The meaning of all this is, that the Afghan army,
which has never met us, at last ashamed of itself, and aware that we intend to govern Afghanistan, has recovered courage, and under some competent leader has struck boldly for Cabul itself. If General Roberts, a soldier, as we believe, with a true flash in him, can dislodge them at once and decisively with his 3,000 men—he has no more, for General Baker is away in the Maidan with 2,000—all will be well ; but if not, then, with the enemy above him, with the Bala Iiissar to hold, with Cabal rising in insurrection—a certainty, if Cahill sees a chance—and with Asmutullah IChan andhis 4,000 Ghilzais cutting the road by Jagdalak—he is officially announced as refractory—the General's position will be a bad one. He is so able, and his Europeans so superior to the Afghans, that but for the extreme cold, 18° of frost, we should have no fear. The Sepoys, however, will feel that terribly ; and if the contest lasts three days, General Bright, with defective transport, will have to cut his way to Cabul with the Khyber column at all hazards. It must not be forgotten that, as announced in the Standard by direct telegram from Candahar, Ayoub Khan is marching on that city from Herat with 11,000 men, and the Canda,harees are "excited."
