1 182 INSTRUCTIONS TO LIEUT. MACKESON.
2 was further stated that in Turkistan, as well as
3 in Kabul, there was such a heavy fall of snow
4 on the 9th of February that the oldest persons
5 had never witnessed any like it,— an event
6 which had further alarmed Dost Mahomed Khan,
7 as it would delay the return of his troops from
8 Balkh, who had to cross the Hindu Koosh.
9 We learn that General Avitabile has issued a
10 proclamation to the effect that if any traveller
11 from Kabul should put up in the house of an
12 inhabitant in Peshawr, and go away without
13 the General being previously informed, the
14 host would be liable to a severe penalty.
15 During the time that we were halted near
16 Attok, instructions were sent off to Lieutenant
17 Mackeson, to join the Mission, informing him ~-
18 of the intended plan of operations, and direct
19 ing him to proceed, wd Dereh Ismael Khan, to
20 Kohat, and to await there for further orders.
21 By advancing along the hills in that direction,
22 it was thought that he might create a diversion
23 in favour of our own advance from Peshawr,
24 when the time came to act in concert with
25 Shah Shujah and the army of the Indus to lay