In

approximation at different parts of the Pass, also, induce the belief that they have a greater altitude than they really possess; their apparent height is also increased by inequality and irregularity. Nature has perhaps made few places more capable of effectual resistance, and I have never seen another place so fitted to destroy the advantages of numbers as some particular points in the Bolun Pass; there the merest handful of men might maintain their ground against the advance of a host more numerous than that of the Persian Warrior. many parts of the Pass even a few peasants, if tolerably resolute, and judiciously placed, might offer a very serious obstruction to a most determined invader, by hurling down upon the advancing foe those huge masses of rock which lie most plentifully along the summit of the hills, and which also afford the most effectual cover to the defending forces. I have often been amazed at the supineness of the leaders of the Native Troops in thus permitting us to prosecute our march unmolested through one of Nature's strong-holds. The Bolun Pass leads through the mountains about seventyfive miles; at the seventy-third mile we began to mount a very large and very steep ascent, and on attaining the summit we looked down upon a most lovely plain, which was spread far and wide before us, looking gay, bright and smiling. We gazed upon it with the greatest rapture, inasmuch as for seventy-four miles nothing had greeted our

sight but sterile rocks and barren mountains. When we looked down upon the bright sunny valley before us, the mind wandered, involuntarily as it were, to the regions of Palestine, and I thought that there was something that strikingly reminded me of the visit of Moses to the top of Pisgah, whence he surveyed the land ages before predestined as a residence for that rebellious people, which, for their sins, he had been doomed to behold, but never to enter. The face of Nature, when undisfigured by the hand of man, is always lovely-is always pleasing. I cannot recall that I ever gazed upon a landscape which awakened so many and such deep thoughts of holy reverence. It was impossible to behold that region of sylvan beauty, and not confess with veneration and devotion, the hand that made it is Divine. It was called the Valley of Shawl, and never a valley laid a juster claim to the appellation. Its beauty and fragrance could scarcely be surpassed.

CHAPTER XI.

Arrival at Quetta; Uncomfortable prospects; Scorpions unpleasant companions; Effect of their sting; The venemous Sentepee; Determination of Government to treat with Nusseer Khan; Colonel Stacy's endeavours; Quetta and its appearance; The British Residency; Government Stores; Preparations for a long Campaign; A new Corps raised; Arrival of H. M's 41st Regiment; Captain Blood's Artillery; Prospect of taking the Khan; Despatch of a force; Harrassing route; Spies; Forced marches; Wild Goose chase; Sickness; Troops die in great numbers; Another failure; Feeling of the Troops; General Brooks; His unpleasant position; His character; Who was to blame? Peculiarity of situation; Trying circumstances; Forced to make the best of bad; Thunder storm; Miseries in Camp; Unexpected arrival in Camp; The Prince of Shawl turned Traitor; Dreadful havoc through sickness; Fever, Ague and Dysentery; Hospital Tents crowded; Insufficient accommodation; Scarcity of comforts; Enormous prices paid for them; Indefatigable exertions of Dr. McAndrew and Mr. Xavier, the Apothecary; The probable cause of the sickness; Vast mortality; Death of Ross Bell, Esq. and Lieut. Valiant; Removal from Command in the Field of General Brooks and Brigadier Valiant; Cause of removal; Sad affair; New Commanders; Arrival of Nusseer Khan; Levee; Review; Appearance of winter; Prospect of returning to Quarters; Preparations; Route changed; General Nott's Despatch; Orders to march to Candahar; In Affghanistan.

THE next day we marched to "Sir-i-Aub," and from thence to "Quetta," where we arrived on the 2nd April. The first thing presenting itself for our comfort was the ground being infested with

scorpions, and we were cautioned to search well beneath the stones, and remove them if any were discovered. They are the small light-green scorpion, scarcely as large as a small frog. There are also the black scorpion, a most deadly reptile. The sting creates most excruciating pain, and causes the part affected to swell and turn black: if the hand or foot be stung, the whole arm or leg becomes inflamed, and swells twice its natural size. The best remedy I ever found was the application of an onion to the part, or tincture of opium. The ground was also thronged with sentapees, another dreadfully venemous reptile; it is about half an inch broad across the back, and varies from three to ten inches long, is of a greenish brown color, with about forty legs; the sting, as with the scorpion, is in the tail, which issues from a small bladder filled with the poison; and which on the insertion of the sting, is diffused. These creatures are commonly found in beds, and clothes, very often in boots; it is therefore very necessary to be exceedingly cautious, and examine everything, not only here in Quetta but in all the Eastern climates. Persons often suffer much when stung in the jungles, some distance from aid, as the pain being so great, overpowers, and the result has often been known to be fatal, owing to the want of assistance.

Government receiving despatches of this and so many other disasters, occasioned by running after this child, Nusseer, considered it better to try to negociate, and offer some advantageous proposal to him,

in order to bring him in, for as the old adage goes, 66 prevention is better than cure." Colonel Stacy, then in the Political Department, was directed to treat with Nusseer, and with a strong guard went after him; but as often as he came near Nusseer, Nusseer again fled, for he could place no confidence in the British, inasmuch as his uncle, Gool Mahomed, who was with him, was the headsman of Loveday; he therefore looked upon it as a trap to catch them, in order to be revenged for that officer's death. However, leaving the Colonel after his object, and to return to Quetta; nothing of note occurred by way of fighting or annoyance for some time, save now and again, some robbers, I should call them, would meet parties of our followers out for forage, &c., and murder them, and other trifling outrages of this kind. The weather was extremely hot, and we still being under canvas, made it still more uncomfortable and oppressive.

The town of Quetta is of mud, rather large, and very irregularly built; it has two entrances, and few of the houses are more than kennels, to enter which you had to stoop, and sit down when inside. The surrounding country was lovely and fertile; grain and fruit were in abundance. The hills surround the whole of the vicinity, about seven miles from the Camp; within one mile and a half from the town stood the British Residency, a beautiful building, of mud, but covered and ornamented with white plaster. Capt. Bean, Ross Bell, Esq., and other public function