AMONG THE AFFGHANS. 233 



of Eotas to the left, greatly weakened by the defec- 

 tion of the Mohmunds, but not entirely evacuated 

 by the enemy these Mohmunds, perched like hawks 

 on the heights to our right, closely watching the 

 engagement round Ali Musjid, ready to pounce down 

 on the two isolated regiments if the day went against 

 us there ; the Afreedees of the hostile party, under 

 Abdoolla jSToor, and others of less note, and probably 

 not a few of Khwass Khan's " friendly " ones, perched 

 in a similar position, with a like object, above the 

 rocky scarps facing us on the south side of the pass 

 the only support at hand being H.M.'s 17th Regi- 

 ment, some three miles to our rear in a commanding 

 position, and General M'Pherson's brigade a few miles 

 farther off, but neither near enough to afford ready 

 help in any sudden night-attack. Ere sundown, how- 

 ever, it became evident that the garrison of Ali 

 Musjid would not hold out. The cavalry dashed 

 past under a smart fire so early as four in the even- 

 ing it was the beginning of the end. Ere daylight 

 the entire army was in disorganised flight. 



Whatever his motives, Mahmood Shah Khan, in 

 thus deserting the Ameer at the critical moment, 

 greatly aided us. His overtures of submission, made 

 as soon as we advanced, were therefore entertained 

 by Major Cavagnari, and he was left unmolested at 

 Lalpoorah throughout the campaign. His offers of 

 assistance were also accepted, and soon put to the 

 test. 



