that they are advancing on the Samana Hills, where the British have a number of small forts.

The tribesmen apparently intend to attack and demolish these forts.

Some brave fighting is being done in these hills. One of the forts was attacked by a body of Orakzais, one thousand strong. Its garrison consisted of twenty native soldiers, who defended themselves with wonderful heroism for a period of six hours.

One of these men whose duty it was to signal to the other forts remained at his post until the fort was captured. In spite of the bullets that were whistling around him, he continued sending his messages of warning until he was overcome by the enemy.

Another had been told off to defend the guard-room of the fort. He remained at his post, killing twenty of the enemy before he was shot down himself.

Of the whole garrison, but one man remained alive when the assault was over.

These heroes were not white men, but native subjects of Queen Victoria. They belonged to a people called the Sikhs, natives of the Punjaub, a northern province of Hindustan.

With such brave men as these loyal to their standard, the British should take heart about their future in India.

The expedition which is to be sent out to punish the rebellious tribes is being hurried forward with all possible speed.

The Ameer of Afghanistan has, it is said, become seriously alarmed over the advance of the British troops to the frontier. He is persuaded that England intends to invade Afghanistan, and take his country away from him.

The Government in India has sent him word that though they are obliged to send troops across his frontier, in order to accomplish their purposes, their object is solely to punish the mad priest, or Haddah Mullah, and his followers. They assure the Ameer that no harm is intended to him or his loyal subjects, but declare that all the tribes who endeavor to oppose their advance or harass the English troops will be included in the severe punishment which the British intend to mete out to their enemies.

On hearing this, the Ameer sent a letter to the Mullah, ordering him to cease from inciting the Afridis to revolt.

In spite of this the British Government continues to be very suspicious of the honesty of the Ameer.

Word has been sent to him from the Government that no war material or machinery for manufacturing it will be allowed to cross the frontier into Afghanistan until the present troubles are over, and the tribes at peace.

Some time ago we talked to you about the Ex-Empress Charlotte of Mexico, widow of the Emperor Maximilian who was shot by the Mexicans.

The Empress, as you doubtless remember, went out of her mind from the troubles of her short reign in Mexico.

We told you that after thirty years of insanity the poor lady had given signs of returning reason, and that the doctors thought a visit to Mexico might entirely restore her.

Preparations were being made for the visit, which was to take place as soon as the doctors thought it safe. All plans have now, however, had to be abandoned, for the Empress Charlotte has become so alarmingly ill that her life is despaired of, and the news of her death is hourly expected.

Ever since her affliction she has been leading a quiet life at the Palace of Larken, near Brussels.

Her insanity has never assumed a violent or unmanageable character, and her sweet and gentle nature has endeared the unhappy lady to all her attendants.

Her mania lay chiefly in a belief that her husband Maximilian was alive, and she spent her days in hourly expectation of his arrival. She appeared to have forgotten all the troubles which had unbalanced her mind, and to be unaware of the cruel death which he had suffered.

The Palace of Larken, where the ex-Empress passed her life, is beautifully situated in a large park. The gentle Princess would wander over the estate, interesting herself in all the various