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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd9030e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #51070 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51070) diff --git a/old/51070-0.txt b/old/51070-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 321bebc..0000000 --- a/old/51070-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6565 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Raiders of the Sarhad, by R. E. H. (Reginald -Edward Harry) Dyer - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Raiders of the Sarhad - Being the Account of a Campaign of Arms and Bluff Against the Brigands - of the Persian-Baluchi Border during the Great War - - -Author: R. E. H. (Reginald Edward Harry) Dyer - - - -Release Date: January 29, 2016 [eBook #51070] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD*** - - -E-text prepared by John Campbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by -Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 51070-h.htm or 51070-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/51070/51070-h/51070-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/51070/51070-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/raidersofsarhadb00dyeruoft - - -Transcriber's note - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - - - - -THE RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD - - -[Illustration: A TYPICAL GORGE IN THE SARHAD.] - - -THE RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD - -Being the Account of a Campaign -of Arms and Bluff Against the -Brigands of the Persian-Baluchi -Border during the Great War - -by - -BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. E. H. DYER, C.B. - -With Numerous Photographs and Two Maps - - - - - - - -London -H. F. & G. Witherby -326 High Holborn, W.C. -1921 - - - - -PREFACE - - -With the greatest diffidence I have at last made up my mind to write -the story of my small campaign with the Sarhad Raiders in 1916. - -This campaign sinks into utter insignificance when compared with the -great deeds done in other theatres of war by men who said nothing -about them. But, insignificant as it was, it forms part of the mosaic -of the Great War, and for this reason may be of some general interest. - -I take this opportunity of paying a tribute to all the officers who -took part in this little campaign. Their untiring devotion to duty, -and their efforts to do their utmost under conditions that were often -more than trying, accounts for its success. - -I would like, in particular, to mention Major Landon of the 35th -Scinde Horse, whose great knowledge of the people and their country -was invaluable; Major Sanders of the 36th Sikhs; Colonel Claridge of -the 28th Light Cavalry; Captain Brownlow and Captain Hirst, both of -the 28th Light Cavalry; Major Lang; Captain Moore-Lane; Lieutenant -Bream of the Hazara Pioneers, and Captain English, R.A. - -In addition I would mention how much, not only I, but the old country -owes to Khan Bahadur, the Sarhad-dar, and to Idu, non-commissioned -officer of the Chagai Levies. - -The photographs are from snapshots taken by various officers during -the campaign. - - R.E.H.D. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I - - ORDERS FOR THE WEST - PAGE - I receive my orders--German agents and India--Their - routes--A deal in chauffeurs--Concerning an appetite - and sausages--Nushliki--The last of civilisation--Further - information--Sand-holes and digging--Petrol - in the desert 15 - - - CHAPTER II - - THE ROAD TO ROBAT - - Mushki-chah--The native contractor--An evening - rencontre--Idu of the Chagai Levies--The native idea of an - airship--Idu the invaluable--Robat 30 - - - CHAPTER III - - A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN - - An "intelligent" officer--Matters political--Three tribes - and a fourth--Their women and inter-tribal laws--Sarhad - conditions--A summons to the Chiefs--A bid - for rank--Telegraph wires and Sheitan--Two first-class - liars--A strategic scheme--An ungazetted - General--Lost kit--Swallows and flies--Forces available-- - Communications freed--The Kacha levy and a shock--Mirjawa 37 - - - CHAPTER IV - - BLUFF AND ARMS - - Ladis and its fort--A force without arms--First sight of - the enemy--Shah Sawar and more bluff--Battle--Bluff - succeeds--Casualties--Bad news from the North--Idu's - proposition--Jiand's stragglers--Jiand's white flag 55 - - - CHAPTER V - - KHWASH AND MORE BLUFF - - Jiand's surrender--A political lecture--Jiand's - oath--Bluff for Khwash--The army moves forward--Khwash - and its fort--Mahommed-Hassan comes in--Beetles as - scavengers--Halil Khan comes in--Rifle prices, a - comparison--Idu's warning--News of Izzat--Order of - march--Bluff for Bampur--The meteor hole 69 - - - CHAPTER VI - - A FULL BAG OF PRISONERS - - The march to Kacha--The food supply--Flowers in the - Wilderness--Galugan--Repeated strategy--Juma Khan comes - in--The bag is full--The throne of the dancing - maidens--Landon declines--Idu's doubts--Suspicions - aroused--Halil Khan closes up--Kacha, oaths, and - thumb-marks--The Chiefs depart--Bad news 87 - - - CHAPTER VII - - THE RACE FOR KHWASH - - Plans and routes--Car versus legs--An equestrian - interlude--The trap in the gorge--More digging--Rendezvous-- - Mrs Idu and gastronomy--A reinforcement--A message to - Landon--Izzat's men--Idu's romance--A "British - Bulldog"--The car abandoned 103 - - - CHAPTER VIII - - KHWASH AND THE SECOND SURRENDER - - Doubts dispelled--Organisation for defence--Idu's - "Exiat"--And its result--Jiand arrives--Idu's second - visit--The Sarhad-dar arrives--Landon at last--Jiand's - visit of ceremony--The Gul-Bibi--Shah Sawar's - treachery--We call on the "Rose Lady"--A carpet and the - Sarhad-dar's advice--Another Durbar--Returned - loot--Temporary peace 122 - - - CHAPTER IX - - TREACHERY AND ITS SEQUEL - - Further reinforcements--Entrenchments and gardens-- - Government inquiries--Food supplies--An offer to - Jiand--Murad and straw--Shah Sawar again--Sentence--Idu's - suggestion--Re-enter the Rose Lady--News of Jiand's - intentions--A vital moment--A round-up--The Sarhad-dar's - advice--A Bhusa hunt--Distrustful wives 143 - - - CHAPTER X - - FAILURE AND FRESH PLANS - - Slave buying--A diet discovery--Poetic justice--Disposition - of prisoners--Incredible news--The Sawar's story--Disposal - of forces--The march to Kamalabad--Jiand gains his - freedom--Retreat to Khwash 165 - - - CHAPTER XI - - SUCCESS IN MINIATURE - - The night attack--The Hazaras arrive--Jiand retires--We - march on the Sar-i-drokan valley--Cavalry strategy-- - "Gushti's" decision and opinion--"The Hole of - Judgment"--Attack and retirement--A lost and regained - water-supply--The Sarhadis as humorists--The mud - fort--Halil Khan's arrival--The fight at dawn--Exit - Halil Khan--A prophet--The Hazaras' request 181 - - - CHAPTER XII - - VICTORY AND PEACE - - News of the herds--Towards Dast-Kird--Water!--Mutton for - all--Dast-Kird--A stampede--Back to Khwash--On the track - of the Gamshadzais--Twice a prophet--The Sarhad-dar's - roost--Before Jalk--Rejected terms--More strategy and a - bloodless victory--Remain only terms and sick leave 201 - - - INDEX 221 - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - PAGE - A TYPICAL GORGE IN THE SARHAD _Frontispiece_ - - IN DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN NASARATABAD AND ROBAT _Facing_ 25 - - "A GOOD LIAR," LANDON'S ORDERLY AND CHIEF SPY " 49 - - QUESTIONING A SARHADI PRISONER " 59 - - JIAND'S MEN COMING IN TO PARLEY " 71 - - KHWASH FORT " 75 - - SURRENDERED RAIDERS, (CENTRE) JIAND, - (RIGHT) SHAH SAWAR, (LEFT) HALIL KHAN " 89 - - CAMEL CORPS SAWARS AT THE TERMINATION OF AN - EXPEDITION " 97 - - THE DURBAR AT KHWASH " 141 - - RAIDER CHIEFS AT THE DURBAR AT KHWASH " 141 - - RAIDED SLAVES ON THE WAY TO THEIR HOMES " 167 - - A PERSIAN GIRL CAPTURED BY JUMA KHAN " 167 - - CAPTURED RAIDERS ON THE WAY TO KACHA " 173 - - ON THE MARCH TOWARDS GUSHT, AND THE MORPEISH HILLS " 185 - - HAZARAS ON A PICKET POST BELOW WHICH HALIL KHAN - WAS KILLED " 197 - - WATER! ON THE MARCH TO THE SAR-I-DROKAN " 203 - - HAZARA PIONEERS WIDENING A PASSAGE FOR LOADED CAMELS " 215 - - CHAHGIRD FORT IN JALK " 217 - - - - -MAPS - - PAGE - SKETCH MAP OF THE PERSIAN-BALUCHI-AFGHAN FRONTIERS _Facing_ 15 - - SKETCH MAP OF THE FIGHT IN THE MORPEISH HILLS " 181 - - -[Illustration: _Sketch Map of the Persian-Baluchi-Afghan frontiers_] - - - - -THE RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD - - - - -CHAPTER I - -ORDERS FOR THE WEST - - I receive my orders--German agents and India--Their - routes--A deal in chauffeurs--Concerning an appetite and - sausages--Nushliki--The last of civilisation--Further - information--Sand-holes and digging--Petrol in the desert. - - -Towards the end of February, 1916, General Kirkpatrick, Chief of -Staff at Delhi, sent for me and gave me orders to take charge of the -military operations in South-East Persia. - -Although Persia, as a country, was neutral during the War, there is -a certain district in the South-East, abutting on to the frontiers -of Afghanistan and of Baluchistan, and known as the Sarhad, which is -occupied by a number of nomad tribes who claim absolute independence. -At this time these tribes were causing considerable embarrassment and -difficulty to the Indian Government. - -The Germans and their agents, who were past masters in the art of -propaganda, were still endeavouring, as they had done for years -before the outbreak of hostilities, to work upon the discontented -portion of the Indian population in the hope of rousing them into -open rebellion. They believed this to be quite possible, in spite of -the magnificent way in which India had offered her resources of men -and money to the British Raj, and hoped thereby to handicap us still -further in our great struggle in the West. - -They were pouring their agents, with their lying propaganda, into -India via Persia and Afghanistan. Afghanistan, like Persia, was -nominally neutral, but she was breaking her neutrality by many open -acts of aggression, and was offering every facility in her power -to the German agents in their passage through her territories, and -thence into the Punjab. - -To reach Afghanistan, however, the German agents had to pass through -some part of Persia. The Persian Government placed no restrictions on -the movements of either British or Germans, of which fact the latter -took full advantage. - -A glance at the map will show that apparently the easiest route for -them to take across Persia was in the North, in the Russian sphere of -influence, and to approach Afghanistan through Korasan; or, failing -this, by a route rather farther South, across the Lut Desert, in the -direction of Birjand. As a matter of fact they had tried both these -routes, but without much success, owing to the inhospitable nature of -the country through which they had to pass and also to the opposition -they met with from the Hazara tribes round Herat, who, belonging -as they do to the Shiah section of the Mahommedan religion, are at -daggers drawn with the Afghans, who belong to the Sunni section. - -Therefore the Germans had to try yet another road, and succeeded -farther South where they had failed in the North. By taking the -longer route through Kerman and Narmashir in the South and South-East -of Persia, they found easy ingress into Afghanistan. - -To effect this, however, they had to make friends with the nomad -and war-like tribes of the Sarhad. These tribes were traditionally -friendly to the British, but the Germans had bribed them heavily -and had moreover assured them that Germany had turned Islam and -that the Kaiser William himself was a convert to their religion. As -the Sarhad tribes were always out for a good thing for themselves, -and as they believed the lie about the German conversion, they had -allowed themselves to be tricked into helping the Germans. This -they were doing not only by permitting them to pass through their -territory, but also by harassing the lines of communication between -the inadequately small British frontier posts. - -The story of Germany having turned Mahommedan, farcical as it was, -was nevertheless a potential source of grave danger for us in India. -It must be remembered that Germany's ally, Turkey, was Mahommedan, -and that in helping us against Germany, the Mahommedans of India were -already being called upon, indirectly, to fight against their own -co-religionists. When, in addition, India was assured that powerful -Germany was winning, so her agents avowed, in every theatre of war, -it was inevitable that in time her loyalty to us must suffer. - -It was vital to stop this lying but insidious propaganda, and the -first step was to prevent German agents from entering India at all. -To do this the nomad tribes of the Sarhad must be brought back into -line with their old policy of friendship with Britain. Hence my -orders from General Kirkpatrick. - -He instructed me to proceed without a moment's unnecessary delay to -Quetta, where I was to receive more detailed instructions. - -On leaving him I hurried, with car and native chauffeur, to the -railway station, and asked for a truck on which to place the car -for entrainment to Nushki. The station-master assured me I was -asking for an impossibility. A great Maharajah, then travelling, had -commandeered every available truck for his suite, luggage and cars. -I told him that the Government business on which I had been sent was -all important, and, by a little persuasion, soon had myself on the -way to Pindi and the car on the way to Nushki. - -Arrived at Pindi I found I had exactly one hour left in which to -catch the train for Quetta. There was no time to pack, sort out kit, -or decide what should, or should not, be taken on a campaign which -might last only a few weeks or many months, and which might assume -a political aspect sooner than expected. My servant, Allah-dad, was -therefore directed to take everything for sorting out when time could -be spared, and I rushed off to try and "do a deal" with General Sir -Gerald Kitson, before starting. - -I realised that a motor-car might play an important part in this -prospective campaign, as it would be necessary to travel for long -distances in a land of no railways and no regular roads, the best -road to be hoped for probably being a sandy track used by camel -caravans. I had already had some experience of difficult motoring -with an inefficient chauffeur, so naturally wanted to secure the best -man that could be got. - -I must here explain that I possessed an English chauffeur, Allan -by name, and that General Kitson employed his brother in the same -capacity. Now, without any disparagement of _my_ Allan, I knew his -brother to be a more practical and experienced man. General Kitson -generously gave his consent to an exchange of chauffeurs. - -I may as well say, at once, that it was a lucky day for me that saw -Allan of the 9th Middlesex Regiment enter my service, for, during -the months to come, he was as cheery and full of resource as he was -ready for any event, however untoward. His appetite stood forth as -the only thing that ever caused me uneasiness, and I must admit that -I have never met a man with one of such colossal proportion. As an -instance--on one occasion, when camped out in the desert, between -Nushki and Robat, and supplies were none too plentiful, we cooked -twelve sausages for breakfast. - -I had one, and then was persuaded by Allan to attempt a second. I -only succeeded in disposing of half of it. I then got up and left -Allan to have his own breakfast. Allah-dad, being a Mahommedan, of -course refused to touch sausage. - -At lunch-time Allah-dad asked what I would have to eat, and got the -answer, "Oh, some of the cold sausages left from breakfast." - -Allah-dad replied, "But there are no sausages, Sahib. Allan has eaten -them all." - -I expostulated, maintaining that it was impossible. No normal man -could have eaten ten and a half large sausages. But Allah-dad was -not to be shaken. It may be well imagined that the feeding of my -chauffeur during the months to come loomed up as one of my minor -anxieties. - -From Pindi I went to Quetta by train, my car, with the native -chauffeur having gone direct to the then rail-head at Nushki, in the -North of Indo-Baluchistan. - -At Quetta I laid in a store of petrol, spare tyres, a few personal -necessities, reported to General Grover for orders and information, -and then proceeded to Nushki; which place was reached, and the car -picked up, on, if I remember rightly, the 25th of February. - -This day in Nushki was to prove the last in a civilised town for -many months to come. The look of the country lying before us so -intimidated my native chauffeur that he came to me, a short time -before we were due to start, with a countenance torn with grief and, -with lamentations and protestations of sorrow, told me that both his -father and mother were ill, and that it was vital for him to return -and succour them. As I had been in two minds as to the advisability -of taking the rascal with me, this sign of the white feather at the -very outset at once decided the point, and I gave him to understand -that he could go and bury as many of his relations as he pleased. -With a countenance swiftly transformed to cheerfulness he left me. - -Just before starting a wire was handed in from a high political -official at Quetta informing me that the Baluch Raiders had already -cut our lines of communication, were right across my path, and he -advised, if not ordered, me not to proceed. - -However, as explicit military instructions were to endeavour to reach -Robat (near the Koh-i-Maliksia), a hill at which the Baluch, Afghan -and Persian frontiers meet, as well as that of the district known as -the Sarhad, with the least possible delay, and as I knew the Raiders -were across my path even before I left Quetta, I saw no reason for -altering previously made plans or for delaying my departure. - -Accordingly I started on the journey to Robat early on the morning of -the 27th. I reckoned it would take at least five days to reach that -town, as the route it would be necessary to follow would be fully -three hundred and seventy-five miles. I already knew that it would -be essential to make many long détours round freshly formed sand -dunes and other obstacles, for it must be remembered that there was -no proper road but only a rough camel-track continually blown over -and obliterated by sand, along which supplies were taken from India -to Robat, and the small garrison posts which we had established at -various points Northward. - -The mention of small garrison posts may lead the reader to suppose -that this area of wild activity was fairly well policed, but, as a -fact, one battalion of Indian infantry, a regiment of Indian cavalry -and, I believe, four mountain guns, constituted the entire force -of regulars holding a front of close upon three hundred miles. It -was small wonder, then, that the Sarhad tribes, commonly known as -Raiders, from their raiding proclivities, who knew every inch of the -country, could climb like cats, and could do long marches on short -rations, had succeeded in cutting our lines of communication, and in -carrying off our supplies. - -I could, therefore, look for no further help for the time in the -matter of supplies and so took with me all that I thought would be -necessary for our three hundred and seventy-five mile trek across the -sandy wastes lying between Nushki and Robat. - -Petrol was, at the moment, the most important of our needs; we had, -therefore, to carry with us all we should require, making allowance -at the same time for mishaps. Moreover, we had to take enough food -and water to last Allan, Allah-dad and myself for five or six days. - -As regards personal luggage we travelled absolutely light, leaving -all kit to follow at a slower pace on camels, together with my horse, -Galahad. I had some compunction in leaving the latter behind, but my -orders were concise and urgent--to reach Robat, endeavour to get into -touch with all our scattered posts, and effect a combination against -the Raiders at the earliest possible moment. - -A start was made very early in the morning, but the first day's -journey proved disappointing. Instead of doing the ninety miles -planned, we only accomplished thirty. The track was even worse than I -had expected, for we constantly ran into sand-hills, and had to dig -the car out. I have never done so much digging in my life as I did on -that journey to Robat. Sand-hills were, however, only a portion of -our afflictions, for, in addition, there were many water pools and -small shallow lakes--due to recent rain--which had to be taken at a -rush, or somehow circumvented. - -So serious, at last, did our rate of progress become that, as we -approached what seemed to be the hundredth of these wide, shallow -pools, I lost patience and ordered Allan to drive straight through. - -He attempted to carry out the order, but about half-way we sank up -to the axle and stuck. No power on earth would induce the car to -budge another inch, and, though we all three got out into the water, -and lugged, pushed and dragged at the wretched car, no impression -could be made upon her. - -So we remained till, at last, about two a.m., I caught sight of a -light on a small hill not very far away in the west, and, on going -over to it, found a sort of recluse, or holy man, quietly cooking his -food. After the usual courtesies I asked him to come and help me to -pull my car out. He replied that he was an old man and could not do -much by himself, but that a caravan of nomads, who had arrived the -evening before, were encamped close by. So off I went again, flushed -my "quarry", and, with the help of large bribes, persuaded all the -able-bodied men to come back to the car. Fortunately we carried a -good strong rope as part of our kit, so soon had the car out and -running again. - -Allan was never again ordered to drive through water on that route. - -[Illustration: IN DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN NASARATABAD AND ROBAT.] - -On the second day our troubles recommenced, for we had barely done -a dozen miles than we stuck in another sand-hill, and the laborious -digging-out process had to be done all over again. Fortunately, the -party who had got the car out of the lake the night before were close -behind, and for an obvious reason. They had been given so many rupees -for their timely help that, knowing the difficulties lying ahead, -they had followed in the hope of further largesse. They got it. - -Once safely out again I made a tour of inspection round the car, but -only to find more trouble. - -"Hullo, what on earth is this, Allan? She's leaking!" - -Allan smiled a superior smile. "I don't think so, sir. My cars don't -leak." - -But a moment later his superiority turned to consternation, and he -was burying his head in the bowels of the car. - -After a moment's inspection he showed a face of such utter dismay -that it would have been comical had not the situation been so serious. - -"Great Scott, sir! I must have left the petrol tap turned on, and the -tank is nearly empty." - -Here, I'm afraid, my language was violent, and it was some minutes -before Allan was able to ascertain exactly how much petrol we had -left. His calculations established the fact that we had lost some -fourteen gallons. This meant that we should have to walk the greater -part of the last two hundred miles of our journey. A pleasant -prospect in that forbidding country. But orders were to go on, and go -on we did. - -That day we made good time, and before evening had done the ninety -miles set as a day's march. But, as we had lost so much ground the -previous day, I determined to go on as long as Allan could stick at -the driving wheel, and we went on--to a post called Yadgar. - -I should explain that in this barren, townless, roadless district -there are occasional small rest-houses, very modest types of Dâk -bungalows, established by the Indian Government for the benefit of -travellers, or soldiers on their way to frontier duty. They are quite -bare except for a camp bed or two, a tub, a table, a few chairs and a -wash-hand basin, with a _chokidar_, or keeper, in charge. - -Such a rest-house we found at Yadgar, and being not only very tired -and dusty, but filthily dirty, as the result of our struggles with -the car, we pulled up to try and get a superficial wash. - -I jumped out and tried the door. It was locked, and I banged loudly -without getting any answer. It would not do to lose an unnecessary -minute, for the many miles we should have to walk later on loomed -unpleasantly ahead, but I knew there were pretty certain to be water -and washing-basin behind that door, and did not intend to leave them -unused if I could help it, _chokidar_ or no _chokidar_. So, I took a -butting run with my shoulder, the door gave, and I set out in search -of the water tub. - -An open door on my right showed me a small room, absolutely empty, -except for a row of tins against the wall. Knowing that petrol was -carried in such tin drums I went and examined them. The next moment -Allan heard a shout that brought him hastily inside, wondering -whether I had gone mad, had been bitten by a wild beast, or was -being murdered. - -"Look!" I cried, as he came running up to me. "Look at those tins and -tell me what's inside!" - -Allan seized hold of one of the drums, read what was written on it, -gave it a shake, and we could both hear the blessed sound of lapping -inside. - -"It's petrol, sir," he whispered in an awed voice. - -Petrol in the desert--petrol where one would as soon have expected to -find a Bond Street jeweller! - -At first we could neither of us believe it. Personally I imagined we -had both got temporary jim-jams, but Allan, with his usual stolid, -common sense, opened one of the drums, tested the contents, and -pronounced it to be first-class petrol. There were seven drums, each -containing four gallons. - -"This means we'll motor, not walk into Robat after all, sir," said -Allan, with a grin and sigh of relief. The thought of those miles of -desert--nearly two hundred of them--which confronted us after the -mishap had been haunting us both like a nightmare. - -At this moment the _chokidar_ returned, in great trepidation, fearing -a dressing-down for being absent from duty. But I was far too elated -at the turn of events to want to swear at anyone. - -I asked him where the petrol had come from, and whose it was. He -shook his head, and said he had no idea. It had always been there. It -belonged to no one, and no one had put it there, so far as he knew. -He had never seen a car there before; in fact, he had never seen a -car anywhere before, and could not understand how it was that men -could travel on a thing which was not alive, which was not like any -horse or camel he had ever seen. - -This was all very good hearing, so I proceeded to tell him that the -petrol belonged to me, and, as he quite cheerfully acquiesced, I gave -him a receipt which he could show to any Government official in case -of needed absolution in the future. As we now had means to finish our -journey by car, I decided to spend the night at the rest-house. - -After a simple camp meal Allan, worn out with the strenuous work of -the past two days and night, was quickly snoring in the deep sleep of -exhaustion, so I went for a stroll. - -As I paced up and down I tried to draw up some preliminary plan -for the coming campaign. But such occupation was somewhat futile, -as, until I could reach Robat, I had no knowledge at all as to the -strength and composition of the force that would be at my disposal. -But upon one thing I made up my mind--even at that early stage--I -would do my utmost to show these Raiders, who were doing us so much -harm, that they could not do this with impunity. The lesson once -driven home, an endeavour should be made to become friendly with -them, to win them back to our side, and, so to speak, appoint them as -doorkeepers of the Baluchistan frontier; but doorkeepers with their -rifles pointed at our enemies instead of at ourselves. - -In the midst of these meditations I found myself stumbling with -fatigue, so, with a last look at the beauty of the night, I turned -indoors, and in a few minutes was sound asleep, and making up for the -"whiteness" of the night before. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE ROAD TO ROBAT - - Mushki-chah--The native contractor--An evening rencontre--Idu - of the Chagai Levies--The native idea of an airship--Idu the - invaluable--Robat. - - -On the third day we made good progress, fate being kind in helping us -to avoid the sandy pitfalls which had hitherto been our undoing, and, -by nightfall, we found ourselves approaching the post of Mushki-chah. - -Here we found the road blocked with a number of camel caravans -carrying Government food supplies for our scattered posts along the -frontier. These posts were already in difficulties owing to the -Raiders' interference with their commissariat. - -As can be imagined there was a great deal of noise, the native -drivers gesticulating and talking in a way which proved that -something was afoot. I got out of the car and asked who was in charge -of the caravan. A huge native contractor was pointed out to me, and, -summoning him to my side I asked him what all the hubbub was about. - -He was in a state of great agitation and told me that he had received -information from several reliable sources that the whole of the -countryside ahead of them was in the hands of the Raiders, and that, -therefore, it was useless to go a step further. - -I expostulated with the man, pointing out that, by the terms of his -contract, he must go on, and that if he did not the soldiers for whom -he was bringing supplies would die of starvation. - -But he was dogged. He knew too well the methods of the Raiders with -the men they captured. - -"It's no use, Sahib," he said, respectfully but firmly. "My men will -not go on as they are unarmed, and a single armed Raider is enough to -hold up the whole caravan." - -I knew the man was right, but persisted in my efforts to persuade him -to chance it, pointing out that he might be lucky enough to elude the -Raiders and to win through. - -"If the Government will give me a military escort I will go, but not -without," was his final word. - -I had no authority to compel him to go on, so gave up the struggle. -But I realised more than ever how imperative it was to endeavour -to reach Robat without a moment's unnecessary delay, and start -conclusions with the Raiders, whose menace was growing more dangerous -every day. - -We were, therefore, on the road very early next morning, for I hoped -to make Saindak that night. I had intended to go by Borgar, but now -that I knew--for I had verified the contractor's statements, and -believed them to be correct--that that place was in the hands of -the Raiders, I elected to go by an alternative route, known as the -_Webb-Ware_ route, which is practically out of use nowadays, hoping, -thereby, to avoid the enemy. - -It was still dark when we set off on the most strenuous part of our -journey; climbing, making détours, digging the car out again and -again till we were all three worn out in body and temper. We hardly -halted that day, for the necessity for speed was as fully realised by -Allan as by myself. - -When night fell we had not yet sighted Saindak, but I knew we could -not be very far off, and cursed the coming of the night which made -it impossible to see where we were. I knew we had got off the camel -track somehow, for the ground was even more bumpy than it had been, -and was frequently intersected by nullahs or rocky ravines, which -made the going positively dangerous. If the car were knocked right -out of action our difficulties would reach the last stage of disaster. - -At last, in despair, Allan stopped, saying it was useless going on -any further. We might overturn the car at any moment and smash it as -well as ourselves. He submitted that the only sane thing would be to -camp just where we were and wait for daylight, when we might regain -the camel track. - -I knew he was right, but said I would make one final effort on foot -to find the track, and directed him to give me the hurricane lamp we -carried on the car. - -Stumbling and slipping over the broken ground in the pitch darkness, -the lamp barely lighting up my immediate path, I had wandered some -distance from the car when I heard voices. Instantly I thought of the -Raiders who were over-running the district. It would be too galling, -too humiliating to be captured by them before the campaign, on which -I was building such high hopes, had even begun. - -Noiselessly I put out the lamp and listened in the dense darkness. -There was absolute silence for some minutes, and I stood stock still. -Then voices sounded again, and I conjectured that there were not more -than two, or at the most three, speakers. - -I thought rapidly, and finally decided that there would not be many -men in front of me. Had there been anything approaching an encampment -of the Raiders in the neighbourhood, there would have been lights, -camp fires and considerable noise. The voices I had heard probably -belonged to men who had seen the lights of the car, and had come to -find out what it was. - -I turned swiftly and made my way back to the car, where I had -foolishly left my revolver. Recovering my weapon I warned Allan in a -whisper of the voices I had heard, and told him to be ready to stand -by. Then I made my way back in the darkness, and when I had regained -the spot, called out loudly, in Hindustani, "Who's there?" - -Instantly a voice answered, "I am Idu of the Chagai Levies, friendly -to the British Government." - -I then called out who I was, and, immediately, three fully armed men -came forward in the darkness. - -I asked them what they were doing there, and the voice that had -answered me before replied that they were all three members of the -Chagai Levies, and that they, and about fifty others, had come out to -fight me. - -"To fight me?" I exclaimed. "Whatever for?" - -"Well, Sahib," returned the man who had said his name was Idu, "we -thought you were a German airship." And he went on to explain that -for a long time he and his companions had been watching powerful -lights floating about in the sky, and as they knew that Germans were -the only people in the world who had _hawaiijihaz_ or airships, they -were convinced the lights they had seen belonged to one of these. And -when it had alighted on the hill in front of them, the majority of -his companions had been so terrified that they had run away, and only -himself and his two comrades had had the bravery to stay where they -were and face the unknown danger. - -Then it dawned on me what he was driving at. The flashing electric -lights of the car, lighting up the distant, rising slopes of the -desert, had appeared to these men to come from the sky, and my -harmless motor-car the dreaded German airship. Cars, of course, along -this route were as great a novelty as airships, and doubtless not one -of the men in front of me had ever seen one before. - -I reassured them as completely as I could, adding that I was -delighted to meet such redoubtable warriors, and hoped that now they -would come with me and help me, as my business was to fight Germans, -airships and all. This was strictly true, for, but for German -influence, there would have been no need to wage war on the Raiders -who had only been induced to become our enemies by lying German -propaganda. - -Idu said they would be only too glad to go with the Sahib and to help -him fight the enemies of the British Raj. He also told me that he had -already saved my life once that evening. - -"How was that?" I asked, my spirits rising as I gazed through the -darkness at my first three recruits. - -"Well, Sahib," returned Idu, "when the airship, which you say is -no airship, stopped, in a little while we saw the figure of a man, -carrying a lantern moving towards us, and Halil here," laying his -hand on the shoulder of one of his pals, "lifted his rifle and was -about to shoot. But I said, 'Nay. See, it is but one man. Let us wait -and see who he is.' And then the lantern went out and there was no -longer a target." - -"You did well, Idu," I said solemnly. "You have most certainly saved -my life, and as you seem to be as intelligent as you are brave, I -shall appoint you to my personal staff. I am the officer who has -been sent out to take command of the forces along the Sarhad, and in -Seistan. But at the present moment my chief concern is to find the -right road to Saindak. Can you show it to me?" - -Idu laughed. "I could lead you there blindfold, Sahib." - -I felt the difficulties of the road were now over, and, piloted by -these three stalwarts, the car--a source of the utmost excitement -and wonderment to them--Allan, Allah-dad and my weary self were, ere -long, safe in the rest-house of the small mud fort at Saindak. - -The following morning, after a good night's rest, I had a long talk -with Idu, and the very favourable impression I had formed of the man -the night before was greatly increased. I found him by daylight to be -a highly intelligent-looking, splendidly proportioned fellow of about -five feet eight, with a big black beard. I had glimpses, even then, -of the keen sense of humour which was to do so much to lighten the -difficulties of the ensuing campaign. Never once in all the months to -come did I find his wit and humour fail. - -As after-events proved he was absolutely invaluable. In fact, I often -called him, and told him that I called him, my "head." Not only did -he know every yard of the country, but he knew by name practically -every one of the Raiders, knew their peculiarities and their weak -points as well as their strength. Idu was a man in a million, and I -should like to think that, some day, this public appreciation of him, -and of what he did to help in this campaign, may reach him. - -After breakfast and my talk with Idu, we set out on the last march of -the first phase of my journey, and reached Robat by two o'clock in -the afternoon. