To Herat and Cabul. By G. A. Henty. (Blackie and
Son. 5s.) —Mr. Henty takes us back to the first Afghan War, and the story begins in the year 1837. The hero, Angus Campbell, starts from Teheran on a mission to Herat, where he is to encourage the Wuzeer to hold the city against the Persians. Angus, of course, is instrumental in saving Herat, and goes from thence to Candahar. Then we are introduced to the somewhat complicated politics of the situation, and finally more fighting, including the storming of Glauznee—captured in the nick of time just as Angus's life is going to be sacrificed to the chagrin of the defenders—and the entry into Cabul. Angus again volunteers for a dangerous expedition.this time to ascertain the movements of Dost Mohammed. and picks up a wounded Afghan chief, whose grati- tude takes the form of decoying Angus out of the doomed army that never reached Jellalabad. Mr. Henty stirs us as much as he ever did in describing that dreadful march, which Angus witnesses with unavailing grief. He is master of his subject, discusses the situation as if writing a history, and apportions praise or blame to Macnaghten, Barnes, Elphinstone, and Sale as if he were writing for men and not boys. We cannot deny the interest of the story, though we may question if boys will not want more incident and less politics. Many, however, will read it with pleasure, and we can heartily commend it to boys, old and young.
Previous page
