On the 2nd of September, on his return from the town, he reported
that there was great excitement among the people; and that he
believed that the night would not pass off, without trouble. Major
Cavagnari, to whom Will reported the news, sent in a message to the
Ameer--whose palace was within two or three hundred yards--and
begged him to take measures to secure the Bala-Hissar against any
attack by the Heratees.

The members of the escort, available for the defense of the
residency, were but about fifty men. Most of the cavalry were away.
Some were down the pass with despatches. The rest were stationed a
short distance off in the plain, as forage was difficult to obtain
in the fort.

The Ameer returned a curt message to Major Cavagnari, saying that
there was no cause for uneasiness. The latter, however, doubled the
sentries at the gate of the little enclosure.

Just as the officers were about to retire to rest, Yossouf--who
had, a short time, before gone out again, telling Will that he
would bring back news of what was going on, ran in.

"The Heratees are coming," he said. "The gates of the fort have
been left open. The Cabul men are all in their barracks. They are
pouring in at the gates. Do you not hear them?"

William Gale ran to the window, and could hear a loud and confused
noise of yelling and shouting. He ran in to the envoy's room, and
warned him that the Heratees were at hand. Without the loss of a
moment's time, Lieutenant Hamilton got his men under arms; and
posted them at the upper windows of the house, where their fire
would command the approaches to the gate.

Quickly as this was done, the Afghans were close at hand by the
time that each man was at his post; and instantly opened a
scattering fire at the residency, shouting to the soldiers to come
out and join them, and to bring out the Kaffir officers to be
killed. The Pathans were, however, true to their salt and, in
reply, opened a steady fire upon the mass of the enemy. With wild
yells the Afghans rushed at the gate but, so steadily and rapidly
did the defenders shoot, from the upper windows and loopholes cut
in the gate, that the assailants were forced to fall back.

"That's right, my lads," Major Cavagnari said cheerfully to his
men; "we can hold the place for some time, and the Ameer will bring
the Cabul regiments down in no time, and sweep away these rascals."

The Afghans, now some thousands strong--assisted by all the Budmashes,
and tu