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN - - An "intelligent" officer--Matters political--Three tribes - and a fourth--Their women and inter-tribal laws--Sarhad - conditions--A summons to the Chiefs--A bid for rank--Telegraph - wires and Sheitan--Two first-class liars--A strategic scheme--An - ungazetted General--Lost kit--Swallows and flies--Forces - available--Communications freed--The Kacha levy and a - shock--Mirjawa. - - -My first visit in Robat was to the officer who had been commanding -the scattered British forces up to that date. He was a very sick man, -and had been holding out with the utmost difficulty until he could be -relieved. Here I met Major Landon of the 35th Scinde Horse, one of -the three Intelligence Officers employed by the Indian Government in -Persia. - -I very quickly realised that Landon was an officer of very high -intelligence, as well as an Intelligence Officer, and that he had a -fund of information concerning the country, and the conditions and -characteristics of the inhabitants of both Persia and Baluchistan. In -fact, I judged that he would be such an asset that, then and there, I -invited him to become my Brigade-Major, although I ruefully remarked -that I had, at present, no brigade! - -He was keen to accept, but did not know how the authorities at Simla -would view his acceptance of such a post, and asked me whether I -should be willing to shoulder the responsibility of annexing him for -the campaign. Considering that my shoulders were broad enough, I -promptly replied that my orders had been to take command of all the -scattered forces I could find and co-ordinate them, and that I looked -upon him as my second "find," Idu and his two companions being the -first. Further, that he was here as Intelligence Officer and would -acquire no intelligence sitting down in Robat, whereas, if he came -with me, he would get all he wanted at first hand! - -I set myself to pick up all the information I could about the -conditions of British "influence" in this part of Persia, and on -the borders of Afghanistan. To make it in any way clear why we had -any influence here at all we must revert to the old fear of the -threatened advance of Russia on India, in the days before Russia -became our ally in the Great War. - -Slowly and gradually Russia had been extending her influence in the -Pamirs until her outposts on the Oxus River were only eight marches -from Chitral. Evidently, as a wide counter, strategic move, the -Indian Government had sought to increase its own influence with -Persia and Afghanistan by pushing forward her outposts to Robat and -Nasaratabad. - -Consequently, at the time of which I am writing, Robat, Nasaratabad -and Birjand were held lightly by chains of small posts composed -entirely of Indian troops and some local levies commanded by British -officers. Our lines of communication running from Birjand to Nushki, -a distance of about six hundred miles, were held, in widely scattered -posts, by only one battalion of Indian Infantry and one regiment of -Indian Cavalry and four mountain guns. Thus it will be seen that it -was very difficult to obtain any troops for a movable column. - -A British Consulate had also been established at Nasaratabad, which -is on the borders of Afghanistan and Persia. During the War the -importance and influence of the Consul increased considerably, as he -was in a position to gather information which was of great value to -the military commanders, who constantly sought his advice. - -There was also a Baluch Political Officer, known as the Sarhad-dar, -who worked under orders from the British Political Officer at Quetta. -The Sarhad-dar, to a certain degree, controlled the Sarhadi Raiders, -occasionally with the help of the Chagai Levies, which were raised by -the Indian Government for this particular work. - -Supplies were brought to these scattered posts by camel caravans from -India. - -Communication with India was maintained by means of the telegraph. -Later on it became necessary to send out a wireless troop from India -to establish communication between my force at Khwash and Saindak. - -At the same time I did my best to learn all I could about the tribes -amongst whom I was going to operate, their ways and customs, and the -nature of the country in which they lived. - -A glance at the map will show the situation and boundaries of the -Sarhad--literally meaning boundary. It will be seen that it extends -from Jalk in the East to Galugan in the West. The Eastern part, from -Jalk to Safed-koh, is held by a tribe known as the Gamshadzais, under -their notable leader, Halil Khan. - -The central portion is held by the Yarmahommedzais under Jiand -Khan, an elderly man, who has been undisputed chief, and a sort of -over-lord of the whole of the Sarhad, for very many years. He has -been looked upon by his own and neighbouring tribes as well-nigh a -demi-god. As Jiand enters later, and largely, into this narrative all -further description of him will be reserved till actual contact is -established with him. - -Khwash--known also as Vasht or Washt--is the capital of the Sarhad, -and is situated within Jiand's jurisdiction, although he is not the -actual owner of the town. The word Khwash literally means "sweet," -and, I believe, owes its name to the water, which is, by the way, -quite warm when it appears at the surface of the ground in the -immediate vicinity. - -The Western portion of the Sarhad, extending roughly from Khwash to -Galugan, is held by the Ismailzais under their redoubtable leader, -Juma Khan. - -All three of these tribes possess approximately one thousand -families apiece, and, of course, each family has many members, as -well as large numbers of camels, and herds of sheep and goats. - -Each of these tribes, at the time of which I write, could muster, -roughly, from one to two thousand riflemen, chiefly armed with Mauser -rifles and modern ammunition. - -South of Robat lay a fourth tribe, the Rekis, fewer in number than -any one of those already mentioned. This tribe was entirely friendly -to the British, and, although nominally under a leader called -Ibrahim, paid more heed to Idu, who, as I have already said, was one -of the most remarkable men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. -He was also a Havildar (Sergeant) in the Chagai Levies; a local force -raised by the Indian Government. - -These various tribes all belong to the Sunni branch of the Mahommedan -religion, and are of Arab origin. As a whole they are a fine-looking -set of men, slim and graceful, with fine, intelligent faces, and -aquiline features. Their hair is allowed to grow unrestricted, -and falls in long black ringlets, on either side of the face, in -true King Charles I. style. In fact, one of these men, with whom I -afterwards made good friends, was nicknamed Charles I. on sight, as, -with his flowing ringlets and short pointed beard, he bore such a -strong resemblance to the pictures of that unfortunate monarch. - -These men are fine skirmishers, and will fight with the utmost -bravery when well led, and have confidence in their leaders. Being -nomads, they possess but few villages, such as Khwash, Gusht, and -Jalk; which consist of a mud fort or forts and a few houses. Their -lives are spent for the most part in tents, called Jugis, which -are made of camels' hair, dyed black, and are pitched wherever a -convenient spot can be found. - -Wives, families and herds accompany them on their wanderings from -place to place. Their womenkind are often good-looking, and usually -lighter skinned than the men. The women's endurance, too, is -wonderful, for they can climb the precipitous hills with as much -agility as the men, bear the hardships of long marches, the violent -summer heat and the intense cold of the winter nights with great -fortitude. They go unveiled, and appear to be treated well by their -husbands and sons. In fact, in some notable instances, the women -of the Sarhad exercise great influence over their husbands, and, -when this is so, rule with the proverbial "rod of iron." Each man -is allowed four wives, and, though he does not always acquire this -number, he never exceeds it. - -The tribes literally live by raiding. They know no fear, and seldom -show mercy. They not only raid travellers but villages, and, on -occasion, large towns. These raids have been known to be pushed as -far as Meshed, the sacred town and "Mecca" of Persia, which lies -far away in the North upon the Turkestan border. Such expeditions -are carried out with immense skill and cunning, and are seldom -unsuccessful. The raiders not only loot jewels, carpets, food, cattle -and herds, but women and children, whom they subject to a life of -utter misery. - -Persian ladies are frequently carried off in this way, to become -eventually abject slaves subject to inter-tribal barter. The prices -paid for such slaves naturally vary according to quality, age and -looks. As much as three hundred rupees may be taken as an average -price for a young woman, and as little as twenty-five rupees for a -small child. - -But, although they are utterly lawless in regard to other people, -their few inter-tribal laws are fairly strictly observed. These laws, -however, chiefly consist of the doctrine that Might is Right and -Success pardons all Sins. In the Sarhad a man is expected to tell the -truth--unless a lie better suits his purpose. Any oath given on the -Koran is binding, provided a Mullah or priest is present. Otherwise -such an oath is as often honoured in the breach as in the observance. - -They have, however, some standards of honour to which they strictly -adhere. If, for instance, they come as invited guests to your camp, -or if you go as an invited guest to theirs, treachery is not thought -of. The laws of hospitality, as in nearly all Eastern countries, are -strictly maintained. - -Their food consists mostly of flour-cake, made, as a rule, of barley, -though occasionally of wheat, and goat-flesh and wild herbs. As their -herds always travel with them, except when fighting or raiding, -there is always a plentiful supply of meat and milk. Their slaves, -on the contrary, are half starved, and present the most pitiful -contrast to their own women and children, who are well fed, healthy -and provided with ample clothing. - -Their country, the Sarhad, is very arid, sandy, sparsely cultivated, -and crossed by range upon range of bare volcanic hills, with rugged -peaks and precipitous sides. Some of these hills rise to considerable -heights, as, for example, the Koh-i-Bazman, overlooking Bampur in -the South. This peak reaches an altitude of eleven thousand four -hundred feet. The Koh-i-Taftan is another, of something over thirteen -thousand feet, and is snow-capped in Winter and early Spring, despite -the fact that it is an active volcano. The word Taftan signifies -boiling. Its crater possesses two main outlets, from which clouds -of sulphur-smoke are constantly being emitted. The whole summit is -in consequence covered with white ash, so giving it a wonderfully -imposing and picturesque appearance from a distance, especially at -sunset or sunrise. The effect is very like that of Fuji-Yama, but -certainly on a grander scale. - -The hills of this district are all of volcanic origin, and, for this -reason, rich in sulphur and sal-ammoniac deposits. The low-lying -country obviously once formed the bed of a sea, for the fossils to be -found here in quantity are of marine origin, and the soil is thickly -impregnated with salt. Fresh water is very scarce, though large salt -water lakes are fairly frequent. - -It is interesting to think how much could be done with this country -were some scheme of irrigation introduced. The natives have a simple -method of supplying water to meet their wants. This is done by means -of karezes, underground channels which tap underground springs and so -bring the water to where it is wanted. - -Trees are occasionally planted by these karezes, in the towns, but -otherwise are scarcely ever seen in this inhospitable, arid region, -where it is even hard to find sufficient food for camels, horses or -herds, when on the march. There are occasional valleys through which -a small stream may flow for a certain distance, but which, very soon, -disappears again into the sand. In those rare spots where water is -plentiful the luxuriance of the vegetation is phenomenal, proving how -fertile the country might become were it irrigated in the same way -as are certain parts of India. Wheat, barley, spinach, cucumbers, -pumpkins and green vegetables grow readily where water exists. - -Climatic conditions in these regions are curiously extreme. Great -cold prevails in the Winter, but the heat in Spring and Summer is -terrific. There is, too, a curious feeling of intense lightness in -the atmosphere which induces a queer feeling of "emptiness" in those -unaccustomed to its rarified quality. A hot wind, impregnated with -sand, blows in Seistan more or less continually from April to July, -so adding to the general discomfort of the white man. This wind is -known as the Sad-o-bistroz (literally, "wind which blows for one -hundred and twenty days"). But, though disagreeable and irritating, -this wind saves the health of the Seistani inhabitants during the -most trying months of the year, as it checks malaria by blowing away -the mosquitoes. - -This rather vague, and very incomplete, attempt at a sketch of the -people who were causing such serious trouble to our Government, -and of the country in which they lived, may, at any rate, serve to -give some idea of the foe, and his terrain, in this small but terse -campaign which I shall make an attempt to describe in the following -chapters. - -It grew more evident daily that it was necessary to organise a -movable column to operate against the Raiders as soon as possible. - -There were more troops at Nasaratabad than at any other post, -and I considered that some of these might well be taken for the -purpose. Moreover, there was a British Consul there whose advice -and information would be very valuable. Accordingly, Landon and I -arranged to go there by car on the first possible day. - -But I thought it would be a good preliminary move to find out exactly -how the land lay with regard to the Raiders, and to force them, so -to speak, to declare their policy towards us. - -I therefore told the local Baluchi political officer to send out -notices to Jiand Khan, the leader of the Yarmahommedzais, to Halil -Khan, the leader of the Gamshadzais, to Juma Khan, leader of the -Ismailzais, and to the leader of the Rekis, to meet the new British -General, just arrived from India, so that counsel might be taken -together on a certain date at a small post called Kacha. - -Of course, from all I had heard, I did not for one moment expect -these Raider Chiefs to keep the _rendezvous_. But if, by some amazing -chance, they did, we might come to some amicable arrangement and so -avoid actual fighting. If, on the other hand, they refused to do so, -it would be tantamount to a declaration of war. - -A few days later I kept the appointment I had made, but, with the -exception of the Reki leaders, who assured me of their consistent -loyalty to the British, not a single Raider Chief turned up. - -Thereupon I returned to Robat and planned my campaign. - -Already I could see I was going to be badly handicapped by my lack of -rank, and determined to make a bid for the rank which would give me -more authority. With this object in view I sent a telegram to General -Kirkpatrick--already mentioned as Chief of Staff at Simla, and acting -as Commander-in-Chief in the absence of General Sir Beauchamp -Duff--asking him to make me a General, and stating baldly that I -considered it necessary. - -It may seem strange that, in this wild, desolate country, largely -in the hands of lawless, rebellious tribes, it was possible to send -a telegram at all. But a fine telegraph line, right across Persia, -connecting Europe with India, has been in existence for over fifty -years. The concession to erect this line was obtained from the Shah -by Mr Eastwick in 1862, then British Chargé d'Affaires in Teheran. - -There had been long negotiations over this concession, which had -been consistently refused by the Persian Government; but the Shah's -personal friendship for Mr Eastwick prevailed where diplomatic -negotiations had failed. It was a particularly advantageous -arrangement for us, as, by the contract drawn up by the Persian -Government in 1864, that Government undertook to construct a -telegraph line from the Persian frontier, near Baghdad, to India, at -the expense of Persia, but to place it under the control of British -officers. This and other telegraph lines had not been interfered with -or cut in any way by the Raiders, for the simple reason that they -have strong superstitious fears of telegraph wires, and imagine them -in some way to be in close communication with Sheitans (devils). - -[Illustration: "A GOOD LIAR." - -_Landon's orderly and chief spy._] - -Whilst I was awaiting a reply to my urgent request for an advance in -rank, Idu, Landon and I took counsel together. I asked Idu whether he -had two first-class liars amongst his friends, in whom he could -place implicit trust. His eyes twinkled as he assured me he had many -friends on whose complete fidelity, as well as on whose absolute -qualifications, he could rely. - -I then unfolded to him my scheme. It was quite obvious that it would -be utterly impossible to defeat the Raiders in open fight. They -numbered several thousands of fully armed men, amply equipped, and -supplied with all the ammunition and food they needed. They were also -in their own country, every yard of which they knew well. - -In a straightforward fight any small force we could muster would be -wiped out in a few minutes. But as it was necessary to fight and beat -those Raiders, who were doing us such immeasurable damage, bluff must -be used to strengthen our arms. - -I suggested to Idu that he should procure his two skilled friends -and tell them, at the outset, that if they succeeded in the plan -entrusted to them their pockets would be literally lined with rupees. -They were, then, to run away from me to the two principal Raider -Chiefs, Jiand and Halil Khan, and their story was to be that they -had managed to escape from the great and famous British General who -had just arrived with five thousand fully armed troops. Also, that -this General Dyer was greatly incensed at their disobedient method of -treating his summons to meet him at Kacha, and that he was starting -in great force to attack them, but that he was planning to march -first against Halil Khan in the direction of Jalk. - -If Idu's men succeeded in making the Raiders swallow all this, the -immediate stroke I had in view, namely, an attack on Khwash, might -hope for some success. It would at any rate draw the Raiders off the -lines of communication and so enable supply caravans to proceed to -Robat. - -Idu was greatly taken with the idea. It appealed to his sense of -humour, and he had soon produced his two spies, on whom, he assured -us, he could rely as on himself. Their mission fully explained, Idu's -friends started off at once. - -Meanwhile, though I was not yet a General I determined to act the -part. The 28th Light Cavalry made crossed swords for my shoulders and -the necessary red tabs. The former were considerably bigger than the -regulation pattern, but were otherwise well made. Then Landon and I -went off by car to Nasaratabad. - -We found the place to be a small mud-walled enclosure with walls of -great thickness. Inside the enclosure were something like a hundred -shops, for the most part kept by Persian soldiers, whose military -duties are not usually onerous. We made our way to the Consul's -house, and had a very interesting interview with him. Whilst we were -there a telegram arrived from Simla informing me that I had been -promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General. This was a great relief, -for I now no longer felt an impostor. - -As a set-off against this bit of good news, I heard that the whole -of my kit, which had followed me from Nushki, had been captured by -the Raiders. In addition they had killed my horse, Galahad, robbed -the groom of all his clothing and torn his golden ear-rings from -his ears. On my return to Robat he came to me stark naked, with his -nerves utterly shattered, and absolutely useless for any further -service. - -We also met Colonel Claridge, who was commanding the 28th Cavalry -and the troops at Nasaratabad. I asked him to send to Robat as soon -as possible all the food supplies he could collect, two mountain -guns, a squadron of cavalry, and as many infantry as he could spare. -I was very disappointed, however, at the few troops available at -Nasaratabad for the expedition, but I realised that the situation -in Afghanistan demanded the presence of a fairly strong garrison at -Nasaratabad itself. - -On the way back to Robat we stopped at a post where I was -accommodated in a room with a domed mud roof, which had been -whitewashed. As I lay on my blankets in the morning, gazing up at the -roof, I noticed that the dome was covered with small black spots. As -the light grew stronger I realised that they were flies, thousands of -them, in a comatose condition, owing to the cold of the night. - -As the morning advanced, swallows flew in by the open door, and, -fluttering round the dome, picked off the helpless flies one by one, -until not a single one was left. - -Directly we reached Robat Landon and I set to work on our plans. -After considerable thought we determined to make an attempt to -capture Khwash, the capital of the Sarhad, and so endeavour to entice -the Raiders off our lines of communication. But it took some time -to get the guns and food supplies to Robat, for Robat was quite -one hundred miles from Nasaratabad. It was also necessary to get -in enough supplies for a month at least, as it was useless placing -reliance on anything reaching us from India. In other words we had to -be quite independent of all lines of communication. - -At last the two guns, and supplies, under Major MacGowan, reached -Robat, where were now collected about a dozen or fifteen of Idu's -Chagai Levies, and seventeen Sawars of the 28th Light Cavalry under -Lieutenant Hirst. But I still had no infantry. That, however, I hoped -to get at Kacha, the garrison of which consisted of a hundred sepoys -of the 19th Punjab Infantry, and two maxim guns. - -Therefore, Landon and I arranged to go to Kacha for the infantry, -while MacGowan proceeded with his two guns, seventeen cavalrymen and -supplies, direct to Mirjawa, via Saindak. We would then join him -there, as soon as we had collected the infantry for our advance on -Khwash. - -Our real movements had been kept marvellously secret, whilst the -news of the five thousand fully armed troops under my command had -been spread far and near by Idu's spies; the consequence being that -the Raiders were all quietly retiring, from raids upon our lines of -communication, to organise their own _lashkars_ (armies), and their -own defence. - -Thus, and at any rate temporarily, the lines of communication of our -scattered frontier posts were cleared, and without striking a blow. -One small objective had at least been accomplished. - -While MacGowan's little force was making its way to Mirjawa, Landon -and I rode to Kacha, reaching that place on the 2nd of April. There -Lieutenant Yates, of the 12th Pioneers, paraded all the men he could -lay his hands on in front of the mess-house, and, as we rode up, gave -the order for the men to present arms. - -The result was a shock. - -I dismounted and called on all those men who had ever fired a shot in -their lives to fall out. - -To my dismay only nine men obeyed. - -Lieutenant Yates told me that he had done his best with the men, -but the greater proportion of them were mere raw recruits. It was a -bitter disappointment, and it was very obvious that a great deal of -brick-making had to be done without straw. But there was nothing else -for it. These were the only men, trained or untrained, available for -the expedition, and I had to be thankful for them. - -I took the nine trained soldiers, sixty-five of the untrained -recruits, and two maxim guns belonging to the 12th Pioneers, and, -with these, Landon and I made our way to the _rendezvous_ at Mirjawa, -where we all met on the evening of the 6th of April. