had crossed the Helmund higher up; and was moving across
the country, by a line parallel with the road from Candahar to
Girishk. By this movement he would have the option of placing
himself either between Colonel Burrows' force and Candahar; of
marching direct upon the latter city; or of keeping to the north,
and coming down upon the road between Candahar and Shahpur, and
then marching direct for Cabul. Under these circumstances General
Burrows determined to fall back, at once, to a spot where he might
oppose Ayoub's advancing force. Accordingly, the brigade marched
from the Helmund to a village called Khusk-I-Nakhud, and there
encamped. General Nuttal, with the cavalry, made reconnaissances in
the direction of the enemy.

The people of the country held altogether aloof, and no accurate
information was obtained as to the strength of Ayoub's army; which
was believed, by General Burrows, to be very much smaller than it
really was. Early in the morning of the 26th, it was known that
Ayoub was marching upon Maiwand--a village farther to the
north--and at half-past six, the troops moved out to intercept him.

It was at this time believed that it was only the enemy's cavalry
with whom we should have to deal. Upon arriving near Maiwand,
however, news was brought in, by spies, that the whole of the enemy
were at hand. The force was at once halted, in a position
singularly ill-adapted for a fighting ground. Deep ravines ran both
to the right, and to the left, of the ground occupied by the
British. By these, the enemy could advance under shelter, until
within a short distance. On either side were ranges of hills,
completely commanding the position.

It is difficult to imagine a more unsuitable position than that
which General Burrows prepared to hold, with a mere handful of
troops, against an enormously superior force. What was the total
strength of Ayoub's army was never exactly known--as it was swollen
by enormous numbers of Ghazis, and tribesmen from the villages.
These were, in fact, far more formidable opponents than the regular
Afghan troops; as their tremendous rushes, and indifference to the
loss inflicted upon them, were trying in the extreme for even the
best-trained troops to withstand.

The morning was thick, and but little could be seen of Ayoub's
army. His cavalry, indeed, were found to be moving about in large
masses; but these fell back, at our advance. Lieutenant
Maclean--with two horse artillery guns, and