182
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL,
Good water was obtainable from a small spring at the foot of these hills Here a curious example
of the old saying "murder will out" was shown. On the march of a convoy to Kandahar, some
thieves attacked a straggling party and left a syce for dead, but he managed to crawl into camp.
On the return of the division some weeks after, just as we were entering camp, a man who was
working in the fields turned round to see the tumasha and was instantly recognised by the
syce, who was then on a camel, as the man who had attacked him. He was taken into camp
and searched ; articles of the syce's property were found on him and in his house. A commis
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sion was ordered to assemble, and sentence of death was passed on him. He was shot by five
of the 70th Regiment. On the 14th, the nullah having gone down considerably, we managed
to crawl to Spinbaldak, at the bottom of some more solitary low hills. Half-way to this place
we passed another post. On the 15th a march of 13 miles took us to Chaman, at the foot
of the Khojak Pass and the great commissariat depôt on this side of Kandahar. What a num
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ber of luxuries we tumbled over, but were unable to carry away owing to short supply of
camels. Blankets, gloves, socks going a-begging. On the 16th, we marched over the Range
along a beautifully made zig-zag road ; it was very cold on the top, a cold wind blowing and
the snow lying thick. Our camp was at the bottom of the steep part of the pass, on an open
space. On the 17th descending along the Khojak nullah we reached Abdul Khan-ka-Killa,
where we joined the 70th Regiment.
With the Thull Chotiali Expedilionary Force—. On
the 18th March, after sending 137 sick and
weakly men into Quetta to proceed to India viâ the Bolan Pass, we marched in a north-west direc
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tion keeping on the north side of the Pishin Valley close to the hills, to Bughwan near Arenubai
Karez. Water good and plentiful from a stream. On the 19th continued due east we went across
the valley over uneven, stony ground to Abazai, close to a stream, water good ; and on the 20th still
going due east we encamped at Khosdil-Khan-ka-Killa. The fort at this place has been a very
strong one, but is now in ruins and full of commissariat stores. Water plentiful from a river.
Wood from the hills close at hand. On the 21st we made our way to the hills; for the first 1½
miles our road was fair. We then entered the hills along the bed of a nullah, rapidly ascending
for about a mile, and finding our camp, which was on a small open space near a karez, Shareem
Karez. The 22nd saw us continuing along this nullah, still rapidly ascending for about two
miles, when we came to a steep high hill apparently barring the valley. A zig-zag road
had been made, up which we went ; the top of this range was very narrow, scarcely standing
room for six people. We made a very steep descent ; here the road turned in and out of a few
hills, and finally opened into a broad valley, at the right of which and under the hills was
our camp, Alozai. On the 23rd we halted, having marched for nine days and crossed over two
of the highest passes in Afghanistan. 24th.—Rained very hard after the advance guard and
main column left the camp. Road good, a gradual ascent between hills for 4 or 5 miles, then
along a plain for about 2, and crossing a kotul we came on to very irregular ground, the
road winding round small solitary hills. Descending suddenly, we found ourselves in a rocky
nullah, and our camp prettily situated on a high bank in a kind of crescent formed by hills,
Yusuff Kutch. Supplies had been collected. Water plentiful and good. At 7 the next morn
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ing, marching up and along the bed of this nullah, and up through picturesque hills covered with
juniper trees and snow here and there over the watershed, we gradually descended for a
mile or so to another nullah, and found our camp, Spiro Raja, on some high ground at the
foot of a high solitary mountain covered with snow. At first tanks were ordered to be made
for water, but a stream of very good water was found at a little distance from camp. Wood
plentiful ; no village near. At 8 A.M. on the 26th, we went along a nullah, ascending
gradually for about 6 miles through woods, and after crossing over a kotul, we descended, the
country losing its wooded appearance. Our camp, Kodeen, was on a ploughed field in a plain.
27th.—A short march along a level plain brought us to Chingon, a small village under the hills
at the entrance of a narrow pass leading into the Jhob country. 28th.—Halted, as the General
wished to make a reconnaissance of the Jhob country. 29th.—Started at 7 A.M. for Biani, road
along a plain ; passed plenty of cultivation. About a mile from camp we came to a high flat
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topped mountain, the top being level for about 3 miles. Leaving this conspicuous landmark
on our left, we continued along the valley, occasionally crossing dry nullahs, and taking the
right bifurcation of the valley, we descended slightly to a green spot near some blackish
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looking water. I did not care to taste the water, the smell was sufficient for me. The men
Said it was meta, but I have found that that may mean anything except salt water. From
this we ascended, crossed over another kotul, and through some low hills, and found our camp
on some rising ground. Water plentiful; no wood; no supplies; distance 22 miles. 30th.
—
7 A.M. saw us on the move again ; leaving the direct road to Thull, we went in an easterly
direction over a low range of hills ; descending slightly, we found ourselves in a valley full
of curiously deep dry nullahs and our camp, Nagongee, on the far side of a wide nullah.
Water good ; no wood ; no supplies; half rations ; distance 9 miles; 31st.—Continued along
this (Bori) valley, now becoming beautiful ; it is covered with villages and cultivation. The land,
sloping from the hills to the left for about a mile, was stony and uncultivated ; but as far as
we could see from the road, we were on (i.e. ) near the hills. Crops were springing up all over
the valley. Camp Loshta is near a large straggling village in the middle of the valley. Every
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thing, excepting eggs and butter, could be obtained ; distance 13 miles. 1st April.—As we went
along, the valley appeared prettier and prettier ; village and crops all over the place. Our camp,
Shoran, distance 18 miles, was close to a village at the bottom of some low sand hills ; about 2 miles
from this place we passed an old fort in ruins. 2nd April.—Turning to our right we left the (Bori)
valley, and after passing a fort built on the top of a mound, we went along a fairly good road,