I had now to give in for the time being, and was compelled to perform the march in a doolie, a most ignominious mode of conveyance for a General on service; but there was no help for it, for I could not sit a horse.
That day the 3rd Bengal and 3rd Punjab Cavalry marched thirty-four miles to Robat, in order to establish direct heliographic communication with Kandahar.

The main body halted about half-way, when I again reported progress as follows: SHAHR-I-SAFA, '_27th August, 1880._ 'My force arrived here to-day.

I received a letter yesterday, dated 25th, from Colonel St.John.He writes: "The rumours of the approach of your force have been sufficient to relieve the city from investment.

On Monday night the villages on the east and south were abandoned by their mixed garrisons of _ghazis_ and regulars.

Yesterday morning Ayub struck his camp, and marched to a position on the Arghandab, between Baba Wali and Sheikh Chela, due north of the city, and separated from it by a range of rocky hills.