BOLAN PASS EXPEDITION (PART II.) 
77 
under consideration. Meanwhile, the Bolan is secure, with Quetta 
occupied at the top, and Mitree 13 miles from the mouth, and a strong 
reserve at Jacobabad, only five marches from Mitree. 
In conclusion, I will give one more extract from Masson's book, 
regarding the town of Quetta (which, being the key of the head of the 
Bolan, is a most important place) 
“ Quetta (sometimes called Shawl, and the capital of the Saharawan 
District), an equivalent for f fort/ is a small town of about 400 houses. 
It has a good bazaar, and is the most considerable place between Khelat 
and Kandahar, and also between Khelat and Ghaznee. It is surrounded 
by a cremated wall of some height, hut inadequate, from its slight 
substance, to offer opposition to artillery. On a lofty mound within the 
walls is a ruined citadel, which yet affords a residence to the Governor 
of the town. There are two gates—one towards the east, called the 
Hanna; the other towards the west, called the Mustung. Soil rich 
and black, and abundant orchards full of fruit. Snow falls and settles 
for two months," 
