelat, would have been useful, but we could not afford the time it took; which caused delay, and a consumption of our provisions.

There was one person who thought our advance fraught with great danger, from the certain prospect of starvation! The contents of a letter written by this person were, by mere accident, made known to another person. It contained a proposal to counter-march the Bengal column by double forced marches, from Quetta to Shikarpoor, and one Regt. with two guns, was destined to be intrenched at the Head of the Pass, till the column had got through it to Dadur. The Bombay column was to leave guns, &c. behind; and push through the Gundava Pass to

I must not omit to mention that while Sir J. Keane, was at Sir-i-Ab, one march in our rear, his camp was attacked by plunderers, when 11 were seized in the act, and the fact being proved, were summarily dealt with and shot. This example was necessary to deter others, and was warranted by the custom of war and by necessity. (26)

6. March from Quetta to Koochlák, (7th April, 1839).— Leaving the force, above detailed (27) at Quetta, the troops marched this morning. Shortly after leaving camp, we heard repeated firing, which turned out to be the shooting of 60 horses belonging to the Cavalry, which had been reported, by a Committee, as too weak to proceed on the march !

There are three roads or passes from Quetta towards Candahar; one to the right N. E. (28), another to the N., and a third to the N. W. We marched by that to the N. W. The road lay down the valley over water-courses, ditches, and fields of corn. We saw a number of the dead bodies of camp-followers on the road, and the barbarous savages of such deeds, scowled on us, from their mountain-peaks.

Larkhana!!! This because we had only about nine days full rations in camp. We should have been in a pretty position, with hordes of Belochees, &c. attacking our rear and flanks!!!

(26) Sir A. Wellesley (Duke of Wellington) wrote to Col. Murray, letter dated Bombay, 1st April, 1804, as follows: "However, I think that Bheels, and people of that description, whose profession is plunder, and who come armed into the camp for that purpose, ought not to be considered and treated as common robbers. They are public enemies and rebels against all authority, and I recommend that when one of them is caught in the camp, whether it be situated in the Company's territories, or in those of the Rajah, he may be shot by the nearest rear guard if he should be taken in the act of robbery. If something of this kind be not done, the robberies and outrages of the Bheels, will reduce the troops to the greatest distress." (The Wellington Manual, p. 61.)

(27) See para. 4, No. 7 of the G. O. 6th April, 1839. Capt. Bean was ordered to raise a local (Kakur) corps, which has proved to be a useful body.

(28) Whence the camels were driven off, see para. 2.

At about 7 miles a slight ascent towards the gorge of the Pass. There are two ghauts, descended by both, (the guns went down by that to the right,) down to the dry bed of the river.

The road lay N. and N. W. to the Pass of Koochlâk. Moved through the bed of the river for about a mile; high hills on each side; then, turning to the right, entered the valley. The Ghauts were not very steep, and about 100 yards long. The bed of the river was stony. The heights near the Pass, command the road: we found no enemy. (29)

Two miles from camp crossed a deep water-course. The village of Koochlâk, W. of camp, deserted. Our rear (E.) was covered by the hills, and a deep water-course ran along our front (W.): distance marched 10 miles.

8th April.-Marched at 5 A. M. to Hyderzye. The road bad; crossed the Shahdeezy-Lora twice; the banks precipitous, and difficult for the guns and cattle. After a tedious march, came to a fine plain and the considerable village of Hyderzye. Most of the people had fled, The guns and baggage not up till 1 P. M. There are two roads hence, by one of which it is said you save a march.

Some baggage camels got in advance to-day, before the troops moved, which caused delay; the order of the 6th inst., repeated.

The Kakurs attacked the Shah's baggage, and were severely handled; six were killed, and the rest fled.

Distance marched 10 miles. This place is 5259 feet above the level of the sea; 378 feet below Quetta.

9th April.-Marched at 5 A. M.

The order of march this morning was as follows:

1. 2. Regts. Cavy.

2. H. A.

3. 2 Regts. Infy.

4. Camel-battery.

5. A Regt. Infy.

6. A Regt. Cavy.

7.

Treasure between the

2 rear Regts.

8. Rear Guard, 2 Cos. of Infy., and a troop of Cavy.

(29) The subsequent column, H. C. 1st. Bengal Eurn. Regt. and 37th N. I. were fired on; they were obliged to send up parties, and a sharp firing took place. A Sergt. of the European Regt. was wounded, and disabled: and a Sepoy was wounded.

At 8 miles crossed a narrow river with high banks, and shallow water, and the spur of a hill, into the valley of Pisheen.

Grain is coming into camp; and the people have remained in the villages, and asked for guards. A Company of Infy. was posted in the town.

The Park of Arty., under the Escort of the 4th Brigade of Infy. and 4th Local Horse, marched this day from Quetta.

The Bombay Arty. (H. and F.) and H. M.'s 17th foot marched to-day from Dadur into the Pass.

The distance to Hykulzye 10 miles, 7 furlongs. The elevation 5063 feet, or 196 feet less than yesterday.

7. To left bank of the Shahdeexy-Lora, (10th April, 1839).-Marched at 5 A. M. The sappers and miners in advance. No baggage allowed to move in advance. At six miles crossed a dry nullah. At 7 miles crossed the Shahdeezy-Lora river. The ravines near the river precipitous, and the banks so high and perpendicular, that the troops were obliged to pile their arms, and lower the guns, and drag them down and up the steep Ghauts, made for their passage. (30) The river not broad, and not above two feet deep. The horses were taken out of the guns, and the camels from the camel-battery. There was a descent of about 150 yards, and after crossing the stream, a steep bank to ascend; then, at the distance of 150 yards, a second ascent, not very steep. The baggage, thus kept in the rear, did not all come up till 5 P. M. Distance marched 7 miles.

After crossing, the Cavy. and H. A. were ordered to move on immediately, as there was here, no forage, to Arumbee, distant 7 miles and 5 furlongs.

The Shah and his force, &c. remained encamped on the other (right) bank of the river.

The Envoy and Minister wrote to Sir J. Keane, to inform him that an attack on the camp at night, was threatened by 3000 men. The troops slept on their arms all night: no

(30) Working parties H. A. and H. M.'s 13th Lt. Infy.