The New York herald., 1879-12-18
MOuntaineers in Arms Upon
SnOW-Clad Peaks.
GATHERING OF THE TRIBES.
Battle Between the Sepoys and
the Men of Herat.
AYOOB KHAN DEPOSED.


with Afghan matters, and in spite Of the studied
ealmness of o certain portion of the press and
its admonitions that all is well the public re-
fuses to hide from itself that General Roberts is
in very sore straits. The fitting up OF the Sharpur
cantonments, where he now has his quarters,
began ON the night of the Bala Hissar explosion.
It was found that they would accommodate
only 5000 men, and the neighboring
village of Bemaru had to be allotted
warm clothing, poshteen and English boots,
which had been found in the Bala
Hissar, were moved into the camp. All the re-
sources of the city-its provisions, its fruit, and
particularly its vegetables, which are very
fne-were drained to provide the troops with
their rations during the five months of winter.
The Fifth Goorkhas, who had occupied part of
the Bala Hissar, moved at once into the canton
ments, and next day they were followed by the
Twenty third pioneers. m
ENTRENCHED.
The Standard Of this morning says that the
cantonments Of Sharpur are surrounded by high
brick walls, loophoed, with an outer ditch.
Behind the walls earth has been thrown up,
adding to their strength and makingIa plat
form for the defenders to fire FROM
At the corners and at intervals along the
walls are bastions for guns. Against q
position such as this, held by 5000 British
troops. with abundance of artillery and
munitions of war, the rush of savage mob
could do nothing, and their numbers, however
large, would add little or nothing to their
aggressive force. The troops now on
the way from Jelalabad> and Ganda-
mnk number two regiments of cavalry,
seven regiments of infantry and two batteries
of artillery. Such force as this, once free
from the defiles should be able to give a good
account of itself and make its way forward
however large force Mahomed Jan may detach
from Cabul to arrest its advance.
DIFFICULT POSITION
When Sir Frederick Roberts entered the
Sharpur he appointed General Hills Governor
were found in the Bala Hissar. In the arsenal
were 100000 pounds Of powder, with
shot, shell, percussion caps and cartridges
Of all kinds. Cholera broke out in the
camp ON Siah Sung The water supply was
most impure Snow began to fall on the Hindu
Kush. The army had entered Cabul, very
few days rations and barely sufficient ammuni-
ton to last through couple of days prolonged
fighting. Thieves and marauders had looted the
baggage Beasts of burden had died by the
score. The attitude Of the people was sullen.
Afghans were found plundering among the burn
ing ruins of the citadel and pulling the cartridges
from partially consumed boxes. To crown
all, the Kohistanis on the outlying hills were
known to be disaffected and hourly expected to
give trouble. These Kohistanis are the most
warlike of all the Parsiwan tribes, and they
live in the hill country north of the city.
Afghans call them the ruddy Kafrs. The
Mohammedans are their hereditary foes.
They have long been retainers of the
Durani chiefs living at Cabul. Their
love of pillage is as great as the Cabuis', their
fanaticism as strong, and when they get news
OF an outbreak in the city they hasten down
into the valley to take part in the fighting.
They were General Roberts most formidable
neighbors, and his constant dread was that thew
should unite with the Ghilza hortles, and
through their intimacy with the country take
his camp Mt a disadvantage.
ENEMIES NEARER HOME.
The position of the British forces is now be-
lieved by the press to be ten times as difficult as
when the Sharpur was first occupied. The re-
moval Of Yakoob, which was conducted with
much secrecy, gave the Mooalis a new occasion
to stir up the passions Of the mob The native
officers placed in positions of trust have been
tcegraphs that "Daoud Shah. formerly COM
mander-in-chef of the Afghan army had been
protesting to cooperate with the British since
the occupation of Cabul, and his arrest would
seem to indicate recent treachery the dis
covcry of proofs of his perfdy in the affair
of the slaughter Of the British En-
bassy in Cabul, on which occasion he
was sent by the Amecr to qucll the revolt, and
publicly received the thanks Of the British Off
GERS for his pretended efforts to assist Sir Louis
Cnvagnari." 1t was the same Daoud Shah
whose death was reported at Cabul before that
of Cavagnari and his fellows. 1t was said that
Yakoob had sent him, in his capacity
rs Sipah Salar. to qucll the mutimy. but
Daoud was unhorsed and lay dying from
the injuries he had received He is n
Ghilzai Of mean birth and considerable ability.
When Yakooh came to Gundamuk Daoud was
much remarked among his suite, being man of
great stature and noticeable features Ho
showed much concern in every one connected
with the British army, and worrncd himself into
the officers confidence He was the man among
all the Cabulis in whom General Robert placed
most implicit reliance.
CUTTING THE COMMUNICATIONS.
The Times also prints despatch from Lord
Lytton saying that communications with Cen
eral Roberts are now interrupted. Other
dispatches show that the interruption has taken
place near Jagdallah. The descent of the
Shutargardan Pass into tho valley of the Logar
is already blocked by snow. The route through
the Khybcr Pass. which runs through the most
frequcnted Of the defes, piercing the great