Our conversation frequently turned on military matter, and many very pertinent questions were put to us relative to our rank, pay, duties, discipline, &c.  On Sturt informing him that he was in the engineer department, and that his particular duties were to construct bridges, repair fortifications, superintend mining operations, and furnish plans of attack, he was promptly asked, “In how long a time do you think your army could take my fortress?” In about a quarter of an hour, answered Sturt in his quiet way.  “No, no,” said the Meer with some indignation, “I am sure you could not do so in so short a time;” and then he paused, evidently making up his mind to tell us a story.  After a little, out it came.  “That Feringhis should take my fortress, the strongest in the world, in a quarter of an hour is impossible, for it took me, with five hundred horsemen, double that time.”  Then, apparently forgetting his anger in the anxiety to recount his own exploits, he continued, “when I took possession of this fort I left my army at a little distance, and selecting a few expert warriors, I gallopped up to the gate of the fortress, which I found open.  I dashed in before the enemy were alarmed, and immediately proclaimed that the place was taken by the victorious Merr Walli.  The fools believed me, and all ran away.  By-and-bye my army came up and marched quietly in.”

We had heard some time before that Dost Mahommed’s eldest son, Meer Ufzul Khan, was in Koollum, and it must be confessed that this circumstance did not much contribute to our sense of security, for we could not but feel that we might fairly expect he would not lose so palpable an opportunity of doing us harm should he be so disposed.  One morning he sent us a polite message to request an interview, which of course was readily granted.  He came, looking pale and sorrowful, and his tone and manner soon satisfied us that his intentions were peaceable.  After the usual compliments he entered on the subject of his father’s present position and political prospects; he remarked that our star was too bright, and assured us that his father was anxious to accede to any terms which the British might think fit to impose short of banishing him to India, and strongly urged us to write to our Government to that effect.  We explained to Ufzul Khan that we had received no instructions to act in a political capacity, and that any interference on our part with the affairs of the nation might be looked upon by our superiors as an unwarrantable piece of presumption.  He seemed much disappointed at the reply, and, at last, Sturt promised to write and mention the conversation to the authorities, which he did.  I am not certain whether he wrote to Dr. Lord or Sir William M’Naghten, nor can be positive that his letter ever reached its destination—­at all events, it was of no avail.  Ufzul Kh[=a]n endeavoured to persuade us to remain at Koollum till his father should arrive, who, he said, had escaped