in and flour fell
into the hands of the conquerors.

The fall of Ghuznee--a fortress hitherto deemed by the Afghans
impregnable--astonished Dost Mahomed, and was the cause of the ruin
which soon afterwards overtook him.

CAPTURE OF KHELAT--13TH NOVEMBER.

In the northern part of Beloochistan stands the strong mountain fortress
of Khelat. The chief, Mehrab Khan, had offended the British, and it was
resolved to annex his territories to the kingdom of Shah Soojah. Khelat
is a place of commanding strength. The citadel rises high above the
buildings of the town, and frowns down menacingly on its assailants. On
the north-west of the fort are three heights. On these the Khan had
posted his infantry, supported by five guns in position. General
Willshire was sent to capture it, with the 2nd and 17th Queen's
Regiments, the 31st Bengal Native Infantry, with two howitzers, four of
the Shah's 6-pounder guns, and a detachment of local horse. On the
morning of the 13th of November he found himself before the place. The
Engineer officers reported that until the heights were carried it would
be impossible to proceed against the fortress; accordingly orders were
issued for the attack. It was Willshire's hope that the enemy might be
driven down to the gate of the fortress, and that the stormers might
rush in with them. Gallantly our brave soldiers made their way up the
heights--gallantly they were carried, and right nobly the guns were
captured.

The shrapnel shot from Stephenson's batteries fell with too deadly an
aim among the Beloochee footmen for them to hold their position on the
hills. They fled towards the walls of their fortress, and the British
infantry pushed hotly after them; but, in spite of all their exertions,
our brave soldiers were not in time to secure an entrance--the gates
were closed against their advance. The enemy's artillery, planted on
the walls, was now brought into play. The British infantry were
compelled to find shelter behind some ruined buildings, while our
batteries, planted on the heights, opened upon the gate and the
neighbouring defences. Two of Cooper's guns were brought within 200
yards of the walls. The gunners suffered much from the matchlocks of
the enemy, but undauntedly continued to fire full upon the gate. At
length it gave way. Pointing his hand towards the gateway, Willshire
boldly rode down to show the infantry that an entrance was ready for
them. Rising at once from thei