[22]. It has since been ruled that the treasure is not to be considered prize-money. Abdur Rahman, upon his accession to the Amirship, was given 19½ lakhs of rupees, of which[which] 9½ will appear in the accounts as “refunded to the Afghan Government.” This was the sum found in Cabul as detailed above.
[23]. The word “Kotal” is applied usually where the road passes over a hill, instead of through it; “Pass” being used in the latter case.
[24]. One maund = 40 seers = 80 lbs.
[25]. Afterwards killed on the Asmai Heights on December 14th.
[26]. Contrary to expectation, no such narrative has ever been published.
[27]. This is a plain statement of the foray in the Darra Narkh, and our indignation was greatly aroused afterwards by seeing sensational articles in English papers describing how old men, women, and children were turned out to die in the snow. There were no old men, women, and children seen, and no snow. There were forty or fifty other villages in which they had taken refuge long before we arrived.
[28]. I may here state that Yakub Khan made the journey to Peshawur without incident; the rapidity of his movements preventing any tribal combination being formed with the object of attempting his rescue.
[29]. General Baker nearly fell a victim to Afghan treachery at Beni-Badam. He visited the village with twenty or thirty troopers of the 9th Lancers, leaving his infantry on the Ghazni Road, 2½ miles away. The villagers brought out milk and fruit for the officers, and provided corn and forage for the horses, protesting their friendship loudly. General Baker noticed that only old men seemed in the village, but did not suspect treachery until suddenly two large bodies of armed men, with banners flying, were seen rushing down the hill to cut off his retreat. The troopers had to skirmish on foot with their carbines, and after a sharp fight the General managed to rejoin his infantry. The next day he destroyed the village.
[30]. These were Sergeant-Instructor of Musketry Salmond, Sergeant Cox, Private McIveen and Private Bonar.
[31]. The Chaplain of the Force, the Rev. —— Adams, was recommended for the Victoria Cross for extricating one man, under a heavy fire.