hout much
distinction of nationality.

Thus, three days elapsed; the British making the most of the time
afforded them, by strengthening the weak points of their defenses
Lines of wagons were placed in the gap between the unfinished wall
and the foot of the hill. Wires were stretched in all directions,
and chevaux-de-frise erected beyond.

On the 18th the enemy came down in force and, for some hours, a
tremendous musketry fire was kept up at the position; but the fire
of the musketry and guns, from the walls, was so hot that they did
not venture upon an attack.

The following day General Baker sallied out and attacked a
fortified post, a few hundred yards from the wall. From this place
the enemy had greatly annoyed the garrison. After some severe
fighting the Afghans were driven out, and the place blown up.

On the evening of the 22nd the general received news that the
Afghans, having prepared a great number of ladders for the assault,
intended to attack that night. There had been several similar
warnings but, this time, the news proved correct. A signal fire was
lit upon one of the heights at four in the morning and, at five
o'clock, the plain was covered with the enemy. Quietly they crept
up in the darkness, towards the walls; and at six o'clock a
prodigious shouting was heard, and from the villages, orchards, and
enclosed ground upon all sides, the enemy dashed forward to the
assault.

As they approached, they opened fire on all sides; pressing chiefly
towards the weak point, near the foot of the hills. But, tremendous
as was the roar of the Afghan fire, it was drowned by the roll of
musketry which broke from the whole circuit of the walls; where the
British troops, rifle in hand, had been lying for three hours,
waiting the attack. So terrible was the storm of lead that swept
the plain that the Afghans paused, in their advance. For two hours
they remained around the walls--yelling, shouting, and firing
heavily--but all the efforts of their leaders could not induce them
to rise from the ground, and hazard a charge. Many dropped within
eighty or ninety yards of the wall but, beyond that, the bravest
dared not advance.

When morning broke, the welcome news was brought down--from the
outlook on the top of the hill--that far across the plain could be
seen the tents of the force of General Gough; who was coming up
through the passes, to the relief of the garrison. The news had
reached the assailants, also. Consid