AMONG THE AFFGHANS. 259 



their sullen neutrality, as, indeed, was proved before 

 the close of the campaign. 



Jellalabad had been peacefully occupied for several 

 months ; reconnoitring and foraging parties had gone 

 into all the neighbouring villages without causing any 

 alarm or disturbance. The winter was passing away ; 

 ere long we would be able to make a fresh start for 

 Cabul ; or if Yakoob Khan came to terms, we might 

 soon return to India, Yet, owing to the peculiar 

 position we held there having passive enemies all 

 round that our Government strongly desired to pre- 

 vent becoming active ones not a single valley or 

 road half a day's journey from the lines of march of 

 the troops had been surveyed. 



It was now urged by the survey officers and others, 

 that at least some attempt might be made to find out 

 what lay around us, and if possible to map it for 

 future use. The Commander-in-Chief, who had just 

 visited Jellalabad, concurred heartily, and at length 

 two survey parties started one under Major Tanner, 

 the other under Captain E. P. Leach, E.E. The 

 former soon returned to camp; the latter came to 

 grief. Accompanied by a company of native infantry 

 and a party of Guides cavalry, each under a British 

 officer, Captain Leach began work in the nearest 

 Shinwarree village. A native chief accompanied the 

 party, to prevent mistakes and to smoothen difficul- 

 ties. Whatever his influence elsewhere, he appears 

 to have had but little among these Shinwarrees, at 