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -BLUFF AND ARMS - - Ladis and its fort--A force without arms--First sight - of the enemy--Shah Sawar and more bluff--Battle--Bluff - succeeds--Casualties--Bad news from the North--Idu's - proposition--Jiand's stragglers--Jiand's white flag. - - -The following day we marched to Ladis, reaching that place just -before nightfall, and without incident. - -Ladis is a camping place situated in a comparatively fertile tract of -country fully four thousand feet above sea-level on the slopes of the -famous Koh-i-taftan. A considerable stream flows through the valley. -If this stream were exploited for irrigation purposes the whole -district could be made most productive and profitable. The climate is -far better than in the greater part of the Sarhad, and there is an -abundance of chikor and other partridges, ibex, and wolves. - -On the right bank of the stream is a fine old deserted fort, which -is far more substantially built than the occupied forts of Khwash -and Jalk, but it has been ruined by the disintegrating effect of the -water on the banks on which it is built. A passage at the base of it -indicates that at one time an underground tunnel connected the fort, -which lies on the right bank, with the left bank, thus affording a -means of escape, or of reinforcement, for the garrison. - -We found, waiting for us at Ladis, a band of about fifty Rekis, who -had come to join the expedition in answer to an urgent appeal from -Idu. - -I found they had no arms, ammunition or equipment, and asked them -where their rifles were. - -"We have none, Sahib," their spokesman replied. "We thought the -General Sahib would give us rifles." - -I was obliged to tell them that we had no spare arms, but as every -extra man would be an asset in our great game of bluff I was not -going to let them go, and would find some means of utilising their -services. - -At first they were greatly disappointed to find that they were not -going to be awarded a free issue of British rifles, and commented on -the absurdity of a force of the size they saw before them attempting -to attack the great Raider Chief, Jiand Khan. - -"Why, Sahib," the spokesman said, "Jiand has fully two thousand -well-armed men, all out to meet you. They will wipe you out in about -two minutes." - -If it came to an open fight we all knew that this was literally true. -But we were relying on bluff and luck. - -The local political officer, a Baluch, was entirely of the Rekis' -way of thinking, and did his utmost to persuade us to turn back and -save our skins. But we had not come so far to turn back. Orders were, -therefore, given to go forward. - -Fortunately for us, and before we struck camp early on the following -morning, another political officer arrived to supersede him--a man of -totally different calibre. Khan Bahadur, the Sarhad-dar (the chief -political officer of all matters concerning the Sarhad) was full of -fight, greatly taken with our game of bluff, and fully prepared to -enter into its spirit, the only spirit which could possibly bring -such an enterprise as ours to a successful conclusion. - -From Ladis the force marched South in the direction of Khwash, -covering about eighteen miles. This was not bad going when it is -remembered that the average rate for a camel caravan over rough sandy -country of this sort is about ten or twelve miles a day. We camped -that night in a narrow valley, surrounded by hills, and with a good -water supply. - -The following day the march was resumed, and we were beginning to -wonder how soon we should get in touch with Jiand's forces when our -advance scouts reported that the enemy was just ahead, and encamped -on the low hills running out in spurs from the Koh-i-Taftan. - -Our force was halted, and, riding forward myself, I dismounted and -took a good look at the enemy's position. This appeared to be, as I -had to admit to myself, a very strong one, and, as far as I could -gather, it looked as if it had been no idle report that Jiand's -force numbered something like two thousand men. In any case we were -in for it now, and must take our chances as they came. - -I rode back, ordered the mountain guns to be brought up to some low -hills on the left, and the cavalry to move forward under cover to the -right. - -The transport camels, numbering about six hundred, now came up, -under cover, and were put in charge of the sixty-five untrained -infantrymen. The two machine guns were brought up to a favourable -position in the centre, and our little force was now fully deployed -for action. - -At this moment a man mounted on a camel was seen coming from the -enemy's camp, accompanied by a man on foot carrying a white flag of -truce. - -When the messenger had approached nearer the Sarhad-dar exclaimed, -"Why, it is Shah Sawar himself!" - -[Illustration: QUESTIONING A SARHADI PRISONER.] - -Now Shah Sawar was a very famous Raider Chief, and a relation of -Jiand's. At one time he had been the owner and governor of Khwash, -but it appears that he had greatly coveted, as a bride, a very -beautiful lady known as the Gul-Bibi, or Rose Lady. As usual, -negotiations were conducted between the prospective bridegroom and -the lady's nearest male relative, who, in this instance, happened to -be a somewhat weak-charactered man named Mahommed-Hassan. The price -that Mahommed-Hassan placed on the Gul-Bibi was no less than the -ownership of Khwash itself. Shaw Sawar's infatuation drove him -to pay the price, though, from what I came to know of the ruffian -afterwards, I am perfectly convinced that he had every intention -of recovering his patrimony as soon as a favourable opportunity -presented itself. - -When he rode up to me, preceded by the flag of truce, I was struck by -his fine appearance. - -He announced that he had come with a message from his kinsman, Jiand -Khan, to the effect that, "If the General Sahib, accompanied by only -one man, would meet Jiand half-way, Jiand, also accompanied by one -man, would meet him and discuss the situation." - -Of course the very last thing I wanted to do was to prolong any -negotiations. Every moment that passed increased the danger that -our bluff would be discovered, for it was quite obvious that, up -to date, Jiand believed in the existence of the great force being -brought against him under a British General, as reported to him by -Idu's spies. Therefore, it was necessary to bluster, and answer -indignantly, "How dare you come to a British General with any such -proposal from a scoundrel like Jiand? Go back and tell him that I am -coming, not half-way, but the whole way, and at once. I will give you -time to take him my message. I will then fire a shot into the air as -the signal that hostilities have begun, and the attack, which will -wipe him out, will commence." - -Shah Sawar was visibly impressed, and, after a few moments' -hesitation, beckoned to the man who had come with him. After a -whispered colloquy the latter returned to Jiand with the General -Sahib's message. Shah Sawar himself said that he intended to remain -with me. - -He was obviously cowed and bewildered. He firmly believed we had a -great army in the low hills behind us, and deemed it safer to remain -with us as a prisoner than to return to Jiand's camp and engage in a -battle against five thousand troops--which he could not see from his -present position! - -Whilst the messenger was racing back to Jiand the seventeen -cavalrymen were ordered to show themselves, and as they topped the -hills, apparently the advance guard of a great force, their big -horses looked most imposing. - -Lieutenant Hirst, commanding them, was directed to make a pretence of -threatening the left flank and rear of Jiand's position, but ordered -not to go too close! - -Then, as soon as information came that Jiand's messenger had reached -his camp--some six hundred yards distant--and had had time to deliver -his message, one of the Chagai Levies was ordered to fire a shot into -the air as a signal that the battle had begun. - -He pulled his trigger, but nothing happened. - -I told him to try again. - -Again he pulled the trigger, and this time with the desired result. - -The battle had begun. - -The order to charge was given. The cavalry moved rapidly to the -right, the machine guns rattled, and the infantry--nine trained men -and a handful of Chagai Levies, rushed forward in the centre. - -What happened in the enemy's camp I only learned afterwards, but it -appears to have been as follows: Jiand, seeing the cavalry advancing -as if to threaten his retreat, really believed that the mythical -army of five thousand was commencing its attack in full force, and, -mounting his own camel, he gave an order which literally amounted to -a "_sauve qui peut_." In any case, and in a moment, his force was -scattered in a frenzy of terror, and in full retreat, amongst the -hills and valleys. - -For a moment Landon and I looked at each other. Then, as we realised -that the great bluff had succeeded, we rushed forward, with a loud -whoop, closely accompanied by the Sarhad-dar. As we were mounted, we -got ahead of the others, and actually overtook a number of Jiand's -men retreating down a nullah. We emptied our revolvers into them, and -some of our infantry coming up, their terror was increased, for they -thought they had been trapped by overwhelming numbers. - -The enemy had suffered a loss of seven killed. On our side we had one -man wounded, and I honestly believe he was wounded by one of our own -untrained infantrymen, who, in the excitement and enthusiasm of the -moment, had disobeyed orders and joined in the chase. - -By the evening there was no one left in sight to chase, so we halted -and made preparations to camp where we were. Only a few hours before -we had known that if the truth of our numbers had leaked out not one -of us would live till night to tell the tale. Fortunately the secret -had been well kept, and, although we had only accounted for seven -of the enemy, it was obvious we had won a decisive victory. Jiand's -entire force was scattered and demoralised, and it would take him a -considerable time, even when he did learn how he had been tricked, to -collect them again. - -He was a very notable man, with enormous power and prestige, not -only with his own tribe, the Yarmahommedzais, but with all the -nomad tribes of the district, and was regarded as a personage by -the Governments of both India and of Persia. His defeat would be -a very bitter pill for him to swallow. Although he was looked on -by the Ismailzais and the Gamshadzais as a sort of over-lord, even -of their own Chiefs, there was always great rivalry between the -various tribes, and he would know that Juma Khan, whilst outwardly -sympathising with him, would, in reality, be jubilant. - -Accordingly, and for the sake of his own prestige, he must make the -most of the forces brought against him. That very evening I learned -from one of his men, who had been overtaken and brought back as a -prisoner, that he had given out that he had had seven hundred men -killed and amongst the number was his own favourite son. The death -of this son, I afterwards found, was a bitter blow to the famous old -Chief, and I have always been sorry that he credited my hand as being -the one which had struck him down, though this was absolutely untrue. - -Seven men multiplied by a hundred was not bad as a free -advertisement. But I determined to go one better. - -"Seven hundred!" I retorted to the trembling prisoner. "Nonsense! If -you had said seven thousand, it would be far nearer the mark." - -Now the great thing was to make the most of our almost bloodless -victory near Koh-i-taftan, and pursue Jiand and his men as far as -possible amongst the rocky fastnesses of the hills into which they -had fled. If only the old ruffian could be persuaded to surrender -before the bluff was called, it would be just possible to make the -other tribes think that the whole game was up, and so make terms with -us; thus obviating a long and harassing campaign. - -So we pursued him for two days, as far as Kamalabad, his own special -winter headquarters, nearly overtaking him. But he just eluded us as -we entered the place by riding out at the other end, and so escaped -into the Morpeish Hills, where it was quite hopeless to think of -following him with our very small force. - -On the other hand, if we left him there, he became an hourly menace. -It could be only a question of time before Jiand would be bound to -learn how he had been duped. He would then collect his men once more, -summon the other tribes to his assistance, and wipe out our little -force as he might have done, had he only known, at Koh-i-taftan. - -Moreover, news had just reached us of an untoward little incident -which had occurred away to the West of Robat. A small British force -had been operating in the vicinity of Nasaratabad-sippi (not to -be confused with Nasaratabad in Seistan) and this force had been -attacked in overwhelming numbers by the Ismailzais, under Juma Khan. -It had suffered considerable loss, not only in men, but in mules, -rifles, and, most important of all, ammunition. The British officer -commanding had fought ably and had averted disaster, but the losses -had been sufficient to create a rumour that Juma Khan had scored an -exaggerated victory. - -This must undoubtedly be avenged, and the only hope of doing so was -to strike at once, and whilst Jiand's forces were still scattered and -demoralised. - -Landon, the Sarhad-dar, Idu and I immediately took counsel together. -We discussed the reports of the various scouts who had been sent -out in every direction. It appeared that the redoubtable Jiand -had received a great shock, and that his nerves were thoroughly -shattered. He had dearly loved his son, and the loss was a great -grief. He also firmly believed he had lost a great number of his -followers in killed and wounded, and his pride was suffering badly in -the loss of his prestige as a practically unbeaten Chief. - -Then Idu evolved a brilliant scheme by which he believed we should -be able to lure Jiand, in his present broken state, to surrender. -Kamalabad, where we were at present encamped, and which was Jiand's -favourite winter residence, is one of the few spots in the Sarhad -well irrigated and consequently well cultivated. The place is freely -intersected with karezes, from which the fields are systematically -watered. Moreover, the valley is watered on its Western side by -a stream which gushes out of the ground, and, after flowing past -Gazo, winds round the Northern slopes of the Morpeish Hills and the -Sar-i-drokan, to lose itself soon afterwards in the sand. - -Kamalabad is not, strictly speaking, a village, as there are no -houses there. But it becomes densely populated when Jiand's nomad -families camp there in their _jugis_ during the winter months. - -Beyond this fertile valley, which for half the year is teeming with -life, though it is practically deserted during the summer months, the -Morpeish Hills rise abruptly and precipitately out of the plain to a -height of ten thousand feet. - -On the farther side of these hills, and shut in beyond by the -Sar-i-drokan Range, rising to about the same height as the Morpeish -Hills, and running parallel with them for a distance of about -seventy-five miles, is another valley, Jiand's favourite summer haunt. - -It will thus be seen that it was utterly impossible to think of -attempting to drive Jiand out of his refuge. Even supposing that -we succeeded in dislodging him from the Morpeish Hills he would at -once make for the Sar-i-drokan, a range which would be still more -difficult to negotiate, apart from the fact that it would draw us -farther and farther from our base and any hope of supplies. But it -was evident that something must be done, and done quickly. Idu's -proposal was, therefore, the only one offering any hope of success. - -All the crops of wheat and barley in the Kamalabad Valley were then -at their full growth, though still green, and it was upon these -crops, when harvested, that Jiand and the entire Yarmahommedzai tribe -relied for their yearly bread supply. - -Idu's idea was substantially this, that we should send a message to -Jiand, whilst he still believed himself pursued by a vast force, -summon him to surrender forthwith, and tell him that, if he failed -to comply with the instant summons, the whole of his crops would be -destroyed. Anyhow the idea was worth trying. - -Accordingly, trustworthy messengers were sent to him telling him that -if he surrendered himself on behalf of his tribe, before sundown on -the following day, the lives of himself and his followers would -be safe, and his crops would be spared. If, however, he failed to -surrender by the appointed time, six hundred camels, which had -already arrived with the advance guard of the great force operating -against him, would be turned loose in his fields, and, as he well -knew, would make very short work of his crops. - -The hours that passed between the sending out of the messengers, and -the time limit for Jiand's surrender, were very anxious ones. Would -bluff continue to carry us through, or had the bubble been pricked? - -During that day news reached us from stragglers, who came trembling -to join us at Kamalabad, that many of the old people and women of -Jiand's tribe were in great distress. During the headlong flight of -himself and his fighting men the weaklings were left behind, and, in -their terror, they had fled into all sorts of hiding places where -there was neither water nor food. Orders were immediately given -that they were to be reassured and succoured in every way, and that -food and water were to be supplied to them, also _jugis_, wherever -possible, to shelter them. - -The day passed and the time limit was rapidly running out when, -between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, we saw a little group -of men emerge from the Morpeish Hills, carrying a white flag. - -These men approached and announced that they had come as emissaries -from Jiand Khan, who was on his way to surrender. He admitted his -defeat by the overwhelming numbers brought against him, said he knew -it was no use continuing to fight against them, and that his heart -was broken by the loss of his son. For the sake of his people he must -save the crops or they would surely die. Therefore, if the General -Sahib swore on his honour that the lives of himself and his men would -be safe, and that his crops would be spared, he would surrender. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -KHWASH AND MORE BLUFF - - Jiand's surrender--A political lecture--Jiand's oath--Bluff - for Khwash--The army moves forward--Khwash and its - fort--Mahommed-Hassan comes in--Beetles as scavengers--Halil Khan - comes in--Rifle prices, a comparison--Idu's warning--News of - Izzat--Order of march--Bluff for Bampur--The meteor hole. - - -At five o'clock Jiand arrived riding a camel, and followed by a few -attendants. - -I went forward to meet him, and treated him with all the courtesy due -to his position. - -He dismounted and offered his salaams. He was a fine but -pathetic-looking figure--a tall, spare man--but the weight of years, -and the strain of recent events, were beginning to bow his shoulders. -His thick beard was quite grey, but his eyes could still flash with -passion and anger, though, at present, they were dulled with grief -and humiliation. - -I immediately offered him my condolences on the death of his son, -and told him I had heard that he believed that I personally was -responsible for his death. I assured him that this was not so, and -that I greatly regretted that so valiant a father should suffer the -loss of a valiant son. I then invited him to sit down on a small rise -of ground where a few sparse bushes offered some shade from the sun, -and as we had no seats we sat down on the ground round him. - -I pointed out to Jiand his folly in having proved false to the -traditional friendship which had existed between him, his tribes -and the British Raj. I also told him that I knew perfectly well he -had been misled by German lies as to the breaking of British power, -coupled with advice to harry the British lines of communication, and -to help himself to all supplies upon which he could lay his hands -before the German forces advanced into India, for, when they did, -nothing much would be left to take. But, I asked him, how could a man -of his intelligence have ever allowed himself to be gulled in such a -manner? Had he thought, he must have known that British might was far -too firmly established to be overthrown by anything so despicable as -the German race, and he must have known too that, in deserting his -old friends the British, and in fighting against them, he was only -courting disaster. - -I further asked him if he had ever, with his own eyes, seen one -of the German airships which they had been boasting were flying -everywhere, destroying enemy's lands, towns and herds. Jiand admitted -that he had not. - -[Illustration: JIAND'S MEN COMING IN TO PARLEY] - -I asked him how it came about that, if he had really believed -so much in the strength and power of the Germans, not one of them -was to be found in the district to come to his help in his present -difficulties? Either they were cowards and had run away, or they had -lied to him and there had never been any German forces sweeping on -victoriously to wipe out the British Raj. - -Jiand admitted the force of all my arguments, and replied that he, -and all the Sarhadis, had been grossly deceived, but pleaded that he -himself had done his best to restrain his men from interfering with -the British lines of communication, warning them that it was neither -safe nor wise. However, he could not seriously have expected that I -would swallow this excuse, as he was known to be held in such awe by -his followers that not one of them would have dared to dispute his -authority. - -I demanded the return of all government camels and stores and of -my kit, captured between Nushki and Robat, and he assured me that -everything should be sent back in full. - -While we were talking I noticed his eyes kept wandering round, and, -at last, he could restrain his curiosity no longer, and asked me -point blank where the vast mass of troops was which had conquered his -own. - -I replied, "It was not necessary to bring all my men to Kamalabad. I -only came here with my advance guard to make you my prisoner. We have -yet to capture Khwash." - -The rest was left to his imagination. - -His parole was then demanded, which he promptly gave, and solemnly -swore, on the Koran, that neither he nor any of his tribe, would -raise a hand again against the British Raj. - -Neither he nor the handful of men he had brought with him, were -disarmed. We had to continue our game of bluff and had to show that -we were not in the least afraid of him. - -After I had dismissed him, telling him he would accompany me wherever -I went under open arrest, Landon, the Sarhad-dar, Idu and myself took -counsel together as to the best way to obtain the surrender of Khwash -with its fort, the main stronghold of the Yarmahommedzais. - -We decided to send a couple of Landon's scouts direct to -Khwash--about nineteen miles distant--with a message to -Mahommed-Hassan, telling him that Jiand was a prisoner in my hands, -and that he himself admitted a loss of seven hundred men killed in -open fight with my forces, but that the figure was an under-estimate. -Shah Sawar was also a prisoner in my hands. I called on him, -therefore, to surrender the fort of Khwash to me before twelve, noon, -on the following day, or warned him I should blow the whole place to -the skies. Nor should I hold myself responsible for the future action -of my troops. - -Idu's eyes twinkled. "Just suppose, General Sahib, that -Mahommed-Hassan refuses; may I ask how you propose to blow Khwash to -the skies--or anywhere?" - -I replied with becoming dignity that I should of course blow it to -the skies with my artillery. - -Idu roared with laughter. He said he had seen my pop-guns firing and -he was afraid that, unless our bluff could do the trick, I should be -unpleasantly surprised at the strength of the walls of Khwash. - -The next morning our entire force of two mountain guns, two machine -guns, seventeen cavalrymen, nine trained and sixty-five untrained -infantry and a handful of Chagai Levies, moved forward to the -assault of the Raiders' stronghold. By eleven o'clock, and while we -were still about three miles distant, we came into full view of the -fort. Even from that distance I could see that Idu's boast as to its -strength was no idle one, and that if Mahommed-Hassan elected to put -up a fight we could not possibly expect to be able to take it by -assault. - -Our anxieties were now further increased by rumours that Halil Khan, -with all his Gamshadzais, was on the way to reinforce Jiand, of whose -personal surrender he had not yet heard. - -Our objective, Khwash, lay on a plateau about six miles wide, -bordered on either side by two ranges of hills. These hills have -an altitude of some six thousand feet and run parallel to each -other on the North-East and South-West sides of the fort. The fort -itself is somewhere about four thousand five hundred feet above -sea-level. This plateau was at one time well populated, well wooded -and cultivated with some seventy-three karezes running along it, all -tapping the great underground stream which flows from the Southern -slopes of the Koh-i-taftan. - -We were hot and played out after our sixteen-mile march, so halted to -rest, and to speculate as to whether Mahommed-Hassan would surrender -on, or before, the time-limit given him. - -We had not long to wait, however, for hardly had we halted when we -saw a messenger, on foot and carrying a white flag, coming towards us. - -He salaamed as he reached us and said he bore a message from -Mahommed-Hassan, imploring me not to blow Khwash into the skies, -as he had heard all about the defeat of the Yarmahommedzais under -Jiand, and that, under the circumstances, he recognised the folly of -attempting to oppose my advance. Moreover, he was now on his way to -surrender himself and the fort. - -So bluff still held the day! - -And sure enough, a few minutes later, Mahommed-Hassan, a -miserable-looking creature, arrived and tendered his formal surrender. - -[Illustration: KHWASH FORT.] - -As we marched forward in style to enter the fort the Yarmahommedzai -garrison marched out and joined the local population of "Khwashis," -who have lived in and around the fort for many generations. These -latter are peaceful cultivators of the soil, and are allowed to -exist because they are useful servants to Jiand and his fighting men. - -They and their womenfolk are graciously allowed to keep a certain -proportion of the crops they grow, the bulk of which goes to Jiand. -These Khwashis are a much lower type of humanity than the Raiders, -and only ask to be allowed to exist in peace. - -The fort, on closer inspection, proved to be some seventy yards -square, with two gates, one to the South-East and one to the -North-West. The outer walls rise to about thirty feet with towers at -the four corners, three of which are about thirty-five feet high, -while the fourth is probably fully fifty feet. This latter tower was -the one occupied by the garrison. - -Of the seventy-three fine karezes originally existing in and around -the fort we could only find two. But one of these was a particularly -good one whose waters came to the surface and flowed outside the -South-East walls in an extraordinarily clear and limpid stream, in -refreshing contrast to so many of the tepid, brackish streams found -throughout the Sarhad. - -But the one feature of the neighbourhood which struck me most -forcibly was the quantity of beetles to be found everywhere. Never -in my life have I seen so many. They were of the variety commonly -known as dung-beetles. This kind is larger than the ordinary -house beetle, round and flat, jet black, and can fly, which adds -to its unpleasantness. Directly occasion offers it flies from -every direction and is soon rapidly and effectively at work. As a -scavenger, unpleasant as it is, it undoubtedly represents a provision -of nature to keep the place--where sanitation is unknown--clean and -healthy. - -A few trees are scattered round Khwash, and a welcome sight these -were after unending vistas of sandy waste and bare hillside. - -The country in the close vicinity of Khwash was well cultivated, -whilst I noted with satisfaction that some of the hill slopes were -covered with a tall grass. This would prove invaluable as fodder for -the horses. - -That same day another piece of good news reached us, to the effect -that Halil Khan, the great leader of the Gamshadzais, had just heard -of the surrender of Jiand, also the full details of his great defeat, -and loss of seven hundred men. But beyond this the news ran that he -was coming himself to surrender, and to tell me that he had seen the -folly of his past actions. - -Upon receipt of this news Landon and I looked at each other and -then roared with laughter. We began to realise that the Battle of -Koh-i-taftan had indeed been a decisive victory! - -That same evening Halil Khan, and about fifty of his chosen men, -arrived, and, formally salaaming, surrendered themselves. I was -immensely impressed by the appearance of this Raider Chief. He was -not very tall, but was magnificently proportioned and developed, -with an intelligent, handsome head, and a peculiarly alert look. He -certainly looked what he was well known to be, namely, one of the -best fighting leaders in the Sarhad. - -He and all his men were armed with Mauser rifles and an abundance of -ammunition. Halil Khan seemed wedded to his, and when he was informed -that the General Sahib was going to extend to him the same terms as -to Jiand and allow him to keep his rifle, his joy was very apparent. - -These German rifles had either been provided by the Germans, and sent -direct across Persia, or were the outcome of the gun-running in the -Persian Gulf prior to the War. - -The price of a Mauser in the Sarhad, at that time, was about one -thousand one hundred rupees, though I was glad to learn that the -British Lee-Enfield was valued at one thousand two hundred rupees. -The real cost of manufacturing these rifles is, I believe, from six -to ten pounds or sixty to one hundred rupees, so that it will be seen -what sort of a price the Raiders are prepared to pay for their arms. - -Halil Khan was particularly anxious to learn how we had managed -to defeat Jiand, and was of course curious to know where the vast -British forces were. But he gathered no more information than Jiand -had done. - -My own private opinion is that Halil Khan was disgusted with Jiand -for surrendering, and that he himself would have dearly loved a -fight, for--as I was afterwards to learn to my cost--he was not only -a magnificent fighter, but did not know the meaning of fear. - -The only way in which I can account for his own surrender--for only a -day or so previously he had been fully prepared to fight us--is that -he had just become aware of the fact that Jiand was a prisoner in our -hands. He was afraid, therefore, that if he attacked us the proud -old Chief might suffer, and that, on the whole, it would be wiser to -appear submissive--for the moment. - -But Idu warned me at the time, and again and again in the immediate -future, "Jiand and Halil Khan will never rest until they have fought -you again. Unless you can get a much larger force, at the very first -opportunity, and almost certainly when they learn that you have at -present practically no troops, they will turn and attack you. Place -no reliance on their word or their oath, even though it be given on -the Koran." - -That same evening I learnt of a great raid that had recently been -made into Persia by a section of the Yarmahommedzais, under a leader -called Izzat. As an outcome of this raid hundreds of Persian ladies -and children had been dragged from their homes and brought by Izzat -into the Sarhad, there to be bartered as slaves. Their sufferings, -both from the indignity and shame of their present state, and the -hardships they must inevitably have undergone amongst their nomad -captors, after the comparative luxury of their own homes, can well be -imagined. - -The Sarhad-dar, a well-educated and sensitive man, as well as a brave -fighter, was so overcome by the picture drawn of the sufferings of -these wretched women and children that he burst into tears, and -sobbing like a child, pleaded with me to ignore everything else and -to at once set about returning these Persians to their homes. - -Strongly as my own wishes coincided with his, I knew such a course to -be impossible. I had still more important things to do. Moreover, our -own situation might become desperate at any moment. Although Jiand -and Halil Khan, with a handful of their followers, were prisoners in -my hands, their tribes were at large, and at the first suspicion of -the trick that had been played on them would be on us like a swarm -of bees. It must be remembered too, that Juma Khan of the Ismailzais -was still at liberty, in a position to learn that we really had no -troops, and might bring his men against us at any moment. - -It was obvious, therefore, that I had to deal with him before I dared -attempt the rescue of any Persian women, though the thought of them -and their plight, and the determination to endeavour to rescue and -return them to their homes at the first possible moment never left -me. - -The following day I decided to hold a Durbar, so gave orders that all -the Sarhadi Chiefs were to be present, and that they could bring as -many of their followers as they chose. - -The Durbar was held on the banks of the stream, just outside the -fort, and under the shade of one of the trees. We all sat on the -ground, and I opened the Durbar as I thought a commissioner might -do in India, though, truth to tell, I knew very little indeed about -Durbars! - -I explained to the Sarhadi Chiefs, Jiand, Halil Khan, Shah Sawar, -and Mahommed-Hassan, that the Sirkar (literally, ruling power) was -not represented in force by what they saw at Khwash. They might be -interested to know, however, that some four millions of the very -finest troops in the world were then fighting under the British flag -in various theatres of war all over the world, and that, as surely as -night follows day, Germany would be defeated, because right and might -were on our side. - -I explained to them collectively, as I had explained to Jiand -individually, that they had been misled by German lies and propaganda -into believing that Germany was winning, and also that the Germans -had turned Mussulmans. I told them that it was quite the other way -about, for, in point of fact, their own fellow-Mahommedans, the -Turks, had really become Germans, taking their orders from their new -masters, and had taken to drinking wine and to doing other acts -absolutely contrary to the teachings of the Koran. - -I told them that Christians never became Mahommedans, though it was -easy for them to say so to secure their own ends. I also told them -that I would give them a lakh of rupees for every German they could -produce who had really become a follower of the Prophet. I advised -them that on such matters they should look for decision to the Sherif -of Mecca as their spiritual head, and that he was entirely on the -British side. - -They were then recommended no longer to make fools of themselves, for -I had originally come to the Sarhad as their friend, and that, though -they had fought against me, I was willing to let bygones be bygones -and to be friends with them in the future. I also pointed out that -all their interest lay in retaining the friendship of the Sirkar, for -they would surely lose their country for ever if they persisted in -the mad course of opposing us. - -I asked them why their new friends had not helped them to oppose me, -with advice if with nothing else? And, if these friends had really -been sweeping victoriously on to overcome the British Raj, why they -were not there with them? - -Jiand, Halil Khan, Shah Sawar and Mahommed-Hassan all expressed their -keen regret at what had occurred, promised that they would return to -their old allegiance, and that, instead of fighting me any more, they -would help me to restore order in the Sarhad. They also promised to -bring Juma Khan and his Ismailzais to book. - -I then explained my plans for the immediate future. I told them of my -intention to retain Khwash as a pledge for their good behaviour, and -until such time as a benign Indian Government might see fit to return -it to them. But I promised that I would send in a faithful report of -their repentance for their past misdeeds, and of their promise to -assist us in the future, and told them they might rest assured that -the Government would do all that was right and fair. - -The following day we marched out once more with the object of -attacking Juma Khan at Galugan, leaving the head of the Reki clan -(I think his name was Mirza Khan) in command of Khwash, with a few -of his own tribe, and five of my nine infantrymen who could handle -a rifle. Not, it will be considered, a very formidable garrison to -leave in charge, but it was impossible to spare any more men. - -We marched in the following order: Shah Sawar and his men were in -front as advance guards, Halil Khan and the Gamshadzais on the left -flank, and Jiand and his Yarmahommedzais on the right flank. Our -infantry went with the baggage, and the guns and ammunition brought -up the rear. The cavalry and a few infantrymen formed my personal -escort. - -I hoped by this arrangement to keep the various Sarhadi Chiefs well -apart so that they might be unable to compare notes. My own small -force was kept in the rear, and well together. - -I was asked by the Raiders why I was making all these careful -arrangements to protect my camels. - -I replied that in war one had to be prepared to meet any emergency, -and that I was not at all satisfied with what I had heard concerning -the conduct of the Khan of Bampur, for there had been rumours that he -might be foolish enough to try conclusions with me. - -Bampur is situated in Persian Baluchistan, fully six marches away to -the South of Khwash, and is overlooked by the Koh-i-Bazman. Bampur, -it will be remembered, was the old capital of Baluchistan, but to-day -it is only a squalid collection of mud-built huts and deserted -gardens, clustered round a semi-ruined fort standing in an unhealthy, -malarial district. - -It was held at this date by a Baluchi Chief, apparently as cowardly -as he was arrogant. The fear I expressed of his intention was to -lull any possible suspicion of the Sarhadi Chiefs--nominally my -prisoners--as to the formation of my battle array; but there remained -a modicum of truth behind the reason given. - -When we halted that night Landon, the Sarhad-dar, Idu and myself, -as usual, took counsel as to the next day's movements, and finally -decided to send two of Landon's spies to Bampur. Arrived there they -were to tell the Khan that they had run away from us to warn him, -because my mighty army, now on the march, might possibly take Bampur -in its stride. In addition they were to tell him that, whilst it was -true that the General commanding had given out that he was only going -to march along the borders of the Bampur district in order to reach -Galugan, where he intended to crush Juma Khan, they fully believed -this to be only a blind, and that Bampur was to be first destroyed. -Khwash itself had recently been threatened, and had only escaped -destruction by surrender. It was now left in charge of five hundred -of the British General's best troops, with ample supplies for a month. - -It was only later on that I learned the success of this mission. The -two spies arrived on a certain night at about one a.m. and did their -part so well that, by two a.m., the terrified Khan had mounted his -camel, and set forth for Makran. - -Makran is an arid region lying along the shores of the Persian Gulf, -and stretching inland for a distance of about sixty miles. It is -filled with bare, dry mountains, and hills with curiously serrated -edges. From the more fertile parts large quantities of dates are -grown and exported. - -Arrived at the headquarters of the British political officer, Colonel -Dew, the Khan flung himself on his mercy, and implored him (so I have -been told) not to allow General Dyer to attack him, though I have -never seen Colonel Dew since to obtain an authentic account of the -interview. - -But this was another potential enemy cleared from our path, at any -rate for the moment, and this was all that mattered to us. - -On, or about, the 15th of April we continued our march towards -Galugan, and on the second day came in view of the Koh-i-Bazman, an -extinct volcano. This is an imposing mountain of between ten and -eleven thousand feet, covered with snow and rising, a sheer, solitary -peak, out of the plain. - -At one point on the march Idu asked me whether I would like to see a -curious hole in the ground lying only a little way off our line of -route. - -We turned aside for a few hundred yards, and, on a plain as flat as a -billiard-table, with a surface coated with hardened clay--obviously, -at one time, the bed of a lake--we came upon it. The perfectly level, -smooth lips of the hole offered no suggestion that it had been -excavated by human agency. On the contrary, it gave the appearance of -having been punched in the ground by some tremendous force. The hole -was about one hundred and fifty feet long, one hundred and twenty -feet wide, and about fifty feet deep, with absolutely perpendicular -sides. - -Idu asked whether I could suggest any explanation of this formation, -and, after examination, I admitted I had none to offer, asking him in -turn whether any tradition was attached to it. - -He replied that the hole had once been only half its present size, -but twice as deep, and that his grandfather remembered how and when -the hole was made. - -The old man had told him that, one night when he was a youth, -something had exploded in the sky and fallen to the earth, punching -a hole one hundred feet deep in the plain. Owing to weather and -climatic conditions, the sides of this hole had gradually fallen in, -hence its present width and shallowness. - -There can, therefore, be little doubt that an enormous meteorite -fell here, and that it lies buried at the bottom of this hole. Its -locality is about seven hundred yards from a hill called Gwarko, and -could easily be found by anyone interested in such phenomena. - -This is not the only natural feature which would repay a visit from -those interested in natural science, for, though I am no geologist -or scientist myself, I was greatly interested in the numerous gorges -in the vicinity of Kacha, a post in the hills near Robat, where, at -certain seasons of the year, violent spates occur, and the rushing -water has so burnished the sides of the rocks that they glisten -in the sun like polished, variegated marble. The sections so made -show a close mass of fossils, which, apparently, were once oysters, -centipedes, crabs, etc. