This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIX. Colin Mackenzie's Embassy To Jellalabad.1 (April to May 1842.) To return to the captives. The story of Colin Mackenzie's embassy to Jellalabad was told by himself. "We were now in Muhammad Khan's fort at Tezin. Major Pottinger had long been endeavouring to persuade Akbar to send one of the captives to Jellalabad to treat with General Pollock, thinking that this measure would at least delay the explosion, which he hourly expected, of the pent-up fiery passions of the chiefs (who were irritated beyond measure by their disgraceful defeat, on the 7th of April, by Sir Robert Sale before Jellalabad), which might have proved highly dangerous, if not absolutely destructive, to us. But, as the Afghans always endeavour to deceive, they never give another credit for good faith However, at the end of April (the 23d, the day on which General Elphinstone died), Akbar seemed more inclined to listen to Pottinger's proposal. His own fortunes were at that time in a very low condition; not only had he just been defeated by General Sale, but his followers had dwindled away, the faction against him at Kabul, headed by his uncle Zeman Khan, was daily increasing in strength, and General Pollock 1 These reminiscences were written by Captain Mackenzie at the repeated request of his wife. He said: "But for the wish to gratify you, they would in all probability have perished with me." was apparently advancing to devour him. All his efforts to induce the people to oppose our troops were fruitless, added to which he was troubled by an unhealed and painful wound in the arm, which increased his depression of spirit. At this time General Elphinstone was suffering from violent dysentery. We had no medicine left. I had a lump of opium in my waistcoat pocket, ...