It was obviously hopeless now to attempt to fight where we were. It was equally obvious that our best course would be to get back to Khwash with all speed. Khwash still remained a dominating factor, and was still in our hands. From that vantage point it might yet be possible to collect our scattered forces, and obtain reinforcements. Flushed with victory, and elated at his escape, Jiand would also remember the importance of Khwash, and would doubtless soon be on his way thither, if, indeed, he was not already marching upon it. So, once again, it was to be a race between us for the capital of the Sarhad. And, as on that former occasion of a few months ago, we won the race, but our return was a very different affair to that of our previous triumphant entry. [Illustration: _Sketch Map illustrating the march to Khwash and the fighting in the Morpeish Hills._] CHAPTER XI SUCCESS IN MINIATURE The night attack--The Hazaras arrive--Jiand retires--We march on the Sar-i-drokan valley--Cavalry strategy--"Gushti's" decision and opinion--"The Hole of Judgment"--Attack and retirement--A lost and regained water-supply--The Sarhadis as humorists--The mud fort--Halil Khan's arrival--The fight at dawn--Exit Halil Khan--A prophet--The Hazaras' request. Immediately on re-entering Khwash Colonel Claridge was sent out, with all the men it was possible to spare, in an endeavour to find, and bring back, the strayed remnants of the prisoners' escort. In the meantime a camel messenger was dispatched to Saindak asking the O.C. of the Hazaras to march South to our help at once, and to take a route by which they might, with luck, join up with Colonel Claridge. A messenger was also dispatched to Colonel Dale, then commanding at Kacha, requesting him to send us all the supplies and ammunition he could spare, and personally to do his utmost to expedite the Hazaras, who were also in his immediate sphere of command. Hardly had Colonel Claridge and his small detachment left Khwash when Jiand, with a large force, took up his position among the low hills about three miles to the North-East of the town, and Shah Sawar, who, as I might have expected, was now in full and open revolt, worried us from the hills to the South-West. But we were not going to admit yet that we were beaten. Daily we left the camp for the open as a challenge to Jiand to come out of his hills and fight, though it must be confessed that we hoped he would not accept it. At last, after a good deal of apparent indecision, the two Chiefs made up their minds to attack us, and by night.