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -A FULL BAG OF PRISONERS - - The march to Kacha--The food supply--Flowers in the - Wilderness--Galugan--Repeated strategy--Juma Khan comes - in--The bag is full--The throne of the dancing-maidens--Landon - declines--Idu's doubts--Suspicions aroused--Halil Khan closes - up--Kacha, oaths, and thumb-marks--The Chiefs depart--Bad news. - - -The march from Khwash to Kacha was over constantly ascending ground, -and the higher the altitude reached the more abundant did the -vegetation become. - -On the third day I noticed that a great many of the Raiders were -carrying bunches of green stuff under their arms, plucked along the -line of march, and I asked Idu what they were going to do with it. - -He replied that they would eat it raw, and supplemented this -information with the further news that, beyond a few dried dates, -the surrendered Raiders had brought hardly any rations with them. -Consequently, and very shortly, I should be called upon to feed them. -This was an alarming prospect. We had left a generous supply of food -behind for the garrison of Khwash, thus reducing our own rations to -a bare sufficiency for the considerable distance to be covered. - -I instructed Idu to ward off the evil day as long as possible, but -told him that, in the last extremity, our food supplies would, of -course, be fairly and evenly shared with the Sarhadis. - -At this stage in the march we reached a height of some seven thousand -feet, and I was struck with the beauty of the scene. Around us -the slopes were covered with a profusion of flowers of every hue, -forming, so it seemed, a vast, variegated carpet. Although I know -nothing whatever of flowers from a botanical point of view the -beauty of many of them struck me so much that, later in the year, I -collected some of the seeds and preserved them carefully with the -idea of home cultivation. These seeds remained with me in all my -wanderings, but, unfortunately, on my journey home the pocket-book -containing them was lost. - -One plant in particular, the asefœtida (locally known as hing), is -very striking, and most effective in the distance. The lower leaves -are very big, and the plant throws up a tall, yellow shoot, two or -three feet high, topped by a cluster of the most brilliant flowers of -the same colour. This plant is much valued by the Baluchis, and I am -told that large quantities are exported from this district to India. - -[Illustration: SURRENDERED RAIDERS: HALIL (left), JIAND (centre), -SHAH SAWAR (right).] - -We were lucky in finding cool camping places on the third and fourth -nights of the march. On the fifth we commenced our last march on -the plain to Galugan, the territory belonging to the Ismailzais under -their leader, Juma Khan. - -Galugan is like Kamalabad, a district only populated during certain -seasons of the year, when the Ismailzais make a regular encampment -there, live in jugis, and settle down for a time to the cultivation -of their crops. The place is well watered, with a very fertile soil -capable of bearing magnificent crops of wheat and barley. - -As we approached the camping ground of Galugan our scouts came back -to inform us that Juma Khan had deserted Galugan, and had gone, -with all his tribe, into the high hills surrounding the place. He -had heard of the defeat of Jiand at Koh-i-taftan, of his subsequent -surrender, and of the capture of Khwash. He had also seen our forces -approaching, and had no hope of success if he had remained to offer -battle. - -As a matter of fact we really did present quite an imposing -appearance by this time. Our numbers had been augmented by small -groups of Jiand's and Halil Khan's men who had joined us at intervals -all along the route. - -We accordingly marched, without any opposition, into Galugan, and -found it, as reported, absolutely deserted, with the exception of -one old woman who had utterly refused to desert her crops, and was -eventually discovered hiding in a field. - -As the threat of destruction to his crops had been so successful -with Jiand we determined to try the same threat on Juma Khan. -Accordingly, messengers were sent summoning him to surrender at once, -with all his force, under a similar penalty. I told the messengers -to impress upon him the fact that he and his tribe were now quite -isolated, that the Gamshadzais and Yarmahommedzais had surrendered, -but that they, and their leaders, had been well and generously -treated, their lives and crops spared, and that the same generous -treatment would be accorded to him if he delivered himself up without -delay. - -Very shortly he sent back a message to say that he realised he -was in a hopeless position, and was quite prepared to surrender -unconditionally. He also offered to restore all the plunder he had -taken in the direction of Nasaratabad-sippi. But he asked for a -definite guarantee that his life would be spared. - -I sent back word that he need have no fear on that score. My mission -was to make him see the error of his ways and to re-establish good -relations between his tribe and the British; also, that he would be -treated exactly as I had treated Jiand and Halil Khan. - -That same evening he came into camp, with some thirty of his -followers as a body-guard, and formally surrendered. - -He was a somewhat different type from both Jiand and Halil Khan. -Juma Khan was of medium height, and slightly built. He had a very -pleasing, well-cut, high-bred face, always full of smiles and -laughter, as though life were one huge joke. - -Idu, who, as I have already said, knew all about the Sarhadi Chiefs -and their characteristic points, said to me after I had interviewed -Juma Khan, "If Juma Khan gives you his oath on the Koran he will keep -it. He is well known throughout the Sarhad as a man who abides by his -word. Any promise, therefore, that he makes to you he will faithfully -keep." - -I was especially glad that Juma Khan had come into line, and -for a very good reason. The easiest route for German emissaries -into Afghanistan lay through his territory. On all routes across -Persia water-supply is one of the most vital considerations, the -consequence being that many an otherwise convenient road had had to -be abandoned owing to lack of water. Now the stream which runs from -Galugan, piercing the hills and running into the Persian district of -Narmashir, offers an excellent supply, so making this route an easy -one for German agents--if not opposed by Juma Khan. But with Juma -Khan on our side it would be practically impossible for such to get -through the Sarhad. It was, therefore, my policy to treat him with -special consideration. To be plain, I wished him, though an unwilling -captive, to be a real convert to our interests. - -All the Sarhadi Chiefs were now prisoners, but the problem arose -as to the best and safest method of transporting them, and all -their followers, back to Kacha, fully eighty miles distant. Our own -food supplies were already running very short, yet I was obliged -to promise the Raiders a fair and equal share of these. We were, -therefore, immediately obliged to go on half rations. - -To add to our troubles the weather was beginning to get very hot on -these plains, and I well knew that, at any rate on some days--owing -to water difficulties--it would be necessary to make long marches. - -The first march out of Galugan proved to be heavy uphill work, our -route lying up a steady, steep incline. But at night we found a -suitable camping ground by the side of a stream. Here again the -ground was covered by a mass of beautiful flowers. The following day -we descended to the Duzd-ab plain, and had only crossed some five -miles of it when a hill of such extraordinary appearance came into -view that Landon and I simultaneously exclaimed. This looked for all -the world like a huge mushroom with flattened dome and very thick -stem--obviously a hill whose upper part was of a harder formation -than the lower, thus resisting with better success the attacks of -time and weather. - -Idu cantered up on his pony and pointed to the hill with pride. -"That, Sahib," he said, "is called the Takht-i-Jinikan" (throne of -the dancing maidens). - -"Why was it given that name?" I asked. "Do maidens live there alone?" - -Idu grinned. "Listen, Sahib, and I will tell you the story of the -Takht-i-Jinikan. On beautiful moonlight nights immortal maidens are -supposed to dance on the flat top of this hill. If a young man is -really very good he may climb to the top of the hill alone, while -they are dancing, in the hope of obtaining a bride. But he must be -very good to be sufficiently worthy to win the love of one of these -immortal maidens. If he succeeds she becomes mortal, and they are -married." - -I asked Idu if he had met anyone who had obtained an immortal bride. - -Idu smiled. "I fear there is no young man in the Sarhad good enough -to be worthy of the honour!" - -I persuaded Landon, who was unmarried, to climb the hill with me--but -not by moonlight! On our return Idu asked Major Landon if he had seen -the Jinikan. - -Landon replied regretfully that he had not, but was sure -it was because he had not been able to ascend the hill by -moonlight--certainly not because he was not good enough. He, however, -had seen some very large footprints, which he sincerely trusted, -for the sake of the beauty of the legend, did not belong to these -immortal damsels! - -But what pleased me more than the romantic hill was the discovery -of a stream only a short distance away. This afforded not only an -unexpectedly good supply of water, but, from a quantity of dry -bushes along its banks, an abundance of fire wood for cooking. - -On each day of the march we held counsel with the Sarhadis and soon -became on friendly terms with them. We found them a very interesting -crowd, full of adventure and the joy of life. They informed me that, -as they had now thrown in their lot with me, they were quite ready -to take part in any raid with me, if only I would organise one. Nor -did the objective matter. Persia, Afghanistan, or, in fact, anywhere -where there might be excitement and adventurous doings. So friendly, -indeed, were we all that I began to think my work, and the whole -object for which I had been sent to the Sarhad, accomplished. - -But Idu was never optimistic on the subject. He invariably shook his -head, and warned me, in and out of season, against Halil Khan and -Jiand. He, at last, so infected me with his own anxiety, that I began -to wonder whether the two Chiefs might not take it into their heads -to wipe out our little force one night. They could have done this -with the utmost ease. This change of mind induced me at last to make -my camp dispositions with redoubled care. The Raiders were given to -understand that they must take part in organising the camp against -some unknown foe who might make them, as well as myself, an object of -attack. - -My suspicions were further aroused by the minute way in which -they questioned me as to the individuality of that foe, and the -direction from which it would be possible for him to come. I told -them that habit in soldiers becomes second nature; that it was a -soldier's habit to take the utmost precaution in self-defence, and -that neglected precaution might always bring possible disaster. -But I could see that they accepted the explanation with doubt, and -obviously disbelieved in my mythical foe. - -The third day's march across the Duzd-ab valley was a very trying -one. We had to make a double march, for our food supplies were -almost exhausted, and it was obviously imperative to reach Kacha as -soon as possible. It must be remembered, too, that we had been on -half rations since leaving Galugan, and already there had been much -grousing amongst the whole force. - -That night we encamped at the base of a hill which Jiand proudly -announced as "Koh-i-Jiandsiah," or the "Hill of Black Jiand." I asked -him who Black Jiand might be, and he replied that his father's name -was Jiand, though he was not black, and that the hill had been named -after him. The old fellow was obviously proud of the honour which had -been conferred on his father. - -Here Landon and I spent an anxious night, for both Idu and the -Sarhad-dar were very nervous and depressed. The latter said that a -rumour had got about amongst the Sarhadis that all my promises and -protestations to them were false, and that I was really leading -them into a trap at Kacha, where they were all to be killed. -Consequently, the idea had been discussed as to whether it might not -be safer, and wiser, to attack our small force, overwhelm us during -the night, and escape before daybreak. - -As may be imagined, the prospect was scarcely a pleasant one, but we -could take no stricter precautions than had already been done, and -our sole remaining action now was to show an absolutely untroubled -and confident front to men who, though nominally our prisoners, held -us in the hollow of their hands. In other words to "trust to luck." - -Fortunately for us the Raiders, who still could not make head or tail -of the real situation, determined on a pacific course, and the night -passed without incident. So luck stood with us, and on the following -morning we were early astir for the last march south of Kacha. - -It was evident that the situation had now become one of the "touch -and go" order, so I determined to emphasise my supposed confidence in -the Raiders, by this means restoring theirs, and convincing them that -there was no trap. I, therefore, gave orders that none of them were -to march in advance, but in the rear, as I wished to have a clear -view of my covering troops. - -As we drew in towards Kacha I noticed that Halil Khan and his band -gathered as close in behind me as possible, and I learned afterwards -that he had said, "If we are to be led into a trap I will see to it -that the General Sahib does not escape me." - -[Illustration: CAMEL CORPS SAWARS AT THE TERMINATION OF OPERATIONS.] - -I had already given orders that, the instant we entered Kacha, the -advance guard of infantry, also the cavalry and guns, were to march -straight off to their respective barracks. This order I learned -afterwards greatly relieved the anxiety of the Sarhadis, who had -actually talked themselves into an honest belief of the existence -of a trap. They themselves encamped in the vicinity of the British -Political Officer's house. He himself was absent at that date. -Ample food supplies were dealt out to them. Now that our lines of -communication were clear of the Raiders food was coming through again -from India. - -For the moment all need for anxiety seemed at an end. - -On the 1st of May I summoned a Durbar, to be held, on the following -day, close to the Political Officer's house. Idu was not present, for -he had asked for leave to go to Robat on important personal business. -I suspected this important business was a visit to one of his -numerous wives, though the rascal always disclaimed the suggestion -that his absences ever had anything to do with a woman. - -The Durbar was an impressive affair. Several bags of money were -brought from the Government Treasury by the Sarhad-dar and placed at -my feet. These were to be given to the Chiefs as rewards for future -good conduct. After delivering an address--more or less a repetition -of what I had said at Khwash as to the folly of deserting the British -for the Germans--I called on the Chiefs to sign an agreement whereby -they handed their country over to the Sirkar, and promised in future -to be loyal to the Indian Government. Further than this, and under -this agreement, they were to give timely warning of the approach of -German agents from any direction. - -As most of the Raiders could not write, their thumb-marks were duly -impressed on an imposing looking document produced by the Sarhad-dar, -and the Chiefs swore on the Koran to abide by the agreement. They -were then handed the money rewards promised them, Jiand receiving the -largest amount--two thousand rupees. - -I then announced to them that they were all free to return to their -homes, and that if ever any of them needed a friend, or would like me -to adjudicate between them on any local quarrel, they were at liberty -to call upon me for the purpose. - -They professed themselves as very grateful for all that had been -given them; admitted they had been treated generously, and promised, -on oath, that there should be no more trouble in the Sarhad, nor -should any German or German agent be permitted to pass through their -territories. - -Thus, when they left for their homes, on the morning of May 3rd, all -parties were, apparently, on excellent terms. - -I wrote a despatch to headquarters at Simla, giving a short account -of the expedition and its results, at the same time bringing forward -the names of various officers, and other ranks, for good work done. I -also mentioned the fact that I did not know what to do in regard to -the traffic in slaves. - -That evening Idu returned. He came straight to my room and told me I -had acted unwisely in disregarding his repeated warnings as to the -unreliability of Jiand and Halil Khan. He further added that some of -his own chosen men, who had been scouting around and picking up all -possible information, had met him, on his return to Kacha, and had -given him the following authentic and disquieting news. It was to the -effect that, hardly had Jiand got out of Kacha, that morning, with -promises of devotion and loyalty still hot upon his lips, than he -had halted and called a meeting of the Raider Chiefs, urging them to -repudiate their oaths, to collect all their fighting men as quickly -as possible, attack and take Khwash, and then to turn their attention -to my force, which he now openly said he knew to be a contemptibly -small one. - -This was bad news indeed. We naturally knew that Khwash could be -captured in a few minutes. There were only five men there. We were -also quite conscious of the fact that we could be wiped out in less -than the same time if attacked in any force. - -But the bad was leavened by the good, for the same report told us -that Juma Khan had resolutely and absolutely refused to fall in with -Jiand's plans. He was also reported to have said that the General -Sahib had kept every promise made to them, had spared their lives -and crops when he could have destroyed them, had treated them, from -the commencement of hostilities, as honourable foes, and later as -friends, and had finally given them considerable sums of money. He -had never broken his word, and he did not intend to begin doing so -now. Therefore, he was to be counted out of any plans of treachery -which Jiand might be meditating. Upon which expression of opinion he -had ridden off to his own country with his following. - -But, even with Juma Khan eliminated, the situation was serious -enough, for I saw no chance of obtaining reinforcements from any -quarter in time to prevent a disaster. However, it was no use crying -over spilt milk. Things must be faced as they were. - -After all, as I pointed out to Idu, Jiand could not do the -impossible. He and Halil Khan could not collect their scattered men -in a moment. The one thing left for us to do was to set off on the -morrow, march back to Khwash, endeavour to reach it before Jiand, and -organise our defence against his coming. - -I have often since been blamed for an apparent foolhardiness in -trusting the Raiders sufficiently to let them go. But it must be -remembered that I had not come out to fight the Raiders--unless -events made it absolutely necessary to do so--but, rather, to make -friends with them and to keep the Germans, or their agents, from -coming through their country. Moreover, the force at my disposal was -very small indeed, and quite insufficient to keep these Raiders in -check when once the bluff was called. In other words, I should soon -lose the game if I persisted in treating them as enemies. - -It must be understood, too, that the Sarhad was only the Southern -portion of my command, and that rumours were constantly coming in -that Germans, who had failed to get through into Afghanistan via the -South, were not only moving North towards Birjand, but were trying to -cross the border in that direction. - -I knew, also, that it would soon be necessary to move North in order -to induce the Russians to keep a more careful guard than they had -been doing in the district North of Birjand, a district within their -sphere of influence in Persia. - -Nor must it be supposed that I had not quite realised, before I let -the Raiders go, that I had not obtained all the safeguards I could -have wished. But I did not then, nor do I now, see that I had any -other alternative. - -In any case I had gained one very definite advantage. I had won over -Juma Khan to our side; and it was through his territory that the -Germans would first have to pass in order to get through the Sarhad. - -But, though Juma Khan had already given a practical example of his -determination to be loyal to his oath, I recognised that he would -be bolstered up in his loyalty if he felt there was apparent some -show of strength on our side. The loss of Khwash to Jiand would, -therefore, be a terrible confession of weakness. - -Landon and the Sarhad-dar fully concurred with me that the one and -only wise plan to follow would be to march at daybreak with all -the forces we could command, and endeavour, by a series of forced -marches, to reach and enter Khwash before Jiand could take it. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -THE RACE FOR KHWASH - - Plans and routes--Car versus legs--An equestrian interlude--The - trap in the gorge--More digging--Rendezvous--Mrs Idu and - gastronomy--A reinforcement--A message to Landon--Izzat's - men--Idu's romance--A "British Bulldog"--The car abandoned. - - -Time was obviously the chief factor to be reckoned with for any hope -of ultimate success; I wondered, therefore, whether the car might not -be utilised in this dash back to Khwash. - -Considering the nature of the ground over which we had marched, it -seemed rather a mad idea, but Idu pounced on it. - -"The very thing, Sahib," he said excitedly. "You remember how -astonished even I was when I first saw it? How much more will it -impress Jiand's ignorant men! They will think it a new sort of devil, -and it will be more useful than a dozen guns!" - -"I believe Idu is right," Landon said. "Why don't you go in the car, -whilst I take charge of the army?" - -After further details had been discussed, we decided to adopt this -plan. The car was still at Robat, about twenty-four miles distant, -with Allan in charge. I, therefore, sent a telegram, and also a -duplicate message by a sawar on a mari camel, telling Allan to -provision the car, bring all the spare tubes and tyres he possessed, -and start early the following morning on the track to Saindak, where, -at a spot to which the sawar would guide him, about nine miles out of -Kacha, Idu and I would meet him on horseback. - -Landon, who would be able to use a far more direct route to Khwash -than the car could take, was to start with the army--the same old -army of seventeen cavalrymen, four trained infantrymen (it will be -remembered five had been left in Khwash), sixty-five untrained men, -with two mountain guns, two machine-guns, and six hundred camels. He -was to endeavour to reach the Raiders' stronghold in seven marches. - -Six hundred camels for so small a force would seem out of all -proportion. But it must be remembered that transport for provisions, -and everything else we should need for at least a full month, was -required; that we could not depend on keeping open any sort of lines -of communication; and that whenever a Durbar or meeting was held, -all those attending it expected to be fed, and well fed. Our very -existence depended on an ample supply of food. Further, the presence -of so many camels helped to uphold the game of bluff it was still -necessary to play, and a distant view of these six hundred camels -gave an appearance of numbers out of all proportion to our real -fighting strength. - -Landon's route would take him by a comparatively short cut, though, -even by this--over the western slopes of the Koh-i-taftan--he could -not hope to accomplish the march in less than seven days. - -Very early in the morning Idu and I rode off on a couple of small -ponies provided by the former, and he assured me that it was only -a very special breed of pony that could hope to cope with the -difficulties of the nine hilly miles lying between us and the -meeting-place arranged with Allan and the car. - -Idu was fully justified in his criticism of the track we had to -follow, for it grew steeper and narrower as we proceeded, until, at -last, we were negotiating a mere cleft in the hill, with our elbows -almost touching the rocky sides. - -Suddenly, my pony, who had probably been deciding that he had had -enough of it, stopped dead, quivered all over and--sat down! Idu, who -was immediately in front, turned round to see what had happened, and -his pony promptly rolled backwards on the top of us. - -I got clear as well as I could for laughing, helped Idu--who was very -badly shaken--to extricate himself from the ponies, and then, between -us, got the ponies out of the crevasse into which they had managed to -jam themselves. This took some time, and when we got them up we found -the poor beasts so frightened that we had to walk them the greater -part of the way. - -At eleven o'clock, perspiring from every pore, we reached the -_rendezvous_ arranged, and to our great relief found Allan -waiting, stolid, imperturbable, reliable as ever, with the car in -spick-and-span order. Poor Allan little knew what he was in for. He -had, of course, seen nothing of our recent little campaign, as he had -remained at Robat during the past few weeks. He was, therefore, quite -delighted at the prospect of a little activity. - -We gave our ponies to the camel sawars who had acted as guides to -Allan, with instructions to take them back to Kacha, so Idu and I -took our places, thankful to be in the car once more, and set off on -our journey South. - -We soon passed through Saindak, and, as the going was not quite as -bad on that first day as we had expected, we got farther than we had -hoped, reaching a halting place called Jujak, where there was an old -ruined sarai (rest-house) and a good spring. Here we slept out in the -open, and set off early on the following morning. Idu was greatly -impressed with the powers of the car, and began to think it could go -anywhere, scale any height, and slip through any opening, however -narrow. This was flattering to the Overland, but it led us into -future difficulties from which only great good luck extricated us. - -We had intended going via Mirjawa, but Idu pointed out that there -was a much shorter way through the hills, which, he was quite -certain, the car could manage. But we were to prove once more that -the longest way round may often be the shortest way home! - -The car entered the hills by a gorge which rose steeply to their -summits, and, though we had to get out occasionally and push, it -really was astonishing how well she took the inclines. But it was -when we descended that our troubles began, for, in doing so, we -entered another gorge which grew narrower and narrower, till, at -last, Allan stopped the car dead, declaring that we could go no -farther. And a glance at our route did seem to show that we had -manœuvred ourselves into a hopeless impasse. - -Ahead the gorge was too narrow to allow of going on. Behind it was -so steep that the car could not back out. On the right we were -completely shut in by the high steep sides of the gorge, on the left -it looked as impassable; whilst it was quite impossible to turn! - -There remained nothing for it but to dig a way out, so we set to -work, and, after working till we were wet through, managed somehow to -get the car through the wall of earth shutting us in on the left, and -out on to the open hill-side. - -Idu openly expressed his disgust and disappointment with the car. He -had given her credit for being capable of doing anything and going -anywhere, and this failure to pass through "the eye of a needle" -diminished his respect for her. - -There was still no direct way down the hill, and we had perforce to -go many miles out of our course, in a long hair-pin loop, to reach -anything like decent going. No one who has not attempted to take a -car over trackless hills of rough, broken surface, and filled with -blind gorges, can have any idea of the difficulties that confronted -us here, and during the greater part of our journey to Khwash. - -By dint of ceaseless pulling and pushing, and digging the car out -again and again, we managed to reach the _rendezvous_ with Landon -before nightfall. He marched in a few minutes after we arrived, -and was as frankly pleased as astonished to see us. He had just -come through another section of those hills himself. He had not, -therefore, expected the car would get through, and was wondering how -on earth I should ever rejoin him and the army. So we all camped out -in the open, grateful for the coolness of the evening, for the heat -of the day had been