into the Khurum valley. Thence it was telegraphed to Simla and, in
a few hours, all India rang with it. Not an instant was lost in
making preparations for avenging the murder of the British mission.
On the same day, orders were sent to Brigadier General Massy--at
that time commanding the field force in the Khurum valley--to move
the 23rd Punjaub Pioneers, the 5th Ghoorkas, and a mountain battery
to the crest of the Shatur-Gardan Pass, and to entrench themselves
there.

A day or two later, the 72nd Highlanders and the 5th Punjaub
Infantry ascended the Peiwar-Khotal, to Ali-Kheyl, to secure the
road between the Khotal and the pass. The 72nd then moved forward,
and joined the 23rd Pioneers and 5th Ghoorkas on the Shatur-Gardan;
and on the 13th General Baker arrived there, and took the command,
but some time was needed before the advance could commence.

As is usual with the British, the great transport train--which had,
with such pains, been collected and organized for the war--had been
dispersed, immediately peace was signed; and the whole work had now
to be recommenced. Vast numbers of animals had been used up, during
the campaign; and there was the greatest difficulty in obtaining
the minimum number which was required before the troops could move.
At last, General Roberts managed to collect, in the Punjaub, 2000
mules and 700 camels and bullocks. The tribes in the Khurum valley,
too--who had been kindly treated, and were well satisfied with the
change of masters--furnished many animals for the transport of
stores, as far as the Shatur-Gardan.

The news had thrown the Gilgis, and other tribes among the
mountains beyond the Peiwar-Khotal, into a state of ferment; and
several determined attacks were made, by them, upon convoys on
their way up to the head of the pass. These, however, were always
successfully repulsed by the baggage guards, with considerable loss
to the assailants and, on the 26th September--three weeks from the
date of the massacre--General Roberts joined the troops at
Ali-Kheyl, and moved forward to the Shatur-Gardan.

During this time two or three letters had been received from the
Ameer, who wrote to General Roberts deprecating any advance of the
British troops, and saying that he was trying to restore order, to
put down the mutinous Heratee troops, and to punish them for their
conduct. As, however, the details which had been received of the
massacre showed that the Ameer had behaved in a most susp