the Bálá Hissár. When Lawrence expressed his fears of treachery, Macnaghten owned that treachery of course there was, but what else could he do? The General had declared himself powerless to fight. There was no hope of aid from any quarter, the enemy were only playing with us, and not one article of the treaty had they fulfilled. 'The life I have led for the last six weeks you know well, and, rather than be disgraced and live it over again, I would risk a hundred deaths. Success will save our honour, and more than make up for all risks.'
As they rode out of cantonments, followed by a small escort, Sir William remarked with wonder on the absence of all arrangements for his support. 'But it is of a piece with all the rest,' he added bitterly. On the top of a low hillock sat Akbar himself on horseback, surrounded by a group of his Sirdárs, while a crowd of armed Afgháns filled up the background. This spot was about 300 yards from the intrenchment. After an exchange of friendly greetings, Akbar proposed to dismount, and the two parties were soon seated on the further slope of the mound. A number of armed Afgháns stood near, but these, said Akbar, were all in the secret, and the Sáhibs need not be afraid. 'Scarcely were the words uttered,' says Lawrence, 'when my pistols were snatched from my waist, my sword drawn from the scabbard, and my arms pinioned by Muhammad Sháh Khán, who raised me up from the ground, saying, "If you value your life come along with me".' At that moment he saw