terrific. - -Before sunrise on the following morning Landon marched out, and, as -soon as we had lost sight of him, Idu, Allan, and myself set off in -the car. - -I do not propose to give a detailed account of the remainder of our -journey. One day was very like another, and the bad surface only -differed in quality and degree. The heat was very great by day, and -the glare over the sandy wastes and hills almost blinding. Here and -there, especially in the Galugan valley, we came across groups of -human beings, mostly of a low type of humanity, who bolted in terror -at sight of the car. - -One evening we halted at a settlement of Rekis, Idu's own tribe, and -received a very warm welcome, for one of Idu's wives was amongst -his people. The rascal always maintained that he had no interest in -women, but, nevertheless, seemed to me to be a very good understudy -to the proverbial sailor, for he appeared to have a wife in every -village and encampment. - -This particular Mrs Idu was delighted at the unexpected reunion with -her husband, and did the honours of the camp right royally. Following -accepted custom, I, first of all, bought a few sheep from the -Jugi-dwellers, and then presented these to them so that they could -prepare a feast. Mrs Idu, a very unprepossessing-looking, but highly -amiable lady, acted as hostess, and we all squatted round the camp -fires while the meat was roasting. - -Allan's face was a picture as he watched the tribesmen cook and eat -their meat. They hacked chunks of flesh from the dead carcasses of -the sheep with the knives they always carried, spitted them on the -cleaning rods of their rifles, and roasted them over the fire. These -they ate voraciously, as though very hungry, and, as a matter of -fact, food in that district is both scarce and monotonous. In any -case they devoured the meat whilst it was still nearly raw. Even Idu -ate his meat half-cooked, maintaining that it was far more tender in -such a state. - -Of course, the car was a source of intense interest and excitement. -At first the tribesmen were too afraid of it to go anywhere near it, -but when they saw it stand quite still at Allan's orders, and that it -had no bite, curiosity overcame fear, and, one by one, they crept up -and nervously touched it. At this stage Allan sounded the Claxton, -and, with shrieks of terror, they all bolted. But Idu, who had come -over the mountains in it, and, therefore, had lost all fear of the -monster, felt a devil of a fellow, and, with a flourish, assured -them it was not the roar inside which made it go, and that it would -do no one any harm. So they came back to it once more, and, after -some persuasion, were induced to sound the Claxton themselves. Once -familiar with it, they laughed like children each time it barked, and -I began to wish I had taken the thing off before we started. - -After supper Idu prepared my blankets under the shelter of a small -bush, but, before turning in, I sat down on the ground for a final -smoke, placing the hurricane lamp from the car on the hard smooth -earth in front of me. - -The light naturally attracted myriads of insects of all sorts, many -of which I had never seen before, and which are, I feel sure, unknown -in India. Beetles of many sorts swarmed around, both in the air and -on the ground, whilst a scorpion, the biggest I have ever seen, -darted out from the darkness to inspect the light. He was a brown -fellow, not an iridescent blue, like the Burmese variety, though he -was quite as big. With his tail curled right over his back, and sting -ready to strike, he looked a formidable person, and it was comic to -watch the haste with which all the lesser fry scuttled out of his -way, and, though he made many attempts to secure his supper, I did -not see him succeed, so swift were his intended victims in escaping -from their dreaded enemy. - -We were, as usual, up in the morning before daybreak, and en route -before the rest of the camp was astir. The going that morning proved -fairly good, the chief obstacle being huge clumps of a coarse, rank -grass, which we had to circumvent. - -We had proceeded some distance when Idu, whose eyes seemed able not -only to see in the dark, but through hills and fields of crops, -suddenly exclaimed, "I can see men in front of us. We had better halt -while I go forward and find out whether they are friends or enemies." - -We stopped the car, for we were now on the borders of Jiand's -territory, and these men might be his followers treating us to an -ambush. Idu leapt out, and, advancing under cover with the eel-like -movements all these Raiders possess, reconnoitred the position. -Obviously all was well, for, shortly afterwards, he sauntered back -in the open and told me that it was quite all right. The men he had -seen were Rekis, and they were now coming to speak to me. - -Soon afterwards fifteen well-armed, powerful-looking men on camels -ambled up to us, and I was grateful indeed to know they were -friendlies and not Jiand's men. - -They, however, kept at a respectful distance from the car, which was -still retaining its moral effect, and implored me, as the friend and -protector of Idu and of themselves, to go back. - -"Jiand is advancing on Khwash, Sahib, with a big lashkar," they -said. "He is probably already there, and he will kill you and your -followers unless you run away on the devil which has brought you -here." - -I expressed a hope that their information was wrong, and that, as it -was not certain that Jiand was already in Khwash, I still hoped to -get there first. I pointed out to them that if we could only get into -Khwash we could, with their help, hold it or even bluff Jiand into -surrendering without a fight. After a little further persuasion by -Idu--who told them what wonders the car could do, and what rewards -they would gain--and after considerable talk among themselves they -decided to throw in their lot with us. - -"We shall want all the help they can give us with the car", Idu -whispered to me, "for the ground we have to pass through between here -and Khwash is far worse than anything we have crossed yet." - -I could imagine nothing worse than the first two days amongst the -hills. But Idu knew what he was talking about, as we were to discover -during the next twenty-four hours. - -At this point I sent one of these men back to try and find Landon -and the army. As Idu had sketched out the best route for them to -follow he was able to tell him the exact direction in which to go. -In the interval I wrote a message to Landon urging him to use his -best speed, for it had now developed into a race between Jiand and -ourselves, and telling him that I hoped to reach Khwash myself before -the following evening. - -I of course knew that nearly everything hung upon getting to Khwash -first. If Jiand got in with his men, he could hold it as long as -he chose against us, and vice versa. It was clear, too, that the -holder of Khwash was master of the Sarhad. Moreover, I felt a grave -responsibility for the lives of the five Sepoys I had left there, for -they would meet with short shrift at Jiand's hands. - -The message dispatched, we set off once more, with our new cavalcade -in attendance, and had gone some twenty or twenty-five miles when -Idu again asked for a halt as he believed he saw men camped in a -little nullah straight ahead of us. Were he correct they would be -Yarmahommedzais, and so our enemies, for we were now right in the -heart of Jiand's territory. - -Allan was, therefore, directed to drive the car into the mouth -of a nullah close at hand, where the car, and the Rekis with -their camels, could be concealed, and where we could fill up our -water-bottles and the radiator, from a small stream that trickled -through it. The banks of the nullah had been hollowed out by the -action of the water, so affording a certain amount of shade, for -which we were very grateful after the burning heart of the open sandy -plain. - -After rest and a drink Idu went out to reconnoitre, and presently -returned with a glum face. - -"They are Izzat's men," he said. (Izzat, it will be remembered, -had been the ringleader in the recent raid into Persia, which had -resulted in the capture of so many women and children). "Izzat is a -great fighter, and we are in for a scrap." - -"How many men has he with him?" I asked. - -"About eighteen," Idu replied. - -"Only eighteen?" I felt relieved. "Why, then we are about equal in -numbers, to say nothing of the car. If they want a fight they shall -have it." - -Idu looked dubious. "In any case it would mean the loss of many of my -tribe, and we shall want them all if we are to hold Khwash. Will the -General Sahib permit me to go and see if I can persuade Izzat not to -fight?" - -Knowing Idu's persuasive qualities I gave a ready consent, but warned -him to take no personal risks. With his great knowledge of the -country, and of all the Sarhadis with their different peculiarities, -he was absolutely indispensable to me, and I have no hesitation in -making the admission. Furthermore, I had conceived a very genuine -affection for the man, whose utter devotion and loyalty never swerved -from the moment he joined me. - -"Have no fear, Sahib," he said with a grin. "You know the law of our -tribes. It is the one law we never break." - -Idu then went forward, and, from safe cover, shouted out to Izzat, -explaining who he was, and asking for a safe conduct. This was -instantly given. - -I have said before in this narrative, and I proved again and again, -that whilst the Raiders would break every other law and oath, even -when given on the Koran, the one law they never break is that of -hospitality. If they promise safe conduct it is absolutely observed -in letter and spirit. - -Accordingly, Idu went forward boldly, quite certain, according to the -code of his enemies, that his life was safe until he returned to his -friends. - -His conversation with Izzat proved a lengthy one. Izzat was hard to -convince. But, at last, and as usual, Idu's wily tongue won the day. -When he returned it was to tell me that he had persuaded Izzat and -his men to come along with us, if not as friends at any rate not as -enemies. - -He gave me a _résumé_ of the arguments he had used. These were -original, even for Idu, with whose methods I was beginning to be -familiar. The conversation must have been something as follows: - -"What are you doing here, Izzat? Your home is a long way from here." - -"I have come to fight the British General, and I am in command of a -reconnoitring party to report to Jiand, who is advancing on Khwash." - -"Do I understand you?" said Idu. "Do you seriously mean that you have -come with the intention of fighting the General Sahib?" - -"I do," replied Izzat. - -"Then," said Idu scornfully, "all I can tell you is that you will -be wiped out in a couple of seconds. If you fight, you will prove -yourself a liar. The General Sahib captured you and could have killed -you and all your men. Instead he treated you well, gave you back your -rifles, large sums of money, and let you go free. Moreover, you swore -on the Koran at Kacha that you would never fight against him again, -and put your thumb-mark on the agreement. You are a fine kind of -Mahommedan to break your oath given on the Koran. Besides, you fool, -don't you know that the General Sahib has brought a wonderful devil -with him? Come over here and look." - -He led Izzat to a spot whence he could see the car. - -"Do you see," he went on, "that queer thing there? And do you see -that the front part of it is filled with hundreds of little holes? -The General Sahib has only to press a button and a hail of bullets -will come out of those holes, and you, and all your men, will be -killed. He is only waiting till I go back. I have come out to try and -save your lives. If I tell him that you are going to fight he will -press the button, and there will not be one of you left. Your only -hope is to go and fall at his feet and ask him to forgive you." - -Izzat was deeply impressed, and, after consultation with his men, -told Idu that he would accept his advice. If, therefore, he would go -back and beg the Sahib not to destroy them with his motor-car they -would follow a few minutes later and surrender! - -Allan roared with laughter at Idu's explanation of the radiator, but -after a few moments grew serious. - -"Do you think it's safe to let them come, sir? They seem a pretty -brutal lot; and when they find out that Idu has been spoofing them -they may attack us, and cut our throats before we can do them much -damage?" - -"I know, but we'll hang on to Idu's bluff about the radiator as long -as we can. Besides, we are nearly man to man. Remember, the one thing -to do is to show no sign of fear or doubt of them. That impresses -them more than anything." - -So Allan and I remained seated in the shade of the overhanging bank, -whilst Izzat and his men came and sat in a circle in front of us. I -then proceeded to tell Izzat, in very plain language, what I thought -of him. - -His mind was still visibly working under the impression Idu had -produced, for he appeared quite cowed in his apologies for his -conduct. - -After a long dressing-down I thought it advisable to make a show of -magnanimity, so promised to forgive him on condition that he and -his men came along with me, and helped me when I needed assistance -with the car. I explained that, though it was a devil, yet the sand -sometimes obstructed it and then it needed human help. - -Izzat promised anything and everything I asked, even volunteering to -fight for me if I wanted him. - -This latter promise, however, I utterly discounted. It was not in the -least likely that he would fight against his own tribe, and I knew -that we should have to be perpetually on the look-out for treachery, -especially until Landon and his little force arrived. - -But I had got out of Izzat, whilst still uncertain of his fate, the -information that Jiand's preparations for the taking of Khwash had -been quicker than I had expected; also that he was already on the -march in full force, and would surely reach Khwash the following day. - -This meant that we had not a moment to lose. I had hoped that by -arriving on the following evening I should be in time. But now we -must make a dash for it, and, by hook or by crook, arrive by the -morning. - -Evening was already approaching, but instead of camping for the night -as I had intended, and getting by daylight through the hills lying -between us and the valley in which Khwash stood, it would now be -necessary to negotiate them by night. - -Allan looked dubious when I told him of my decision. - -"I can't guarantee to get the car through, sir," he said. "Idu says -these hills are far worse than the hills near Ladis, and you know -what a job we had getting through them by daylight. But I'll do my -best." - -And if ever a man did his best Allan did his right nobly that night. - -A whole series of hills, without any tracks over them, intersected -with nullahs, valleys filled with sand-drifts, and marshy tracts, had -to be negotiated in the darkness, lighted only by the stars and the -car's lamps. - -On the lower slopes we got stuck again and again in the narrow -steep-sided nullahs, and it took the combined efforts of the Rekis, -Izzat's men and a stout rope, always carried on the car, to drag her -out. Over and over again it seemed as though we must give up the -attempt and wait for daylight. But Allan came of the right stock. He -also knew well how vitally important for British prestige throughout -the Sarhad it was to be first in Khwash, and so confirm our supremacy -there. - -So Allan stuck to his job, muttering repeatedly when the difficulties -seemed insuperable, "I'm a British bull-dog, sir, and I am not going -to be beat." - -This expression of Allan's afterwards became a saying amongst our men -when any difficulty arose. - -But if Allan wasn't beaten the car very nearly was at one point -when negotiating the worst bit of ground I have ever passed over -in my life--for there was no going round it. The strata here were -up-ended, and consisted of alternate layers of shale and quartz. -Weathering had done its work more easily on the shale, hence the -quartz, which was much thinner than the shale, projected upwards in -great dagger-like points in every direction, and over a long distance. - -Of course tyres and tubes were cut to ribbons in a few minutes, and, -as it would have been futile to replace them, the car was literally -dragged over the ground on her rims. - -As may be imagined, when we had left this awful bit of ground behind, -my poor car was in a pitiable condition. Luckily, Allan had plenty -of spare tubes and four fresh tyres. With these adjusted, we started -again, but the ground was still so bad that every mile or so we were -badly punctured, and tubes had to be replaced or patched. It must be -understood, too, that the heat was intense, even at night time. I can -safely say that that one night's journey was the very worst I have -ever experienced in any part of the world. - -We were all utterly exhausted long before daybreak, and, every now -and again, despite our desperate anxiety, eyelids closed and heads -nodded. As for Allan, sturdy bull-dog though he was, nature was too -strong for him. - -Just as dawn broke his heavy eyelids closed for a second as he sat at -the wheel. But that second proved fatal. The car swerved a fraction -from the course we had been following by the light of the lamps, -and, in an instant, it was over the edge of the track and firmly -embedded in a sandy nullah-bed. - -A few minutes later the sun rose over the plain below us, lighting up -the walls of Khwash, a bare five miles away. - -Allan was in despair at the position of affairs and cursed himself -for his momentary relaxation. But the damage had been done, and, as -we knew by experience how long it would take to extricate the car, we -decided to abandon it and press forward to Khwash with all speed. - -I invited myself on to Izzat's own camel, as it looked the most -comfortable! Allan was induced to get on to another, and Idu invited -himself on to the next best-looking animal. - -I ordered Izzat to ride close beside me, for I did not trust him for -a moment, more especially since the failure of the car, whose first -impression had been so satisfactory. And then, as fast as we could -urge the animals, we ambled on towards our "Mecca," with the question -ever before us, "shall we be in time or has Jiand forestalled us?" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -KHWASH AND THE SECOND SURRENDER - - Doubts dispelled--Organisation for defence--Idu's "Exiat"--And - its result--Jiand arrives--Idu's second visit--The Sarhad-dar - arrives--Landon at last--Jiand's visit of ceremony--The - Gul-Bibi--Shah Sawar's treachery--We call on the "Rose Lady"--A - carpet and the Sarhad-dar's advice--Another Durbar--Returned - loot--Temporary peace. - - -As we approached the fort, still in doubt as to whether Jiand -occupied it or not, Allan turned round on his camel and asked, "Which -way shall we run, sir, if we have to run?" - -I laughed, though I could not help approving his foresight. "There's -no more running, Allan. If Jiand is not in Khwash, all will be well. -If he is--well, you can take it from me, the game's up. There'll be -no running for any of us." - -We were now near enough to see a man standing on the top of one of -the towers. Was he one of the men I had left, or a Yarmahommedzai? A -few minutes later we could distinguish his uniform. - -We were in time! We should be first into Khwash after all! - -In my joy I took off my helmet and waved it to show the man I was not -one of the enemy, for he might easily have mistaken us, seeing that -we were all mounted on camels. He paused a moment, then, recognising -the signal, tore down from the tower, quitted the walls and rushed -out to meet us, nearly beside himself with excitement and relief. - -"You are only just in time, Sahib," he said. "Shah Sawar has already -arrived with a large force and is encamped close by. We have been -expecting him to attack all the morning. Come quickly into the fort, -or, even now, you may be too late." - -We needed no second bidding, but, urging the camels forward, pressed -on, and were soon all safely contained within strong mud walls. - -Without a moment's delay the place was organised for defence. This -was done as well as it was possible to do, pending the arrival of -Landon with his force. - -The five infantrymen till now constituting the garrison were put in -the highest tourelle, where I also took up my quarters. From this -vantage-point I not only had the best view of the whole plain but -could command every inch of the fort's interior. Idu's men manned -the three remaining tourelles, whilst Izzat's band were placed, all -together, in the centre of the Square, where a watchful eye could be -kept on them. Izzat himself I kept close by my side, for Idu, who -knew him too well to trust him a yard, advised me to keep a close -personal watch on him. - -The place was now as secure as our limited numbers could make it, -and no more could be done but await developments. - -Idu, who had never left my side, now asked permission to leave the -fort for the purpose of questioning the Khwashis outside the walls. -He also asked for some money with which to bribe them. - -"A very little will open their mouths, Sahib," he said persuasively. -"And they will surely know all about the movements of Shah Sawar and -of Jiand." - -As no enemy had yet appeared in sight I gave him leave to go, and all -the money I had in my pocket. - -On his return he informed me that he had learned exactly where Shah -Sawar and his men were encamped, and proposed that he should go out -and confer with him. - -At first I refused point-blank. Idu could not go on bearing a charmed -life, and Shah Sawar was a treacherous scoundrel. I pointed out -that even if Shah Sawar did not kill him he might take and keep him -prisoner, and I could not possibly do without him. His loss would be -irreparable. - -Idu was obviously pleased and flattered at my appreciation of him, -but persisted that his was the wiser plan. - -"You have seen, again and again, Sahib, that what I have told you is -always true. No Sarhadi will break his oath of safe conduct to an -enemy." - -"I know," I replied. "But you have not got that promise from Shah -Sawar, and without it I will not let you go." - -Idu, who had the utmost faith in his own powers of persuasion, was -not to be done. He argued that it would be easy enough to bribe one -of the Khwashis, encamped outside, to go over to Shah Sawar and get -the necessary safe conduct. - -At last, and with great reluctance, I consented, provided Shah Sawar -sent every assurance and guarantee that there would be no treachery -if Idu went as an emissary. - -In due course these assurances arrived. I had, therefore, to keep -my word to Idu, and give my consent, though, even then, I did not -trust Shah Sawar. However, once again Idu's confidence in that one, -all-sacred law of hospitality was justified. - -From my tower I watched him start, but he was very quickly lost to -view amongst the sand dunes and fields with their tall-grown crops -which lay between the fort and Shah Sawar's camp, some three miles -distant. - -He was away something like three hours, and I was beginning to get -desperately anxious, when, to my great relief, I saw him ambling back -on his Mari. - -He was highly pleased with the success of his mission, and gave me a -full and detailed account of his meeting with Shah Sawar. As usual he -had taken a high tone, and, on arriving at the camp, had immediately -and scornfully approached the Chief. - -"So I see you are about to make a fool of yourself again. But what -do you think you are going to do? The General Sahib is in Khwash -waiting for you!" - -At first Shah Sawar refused to believe this, saying that it was -impossible to have got there from Kacha in the time. It was evident -that the Khwashi sent as a messenger had faithfully kept the oath -Idu had exacted from him, i.e., that he would give Shah Sawar no -indication whatever of my presence, or any reason for Idu's request -for a safe conduct to his camp. - -But when Idu persisted that, possible or not, I was there with -a considerable force, and that a large army was approaching to -reinforce me, and would be in Khwash at any minute, Shah Sawar asked -how on earth it had been done. He well knew the country lying between -Kacha and Khwash, and he could not believe the distance had been -covered since he himself had seen the General Sahib in Kacha. - -Idu replied that it was nevertheless true, and that he had come in a -motor-car, also that he, Idu, had come in it too! - -"What is a motor-car?" asked Shah Sawar, "and how could it come over -the hills?" - -"A motor-car," replied Idu (this is his own account), "is an infernal -machine which climbs any hill as fast as you like. It can spread -bullets in every direction. Neither you nor anyone else has the -slightest chance if you try to fight against it." - -It appears that Shah Sawar did not know whether to believe or -disbelieve Idu's strange statements, so produced a Koran which all -Sarhadis carry concealed somewhere under their robes. - -"Will you swear on the Koran that the General Sahib is in Khwash, and -that he really came over the hills in this strange thing which you -call a motor-car, also that this motor-car is at Khwash?" - -Idu grinned when he told me that he had sworn to all these facts. "Of -course I knew, Sahib, that we had left the motor-car away up in the -sandhills, but I know how you loved it, and I guessed that you would -have sent parties of Khwashi to fetch it in." - -This is exactly what I had done under Allan's guidance, for he -had been heartbroken at the thought of leaving the car to become -derelict. She had therefore been dragged out by the docile Khwashis, -and had only a short time before been brought triumphantly into the -fort. - -"Well, is Shah Sawar coming to attack us?" I queried. - -"No, Sahib. He is coming, it is true, but when he comes, he will -speak fair, he will pretend that he never meant to fight against you, -but that he only came out with his men to do you honour!" - -So in due course Shah Sawar arrived, and when Idu brought me word -that he was approaching, I went outside the fort to meet him. I had -not the slightest desire that he should see how few men were inside -the walls, neither did I wish him to have the chance of speech with -any of Izzat's men. He was received with all the dignity I could -muster, and I outwardly accepted his assurance that he had only come -on a friendly mission, in fact for the purpose of doing me honour. I -told him, however, that for the present he must remain with me as my -prisoner--or guest--anyhow until his over-lord, Jiand, had arrived -and vouched for his permanent good conduct. I then asked him casually -when he expected Jiand to arrive. - -He replied that the old Chief would be outside the walls of Khwash -that evening, and that he was then only a very few miles distant. - -I then dismissed Shah Sawar under escort, and ordered Idu to select -one of his trustiest men. This man I told to choose the swiftest -camel in the place, to set off at once, find our approaching force, -and give a letter to Major Landon. In this letter I asked Landon to -send on the cavalry at once, at whatever time the message reached -him, as they must, without fail, be in the fort that night or early -next morning if the situation was to be saved. The infantry and -supply camels must follow as soon after as possible without the -protection of the cavalry. - -These orders were sent because I knew perfectly well that, at any -moment, our true strength, or rather our weakness, might be betrayed -by some ignorant Khwashi, or worse still, by some unsuspected traitor -within the walls. It does not need much imagination to understand -that if Jiand had got to know the truth before reinforcements could -reach us, he and Shah Sawar's men combined, would have been able to -take the fort in a very short time. - -Just at nightfall, to our dismay, we learned that Jiand himself, with -a large following, had arrived in the immediate neighbourhood, had -camped close at hand, and was preparing to attack us at once. - -Once again Idu volunteered to do a conjuring trick. It was a race now -against time. If Landon could reach us during the night we could snap -our fingers at Jiand. If he failed, well--we were done. To gain time, -even a few hours, meant everything. - -So having, as usual, obtained the promise of safe conduct, Idu went -out to visit Jiand, and to endeavour once more to play the great game -of bluff. - -But when he returned he seemed very doubtful as to the success of his -mission. He told Jiand that I was already in Khwash, having arrived -by motor-car, on whose supernatural powers he enlarged once more; -also that my whole army was in Khwash, having come in motor-cars, -which were quite wonderful, though not so wonderful as mine (Idu's -powers of imagination were on the up grade!). Jiand was, moreover, -acquainted with the fact that Shah Sawar had already seen the folly -of attempting to fight, and had paid me a visit of ceremony and of -submission. Idu went on to say that I had heard of his treachery, -and the fact that he was marching towards Khwash to attack me there; -also that I was in a towering rage about it, and was fully prepared -for him. His urgent advice to him (Jiand) was that he should present -himself at the fort at eleven o'clock the following morning, make -his profound apologies to the General Sahib, and that, meanwhile, he -would himself plead with the General not to be too severe with the -Chief when he came to surrender! - -"Do you think he'll wait till then?" I asked. - -"I don't know, Sahib," Idu replied. And for once his cheery good -spirits seemed to have deserted him. "I am not at all sure that Jiand -believed a word I said. If he did not he will attack us to-night, -and----" he stopped significantly. - -We all understood. Here were we, a mere handful of men, in that old -mud fort (which meant so much to both sides) with two large enemy -camps outside. Either of them, if they once learned the truth, could -obliterate us in a few hours. Combined, our chances would not be -given even that amount of rope. - -It was a desperately anxious night. Everything now depended upon -Landon getting my message. If an accident, or any other untoward -happening, held up his force, or delayed it, we might reckon that -all was up. We could not hope to rely on bluff beyond the following -morning. Some of the Khwashis would, as certain as to-morrow's sun, -be questioned by the Yarmahommedzais, and, if so, the truth as to the -fort's garrison would be dragged from them. - -I warned the five infantrymen of the great danger threatening us, -and told them that there could be no sleep for anyone that night. -Everyone must keep his eyes skinned for any movement in the darkness -which might be the forerunner of a sudden night attack. - -I myself made no attempt to sleep, but continually patrolled to see -that every man was awake and in his place, and that no movement or -talking occurred amongst Izzat's men. - -Interminable though it seemed, the night at last wore itself out, -and, as the dawn broke, I climbed to the top of the highest tourelle, -like Sister Anne, to see if anybody was coming. - -So far not a sign of the army, which must approach from the -North. My spirits sank, and I anxiously turned towards the East, -and South-East, on which sides Jiand's and Shah Sawar's men were -encamped. No signs of movement there, but this meant little, for I -knew that, under cover of those well-grown crops, their men could -stealthily approach, almost to the walls, before being observed. - -Once again my eyes turned to the North. - -The hours went by, and with every one that passed my anxiety grew. -What had happened to Landon? Had he been able to make good time, or -was he, as he easily might be, if anything had gone wrong, still a -day's march away? - -Suddenly I saw a small cloud of dust stirring in the plain to the -North, and my heart bounded. - -Out of the cloud of dust there presently emerged the solitary figure -of a camel with a man on his back. The camel devoured the plain -until it was close to the walls, and I rushed down to the gate to see -who the rider might be. - -It was my friend the Sarhad-dar, and I was more touched than words -can express by the manner in which he met me, embarrassing though -it was at the moment. He flung his arms round me and embraced me -with the utmost affection, for he said that he had not hoped to see -me alive. My urgent message had reached Landon, who was now pushing -forward at his utmost speed. They had also had numerous confirmations -of the information I had given as to the numbers Jiand was bringing -against Khwash, and of his intention to retake and kill its -defenders. The Sarhad-dar's early arrival was explained by his action -in telling Major Landon he could not wait to ride at the slower -pace of the army, but must forge on ahead to see whether he could -do anything to help me. The Sarhad-dar's action was one of great -bravery, for he rode quite alone through territory which he was fully -aware might have been swarming with enemies, and who were actually -only a short distance from his path. - -When he saw Shah Sawar he turned and cursed him volubly, telling him -he was an accursed liar and traitor, and that, one day, he would see -to it that he got his full deserts. - -Once again I mounted to the tourelle, and this time the dust raised -by the approaching cavalry could be plainly seen. - -Idu, who was with me, looking in the opposite direction, announced -that men were moving in Jiand's