But to return to the Kohist[=a]n.  On the 4th of October we took a transverse direction westward, crossing the plain of Buggr[=a]m, supposed to be the site of the “Alexandria ad Calcem Caucasi” of the ancients; numerous coins, gems, and relics of antiquity are found hereabouts, particularly subsequently to the melting of the snows.  Formerly they were considered useless, but when our enterprising countrymen and the army of the Indus found their way to C[=a]bul, these memorials of the Greek had ready purchasers amongst the numismatologists of the British force.  At the same time the C[=a]bulese considered it great folly our exchanging the current coin for what were in their estimation useless pieces of old silver and copper.

Throughout the marches and countermarches which it was necessary for us to make in the northern districts of the Kohist[=a]n, in order to prevent the enemy from gathering together, we were much interested by the varied beauty of the scenery; and it must candidly be admitted that our ignorance as to the nature or amount of force we might any day find opposed to us by no means diminished our excitement.  Rather an extraordinary phenomenon occurs in a small range of hills detached from the parent mountains, a little to the northward of the fort of Julghur.  From top to bottom of the precipitous side of one of these spurs extends a light golden streak, rather thicker and less highly coloured at the bottom than at the top.  I was unable to approach it nearer than about four miles, but I was credibly informed that the streak was in reality what its appearance first suggested to my mind, a body of fine sand continually flowing over the side of the hill, and depositing its volumes in a heap at the base of the mountain.  I might perhaps in a windy day have ascertained the correctness of the report, as then the sandy cascade would appear as a cloud of dust, but the weather was calm during the whole time we were in its vicinity.  It is called by the natives the Regrow[=a]n or flowing sand.  Being no geologist, I refrain from offering any suggestions as to its cause, but merely state what I saw and heard.

After marching about the country for some days like the Paladins of old in search of adventure, we turned our faces once more towards C[=a]bul and encamped near Kara-bagh.  While here, a scene occurred which will doubtless be still in the recollection of many officers with the force, and which I relate as illustrative of the barbarous customs of the people.  Many of the stories which I have introduced must of course be received by the impartial or incredulous reader “cum grano salis.”  I have given them as they were repeated to me, but I can personally vouch for the following fact.