y reason to believe, was being used to
stir up the country against us. The Mustaufi I allowed to remain; he
had been less prominent than the others in opposing us, and, besides,
I had an idea that he might prove useful to me in the administration
of the country.

[Footnote 1: A most thrilling account of Elphinstone's retreat through
this pass is given in Kaye's 'History of the War in Afghanistan,' vol.
ii., p. 229.]

[Footnote 2: The amnesty Proclamation ran as follows:

'KABUL,
'_12th November, 1879._

'To all whom it may concern. On the 12th October a Proclamation
was issued in which I offered a reward for the surrender of any
person who had fought against the British troops since the 3rd
September, and had thereby become a rebel against the Amir Yakub
Khan. I have now received information which tends to show that
some, at least, of those who shared in the opposition encountered
by the British troops during their advance on Kabul, were led to
do so by the belief that the Amir was a prisoner in my camp, and
had called upon the soldiery and people of Kabul to rise on his
behalf. Such persons, although enemies to the British Government,
were not rebels against their own Sovereign, and the great British
Government does not seek for vengeance against enemies who no
longer resist. It may be that few only of those who took up arms
were thus led away by the statements of evil-minded men, but
rather than punish the innocent with the guilty, I am willing to
believe that all were alike deceived. On behalf of the British
Government, therefore, I proclaim a free and complete amnesty to
all persons who have fought against the British troops since the
3rd September, provided that they now give up any arms in their
possession and return to their homes. The offer of a reward for
the surrender of such persons is now withdrawn, and they will
not for the future be molested in any way on account of their
opposition to the British advance; but it must be clearly
understood that the benefits of this amnesty do not extend to
anyone, whether soldier or civilian, who was concerned directly or
indirectly in the attack upon the Residency, or who may hereafter
be found in possession of any property belonging to members of the
Embassy. To such persons no mercy will be shown. Further, I hold
out no promise of pardon to