camp. But, though I have very -good eyesight, and though I looked hard and long in the direction -indicated, I could see nothing. Idu's sight was certainly phenomenal, -but he could not tell whether this movement foretold an attack or a -friendly visit. In any case it was very lucky that Landon's relieving -force was so close at hand. - -A few minutes later Landon himself arrived with the cavalry, hot, -fagged out, and covered with sand, but much bucked at the fact that -he had arrived in time. The camels and infantry were only a short -distance behind, for, as we knew by bitter experience, the last stage -of the route had been so bad, that, until the plain had been reached, -five miles away, the cavalry could make no better going than the rest -of our small force; hence the short distance separating them. - -As a matter of fact the whole force arrived very soon after, full of -fighting spirit, despite the fact that, for over a month, it had been -continually on the march. - -I felt we could now snap our fingers at Jiand. - -As may be imagined it was a very cheery morning, for, now that the -guns had arrived, we knew that Jiand had about as much chance of -taking Khwash as of grasping the moon. We had beaten him in the race -with only an hour or two to spare, but since we had won, the game -was up for Jiand, at any rate for the moment--and he knew it! - -In due course the old ruffian, for he was not lacking in pluck -whatever he might lack in truth, arrived to pay a ceremonial visit, -which he said was merely for the purpose of doing me honour. He had -heard, he said, that it had been represented to the General Sahib -that he had come on a warlike mission. This rumour was quite untrue. -He had merely come, with about a hundred of his tribe, to repeat -the assurances he had already given of his absolute loyalty to the -British Raj! As a matter of fact he had left the bulk of his men at -the camp because he was afraid that they would be disarmed. - -He then asked whether he might see the motor-car, about which he had -heard such wonderful stories. I promptly deputed Idu the romancer as -lecturer, for no one could compete with him in a description of its -marvels. - -Allan solemnly set the car in motion, and Jiand and his men gazed at -him as a sort of demi-god. So one must be who could so control the -devil in this queer shaped thing that he could make it, without the -help of camels or horses, move across the plain and climb the hills. -Both he and the General Sahib must surely be in close league with -Sheitan! - -After a while I asked Jiand if he would like to go for a ride in it, -assuring him he would enjoy it. But he promptly replied that he would -not risk it that day. Perhaps at some other time. - -As a matter of fact the old Chief was utterly unnerved at his second -failure, and obviously under the impression that his position as -over-lord of the Sarhad was once again in jeopardy. - -When Jiand left I gave Shah Sawar leave to go too, but warned him -that the next time he broke his word it would be the last chance he -would get of doing it. - -Towards evening Idu, who had slipped away from the fort on secret -business of his own, came up to my quarters to tell me that when -Jiand and Shah Sawar had got back to their camp, they had received -a fine scolding from the Gul-Bibi, Shah Sawar's wife, for whose -fair sake, it will be remembered, the latter had bartered Khwash to -Mahommed-Hassan, her nearest male relation. - -And he chuckled as he went on to describe how this imperious lady had -jeered at them both, calling them fools, and twitting them with the -fact that it was now common talk that the General had arrived with a -mere handful of men, and had simply tricked them into surrender. Nor -did she leave the matter there. She proceeded to tell Jiand that, had -he had the heart of a mouse he could have attacked and taken Khwash -the night before, or even early that morning, for the General's -little force had not arrived till the sun was well up. - -For her part, she said all her admiration was for the General, and -she intended to send him two sheep as a present, and as a mark of her -appreciation. - -"As a matter of fact," Idu concluded, "the sheep have already -arrived." - -"But I can't accept presents from a people who have been showing -themselves hostile," I said. "And how is it that a woman can have the -audacity to lecture a Chief like Jiand, whatever she may do to her -own husband?" - -"You don't know the Gul-Bibi--yet," Idu grinned. "But you will. She -is one of the most influential individuals in the Sarhad, though -she is a woman. Also, she is one of the most beautiful women in the -world. And you must pardon me, Sahib, but you must accept the sheep -she has sent. For it would be looked upon as a great insult were you -to refuse." - -The Sarhad-dar concurred, saying that there was no choice. The sheep -must be accepted as a peace-offering. - -I gave in, and asked what I ought to do in return. - -"Go and call upon her, Sahib," said Idu. "The Gul-Bibi is accustomed -to have honour paid to her." - -"All right," I replied, and turning to Landon, who had been present -and much amused, I added, "You'll have to come too. I'm a married -man, and I'm not going to call on the most beautiful woman in the -world alone; though, by the way, I suppose she will be veiled?" - -"Certainly not," Idu put in. "The Gul-Bibi values her good looks far -too highly to conceal them. I'll let her know to-night that you and -Major Landon will call upon her to-morrow in the motor-car. She will -be more pleased at that than at the gift of many sheep." - -That evening Landon gave me a very disconcerting piece of -information, particularly so in the light of present arrangements. -It was to the effect that, on the way to Khwash, he had captured one -of Shah Sawar's men carrying letters to the Germans. These letters -had been written immediately after Shah Sawar had been released from -Kacha, and in the face of the promises given and oaths sworn on the -Koran. In these letters he had renewed his offers of help, and had -undertaken to allow them to pass, whenever they chose, through his -section of the Sarhad. - -"The treacherous brute!" I exclaimed. "What on earth are we to do -about him now? I've just sent him back to his own people, and have -come to terms with Jiand. Moreover, we have accepted the Gul-Bibi's -peace offering, and have promised to visit her to-morrow. She seems -so influential, too, that if we make friends with her, these ruffians -may really keep their word this time." - -After considerable discussion we decided to ignore Shah Sawar's -treachery for the present and proceed as arranged. - -Shah Sawar and Jiand had large numbers of their fighting men on the -spot, and Halil Khan, with a third big force, was to be expected on -the morrow. We must, therefore, endeavour to disperse some of these -brigands to their homes before we court-martialled that arch-villain -Shah Sawar! - -The following morning Landon, the Sarhad-dar, Idu and myself, set off -in the car to call upon the Rose Lady--the most beautiful woman in -the world! - -Half-way there Shah Sawar himself came to meet us, and eventually -conducted us to a huge jugi. Inside this we found the famous beauty, -seated on a pile of coloured cushions. To my great surprise I found -that Idu had not exaggerated. The Gul-Bibi really was a beautiful -young woman, very fair for a Sarhadi, with regular, clean cut, -almost Grecian features, and unusual-looking, big hazel eyes. She -was evidently small-boned, and her limbs and hands were beautifully -modelled. She was obviously aware of her own attractions, and very -animated. Her dress was white, embroidered in Persian colourings, -and she wore a chuddah over her head, which fell in graceful folds, -without, however, in any way concealing her face. - -On our entry she rose with dignity and bowed. Shah Sawar then -proceeded to introduce us one by one. We each bowed in turn, and, at -her invitation, sat on the ground in front of her, in a semicircle. - -She then proceeded to make us a very charming address in Persian, -which Landon and I understood, though we could neither of us speak -much Persian. This concluded, with the Sarhad-dar's help, as -interpreter, I did my best to make a suitable reply. - -These preliminaries completed, a very beautiful Persian carpet was -produced and offered to me by our hostess. - -This was very embarrassing, and I whispered to the Sarhad-dar that I -could not possibly accept it. - -His reply was emphatic. "You cannot refuse it. You must accept it as -you have come here as her guest." - -"But," I persisted, "I've got to court-martial her husband to-morrow, -or the next day, and shall probably have to shoot him. I can't take a -present from her under such circumstances." - -"Shoot him, then, if you must," replied the Sarhad-dar. "She can -get plenty of husbands. But you must accept the carpet now or you -will give dire offence. You can in any case send a money present of -equivalent value to-morrow if you like." - -So I was obliged to accept the carpet with the best grace I could, -and did my best in halting Persian to praise both the gift and the -giver. - -After this the interview proceeded merrily, and the Gul-Bibi -proceeded to chaff her husband quite openly, telling him that he had -been cleverly tricked and scored off. She also told him that he was a -fool and as one without intelligence. - -But Shah Sawar only laughed, taking his wife's raillery in good part. -It was obvious that she had him very much under her thumb, and that -he had a very strong regard for her. - -Altogether it resolved itself into quite a friendly meeting, and, -presently, we adjourned to inspect the car, which, as usual, was the -occasion of much awe and wonderment. The inspection over we invited -the Gul-Bibi to go for a ride in it one day, after which we took our -leave and made our way back to Khwash. - -A day or so later Halil Khan arrived with a following of about -twenty-five men. He had left his lashkar some miles away, for he -had, of course, heard of the surrender of both Jiand and Shah Sawar. -Immediately upon his arrival we held another Durbar, and around the -circle sat the same old collection of warriors, with their Chiefs -Jiand, Shah Sawar, Mahommed-Hassan and Halil Khan. Juma Khan, the -only man of his word I had yet encountered, was the one absentee. - -Those who were present all solemnly swore to the fact that they were -there on an entirely friendly mission, and that, if I had suspected -otherwise, I had been totally misinformed! They were all sucking -doves, or their equivalent, whose one desire was to do me honour! - -[Illustration: THE DURBAR AT KHWASH. - -_Khan Bahadur (Sarhad-Dar) standing._] - -[Illustration: RAIDER CHIEFS AT THE DURBAR AT KHWASH.] - -I played up to the game, accepted their protestations, and told them -that, this being so, I had a proposition to make. I then proceeded -to suggest that the Chiefs, each with a certain number of followers, -should remain with me, whilst the remainder were sent back to their -homes. My idea, I said, was to raise a corps of Levies amongst the -Sarhadis. I could guarantee that their pay would be good, and, as -they were already such good fighting men, their training light. -I also promised that many of their officers should be selected from -amongst themselves. - -After a short consultation they pretended to fall in with the idea, -and several of the tribesmen actually enlisted then and there. - -But Halil Khan got up and begged me to excuse him. He said it was -not that he was not willing to serve in any corps I might wish to -raise, but that he was very anxious about his wife and family, who -were wandering about in the Morpeish hills. He was most eager to -find them, and would look on it as an act of grace if I would permit -him to go. As the whole scheme in view was to make their enlistment -voluntary, I had, of course, to consent. - -But he was not to go without a warning, and as he got up to leave I -called him back, and looked him straight between the eyes. "Halil -Khan," I said, with all the severity I could muster, "if you play me -false, or ever raise your hand against me again, I will blow your -head off." - -He looked back at me as steadily. "Sahib, your kindness overwhelms -me. I swear by the Koran" (drawing one from under his robes) "that I -will never fight against you again." - -"Well, I will accept your word this second time. But if you fail to -keep it--remember." - -And so he left, under safe conduct, and shortly afterwards Jiand, but -not until I had reminded him that I had not yet received the loot he -had taken, and which he, at our last meeting, had engaged to hand -over. I demanded its immediate return, and laid special stress on -the four tyres included in it. I also told him that he must return, -at the same time, all Government camels seized when he had raided -the British lines of communication, and also the four hundred Afghan -camels which I had just heard his men had seized on the caravan route -from Nushki to Robat. - -Jiand faithfully promised that all should be returned within a couple -of days of his departure from the neighbourhood of Khwash. This -promise he kept to the letter, for the camels and loot arrived on the -date specified. - -As may be imagined, the tyres were specially welcome. Those on the -car were absolutely worn out, and, of course, we had no possible -means of obtaining others. - -For the moment, everything seemed peaceful. So peaceful that we -settled down in Khwash for a few quiet weeks; but, in the interval, -did our utmost to make the place secure against all attacks. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -TREACHERY AND ITS SEQUEL - - Further reinforcements--Entrenchments and gardens--Government - inquiries--Food supplies--An offer to Jiand--Murad and - straw--Shah Sawar again--Sentence--Idu's suggestion--Re-enter - the Rose Lady--News of Jiand's intentions--A vital moment--A - round-up--The Sarhad-dar's advice--A Bhusa hunt--Distrustful - wives. - - -During this rest in Khwash I was able to increase to some extent -the forces under my command. I obtained a whole squadron of the -28th Light Cavalry, under Colonel Claridge, and two machine guns -from Nasaratabad. In addition I obtained from Kacha a considerable -quantity of gun-cotton, with fuses, etc., and a supply of barbed -wire, of which, fortunately, there were large stores at Kacha. - -The men were kept busy with their musketry training, and with the -improvements that were being made in and about the fort. We also -succeeded in creating a really creditable, and very useful, garden -outside the walls, with the help of a native gardener, whom I had -sent for from Kacha. He brought large quantities of seeds with him, -and it was amazing how, in so short a time, we were able to obtain -full-grown marrows, cucumbers, pumpkins, Indian corn, turnips, -carrots, lettuces and spinach. These fresh vegetables formed an -invaluable addition to, and variation of, a very monotonous diet. We -also sowed a considerable amount of barley of a kind which comes to -maturity and ripens within three months. - -The men were immensely interested in their garden, but were still -more eager to toil on the serious work of improving our defences, and -in the building of barracks to obtain shelter from the sun. - -The forces at my disposal were, at best, infinitesimal compared with -those the Raiders could collect, though, of course, the latter were -at the great disadvantage of being minus mountain or machine guns. -But supposing--as might happen at any moment--it became necessary to -divide my forces, part to go on any expedition, and part to remain in -defence of Khwash, the Raiders, if they chose to attack in numbers, -could, without question, recapture their capital. - -I decided, therefore, to blow up the surrounding walls of the fort, -as well as the three smaller tourelles, leaving the tallest tower -alone standing. In places of these raised tourelles I made an -entrenched camp outside the site of the old walls. Peculiar folds in -the ground lent themselves well to my purpose, enabling me to place -the defensive lines along the tops of the folds. The interior of the -work was thus well concealed from view. - -The high tourelle was then improved and strengthened, and a machine -gun placed on its top to command the whole of the camp below. - -Those Raiders dwelling in the surrounding districts took a keen -interest in these changes, for they were under the impression that we -had only demolished the existing walls with the intention of building -stronger and higher ones, and asked me how high I intended to make -them. - -As I did not think it wise to gratify their curiosity, I replied -that, when finished, it might be just possible to see the tops of -them! From this reply the rumour got abroad that I was making a vast -fortress, and, later on, the Persian Government sent urgent inquiries -as to why I had built a great fort in Persia without its permission. -It was, in consequence, difficult to persuade them that I had built -nothing, but, on the contrary, had blown up existing walls, and that -all that I had done in excess of this was to dig into the ground! - -Although time was passing peacefully and busily in the organisation -of these various works, I was beginning to get very anxious about the -food supply of both men and beasts. - -It was now the end of May and the heat was intense. The camels used -in the caravans bringing supplies from India found little or no -grazing between marches, and died in their dozens on the way, the -consequence being that but little of the supplies despatched from -India ever reached us. - -Our horses began to die off in alarming numbers. The grass on the -slopes of the hills surrounding Khwash was of course quickly eaten -up, and we were reduced practically to nothing, not possessing even -straw as fodder. To make matters worse there were still three months -to wait before we could hope to obtain straw from the barley we had -sown. Altogether the position was beginning to be of an alarming -nature, and I began to wonder whether, though Jiand and all his men -had not been able to turn us out of Khwash, we might not be driven -out by slow starvation. - -Something had to be done and done quickly. No stone must be left -unturned to save us from this pass, and I cast about for means of -feeding the animals other than by these failing supplies from India. -It was then that I suddenly remembered Jiand's crops at Kamalabad. -When, on the first occasion, he had surrendered there I had spared -not only the lives of himself and his followers but his crops as -well. Those crops I decided to call upon him to share with us now. - -Accordingly, in the early part of June, I sent for him, and in a few -days he obeyed the summons, but was obviously reluctant, and very -morose. - -I thereupon frankly told him the position with regard to the animals, -and said that I knew he must have vast quantities of bhusa from his -crops, for the bulk of which he could have no use, and asked him to -sell it. - -The old villain refused point blank. I swallowed my anger as best I -could, and told him I would give four times the market price for it -if he would send it at once. - -But he was obstinate, and persisted in his refusal, in spite of all -my offers. - -As a matter of fact I had been told repeatedly that it was Jiand's -one hope and ambition that I would try conclusions with him in his -own part of the country, where his secret hiding places, and defences -amidst the difficult hill country, were only known to his own tribe. -Moreover, so I was also told, Halil Khan was continually urging him -to force me to fight. Halil Khan himself was itching to wipe out the -humiliation and discredit they had both suffered as an outcome of -being bluffed twice when they could actually have wiped us out. - -Indignant as I was there was nothing to be done but to let him go. -I had promised him safe conduct to and fro; I, therefore, had no -alternative. - -But there was still another stone that could be turned. About five -miles distant from the valley of Kamalabad, Jiand's stronghold, lay -another fertile valley, Karsimabad, the property of an old Chief -named Murad. This old man had at one time been the leader of the -Sarhad, until Jiand had deposed him from his leadership and assumed -it himself. Although Murad was outwardly on friendly terms with -Jiand--he was not strong enough to show himself otherwise--I had -heard many hints of the old ex-Chief's jealousy of and resentment -towards Jiand. - -I, therefore, sent for Murad and asked him if he would sell his -straw, telling him that Jiand had refused to do business with me. -The old fellow assured me I could have all the straw I wanted, and -that I could have it for nothing. Of course I refused his generosity, -told him I would pay him what I had offered Jiand, and instructed him -to get it ready as soon as possible, when I would send my camels to -bring it in. - -Before Murad, who was obviously delighted with such a good piece of -business, departed he gave me a word of warning which fully confirmed -all I had heard of Halil Khan's and Jiand's smouldering enmity. - -"If they can kill you, Sahib, they will. And they will most surely -fight against you and try to kill you before many weeks are past." - -It was about this date that repeated confirmations reached me of -Shah Sawar's persistent treachery. Up to the present I had elected -to ignore the incident of his letters to the Germans. They had never -reached their destinations, so no harm had been done so far. It had -been my constant wish, despite all the warnings I had received, -to make friends with the Yarmahommedzais. But it was now time, I -considered, to take some notice of Shah Sawar's activities, and this -seemed a suitable moment to charge him bluntly concerning his traffic -with the Germans. - -Accordingly he was summoned to appear before a drum-head court -martial consisting of myself and two other officers, to be tried -for repeated acts of treachery, and particularly for communication -with the Germans, coupled with the information supplied to the same -quarter that I had few troops, and that, if they (the Germans) came -to the Sarhad it would be easy for them, with his help, to overwhelm -my whole force. - -As usual, Shah Sawar swore he was innocent of all these charges and -pointed out that it was obvious he could not possibly have been -guilty, as he could not write. - -Then I played a trump card, for I produced the mullah (priest) who -had written the letters at his dictation, and who had wandered, a day -or so before, into the camp. - -When Shah Sawar caught sight of the mullah he shrugged his shoulders -and muttered, "Kismet." He knew the game was up, confessed at once -that he had dictated the letters, and had put his mark to them. - -There was naturally only one sentence that could be passed upon him, -and he knew it. He was found guilty and condemned to be shot. He -implored me to give him another chance, but I was tired of his broken -promises, and told him flatly that he had offended once too often. -He had been convicted by a duly constituted court martial, and the -finding of the court must stand. I told him also that his time was -short, and advised him to write any farewell messages he wanted to -send, and to make his will as quickly as possible. The mullah was -also given leave to write anything that Shah Sawar wished to dictate. - -As I passed from the tent I gazed hard at Shah Sawar. The sweat was -pouring down his face--few men can hear the sentence of immediate -death without emotion of some sort--but he did not utter a sound. It -must be admitted that he bore himself like a man, as, with a gesture -of resignation, he told the mullah he wanted him to start writing at -once. - -Whilst he was writing out his last wishes, I made my way to the -Durbar tent to wait until he had finished. On my way I met Idu and -told him the result of the court martial. Idu had an uncanny gift of -intuition and I am certain realised how much I disliked my obvious -but uncongenial duty. He looked at me strangely and then disappeared. - -Some little time later I was leaving the tent when I caught sight of -the Gul-Bibi, Shah Sawar's wife, dressed in her very best attire, -running towards me. Directly she reached me, she fell on her knees -and, touching my feet with her hands, broke into lamentations. - -"What is it?" I asked, trying to speak sternly. "What have you to -say?" - -The Gul-Bibi had a great deal to say! She said that Idu had gone to -her and told her of the sentence that had been passed on her husband -and she had come to plead for his life. She used every argument she -could think of to persuade me to reverse the finding of the court, -and finally went bail in her own person for the future good behaviour -of the handsome rascal, if only he might have another chance. - -"I swear to you," she said passionately, "that if ever my fool of a -husband raises his hand against you again or breaks his word to you, -I will shoot him with my own hands. I, the Gul-Bibi, swear it." - -It occurred to me that after all it might be politic to temper -justice with mercy. Shah Sawar undoubtedly had great influence -and the concession of his life might be a turning-point in the -determination of his tribe to be loyal to the British cause. - -I said that she had accomplished what no one else could have done and -that her eloquence had persuaded me to grant her her husband's life. - -"But this is the very last time I will show him any mercy. Shah Sawar -has proved himself a traitor and has broken his oath again and again. -I am only letting him go now on your guarantee of his good behaviour -in the future. If ever he breaks faith again, it will be for the very -last time. You may go now and tell him what I have said and tell him -that he owes his life entirely to you." - -I directed her to the tent where she would find Shah Sawar waiting -for death, and presently she returned with her husband by her side. -He was obviously very subdued and very impressed. His gratitude was -genuine enough, anyhow for the moment, and once more he promised -that he would never fight again--etc., etc. - -The next day a message was received from Murad to the effect that he -had collected a fine quantity of bhusa, and that it was piled up in -fourteen great stacks ready for transport, if camels could be sent to -fetch it. - -Word was sent back that I would go myself on the morrow to Karsimabad -with the camels, and a small escort, in order that it might be -possible to thank and pay him in person. - -Accordingly orders were given for the escort and camels to be ready -to start early the next morning. - -But, that night, news was brought by one of Landon's intelligence men -which caused a modification of these plans. - -It should here be mentioned that Major Landon had, shortly before, -been obliged to leave me. It will be remembered that he was one of -but three Intelligence Officers in Persia, and had therefore to -return to his duties. His place as my Brigade Major had been taken by -a very able Staff Officer, Major Sanders of the 36th Sikhs. - -The news the scout brought me was to the effect that Jiand knew all -about my proposed visit to Karsimabad, and was planning to attack in -force, and capture me. He had been waiting for a good opportunity to -lure me out of Khwash, and now felt he had his chance. - -"Well, he shall have it," I replied. "Only, we will disappoint him. -For instead of going with only a small escort, we'll take a good part -of our entire army, and the guns. He'll then have his work cut out." - -The consequence being that when we marched out on the following -morning we made an imposing spectacle. I determined to do the thing -thoroughly, so took a considerable number of infantry, the cavalry, -guns and a large convoy of camels. - -We had only marched a short distance when one of the scouts came in -with the information that all the bhusa at Karsimabad had been burned. - -At first I could hardly believe my ears and told him he must be -mistaken; that perhaps some of it had been burned by accident, but -that fourteen stacks, the number Murad had mentioned as collected, -could not all have been burned by this means. But the man proceeded -to tell me that it was no accident. He himself had seen the -scorched ground upon which the stacks had stood. They had been -built sufficiently far apart to make it impossible to be burned by -one setting light to another. Each stack had been separately and -individually fired, and Murad had proof that it had been done by -Jiand's men. - -As may be imagined, I was nearly beside myself with rage at the news. -It would entail untold suffering amongst our unfortunate beasts, who -were already underfed. The act was unforgivable, especially when we -were just hoping to obtain a safeguard against the worst months of -the year. - -The march of the column was immediately quickened. There remained but -one thing to do--to go forward and ascertain the truth. If Jiand had -really been guilty of this act he should be accommodated as regards -fighting. So far everything possible had been done to create friendly -relations with him, and over and above this he had been, throughout, -generously and leniently treated. But patience has its limits, and -there could be no more leniency. - -Despite the burning heat we managed to cover the distance in record -time, and were within five miles of Karsimabad when the advance guard -reported the enemy in sight, and in large numbers. - -"Come out to capture me, I suppose!" I remarked to Sanders. "Jiand -is, probably, still under the impression that we are coming with only -a small escort. I wonder what he'll do when he sees the column--and -the guns?" - -What he did do we were soon to know. The old villain must have -indulged in one short look to realise, once again, that he had -been foiled in his attempt at a surprise; for I knew, by current -rumour, that he stood in deadly terror of what the guns could do. -He had certainly never seen them working, but had heard the rattle -of the Maxims at Koh-i-taftan, and had a wholesome dread of their -destructive possibilities. When, therefore, the cavalry and the guns -came into view, instead of attacking, he sent a messenger ahead to -meet me, and to ask whether he might come and do me honour! - -"Tell him," I replied, still furiously angry, "that it is not a -case of may he come--he must come himself and instantly. I am in no -playful mood as he will find to his cost." - -A few minutes later we saw Jiand, accompanied by two or three men -ambling towards us on his camel. Immediately on his arrival Jiand -assured me that, hearing I was in the neighbourhood, he had come with -his followers to do me honour. - -"Honour be damned!" I retorted. "What do you mean by burning the -bhusa I have bought from Murad? Was that also by way of doing me -honour?" - -Jiand protested his innocence. Was it possible that anything that -belonged to the General Sahib should, or could, be burned? And how -could he (the General) so wrong him (Jiand) as to suspect him of any -such offence? If the bhusa really was burned, he swore that he was -innocent, and had had nothing to do with it. - -"We'll soon prove whether you had or not," I returned. "I am on my -way to Karsimabad to inquire into it. You will go there too, and if -I find you had a hand in it, as I am convinced you had, you shall -regret it to your dying day. Go on in front of me, and wait for me in -Karsimabad." - -With a sullen face Jiand obeyed, and our own force continued its -march. - -Arrived within three-quarters of a mile of Murad's place we halted -at what appeared to be a favourable place to camp. This represented -a hard flat piece of ground at the base of a small hill. A picket on -the hill-top would command the surrounding country and so prevent -surprise. - -The bulk of the force was left and I went forward with an escort of -about a dozen infantrymen and some fifteen cavalrymen. - -At the entrance to Karsimabad I noticed a huge tree with a mud -platform placed round its base, close beside the ruins of a small -fort. This seemed to offer an ideal spot upon which to hold the -inquiry, for the tree afforded a wide circle of shade from the -burning heat. - -Accordingly I sat down, with Sanders and the Sarhad-dar on either -side, whilst the cavalry accompanying us dismounted and remained -behind the tree. The infantry-escort formed up on our right. - -Murad, who appeared greatly distressed, came forward and told me that -all the bhusa he had collected for us had been burned down, thus -confirming the report I had already received. - -"Who did it?" I thundered. "Can you produce the man who dared to burn -my property?" - -To my great surprise Murad said he could. He had captured the man, a -Yarmahommedzai. - -Scarcely had the man been brought forward when, from every quarter, -appeared men armed with rifles. A moment before the place, excepting -for ourselves, had been empty. These men seemed to have sprung -out of the ground, but must, actually, have been concealed in the -adjoining fields. In an instant I could tell that they were picked -men of Jiand's lashkar. There must have been between one hundred and -fifty and two hundred of them. They came forward and squatted down -in a circle close in front of us; Jiand, and his kinsman and evil -genius, a man named Nur-Mahommed, placing themselves well in the -foreground. - -In a flash I realised the tactical error I had made in leaving the -main force three-quarters of a mile away, and before I had made -certain that Jiand's men had not occupied Karsimabad. These men held -their magazine rifles, which were always loaded, across their knees. -From