AMONG THE AFFGHAXS. 273 



" Xever before," said the people, " have we heard of 

 an army crossing that dreadful route by day, and 

 these Feringhees do it by night. What is safe from 

 their attacks 1 " 



Meanwhile General Gough had started for Futte- 

 habad, on the direct route to Cabul, Avith about 

 10,000 infantry, the remaining troops of the 10th 

 Hussars, some troops of the Guides cavalry, and four 

 E.H.A. guns. All was quiet at Futtehabad, and 

 next day reconnoitring parties were sent out. And 

 well it was so. In every Khugianee village the war- 

 drums were beating, and thousands gathering. One 

 reconnoitring party was fired into and followed up. 

 The pickets near Futtehabad reported that there was 

 heavy firing towards Gandamuk, so General Gough 

 at once hurried out with his guns and cavalry to 

 rescue the party. Ordering 400 infantry to follow, 

 some five miles from camp he found the enemy 

 already strongly posted on the crest of a plateau 

 about a mile south of the road and parallel to it. 

 Here they had constructed a long line of breastworks, 

 behind which were posted several thousands, while 

 other large parties were already hurrying down the 

 water-courses which flanked the plateau on which 

 Gough now stood with his cavalry and guns : the 

 infantry were coming up at the double. The guns 

 now advanced to within 1200 yards of the breast- 

 works and opened fire with shell ; the flanks of the 

 enemy were rapidly pushing in to try and surround 



