1 OUTBREAK OF THE KHAIBARIS. 531
2 “ From Ferris I received the particulars of
3 the late assaults of the Khaibaris, who ‘com-
4 menced them by attacking -a post at Lala
5 China, garrisoned by 500 Najeeb soldiers,
6 the majority of whom they succeeded in
7 slaughtering : the rest with difficulty made
8 their escape to Jamrud. Having committed
9 this terrible massacre, they proceeded to attack
10 Ferris’s position, at the fort of Ali Masjid, but
11 were repulsed with some loss ; and night draw-
12 ing on, compelled them to desist. The next
13 day, F. went to Lala China, and interred no
14 less than 300 bodies of the Najeebs; and when
15 it is considered that many cf those who reached
16 Jumrood must have been severely wounded, it
17 is very probable no more than 150 survived
18 northern frontiers, there would be no difficulty for the
19 people of Kabul to invite him whenever we gave them any
20 annoyance. Yet notwithstanding these points of grave
21 Concern, we sent a large portion of the army back with
22 Lord Keane to India, and interfered in the administration
23 of the country, and introduced such reforms just on our
24 arrival as, even in India, the quietest part of the world,
25 Lords Clive and Wellesley had hesitated to do hut, slowly,
26 and to extend over many years.”
27 2a2