consent to inflict any injury upon their well-disposed neighbours, and to impose the burden of grievous troubles upon the shoulders of their sincere friends.  But, on the contrary, they should exert themselves to maintain the friendly feelings which have hitherto existed towards this God-granted Government, in order that the relations between the two Governments may remain on the same footing as before; and if, in accordance with the custom of allied States, the British Government should desire to send a purely friendly and temporary Mission to this country, with a small escort, not exceeding twenty or thirty men, similar to that which attended the Russian Mission, this servant of God will not oppose its progress.’

It was ascertained that this messenger had come to Basawal on the 22nd November, when, hearing of the capture of Ali Masjid by British troops, he immediately returned to Kabul.  The Amir’s letter, though dated the 19th November, was believed to have been re-written at Kabul after the news of the fall of Ali Masjid.  The text of this letter was telegraphed to the Secretary of State on the 7th December; in reply Lord Cranbrook pointed out that the letter evaded all the requirements specified in the Viceroy’s ultimatum, and could not have been accepted even if it had reached him before the 20th November.]

[Footnote 3:  Now General J. Gordon, C.B., Assistant Military Secretary, Horse Guards.]

[Footnote 4:  The Native officer was Subadar-Major Aziz Khan, a fine old soldier who had seen hard work with his regiment during the Mutiny, and in many a frontier expedition.  He twice obtained the Order of Merit for bravery in the field, and for his marked gallantry on one occasion he had received a sword of honour and a khilat (a dress of honour or other present bestowed as a mark of distinction).  Aziz Khan was shot through the knee, and after a few days the wound became so bad the Doctors told him that, unless he submitted to amputation, or consented to take some stimulants in the shape of wine, he would die of mortification.  Aziz Khan, who was a strict and orthodox Mahomedan, replied that, as both remedies were contrary to the precepts of the religion by which he had guided his life, he would accept death rather than disobey them.  He died accordingly.]

[Footnote 5:  Now General Sir AEneas Perkins, K.C.B.]

[Footnote 6:  The strength of this battalion had now dwindled down to 348 men.]

[Footnote 7:  Now Major-General Channer, V.C., C.B.]

[Footnote 8:  I had six orderlies attached to me—­two Sikhs, two Gurkhas, and two Pathans.  The Sikhs and Gurkhas never left me for a day during the two years I was in Afghanistan.  The Pathans behaved equally well, but they fell sick, and had to be changed more than once.  Whenever I emerged from my tent, two or more of the orderlies appeared and kept close by me.  They had always good information as to what was going on, and I could generally tell whether there was likely to be trouble or not by the number in attendance; they put themselves on duty, and decided how many were required.  One of the Gurkhas is since dead, but the other and the two Sikhs served with me afterwards in Burma, and all three now hold the high position of Subadar in their respective regiments.]