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the lashkar made an assault and succeeded in re-occupying the lost places. Unfortunately they ran short of ammunition at this time. The demand was insistent and the Marshal was hard put to it to meet it. He managed at last to purchase a small quantity from the local people. Next morning there was a strong rumour that the Ahmadzai lashkar under Ghaus-ud-Din was dispersing in all directions and some of them had already crossed the Tirah Pass on the way to their respective homes. This treachery on the part of the Ahmadzai chief discouraged the lashkar very much. It began to retreat pell-mell in all directions. Some of the nomadic tribes who had been mere spectators of the scene now fell upon the retreating lashkar, slaying and looting whoever they could lay their hands upon. The Marshal did not lose heart. He tried to make a stand against the formidable hosts but in vain. He was almost deserted and with only a handful of men forced his way through the enemy, now in overwhelming majority. It was more by luck than anything else that he succeeded in reaching safely the Altamoor Pass, whence he proceeded to Sijinak. 129 175