where we sat, I now realised, and too late, that I could not -see, or signal to, my own small force, and that, except by a miracle, -it would be equally ignorant of these proceedings. I glanced quickly -behind me at the fifteen or sixteen cavalrymen I had brought, saw -that they had dismounted and were holding their lances in their -hands, whilst their rifles remained in the buckets on the off-sides -of the horses. A bad position for getting at them when dismounted and -at a moment's notice. - -It was obvious that I had allowed myself to be caught in a trap. We -all knew it, though not one man with me showed it by the quiver of an -eyelid. - -I turned to the man whom Murad had brought forward and placed before -me as the burner of the stacks of straw. - -"How dare you burn my bhusa? What reason had you for doing it, and -who told you to do it?" - -Before the man, who was trembling like a leaf, had time to answer, -Nur-Mahommed sprang up and shouted: - -"The country is ours and everything in it. We will burn the bhusa, or -burn anything we like." - -And he glared at Sanders and myself in a way that left no doubt as to -his meaning. - -I told him angrily to sit down, as I was not talking to him. For -answer he assumed a threatening attitude, and openly sneered at me -for attempting to give orders I could not enforce. - -I ordered a sepoy to arrest him. - -What followed all happened in a flash. - -The sepoy had scarcely moved a step to obey when every one of Jiand's -men leapt to their feet and brought their rifles to the present. - -I must confess to having acted automatically. Indeed, there was no -time to think or do otherwise. - -I literally roared at them. "How dare you, you dogs? Sit down this -instant!" - -I reached out my hands towards Jiand who was close to me, and, in a -paroxysm of rage, forced him down by my side. - -"Sit down!" I roared again into the dark faces of the men surrounding -us. - -Hesitation and doubt spread amongst that threatening crowd--and the -bulk of them sat down! - -They were now given no time to recover their poise. Sanders and the -escort were at once ordered to disarm the men who remained standing. - -Like a flash my men darted forward, only too thankful to take action -instead of waiting to be shot down, and in a twinkling had wrenched -their rifles from the scowling brutes who were hesitating as to -whether they would shoot first or submit. They were looking to their -Chief for a lead. But Jiand, that once invincible warrior, had lost -his nerve, and now sat cowering, unable either to make a decision or -dominate his own men. - -So, whilst they stood, furtive and undecided, they were disarmed and -left helpless. - -"Now," I shouted, turning to those who had sat down, "get up and -place your rifles against that wall, there," pointing to the wall of -the mud fort. "And if there is the slightest sign of treachery I will -shoot you down like the dogs you are." - -Like a lot of beaten sheep they got up and obeyed. - -The danger was over before we had had time fully to realise it. - -I then proceeded to tell the Raiders what I thought of them in -language which has since been reported as hectic. They were told that -their lives and their property had been spared again and again; that -over and over again their liberty had been given them when they -should have been kept as prisoners. But this time their offence was -beyond forgiveness and they should now have a taste of the treatment -they deserved. - -I then ordered my escort to seize and tie the men together, and drive -them back to the camp. A certain number of the Yarmahommedzais leapt -up at this, and, before they could be stopped, had bolted into the -high-grown crops surrounding the place. But we caught a good sixty -of them, and these were bound by their hands in groups of three by -their turbans. They were then marched off to the main column, which -had remained in blissful ignorance of these happenings a short -three-quarters of a mile away. - -Sanders and I remained where we were, and a few minutes later the -Sarhad-dar returned, wiping the sweat from his face. - -"That was a close shave, Sahib," he said, and I could see that -his hands were shaking, despite the fact that he had behaved with -the utmost bravery during the crisis. "Though so many got away, -amongst those we have captured are nearly all the leading men of -the Yarmahommedzais. Without them the tribe will be as men without -leaders, and we need not fear them. I have searched and questioned -some of them, and I have indisputable proofs that they came to -capture you. They wanted you--alive, not dead, that they might be -able to dictate their own terms." - -"Well," I said disgustedly, "I've had enough in the way of trying to -make friends with them. I know that both you and Idu have advised all -along that it would be of no use, but I have hoped against hope. Now -the Indian Government must deal with them, and I shall advise the -Government that the best thing to do will be to send them to India -and imprison them there." - -The Sarhad-dar replied, with heartfelt relief, "I am thankful you -have at last come to that decision. It's the only chance of obtaining -peace in the Sarhad. Juma Khan has already given ample proof of his -loyalty, and Halil Khan, untrustworthy as he is, would never dream -of fighting the Sirkar alone. If I may advise I would suggest that -whoever is ultimately set free Nur-Mahommed is never liberated. He -is Jiand's evil genius. Without him you might have won over Jiand to -real loyalty, but so long as Nur-Mahommed, who is a devil, is always -whispering in his ear you can never trust Jiand to keep any oath." - -Before we left Karsimabad I paid Murad some compensation for his -straw, for he had had the best intentions. - -When we reached the main column, which was now agog with curiosity, I -once again combed out our prisoners, retaining some forty-three and -letting the others go. It must be remembered that we were desperately -short of food ourselves and I did not want a single unnecessary mouth -to feed. - -But I was not going back to Khwash without a supply of fodder for our -animals. I, therefore, told Jiand that as he had burned the bhusa I -had bought, and had refused his own at the generous price offered, I -should now take his without payment. - -So we made a détour by way of Kamalabad, where my men immediately -started hunting for straw and wheat. We eventually found that the -latter had been carefully hidden by Jiand, and in a highly ingenious -way. The wheat had been put into sacks, and buried in the sand dunes. -The sand had then been carefully smoothed over, leaving nothing to -show that it had been disturbed. - -But, before our search, I asked the Sarhad-dar, "How on earth will -the men find the sacks?" fearful lest, after all, Jiand had foiled me. - -"They know how to find it," he replied. "Give them the order to -search for it and you'll see what they'll do. They know the trick -well enough." - -Accordingly, orders were issued to search for, and carry off, all the -sacks of wheat and all bhusa that could be found. - -In an instant they were at work amongst the sand dunes, prodding in -the sand with their cleaning rods. Every now and again a man would -shout "Here!" and after a few minutes' digging a sack would be -dragged to light. - -It was immensely interesting to watch this unearthing of plunder, and -after a while I called "Give me a cleaning rod and let me try." - -But I proved a hopeless exponent of the game. Prod as I would, I -could find nothing, though the smiling Rekis would prod where I had -drawn blank and fish out several sacks. This wheat was a great find, -and was loaded on to the camels with the greatest care. - -From Kamalabad I sent a couple of men ahead with messages to Colonel -Claridge--who had remained behind in charge of Khwash--telling him -briefly what had happened, and asking him to prepare a barbed wire -cage for the prisoners now being brought in. - -So promptly did he set to work that, when we marched in next day, -there was ready as perfect a cage as any commander could wish to have. - -We were given a great reception by the garrison, delighted at the -plunder we had brought. The bhusa meant the saving of our animals, -and the wheat was invaluable to ourselves, as our supply of flour had -begun to run very short. - -The wheat was given to the ladies of Khwash to grind outside -the camp. These industrious females all possessed little stone -hand-mills, and, for many days afterwards, the air was filled with -the sound of these at work. These same ladies implored me to pay them -in person for their work, because, they informed me, their men-folk -were not to be trusted. It appeared on inquiry that when the men were -paid they were apt to put the wages of their wives' labour into their -own pockets. So, each afternoon, for some days, we had a pay-parade -of Khwashi ladies to receive in rupees the wages they had honestly -earned. - -While I was waiting for Government instructions as to the disposal of -our Yarmahommedzai prisoners I made these work at strengthening the -camp. It was not easy to get much work out of them as they strongly -resented being put to what they considered to be a degradation. They -maintained it to be a gross indignity for a fighting man to be made -to work with his hands, and contended that all manual labour should -be performed by lower caste people such as the Khwashis. - -But honest work did not hurt them, for, during their imprisonment, -their health improved to a remarkable extent. This result was -probably due to the increased variety of their rations, and to -the vegetables grown in our new garden which they shared with the -garrison. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -FAILURE AND FRESH PLANS - - Slave buying--A diet discovery--Poetic justice--Disposition - of prisoners--Incredible news--The Sawar's story--Disposal of - forces--The march to Kamalabad--Jiand gains his freedom--Retreat - to Khwash. - - -Whilst waiting instructions from the Indian Government as to the -disposal of our Sarhadi prisoners I turned my attention to the -slave question. This had long been one of my pre-occupations. The -chief trouble lay in the fact that not only the Yarmahommedzais -and the Gamshadzais, but also the friendly Rekis--the men of Idu's -tribe--possessed large numbers of these unfortunate women and -children. The consequence was that, when I announced that an order -was about to be issued commanding the surrender of all slaves -throughout the Sarhad, Idu openly groused. - -He pointed out that it would be a great hardship on his -fellow-tribesmen. Many of them had not actually engaged in raids, but -had honourably bought, and paid for, the women from their captors, -and that, in consequence, they would not only be out of pocket to the -extent of the purchase price but would, also, be without servants to -do their menial work. - -Idu's point of view was clear enough, but he was asked, "what about -the unfortunate slaves?" - -The Sarhad-dar backed me up for all he was worth, and at last a -compromise was made. The order went forth that the slaves must all be -liberated without question, but that, as the Rekis had aided us in -every possible way, the Government would purchase their slaves at the -rate of three hundred rupees for a woman, seventy-five for a girl, -and twenty-five for a boy. - -In due course slaves began to arrive from every direction, though -undoubtedly the order was ignored in every instance where it was -possible to do so. At last, in order to accelerate delivery, it was -necessary to promise to purchase all slaves, no matter by whom owned. -From that moment it was astonishing how the number increased, some -arriving on camels, others on foot. The condition of these wretched -women and children was pitiable in the extreme. Some of them were -those whom Izzat had captured during his recent big raid, but the -majority had been in captivity for many years and were in a wretched -state, half-starved, half-naked, and cowed, as the outcome of evident -ill-treatment. Many appeared to have lost all hope in life. - -[Illustration: RAIDED SLAVES ON THE WAY TO THEIR HOMES.] - -[Illustration: A PERSIAN GIRL CAPTURED BY JUMA KHAN, AND WHO ESCAPED -TO KHWASH.] - -These poor folk were given quarters amongst the Khwashis, special -_jugis_ being set aside for them, and were gradually restored to -some semblance of civilised humanity. White army drill and brightly -coloured prints, were requisitioned from Kacha. With these -materials the Khwashi ladies made garments for our enfranchised -slaves. It was pitiful to see their joy and gratitude when told that -they were now free, and would shortly be sent back to their own homes. - -One of our new guests became a constant source of wonder to us all. -She was a fine, well-grown, attractive young woman of about nineteen -or twenty, and had been a captive in the hands of a Gamshadzai Chief. -When she heard of the order that all slaves were to be released she -claimed her freedom, and her right to go to the British General -at Khwash, where safe asylum was offered to all Persian slaves. -Her Gamshadzai master, however, had not the slightest intention of -letting her go. She was far too useful. - -But this Persian girl possessed both grit and powers of endurance. -One night she escaped in the darkness, and, though pursued for a -long distance by her captor, managed to elude him, and made good her -escape. Apparently she ran all through the night, covering fully -forty miles over rough precipitous hills and sandy plains. It seemed -an incredible feat--at first none of us believed the tale--but she -provided such striking evidence of it that we had at last to believe -her. - -Poor soul, she was very dirty, her feet were bare and her clothing -torn to ribbons, but in her pride and joy at being free once more, -she was a moving picture. - -The emaciated condition of these slaves filled us all with -commiseration, and when it was commented upon amongst ourselves the -Sarhad-dar remarked grimly, "You can't have seen their staple food. -If you had, you wouldn't wonder. They carry it in those little bags -they all bring in with them." - -My curiosity was aroused and I asked some of the women to show me -what was contained in those bags. They promptly told me that they -contained the only food they were allowed by their captors, apart -from any green stuff they were themselves able to gather wild on the -hillsides. Some of the bags were then emptied, and quantities of -dried beetles were poured out on the ground. - -Incredible as it seems close inquiry confirmed their statement--that -these dried beetles formed the greater part of their diet. With this -evidence one could no longer wonder that these poor creatures were in -such a wretched, cowed and hopeless state. - -When as many slaves were collected as could be accommodated it became -needful to send them off in order to make room for others, and also -to obviate the necessity of feeding them. Moreover, now that this -batch had begun to regain its humanity, its members were very anxious -to return to their own homes, and when it was announced that we were -going to repatriate them under escort they fell to laughing and -crying with joy. When they were told that this would be done under -the charge of Izzat--the Yarmahommedzai who had captured so many of -them--their joy was turned to dismay, and they implored me not to -trust them to his tender mercies, but to send them with anyone else, -for he would surely take them back again into captivity. - -"I have decided on Izzat," I replied, "because he is a Chief who has -plenty of camels of his own for your transport, and, as he stole -so many of you, he will know exactly where to return you. But you -shall hear yourselves what I am going to say to him. If, then, you -are not satisfied, I will choose someone else. You shall decide for -yourselves." - -Accordingly Izzat was sent for, and informed of this order. I -considered it a piece of poetic justice that he should be the one to -restore the people whom he had stolen, and whose lives he had ruined. -Izzat listened grimly and I fancied I could detect in his dark eyes -a hint of what he proposed doing when these women were once again in -his power. - -"And," I added quietly, "you will bring back and place in my hands -a letter from every one of the women I put in your care. I have the -names of all of them written down. These letters must be written -individually by each woman after she has safely reached her own home, -and must also state that she has been well used on the way. If there -is lacking a letter from any single one of these women, when you -return to Khwash, I shall hang every member of your family on the -tree under which I am now sitting, and you will then be able to count -their dead bodies for yourself. They will remain in my charge during -your absence." - -Izzat could see that I meant what I said. "Sahib, I am in your hands. -I will do whatever you say." - -I then turned to the eager Persian women. - -"You have heard what has been said. You have listened to the -conditions made, and which Izzat has accepted. Are you willing now to -go with him?" - -They all assured me they were, and a day or so later the cavalcade -set out, Izzat taking sufficient camels to allow for the -accommodation of all who were infirm and weak, and for the fitter -members to be able to ride turn and turn about, also for the portage -of sufficient food for their long trek of some one hundred and fifty -miles into the Narmashir. - -As may be imagined it was a great relief to us all when we had seen -them safely on their way. I should here record the fact that, in due -course, Izzat returned, bearing letters from every one of the slaves -to the effect that they had safely arrived at their own homes. He -dared not risk the penalty he knew would have surely been exacted had -he failed in his trust. - -After some little delay I received from Quetta an answer to my -request for instructions as to the disposal of the Sarhadi prisoners. -This answer directed that they should be sent straight to Quetta, a -distance of something like four hundred and fifty miles. - -Naturally I had not sufficient troops to spare for an adequate escort -on such a long march, and sent an answer to that effect; but, at the -same time, suggested that if the Government could arrange for escort, -by Indian troops from Saindak (about nine marches from Khwash), I -could arrange to police them that distance. - -After waiting another two weeks, word came that three hundred of the -106th Hazara Pioneers would be sent to Saindak to take them over, and -I was requested to send the prisoners there, under escort, without -delay. I was also informed that a wireless troop was immediately -being dispatched to Khwash, the purpose being to open up easier -communication with India. At this period the only method of such -communication was by wire from Robat, or Kacha, to Quetta, and camel -messengers had then to be employed to take messages from Robat, -or Kacha, to Khwash, a not always reliable, and often lengthy, -proceeding. - -Accordingly, when I knew the exact date of the Hazaras' arrival at -Saindak, I made my own dispositions for sending the Sarhadi prisoners -there. It should be clearly understood that the whole of the rough, -roadless district lying between these two places was over-run by the -enemy, and, moreover, an enemy deeply resentful of the fact that so -many of their Chiefs were in our hands. It must be remembered, too, -that our numbers were, compared with theirs, ludicrously small. - -We calculated, however, and reasonably I think, on the unlikelihood -of an attack by the Yarmahommedzais on the column, owing to the -presence of the more important prisoners, whose lives they would not -dare to endanger. It was, therefore, thought absolutely safe for the -wireless troop, who would be accompanied by a small escort only, -to come through to us at the same time as, and on a parallel route -to, that of the prisoners, though the two parties were marching in -opposite directions. The wireless troop had orders to come South -along the Eastern slopes of the Koh-i-taftan, and the prisoners were -to be marched North over the Western slopes of the same peak. - -I decided also to send as large an escort as possible with the -prisoners, my object being to ensure against any contretemps prior to -their receipt by the Hazaras--a magnificent type of fighting man--for -conduct to India. I also had another reason, for I had been warned, -by repeated rumour, that Halil Khan was then occupied in gathering -his entire forces together for the rescue of Jiand and his men whilst -being marched northward to Saindak. - -Our own garrison was, therefore, practically reduced to a skeleton, -whilst a force consisting of three troops of cavalry, seventy-five -infantry (about three-fourths of our total numbers) and two maxims, -under the command of two white officers, was detached for escort -duties. - -This column started early one morning in July, and was to march -eighteen miles on the first day. - -[Illustration: CAPTURED RAIDERS ON THE WAY TO KACHA.] - -That same night, or rather early on the following morning, for -it was about two a.m., I was awakened in my tent and informed that -a sawar had just arrived with an urgent message for me. A moment -later one of the cavalrymen composing the escort, which had started -so gaily about twenty hours before, came in, breathing quickly and -heavily with the speed at which he had ridden. He told me that he -had ridden as he had never ridden before to bring me a message from -the officer commanding the prisoners' escort. It was to the effect -that every one of the prisoners, save Jiand and one of his sons, had -escaped in the darkness, and that he awaited further orders in the -circumstances. - -For a moment I thought I was still asleep and dreaming. How could it -be possible that forty-five unarmed men had succeeded in escaping -from an armed, and numerically larger, escort? - -But the stark truth was at last forced upon me, and it amounted to -nothing short of absolute disaster. The whole of my four months' -work had been undone in a few hours, and I was confronted with the -knowledge that I should now have to make a humiliating confession of -utter failure, and at the very moment when the work I had been sent -to do seemed so nearly and successfully finished. - -The situation resolved itself into this; not only would it now be -impossible to hand over our enemy and ringleaders to the large armed -escort now on its way, and especially detailed to receive them, but -these escaped Chiefs would be able to reorganise and hearten up -their people, who had remained quiet during the past few weeks simply -because they had been without their leadership. - -These same Chiefs, of course, knew to a man the strength of our -force, and were naturally bitter with resentment as an outcome of -their recent captivity. They would, I knew, now leave no stone -unturned in their endeavour to wipe us out. My feelings can be better -imagined than described. - -The Sawar was questioned closely as to this disastrous affair, and I -obtained the following details. - -The escort had pitched its camp before sundown on an open hillside. -An enclosure, or sort of rough zareba, had been constructed with a -few strands of barbed wire, and the prisoners, with the exception -of Jiand and his son, had been placed inside, and sentries set over -them. Jiand and his son had been kept apart, in a small _jugi_, with -a sentry in front of it. - -It was a very dark, quiet night, and the camp had soon settled down -to sleep. - -Suddenly, strange stealthy sounds had been heard close to the zareba, -and the sentries had fired wildly into the darkness. Instantly the -whole camp had been roused, and the officers had rushed to the -prisoners' quarters. - -Lamps were brought, and it was quickly found that the zareba was -empty. What had happened seemed fairly obvious. The prisoners had -evidently taken off all their clothes and flung the heavier garments -over the barbed wire. This done, and acting in consort, they had -broken or borne it down by sheer weight. In any case the whole lot of -them had escaped, absolutely naked, leaving their clothes behind on -the barbed wire! - -Of course an immediate search was instituted, but the Raiders -had escaped into the rough, broken hills during the few minutes -succeeding the alarm, and not a single one was re-taken. The only -prisoners now left in our hands were Jiand and his son. - -After such a set-back a man may be pardoned for being at his wits' -end. Not only did it spell failure to keep faith with the Indian -Government in regard to the prisoners, but it became plain that the -wireless troop, whose safe passage I had practically guaranteed, was -now in peril; for they would, almost certainly, be attacked, as they -must by this time be right in the heart of the enemy territory, whose -fighting men would now be elated beyond bounds at their successful -coup. - -I quickly realised that we must act without an instant's delay. -We must first rescue that wireless troop with its small escort at -any cost. The best thing to be done at the moment was to order the -prisoners' escort--who now had no one to escort! except Jiand and his -son--to proceed instantly in the direction along which the wireless -troop was coming, whilst Sanders and myself, with every man we could -collect after leaving some sort of garrison for Khwash--goodness -knows we were few enough already!--set out to join up with the -escort, which would have to march due East that day. - -I could then take some of the men forming that escort and go in the -direction of Kamalabad with the object of holding off the Gamshadzais -under Halil Khan; I was convinced they would now, without question, -put into execution the threat they had so repeatedly made of trying -to rescue Jiand. As will be seen my objective was the Kamalabad -valley, where I should at least have a better chance of holding them -up than elsewhere. - -The messenger was thereupon directed to return at once to the officer -commanding the escort, with a letter directing the new move and -telling him at what point I would intersect his march that evening. - -As soon as he had been dispatched a servant was sent to awaken -Sanders, Idu and the Sarhad-dar, and summon them immediately to my -tent. When they were told the bad news their dismay was fully equal -to mine. The Sarhad-dar seemed to think the world had come to an end. -The situation was in any case quite black enough, and it was a very -depressed little party that an hour later set out from the camp. - -It was not until well on into the evening that the force composing -the prisoners' escort joined us at the appointed _rendezvous_, -but when it did I proceeded to re-arrange the composition of -units without delay. I took twenty-five cavalry, some fifty of -the infantry, also the two machine guns, and ordered the officer -commanding, who was desperately downcast at the disaster, to march at -top speed with the force left him in the direction along which the -wireless troop must now be coming. His further orders, on getting in -touch, were to tell them what had happened, and, as I did not now -consider it safe for them to come at present to Khwash, to go back -with him to Saindak, where he was to hand over Jiand and his son to -the Hazaras now waiting to receive them. - -He was further instructed to say that I was marching in another -direction, towards Kamalabad, in an endeavour to hold up Halil Khan -and the Gamshadzais, who, according to rumours reaching us that -evening, were on their way in great force to Gusht, at the end of the -Kamalabad valley. - -My little force started then and there, marching a distance of -about twelve miles through the night, and reached Kamalabad before -daybreak. It must be remembered that campaigning under conditions -obtaining in a district such as the Sarhad is utterly different from -that of any other type of warfare. - -Amongst my own little force, and especially amongst the camp -followers, were both friends and potential foes, traitors and spies. -In addition to this the whole population of the country was its -fighting force, nearly every man being armed and trained to fight. -Rumour, and news carried by runners, take the place of the dispatches -and newspapers of the West, the consequence being that one's -movements are conveyed from mouth to mouth immediately upon that -movement taking place. This fact will in itself account for our being -able to hear such constant and detailed news of both the enemy's -movements and intentions--and vice versa. - -No sooner had we reached Kamalabad than we learned that Halil Khan -had just been there, but had taken to the Morpeish Hills as we -approached. He had every intention of fighting, but wanted to do it -on ground of his own choice. In any case he did not want to fight -in the open, where our Maxim guns would undoubtedly have given us a -great advantage. - -It was a great relief to hear this, for it meant that we had -intercepted him, and now stood between him and the escort with -Jiand. It meant in effect that he could not attack it without first -meeting and defeating us. Jiand and his son at any rate--and, after -all, Jiand was the supreme Chief--would now be safely handed over at -Saindak. - -But my satisfaction on this point was very short lived. Soon after -reaching Kamalabad another messenger, sent off post-haste by the -officer in charge of the escort, arrived with the news that they had -been attacked in force, and that Jiand and his son had been rescued! - -I questioned the man closely as to what had happened, and discovered -that Jiand and his son had been actually snatched from the very -hands of their gaolers. The fight had been a long and hard one; -many men on our side had been killed, both the British officers -wounded, and many rifles and much ammunition captured. It seemed that -the whole force might have been annihilated but for the opportune -arrival on the scene of the wireless troop with their escort. The -Yarmahommedzais evidently thought this troop the advance guard of -reinforcements and retired, taking Jiand and his son with them. - -I learned later that the rescue party consisted of nineteen of the -very men who had escaped from the prisoners' escort two nights -before. It appears that they had run all the way to Kamalabad naked, -had clothed and re-armed themselves, and had gone back to rescue -their Chief. - -One could not but admire such a magnificent feat of daring and -endurance, even though it added enormously to the difficulties of our -own position. - -The Gamshadzais, in all probability, already knew what had happened. -They would also know that I had brought only a very small detachment -to Kamalabad, that merely a beaten remnant of the escort, now without -British officers, was left on the slopes of the Koh-i-taftan, and -that there was a still smaller force in Khwash. - -It was obviously hopeless now to attempt to fight where we were. It -was equally obvious that our best course would be to get back to -Khwash with all speed. Khwash still remained a dominating factor, -and was still in our hands. From that vantage point it might yet be -possible to collect our scattered forces, and obtain reinforcements. - -Flushed with victory, and elated at his escape, Jiand would also -remember the importance of Khwash, and would doubtless soon be on his -way thither, if, indeed, he was not already marching upon it. - -So, once again, it was to be a race between us for the capital of the -Sarhad. - -And, as on that former occasion of a few months ago, we won the race, -but our return was a very different affair to that of our previous -triumphant entry. - -[Illustration: _Sketch Map illustrating the march to Khwash and the -fighting in the Morpeish Hills._] - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -SUCCESS IN MINIATURE - - The night attack--The Hazaras arrive--Jiand retires--We march on - the Sar-i-drokan valley--Cavalry strategy--"Gushti's" decision - and opinion--"The Hole of Judgment"--Attack and retirement--A - lost and regained water-supply--The Sarhadis as humorists--The - mud fort--Halil Khan's arrival--The fight at dawn--Exit Halil - Khan--A prophet--The Hazaras' request. - - -Immediately on re-entering Khwash Colonel Claridge was sent out, -with all the men it was possible to spare, in an endeavour to find, -and bring back, the strayed remnants of the prisoners' escort. In -the meantime a camel messenger was dispatched to Saindak asking the -O.C. of the Hazaras to march South to our help at once, and to take a -route by which they might, with luck, join up with Colonel Claridge. -A messenger was also dispatched to Colonel Dale, then commanding at -Kacha, requesting him to send us all the supplies and ammunition he -could spare, and personally to do his utmost to expedite the Hazaras, -who were also in his immediate sphere of command. - -Hardly had Colonel Claridge and his small detachment left Khwash when -Jiand, with a large force, took up his position among the low hills -about three miles to the North-East of the town, and Shah Sawar, -who, as I might have expected, was now in full and open revolt, -worried us from the hills to the South-West. - -But we were not going to admit yet that we were beaten. Daily we left -the camp for the open as a challenge to Jiand to come out of his -hills and fight, though it must be confessed that we hoped he would -not accept it. - -At last, after a good deal of apparent indecision, the two Chiefs -made up their minds to attack us, and by night. - -I must explain that in order, as far as possible, to deceive the -enemy as to our numbers--or rather lack of them--the whole