Fortunately before it left the Cabul camp on August 9, matters were skilfully arranged by Mr. Griffin with Abdur Rahman, on terms which will be noticed presently.  In spite of one or two suspicious incidents, his loyalty to the British cause now seemed to be assured, and that, too, in spite of the remonstrances of many of his supporters.  He therefore sent forward messengers to prepare the way for Roberts’ force.  They did so by telling the tribesmen that the new Ameer was sending the foreign army out of the land by way of Candahar!  This pleasing fiction in some measure helped on the progress of the force, and the issue of events proved it to be no very great travesty of the truth.

Every possible device was needed to ensure triumph over physical obstacles.  In order to expedite the march through the difficult country between Cabul and Candahar, no wheeled guns or waggons went with the force.  As many as 8000 native bearers or drivers set out with the force, but very many of them deserted, and the 8255 horses, mules and donkeys were thenceforth driven by men told off from the regiments.  The line of march led at first through the fertile valley of the River Logar, where the troops and followers were able to reap the ripening crops and subsist in comfort.  Money was paid for the crops thus appropriated.  After leaving this fertile district for the barren uplands, the question of food and fuel became very serious; but it was overcome by ingenuity and patience, though occasional times of privation had to be faced, as, for instance, when only very small roots were found for the cooking of corn and meat.  A lofty range, the Zamburak Kotal, was crossed with great toil and amidst biting cold at night-time; but the ability of the commander, the forethought and organising power of his Staff, and the hardihood of the men overcame all trials and obstacles.

The army then reached the more fertile districts around Ghazni, and on August 15 gained an entry without resistance to that once formidable stronghold.  Steady marching brought the force eight days later to the hill fort of Kelat-i-Ghilzai, where it received a hearty welcome from the British garrison of 900 men.  Sir Frederick Roberts determined to take on these troops with him, as he needed all his strength to cope with the growing power of Yakub.  After a day’s rest (well earned, seeing that the force had traversed 225 miles in 14 days), the column set forth on its last stages, cheered by the thought of rescuing their comrades at Candahar, but more and more oppressed by the heat, which, in the lower districts of South Afghanistan, is as fierce as anywhere in the world.  Mr. Hensman, the war correspondent of the Daily News, summed up in one telling phrase the chief difficulties of the troops.  “The sun laughed to scorn 100 deg.  F. in the shade.”  On the 27th the commander fell with a sharp attack of fever.