We were now on a narrow plain, and the snow on either hand of the track which the troops were following in single file was over my waist, as I soon found whenever I left the path in order to reach more quickly the head of the column.  On arriving there, I found the track had suddenly ended, and before us was the level expanse of snow-covered valley.  Attempts were being made to get the gun mules of the battery through this, but at every step they sank up to their girths, even then not finding firm foothold.  Trials were then made of the ground at the sides of the valley, but the snow was found equally deep and soft there; and after spending an hour or so in futile attempts to get forward, it became evident to all that no animal could possibly pass over the snowfield in its present condition.  We had only gone some eight miles out of the thirteen to Langar, and it was already three o’clock.  There was nothing, therefore, for it but to return, and the word to retire was reluctantly passed along the line, and each man, turning where he stood, moved slowly back towards Ghizr.

But though laden or unladen animals could not cross the pass, we saw no reason to suppose that men could not, and therefore, at Teru, which we reached by four o’clock, a halt was made, and two hundred Pioneers, with Borradaile and Cobbe, and the Sappers under Oldham, were detailed to remain there with the Hunza Levies, and to try and force their way across the pass the next day.  Borradaile was to receive all the coolie transport, which he was to send back as soon as he got across the pass, in order that we might follow with the remainder of the troops.  His orders were to entrench himself at Laspur, which was the first village across the pass, and if possible open communications with Mastuj.

The guns were immediately sent back to Ghizr, and we set to work to sort out the kits of Borradaile’s party from the remainder.  The unavoidable confusion at first was something dreadful.  First of all, the kits had to be unloaded, then those of Borradaile’s party separated and put on one side; the remaining kits were then loaded on the ponies and sent off, as fast as the ponies could be loaded up, back to Ghizr.  The ammunition had to be divided, and as much as possible given over in the way of supplies.  All this time we had to have a ring of sentries round to stop the coolies from bolting, but as soon as we had got the ponies off, the coolies were collected, and sat down in the snow under a guard.  Borradaile’s party were then told off into the different houses, and the coolies likewise, still under guard, the ammunition and supplies stacked, and the job was done.

By this time it was about seven o’clock, getting dark, and also beginning to snow.  All of us, officers and men, were covered with slush and mud from head to foot, and dripping wet.  Smith, who was going with Borradaile’s party, had, however, managed to get a fire going in one of the houses, and had got some tea ready, bless him!  We had a cup all round, and wished Borradaile and his party good luck.  The remainder of us plunged out into the darkness and snow and splashed back to Ghizr.  The men, who had started some time before us, were comfortably in their former quarters when we reached Ghizr.