e, numbers of the
country people were seen collecting, in small detached parties. By
degrees they closed in, and were soon within fifty yards of the
convoy. Captain Goad--in charge of the baggage--was close to a
small guard of 72nd Highlanders when, suddenly, a volley was fired
by the Mongals.

Captain Goad fell, his thigh bone broken by a bullet. Sergeant
Green, with three privates of the 72nd, picked him up and, having
placed him under cover of a rock, turned to defend themselves. They
were but four men against a large number; but they stood steady
and, firing with careful aim, and picking off their man each time,
they kept the enemy at bay until help arrived.

Simultaneously, all along the line of the baggage column, the
Mongals attacked. From the heights on both sides a fire was kept
up, while the more daring swept down in parties upon the rear guard
of Ghoorkas, commanded by Captain Powell. The baggage guard all
behaved with great steadiness; defending the path on both sides,
while the baggage animals continued their way along it.

William Gale was on duty with the party; and was, like the rest,
busy with his rifle. A sergeant next to him was hit in the leg; and
Will--laying down his rifle--stopped one of the camels, and
assisted the wounded man to mount it. The attack of the Mongals
became more furious, as they saw their anticipated prey escaping
them, in spite of all their efforts; but their attempts to close
were in vain, and the convoy made its way down to the village; with
the loss of one killed, and two officers, and eight men wounded.
Captain Powell and Captain Goad both died, from the effects of
their injuries. The enemy's loss must have been considerable, as
the fire of the troop was steady and accurate, and the distance
small.

After a halt, for a day or two, the column marched to Khuram, where
it encamped. Captain Herbert had reported to the colonel the manner
in which Private Gale had defended him, when wounded and attacked
by three Afghans; the incident, too, had been observed by many of
his comrades and, as a reward, the young soldier was promoted to
the rank of corporal; and the colonel told him that, had not
similar acts of bravery been performed in the hand-to-hand action,
on the Spingawi-Khotal, he would have been mentioned for the
Victoria Cross.

The mountain tops were now deep in snow; but in the valley the
temperature was very agreeable, and the troops enjoyed their rest
much. This wa