The walls of the Residency, closely pitted with bullet-holes, gave proof of the determined nature of the attack and the length of the resistance.

The floors were covered with blood-stains, and amidst the embers of a fire were found a heap of human bones.

It may be imagined how British soldiers' hearts burned within them at such a sight, and how difficult it was to suppress feelings of hatred and animosity towards the perpetrators of such a dastardly crime.

I had a careful but unsuccessful search made for the bodies of our ill-fated friends.
[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO THE BALA HISSAR, KABUL.
_From a photograph._] The Bala Hissar, at one time of great strength, was now in a somewhat dilapidated condition.

It contained eighty-five guns, mortars and howitzers, some of them of English manufacture, upwards of 250 tons of gunpowder, stowed away in earthen vessels, many millions of Enfield and Snider cartridges, and a large number of arms, besides quantities of saddlery, clothing for troops, musical instruments, shot, shell, caps, and accoutrements, and a vast amount of lead, copper and tin.