ins.

The garrison did not lose heart even under these appalling
circumstances. The camp of the enemy they knew was only seven miles
off, and he might be upon them in a few hours. It was also necessary to
guard against a rush which any parties of the enemy concealed in the
neighbourhood might make against the ruined walls. At the sound of the
bugle the troops assembled on the ramparts. When it was ascertained
that no enemy was near, they piled their arms, and set to work with
brave determination to restore the defences. Temporary parapets of
loose clods were thrown up, the earth was cleared out of the ditch,
gabions were filled to block up the main breaches, and palisades fixed
to impede the progress of assailants through others. In a few hours the
walls wore a more encouraging aspect. The Afghans, when a few days
afterwards they approached the fortress and saw the wonderful state of
repair in which it had been placed, believed that it had escaped through
the power of English witchcraft. The difficulties of the garrison,
however, increased great anxiety was felt for the subsistence of the
cavalry and artillery horses. Foraging parties were sent out daily
under an escort, and were constantly attacked by the enemy; and the
close investment of the place by Akbar Khan made it impossible for them
to get in the needed supplies.

At length, on the 11th of March, the Afghans approached so near the
walls, that it was suspected that they purposed undermining them. To
prevent this Colonel Dennie made a vigorous sally with 800 men, and
ascertained that they had commenced no operation of the sort. Akbar
Khan then advanced on the city with his whole force. It was a critical
moment, but the hearts of none of the garrison failed them. He was
received with so hot a fire from the ramparts, while horse and foot
attacked him with such heroic courage, that he was compelled to fly,
leaving more than 100 dead on the field.

Starvation now threatened the garrison. For many days the European
regiments had been on half rations of salt beef, without vegetables,
while the native troops subsisted mainly on flour; and it was doubtful
whether this allowance would be continued beyond the second week in
April. When, however, they were almost reduced to despair that help
would come in time to preserve their lives, some large flocks of sheep
were seen grazing on the plains before them. At first it was believed
that they were placed the