The road had been cut behind Linforth and his coolies.
No news had come from him.

No supplies could reach him.

Luffe, who was in the country to the east of Chiltistan, had been informed.

He had gathered together what troops he could lay his hands on and had already started over the eastern passes to Linforth's relief.

But it was believed that the whole province of Chiltistan had risen.