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Front Page of the Family Herald, No. 427

FOR’THE WEEK ENDING JULY 12, 1851.

THE STORY-TELLER.
THE ROSE OF CASHMERE.

CHAPTER 1—The hostile Armies.
On the morning of the 6th of May, 1812, the sun rose in all its majesty and glory over the beautiful and fertile valley of Pischblock, in Cabul. It was indeed an Indian morn. The sky was One ethereal blue, and all nature seemed as though it still slumbered, and yet remained to be called into life by the congenial warmth of the rising orb of day.
On so peaceful and heavenly a morn as this, one might indeed have philosophized upon the sight before him. In the upper part of the valley, near the village of Mazeen, and on the acclivities of either side, snow-white tents were to be seen, made more conspicuously so by the beautiful trees and shrubs which bent their protecting boughs over them; and so well did the snow-white harmonize with the rich green, that anything more pftlul’esqUe and magni. ticont could scarcely be wished for by fastidious mortal than this prospect produced. Across the lower part of the valley, near its entrance, and about si miles from the tents described, another long line of pure white canvass spread itself, as though it had been intended for a barrier to the ingress or egress of hostile parties.
The former covered the yet sleeping forces of Ackbar Khan, the king of Cahul, who had assumed the reins of government during the absence of his father, Dust Maholned, then a prisoner to the British, and confined in Calcutta. Their commander was Sujah Khan, son of Ackbar Khan, whose cruel and vindictive spirit had rendered him an object of fear and dislike to both friend aIld foe. The latter were the British forces commanded by Brigadier-General Monteith, many of the outpost sentinels of which were leaning listlessly on their pieces, their countenances turned anxiously in the direction of the enemy, with eat earnestness of expression that betrayed the inward thoughts of those (laring soldiers, that might be equalled but can never be surpassed. ‘l’heir bronzed and weather beaten features told, an unmistakeable tale of hardships and privations, not of a day, or a week’s duration, but of years, under a climate that has no equal in its destructiveness to the European. Others, again, marched too and fro the space allotted theta with measured tread, turning at intervals, and pausing for a moment to cast a casual glance towards the enemy; then with a significant whistle and shrug of the shoulders they again resunsed their promenade.
What did this significant whistling and shrugging of shoulders imply? Why, they knew that that day would be a bloody one! Not that they feared it; on the contrary, a l3ritislt soldier knows no fear. But they felt satisfied that if that day’s efforts were to be crowned with victory, to use Nelson’s words— “Every man must do his duty.”
Others, whose reflections were more serious, stood with their eyes intently fixed on the enemy, but their thoughts took not the same direction. Whither had they wandered then? To the land of their birth—to the homes and firesides to which they had long since bid adieu, never more to return. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and friends !—all stood before them as in a vision of happier days; and again they almost fancied they felt their fond mothers’ embraces, as they pressed them to their bursting hearts, and with bitter anguish sobbed forth the heart-rending words—Farewell adieu! God bless you!
But, hark! there is the summons to cast reflection to the winds. The shrill trumpet sounds through the valley, and its echoes pass from mountain, to mountain, as though a thousand instruments were employed to rouse the Slumbering soldiers from their temporary sleep, and invite many of them to an everlasting one. Quickly was the martial summons obeyed, and where but a minute before silence regued profound, all was life and motion. Artillery,
sappers, and infantry, poured forth simultaneously, and took up their respective positions. There t.hey stood like a living wall, and equally as firm as one of more substantial material. Resolved they were to satisfy their brave commander’s expectations of them that day; and, as that gallaut man rode down tIle ranks, his eyes glistened with delight, and his heart swelled with emotions of pride, as he beheld the looks of confidence that were displayed in the countenances of the veterans before him. He read victory in their fearless looks, and rising in his stirrups, he said, in a clear, calm voice, “Before you, my brave comrades, appear our enemies! It is for you to decide, with God’s help, whether the sun shall set upon them in the same position, or we shall unfold the flag of victory where Ackbar Khan’s now flutters in the breeze of morn.”
“Lead on! lead on! general,” shouted thousands of voices; “victory must be ours! victory or death !—no’retreali !“
“Be it so !“ exclaimed the general, and turning his horse’s head he gave directions to advance. The gallant thirty_first, headed by its bedre chief, Colonel Bolton, led the van, and in extended order occupied the whole front, supported by several regiments of native infantry. The artillery and ssppers, with three regiments of native infantry, formed the rear.
At six o’clock the forces had advanced to within about ‘a mile-and-a-half of the msetssy’s position, when General Monteith gave the word, of command to halt. The thirty-first were then ordered to close upon its centre; and three regiments of seapoys were instructed to flank them. The artillery next moved up into line, and the whole again advanced in battle array under cover of the tire from the field_pieces, which commenced from the word of command to advaisce. The mails body of the enemy were drawn up in line, and they. opened a brisk fire upon them frotn left to right, which was continued for upwards of ott hour with great spirit; they then gradually retired, and Occupied the hills on either side by skirmishing parties, who kept up an annoying and unceasing fire from their lofty positions. General Monteith, considering it necessary to dislodge them, ordered the gixtieth and sixty-third regiments of native infantry to attack them in skirnsishing order, which was instantly carried into execution. Beneficial results emanated from this movement; for they retired precipitately, and ceased to be of further annoyance to tile troops in the valley. Tile main body of the enemy retrograded in very fair style, now and then facing about and delivering their fire with effect.
It appeared evident to General Monteith, from the enemy’s movements, that they Isad some support to fall back upon, the nature of which had yet to be ascertained. This circumstance rendered great caution necessary, to avoid being taken by surprise, and they followed the retreating army warily. At length, after a running fight over about six miles of ground, the secret betrayed itself by exposing to their view no less than thirteen small forts; but they proved to be of little importance, as they mounted no artillery; and the only annoyance the British experienoed from them was the facility they afforded the enemy for firing musketry upon the troops from the loop-holes, without there being a chance of successful retaliation from the same sort of missile.
As soon as Sujah Khan reaclsed these forts he drew up, in order of battle, in the rear of them, thinking that the destructive fire of musketry from their occupants would materially thin the ranks of the British, and throw them into confusion, of which he no doubt intended to take advantage, had an opportu_ Inity been afforded him; but he was doomed to meet with a sad disappointment, for they were carried in gallant style. This splendid achievement had scarcely been accomplished, when the thirty-first, supported by two native regiments, charged tise enemy’s centre, and threw theta into confusion; after which they retreated in great disorder towards the Hymalayas, leaving nunebers of their killed and wounded on the field.
Here our story commences. General Monteith ordered the sixty-third, being a light infantry regiment, along with the sixtieth, to follow up the retreat, leaving the main hotly to proceed at their leisure. Amongst the officers of the sixty-third was a young captain, distinguished alike for his bravery and handsome person. Where the fight was thickest, there you might kok for Captain Merton with the certainty of finding him; that is, when no command from a superior interfered ‘with his movements. To those under his control ho was ever kind even to affection, to his equals courteous and obliging, and to his superiors he never omitted paying the respect due to their rank in tile most humble manner. His name was well known, for his many daring feats had gained him popularity throughout India; and although but twenty-five years of age, he had gained Isis commission by meritorious conduct in tile field. But it was bravely and dearly earned. In following up the retreat, on this occasion, he was more than usually energetic., for he knew the importance of crushing the power of Ackbar Kisan. The 1-Iymalayas were not far distant,