"How sensible and solid we have become since Waller came to the point, and made it all square with papa." "He has certainly asked me to become his," replied Mabel, with a bright, soft smile. "I would rather be my _own_," said the laughing coquette. This whispered conversation was now interrupted by a terrific yell outside the Cantonment walls; it rent the air, and the ladies grew pale as they looked inquiringly in each other's faces. General Trecarrel grew very white, and instinctively drew his sword. On that morning, when he knelt in prayer beside his daughters, ere they left their abode to mount, he had been thinking that in such a place and under such circumstances as theirs, how happy was the man who was alone in the world; how to be envied the soldier, who had only his firelock and knapsack to care for; who had only himself to think of, and had no dread for the sighs, the tears, and the danger of those he loved best on earth! Thousands of Afghans and fanatical Ghazees were now crowding close to the walls, impatient for plunder and rapine, hissing like serpents, spitting like tiger-cats, and brandishing their bare weapons with an air of ferocity and grimace peculiar to Orientals only; but as yet contenting themselves with throwing stones, which the Afghans do with a strength and precision exclusively their own. By one of these Sergeant Treherne was struck nearly senseless to the earth, when in the act of receiving some order from Waller, who became, for him, unusually excited. "D--n it!" he exclaimed, "why don't we slew round a bastion gun, and by one dose of grape send a few of these turbaned warriors by the short cut to Paradise, or elsewhere!" "I should like to see a few of them tied to the lips of six-pounders--for matters are looking decidedly serious," added Polwhele, as the red glare of flames, with columns of lurid and murky smoke, now shot high into the snowy air from the houses of the Envoy, Captain Trevor, General Trecarrel, and others, which had been fired by the predatory horsemen who covered all the plain. An order was now given to fix bayonets and load with ball-cartridge--the artillery with round shot and grape! "The troops are to move off from the right of regiments, in open column of sections," cried Audley Trevelyan, repeating the feeble voice of the old General, as he rode from one slender column to another. "The front to be diminished, if necessary, when we enter the pass," added Major Thain; "Her Majesty's 44th Foot, one squadron of Irregular Horse and three mountain-guns, under Brigadier Anquetil, to form the advance guard. The 54th, the Shah's 6th, the 5th Light Cavalry, and four Horse Artillery guns, will cover the rear." These corps, already reduced to skeletons, were speedily formed in front and rear of the main column, with which went the baggage, the remaining treasure, the rest of the artillery, and some sick and wounded in litters, and on yaboos or Cabul ponies.