1 SOME WOMEN CARRIED OFF. 409
2 Ferris had returned from Peshawr, with the
3 grain for which he had been sent, his march
4 back through the Shadi Bagiar pass having
5 been disputed by the enemy, who fired on his
6 party, and succeeded in carrying off a number
7 of women belonging to the Nujeeb regiment,
8 who, I believe, formed the rear of his- escort,
9 and who could not be induced to attempt the
10 rescue of these poor creatures, their servants
11 and concubines.* The result was, that the
12 Khaibaris mounted these unfortunate demoi-
13 selles on their shoulders, and notwithstanding .
14 the scratching, kicking, and biting which they
15 used in their defence, for want of better. wea-
16 pons, they bore them off in triumph, and car-
17 ried them to their retreats.
18 “On the Ist of August, preparations were
19 Made ‘for ourtadvance, and Ferris, with the
20 . Srenadiers of the 20th, and a host of irregulars,
21 was ordered to garrison the fort of Ali Masjid,
22 a by no means enviable situation, as the heat
23 was so. oppressive. A depot for stores was
24 * The Nujeebs almost always move with their families,
25 Who cook for and attend them.
26 T
27 we