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him and that he was running short of ammunition. The Marshal was greatly annoyed to receive this news. He did not like fighting to commence so soon. He had sent a protest to the Bacha and his men and had so far received no reply. This behaviour of Mir Ghaus-ud-Din clearly showed that he was not to be relied upon. He had not put up at Charkh as desired by the Marshal, and had commenced fighting without waiting for orders from him. But the present situation left the Marshal no choice. He proceeded to Dabar to join in the fighting which lasted the whole day, and did not cease even at night. On the 26th April in the morning the Marshal himself entered the field of battle and began to fire from one of the guns at the enemy's forts. After a few well-aimed shots one of the forts was totally demolished. By midday the Saqaoists were everywhere repulsed, and all the important places had been occupied. But at noon the enemy got sufficient reinforcements, their artillery fire increased and they began to assume the offensive from many directions. For one hour they continued their advance, but after this there was a pause, and then 128