of our -newly entrenched camp remained occupied by day; nor did we spare any -device likely to give the impression of a larger garrison. But at -night the men were withdrawn to a small, strongly fortified sector -of the camp, so as to consolidate our strength. One of our Maxims -had been placed in this sector, the other on the only tourelle left -standing, and trained on the camp. - -As we were always expecting a night attack, we were thus well -prepared for it when it came. Jiand made his at the North-East -and Shah Sawar at the South-West angles of the camp: and when the -presence of large numbers of the enemy became apparent round these -areas, our men started to shoot wildly, but were quickly steadied, -and ordered to hold fire. The whole of our depositions had been made -with the object of allowing the enemy, if the attack came by night, -actually to enter the camp, and so enable us to deal with them in -denser formation. - -The outer defences were rushed, and from the temporary pause that -occurred it was clear that the enemy was surprised at finding no -defence. This was of course the vital moment at which to let them -know we were alive. - -From my position in the defensive section of the camp I had had a -telephone line laid to the tourelle. It was, therefore, possible to -order the two Maxims to open simultaneous fire, and, at the same -time, a heavy rifle fire right into the heart of those undefended -sectors. - -The enemy recognised that a night surprise had failed, and were -evidently not inclined to continue the fight under conditions so very -unfavourable to themselves, so beat a hasty retreat. The night was -very dark, and so the results of our fire were not observable. Rumour -said that the enemy had suffered heavily in dead and wounded, but -they must have removed their casualties as there was nothing to be -seen in the morning. The results were all I desired, as we were not -attacked again. - -Three or four days later we were much elated to learn that a junction -had been effected between Colonel Claridge, the remnant of the -prisoners' escort, and the three hundred men of the 106th Hazara -Pioneers under Major Lang. The same information showed that they were -marching together, as quickly as possible, on Khwash, and would -probably be in that day. This was good news indeed. - -When they did arrive my spirits rose higher still. The Hazaras were -a splendid body of men, all spoiling for a fight, and I promptly -arranged that they should have it. It will be remembered that the -Hazaras are Shiahs, hence their eagerness to blot out as many of the -Sunni Sarhadis, per man, as they could manage. - -Directly Jiand became aware of their arrival he realised that it -would be simply waste of time to remain in the neighbourhood of -Khwash. He had now not the slightest hope of capturing it, so -withdrew, with all his forces, to the Sar-i-drokan valley, which, it -will be remembered, was his Summer haunt. This valley lies parallel -with the Kamalabad valley, but on the farther side of the Morpeish -Hills, and is bounded on its Northern side by the Sar-i-drokan Range. - -It seemed now that there might be a good chance of fighting Jiand -with real hope of success, and with the elimination of bluff, upon -which it would no longer be of any use to rely. - -Could we but defeat him in a square and open fight our past failures -would be amply avenged, and British prestige again in the ascendant. - -[Illustration: ON THE MARCH TOWARDS GUSHT AND THE MORPEISH HILLS.] - -So, with this object in view, messages were sent telling him to look -to himself, for we were coming, not only to fight him, but to lift -all his herds. Jiand replied with the defiant message that he was -quite ready for us, and that he knew how to defend his herds, as well -as his men, from all comers. - -The Hazaras were given a couple of days' rest after their long, rapid -march, and we then set out. The combined force now consisted of the -three hundred Hazaras, a squadron of cavalry, two mountain and two -machine guns and some Rekis. The remnant of our original force and -two machine guns were left in Khwash, under the command of Colonel -Claridge. - -The British officers with me were Major Sanders (Brigade Major), -Major Lang, Captain Moore-Lane, Lieutenant Bream of the Hazaras, -Lieutenant English with the guns, and Captain Brownlow in command of -the cavalry. We started on a scorching hot day, the 28th of July, -with Jiand's herds in the valley of the Sar-i-drokan as objective. - -There were two ways of entering this valley, which is about -seventy-five miles long, more or less closed at either end by a -bottle-neck formation of hills, and protected along the whole length -of its sides, as already described, by the precipitous Morpeish and -Sar-i-drokan Ranges. - -We fully realised that the entry to this valley would, in all -probability, be a tough proposition, as the entrances could be easily -defended, and would therefore be hard to force. The North-Western -gorge, one of the two by which the valley could be entered, was -called the Dast-Kird, and was very narrow. Jiand could, therefore, -easily hold us in this direction. For, in an attack upon it, cavalry -would only be an incumbrance, and, owing to the perpendicular sides -of the gorge, and to the curious convexities of the hill-sides which -obscured the view from below, the guns would fail in their proper -sphere of usefulness. - -Yet it would be necessary to enter the valley by that gorge, or by -the alternative one at the South-Eastern end, and close to a place -called Gusht. But this second gorge was almost as difficult of -access, if defended, as that of the Dast-Kird. - -It will be well to explain also that here, in the Sarhad, victory -is attained more by the number of ramas--herds of goats and -sheep--captured than by the number of men killed. It will be seen, -therefore, that if we were to claim, and to be accredited with, a -victory over Jiand, it became essential to capture the whole, or the -greater part, of his herds. - -This we well knew would be a difficult matter, but it would have to -be done, despite Idu's doubts on the point. - -"If you try to go in by the Dast-Kird, Sahib, Jiand will send his -herds out by Gusht. If, on the other hand, you try to enter by Gusht, -it will probably be fatal. Not only will Jiand send his herds out -by the Dast-Kird, but as Gusht stands on the border of Halil Khan's -territory he also will doubtless take you on, whilst it will only be -a comparatively short distance for Jiand to make his dash through -the Dast-Kird and so down to Khwash. While he is attacking the few -men you have left in Khwash, you will be left at Gusht with Halil -Khan guarding the defile!" - -For once Idu had become a croaker, but we were not in the mood to -listen to him. - -We camped out in the open, but under the lea of the Morpeish Hills, -and from out of those hills we knew that hundreds of eyes were -watching our every movement. - -At this stage I sent for Captain Brownlow and ordered him to march -with the cavalry, while it was still light, for several miles in the -direction of the Dast-Kird, at the same time making as big a display -as he could; but, when night fell, to rejoin us as quickly and -noiselessly as possible. - -This little piece of strategy will be plain to the reader. When the -enemy saw our cavalry, apparently going in the direction of the -Dast-Kird, he would conclude that we intended to attack at that -point. Jiand would, therefore, concentrate in that direction to -defend the pass, and to prepare the ground for battle on the morrow. -We, meantime, would be marching with all speed in the opposite -direction--towards Gusht. - -Accordingly, Captain Brownlow, making a fine show with his cavalry, -set out towards the Dast-Kird, and continued in that direction till -night-fall. But he went one better than his instructions. He found -and collected a quantity of dried-up scrub, and this he set fire to -in patches, to give the impression that our whole force was camping -there on its way to the Dast-Kird. This done he returned to camp -under cover of darkness. - -Jiand fell into the trap. Warned by his scouts of what they imagined -to be taking place he moved off with his force of something between -one thousand and fifteen hundred fighting men, and actually marched -all night towards the Dast-Kird. To safeguard his herds he sent -them off in the opposite direction, towards Gusht. The position now -amounted to this. Jiand's herds, on the farther side of the Morpeish -Hills, and ourselves on the near side, were hurrying as fast as -we could towards the Gusht defile, whilst Jiand and his men were -hastening in the opposite direction--towards Dast-Kird. Thus it was -that, by the time Jiand realised the trick that had been played upon -him, we had gained a full two marches in the race for the defile. - -Gusht--the town mentioned as being just outside the gorge of the -same name--belonged to a Raider Chief with a name so difficult to -pronounce that I never achieved it, and so was forced to call him -"Gushti." The name has stuck to him I believe ever since. This Raider -was at the head of about two hundred fighting men, and claimed to be -a complete free lance, and to owe allegiance neither to Jiand, Halil -Khan, nor anyone else. Gusht boasted a mud fort of some size, and -from this stronghold "Gushti" raided at will. - -I had been told that "Gushti" was prepared to join any force--as a -free lance--if bent on an expedition which appealed to his taste. -We were, in consequence, up against the fact that, if Jiand reached -Gusht first, "Gushti" would undoubtedly be persuaded to join him. On -the other hand, if we were first on the spot, it might be possible to -bribe him into throwing in his lot with us. - -The distance between Kamalabad, where we had first camped, and -Gusht is about sixty miles, and the distance between Kamalabad and -Dast-Kird is approximately fifteen miles. It will be understood, -then, that while Jiand was marching the fifteen miles between -Kamalabad and Dast-Kird we were moving fifteen miles in the opposite -direction. When, therefore, he learned the truth as to the position, -we were thirty miles ahead of him--a useful start. On learning his -error Jiand turned and came hot-foot in pursuit of us along the -farther slopes of the hills. And such good progress did he make, -despite the difficulties of the ground, that he came very near to -overtaking us, though, fortunately, not quite. The prize offered for -the race was a big one, the unopposed passage of the Gusht defile, -plus the active, or passive, assistance of "Gushti." - -On the third day's march we approached, and deployed our force to -give it as big a frontage as possible. This was done to impress -"Gushti." As usual, we had sent messengers on ahead. These invited -"Gushti" to join us, and pointed out the uselessness of opposition -as Jiand was hopelessly behind, and promised large rewards if he -decided to join us of his own free will. - -When we arrived "Gushti" came out to meet us, all smiles and -pleasantness, and assured me that he had not the slightest idea -of opposing us, but that he would prefer not to fight against his -old friend Halil Khan. He undoubtedly held him in wholesome dread. -He also warned me that we were in for a big thing if we really -meant fighting. Jiand might be behind, but not so very far, for, -as usual, news of our proceedings had spread ahead of us. Jiand, -he continued, with a very large force, was close on our heels, -though on the other side of the range; whilst the Gamshadzais, under -Halil Khan, were gathered in large numbers on the Southern slopes -of the Safed-koh--about two marches away to the North of the Gusht -defile--and were ready to attack us at any moment. - -He admitted, however, that we had gained one great advantage, namely -an unopposed passage through the defile. - -We spent a very short time in Gusht, which boasted a considerable -number of mud huts, as well as the fort already mentioned. There were -also several karezes, and a fair number of date palms dotted about, -which gave a picturesque appearance to the place. In addition, there -was a spring which "Gushti" insisted on our seeing, and which was -supposed to possess extraordinary qualities. - -This spring gushes out of the top of a dome-shaped rock, and close -beside it, also in the rock, is a hole called "The Hole of Judgment." -If a man has been accused of wrongdoing, and is brought to this -hole, a sure test of his innocence or guilt can be obtained. If, on -thrusting his hand into the hole, he is able to draw it out again, he -is innocent. If he cannot perform the feat he is guilty. This appears -to be an unfailing method of obtaining absolution for their sins. - -We passed through the defile that evening, though we had already had -a long march, for I did not want to risk losing the advantage we had -gained. Once through the neck we debouched into comparatively open -ground, and, after continuing our march for some three miles, halted -and encamped by the side of a fine kareze. - -That same night Jiand arrived at a point only five miles distant. -We had not, therefore, won the race with much to spare. Later -information showed that he had travelled night and day, and was -deeply depressed to find that, owing to his initial mistake, we had -passed, unopposed, what should have been a formidable barrier. - -The next morning we advanced about three miles along the valley, -subject to a certain amount of sniping which grew worse as we -proceeded. We encamped in a strong position by a spring. We were -fully aware that, at any moment, the Yarmahommedzais in front of -us might join hands with the Gamshadzais. Their combined forces -would then number anything between two thousand to two thousand five -hundred men. - -We now learned that a large number of the Gamshadzai herds had been -sent to a place called Makn-tuk in the Safed-koh hills beyond the -Saragan defile. I decided to attack in the direction of Makn-tuk. - -Accordingly, at about five o'clock on the following morning, we -attacked the Gamshadzais' position by the Saragan defile, but at the -outset the opposition proved far greater than we had anticipated, -and, though this attack was pushed till eleven o'clock, the main body -had then only advanced about half a mile. - -I then realised that it would be futile to hope to push on to -Makn-tuk, and, much against my will, withdrew the scattered forces, -some of which were already engaged far up on the hill-sides. With the -help of covering fire from the Maxim and mountain guns, we withdrew -with comparatively small loss to our last camping ground. - -The Hazaras were very disappointed at this order to retire, for -they declared that, had they been allowed to advance, they would, -most certainly, have succeeded in knocking out the opposition and -winning through to Makn-tuk. But during our passage through that -region at a later date these fire-eaters were better able to gauge -the extraordinary difficulty of the terrain, and had to admit that it -would have been impossible to fight a way through. - -In the meantime a body of the enemy had moved down from the hills, -and had cut off our only available water supply by capturing the -picket-post guarding the spring before mentioned. - -This was serious and I immediately rode forward with an escort of -about a dozen cavalrymen. But we had not proceeded far when, quite -suddenly, a heavy fire was opened on us from the hills. Fortunately -no one was hit, but it was a miraculous escape, for the ground around -us was literally ploughed up with bullets. - -We dismounted, attacked and regained the picket-post. As Brownlow and -I entered the sangar I noticed, on the ground at my feet, one of my -own cigarette boxes, which had been taken by the Raiders when they -captured my kit on its way from Nushki to Robat. - -The dozen Sawars were now left to defend the spring, at any cost, -and Brownlow and I returned to the main body, meeting on the way -the Sarhad-dar, with some of the Rekis, who were coming to our -assistance. However, the danger was over for the moment. - -The Rekis solemnly assured me that I must be tir-band (immune from -fire). They had watched the hail of bullets from the hills spattering -around us, and could yet hardly believe we had none of us been hit. - -I had already found by experience that it was always wise to take -advantage of little superstitious suggestions of this sort, so -solemnly replied that it was a well-known fact that I was tir-band! - -We had now seen enough of the enemy's ways and methods to realise -his inclination to waste a great deal of invaluable ammunition at -long ranges. We, therefore, decided upon what seemed a wise course -of action. Realising that to attack him in the hills would be too -expensive we would remain down in the open, anyhow for a few days, -draw his fire, and give him a good opportunity of eating up his -limited food supply. We had food for a month, and knew that he had -only sufficient to last four or five days. - -Accordingly we camped where we were for that night, and on the -following morning moved a little farther back towards the Gusht -gorge, taking up the position upon which we had camped when first -entering the valley. - -On that short rearward march we were fired at continuously, first at -long range, and then, as the enemy grew bolder, at close quarters. -We could distinctly hear them shouting as they came, crouching low -amongst the rocks and scrub of the hill-sides. They were humorists, -too, these Sarhadis, for, between the shouts, we could catch a -very passable imitation of the rat-a-tat-tat noise of our machine -guns. They came, at last, near enough to shout at me, directly and -personally, calling on me to surrender; promising if I did so to -spare my life, and also informing me that it was no good trying to -fight any longer as I was practically surrounded, and my retreat -cut off. They used the selfsame expressions I had so often used -when summoning them to surrender. This was turning the tables with -a vengeance! But we quickly saw that their boast as to having cut -our retreat was not altogether an idle one. They had, at this stage, -actually occupied a little mud fort crowning a small hillock. This -hillock lay like an island in the bottom of the valley, and commanded -the camping ground we were making for. - -The Raiders could be plainly seen shooting at us through the -loop-holes, but, unfortunately for them, Lieutenant English promptly -trained one of his mountain guns on the fort. The first round fired -hit its mark, burst inside, and raised a huge cloud of dust. Its -disconcerted occupants promptly bolted, and the way to our camping -ground lay open. - -Here it was possible to place the whole force in comparative safety, -partly owing to the cover afforded by the hillock with the mud fort -on its summit, and in a greater measure to the very convex slopes of -the hills to the North, which gave us complete shelter from snipers' -bullets. - -Our only vulnerable point was from behind. If the enemy collected -in the low hills running out from the sides of the gorge it would -be possible to rush us in the darkness. It was in that direction, -accordingly, that we must look out for trouble. - -With the idea of guarding against this I asked "Gushti" to supply me -with a couple of men who knew the country well, and were able to -find their way amongst the hills by night. - -I then waited till it was quite dark before sending out two strong -pickets, each consisting of fifty men, under the guidance of -"Gushti's" men, to occupy two of the low hills which Sanders and I -had carefully noted whilst the daylight lasted. These commanded the -ground over which the attack would most likely come. We now fully -realised that we were in a very tight corner, and that there was -nothing to be done but to stay and fight it out. - -That night Halil Khan himself arrived with reinforcements from Jalk, -and went straight to Jiand and his Yarmahommedzais. - -He harangued them on their lack of enterprise in not having already -defeated my force and made me a prisoner. He told the tribesmen that -they vastly outnumbered my men and suggested that, if Jiand had -lost his nerve, they had better serve, for the time being, under -his leadership, when they would soon see how to capture the Sahib's -forces. The outcome of this forceful personality's action was that -Jiand, old and now very weary, consented to waive his leadership in -Halil Khan's favour--for the time being. - -[Illustration: HAZARAS ON A PICKET POST BELOW WHICH HALIL KHAN WAS -KILLED.] - -So sure seems Halil Khan to have been of his ultimate and complete -victory over us on the morrow that he actually sent a messenger off, -that night, to the Khan of Bampur, telling him that the British -General, who had caused so much trouble, was already a captive, -and that hundreds of his men had been killed. He also wound up this -premature message by inviting the Khan to come and share the loot. - -He then left Jiand's camp, taking with him Jiand's men, marched right -round our position to our rear, and occupied a long, deep hollow -between the two very low hills on which the pickets had been posted, -but whose presence was absolutely unsuspected, as they had got there -noiselessly in the darkness. - -From this hollow an easy advance on our camp could be made, and Halil -Khan's intention had been, with the dawn, to rush us, and by sheer -weight of numbers, overwhelm us. - -But just before dawn one of those insignificant accidents occurred -upon which great things so often depend. - -As Halil Khan made ready for the attack, which I heard later was -timed to take place during the next ten minutes, the rifle of one of -his men went off by accident. - -I distinctly heard the shot, and have since been told that I rushed -out of my tent shouting, "The Lord has delivered them into our hands!" - -I am perfectly certain I never said any such thing, though I may have -exclaimed, "We've got em!" - -In an instant a roar of musketry broke out from the hills on both -sides, for the shot had alarmed the pickets, and they were firing -down into the hollow from whence the sound had come. - -Light was beginning to break, and it was then just sufficient to see -by, dimly and uncertainly. In any case I knew I had got my chance. - -Instant orders were given that every man in camp should reinforce the -pickets. - -It soon became apparent that Halil Khan, ignorant that the heights -above him were occupied, had committed a grave error. Daylight showed -that his force were completely exposed to our fire, and that he could -neither advance nor retire without running the gauntlet of it; for -this grew hotter and hotter as reinforcements came up. - -Halil Khan and his men fought like tigers, but were in an impossible -position. We had all the ammunition we required and an easy target. -Our own casualties were astonishingly light, but we did not get off -scot-free, and Halil Khan was personally responsible for many of our -men. - -By eleven o'clock the fight was over, and those of the enemy -remaining alive got clear as best they could. - -Before long news was brought that Halil Khan had been killed, and -that his body was still lying in the hollow. Immediate orders were -given for it to be brought in, as I feared the Shiah Hazaras might -attempt to mutilate it. One of the Hazaras spread the news that he -had seen me blow Halil Khan's head off. The Sarhad-dar overheard him, -repeated what the Hazara had said, and asked me to go and look at the -body, which had now been brought in. - -A number of us went and looked at the body, and found that a bullet -had pierced his eye and had blown the back of his head off. - -One of the Rekis, who had been present at the last Durbar in Khwash, -exclaimed, "Sahib, you are a Buzurg (a prophet). You said at the -Durbar in Khwash that if ever Halil Khan fought against you again you -would blow his head off. And behold, you have done it." - -Once again I felt it policy to acquiesce and to admit that I was -a prophet. As a fact, I had not fired a single shot during the -engagement. - -Soon after I had returned to my tent an irate, native officer of the -Hazaras craved admission, which was accorded. Without preface he -opened bluntly. "Sahib, will you give us Halil Khan's body?" - -I asked, "Why? What do you mean to do with it? Do you want to -mutilate it?" - -He replied, "Sahib, when we lost men the day before yesterday, and -buried them before retiring, the Yarmahommedzais, who came down after -our departure, dug up the bodies, mutilated them horribly and flung -them to the jackals. Therefore, in justice, Halil Khan's body is -ours." - -"Halil Khan was a brave man as well as a great leader," I replied. -"You are going to give him a soldier's funeral. You surely have -no wish to treat him in the same terrible way that your men were -treated?" - -He urged his point of view with such heat that I at last grew angry -and asked him by what right he demanded Halil Khan's body, and to -answer me as to who had killed him. - -"You did, Sahib," he replied, eyeing me curiously. - -"Exactly," I said with decision. "Then to whom does the body -belong--to you or to me?" - -This seemed rather to appeal to him, for he replied with greater calm: - -"To you, Sahib, I suppose." - -"I suppose so too, and I am going to do what I like with it. Go at -once to Gusht, buy a new winding sheet, and we will give Halil Khan a -soldier's burial; one befitting his brave deeds and position. Bring -in all the mullahs (priests) you can find in Gusht. Oh, and, by the -way, you can pay for the winding sheet for wasting so much of my time -in argument." - -So we accorded Halil Khan a really fine soldier's funeral. Nor was -this without results, for we learned, later, that it had made a great -and favourable impression throughout the Sarhad. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -VICTORY AND PEACE - - News of the herds--Towards Dast-Kird--Water!--Mutton for - all--Dast-Kird--A stampede--Back to Khwash--On the track of the - Gamshadzais--Twice a prophet--The Sarhad-dar's roost--Before - Jalk--Rejected terms--More strategy and a bloodless - victory--Remain only terms and sick leave. - - -We had certainly won a decisive victory from a military point of -view, but, according to the unwritten code regulating victory in the -Sarhad, we had yet to capture the Raiders' _ramas_ or herds of goats -and sheep. - -This omission still confronted us when one of Idu's special Reki -scouts declared he knew the exact whereabouts of Jiand's herds, and -that he could lead us there in two marches. At the end of each of -these he declared we should also find a good camping ground, and a -good water supply. As these men had never yet promised water and -failed us, orders were given to strike camp and march out in the -direction of Dast-Kird, through the valley lying between the Morpeish -and Sar-i-drokan Ranges. - -Although we made a very early start the heat soon became intense. -There was not a particle of shade, and our route lay slightly uphill -all the way, over rugged broken ground. Also, as we were confident -of finding water at the camping ground, the men had emptied their -water bottles before mid-day, and were enduring agonies of thirst -long before we reached our proposed camping place; whilst the -suffering of the animals was pitiful to see. But the prospect of a -good drink at the end of the march kept up our spirits. - -At last, late in the afternoon, the Reki, who had constituted himself -our guide, gave a cry and ran forward, telling us that we had reached -the spot where we should find water. - -No sign of stream or spring showed itself, but I remembered that -the Sarhadis have a way of finding water seemingly miraculous to -the white man, and when the Reki proceeded to dig and scratch in -the ground at the foot of a stunted tree we fully expected to see a -little spring gush forth. The men, therefore, with lips swollen and -tongues cleaving to the roofs of their mouths, crowded round, eager -and impatient. - -But, for once, Nature and the Reki failed us. For though the latter -dug and dug, with the sweat pouring down his face, the dry, arid -ground showed not the faintest sign of moisture. - -At last he desisted and fell at my feet, saying despairingly, "Sahib, -there is no water! I found water here once, in the cold season, and I -thought it would always be here. The heat must have dried it all up." - -[Illustration: WATER! ON THE MARCH TO THE SAR-I-DROKAN.] - -Our situation was pretty desperate. We had not a drop of water for -man or beast, and now could not tell when we should get any. -All through the latter part of that day's march we had succeeded -in getting the men along solely by encouraging them with promises -of water. "Just a mile farther on" and then, "perhaps another -half-mile." Only those who have marched without water in torrid -countries can have any conception of the depression that grips men -when they do not know when, or where, water may next be found. - -I cursed the man for misleading us, and he shook with fear. "It is -not my fault, Sahib. Water was here when last I came to this place. -But to-morrow, without fail, I will lead you to a fine stream of -water." - -"To-morrow?" I echoed. "How are we to exist till to-morrow? Why -should I believe you? You have deceived us to-day, why not again -to-morrow?" - -The man swore on the Koran he could and would lead us to a place -where we should find water. "If I do not succeed, Sahib, in finding -water before eleven o'clock, then take my life." - -I replied grimly that if he failed again, his life would most -certainly be forfeit--that was to say if any of us then remained in a -condition to shoot him. - -The whole force suffered horribly that night, and when we set out -again it was still dark. The Reki went on ahead with the advance -guard. I rather imagine he was anxious to put a safe distance between -himself and my revolver, for I had, indeed, determined to have him -shot if he deceived us a second time. No man could face a second day -of that blinding heat and glare without water and keep his sanity. - -We had only been marching a few hours when a Sawar rode back from the -advance guard to report that large herds of sheep and goats had been -sighted a short distance ahead. - -Our spirits instantly rose. Where there were sheep there would, most -probably, be water. Shouting to the men to encourage them we galloped -forward and were soon pushing our way through masses of sheep to find -ourselves on the banks of a stream of clear, cool water. - -The difficulty, of course, was now to restrain man and beast from -over-drinking; for if ever nectar flowed on this earth it flowed that -day in that parched, sun-baked Saragan Valley. - -Unfortunately, like the majority of streams in the Sarhad, and in -Persia generally, it only flowed above ground for a short distance, -to be soon lost again in the arid, sandy ground. So orders were -given to halt at that spot till we were all rested, and had absorbed -sufficient water to make up for the past thirty-six hours. - -The thirty-four herds of sheep and goats found here were claimed -as spoils of war, and I determined to give the men a real, good -feast for once. Here was any amount of mutton for the killing, and -well-nigh as much goats' milk as water. - -The hungry Hazaras sent in a request that they might each have a -whole sheep a day. I naturally thought such a request fantastic, and, -not taking it literally, sent back word that they might, for once, -have as much meat as they wanted. - -But they took the permission literally, and actually did slaughter -a sheep for each man. I discovered afterwards that their great idea -had been to be able to boast, in the future, that, after their great -victory over the Yarmahommedzais, led by the Gamshadzai Chief, Halil -Khan, their rations had been "a sheep per man per day." - -After this feast the carcasses of the uneaten sheep, and of the -half-cooked meat, lay about in an orgy of waste, and the sight of the -camping-ground was, as may be imagined, a sickening one. Never again -was such a ration-order given! - -Late in the afternoon, with the whole force in fine fettle, we -continued our forward march, driving the herds with us, and, a little -later, found a good camping ground with a plentiful supply of water. -For many hours that night, owing to the bleating of thousands of -sheep, there was little rest for anyone. But as they were now _our_ -sheep and not the enemy's, the annoyance was cheerfully borne. - -Upon the following day water proved scarce, and a great deal of -digging had to be done before even a trickle could be found. The -unfortunate sheep and animals had, therefore, to go very short. The -country was also from this point getting very difficult, and marching -became a great labour in consequence. Part of our route lay through a -narrow, rocky defile; one of the worst to negotiate, from a military -point of view, that I have ever encountered. Had a mere handful of -the enemy chosen to obstruct us it would have been utterly impossible -to get through. - -Much picketing of the heights had to be done, and this called for a -great effort on the part of the Hazara Pioneers. These duties were -well carried out under the very able direction of Major Lang. - -Fortunately the Yarmahommedzais had had enough of it, and left us -severely alone. In fact, the only signs we had of them were the blood -tracks of their wounded, walking or carried. But even these were -significant enough evidence of their losses during the fight. - -The next day brought us more open ground, though marching still -remained arduous, as we were tackling an uphill route. But later it -fell away again towards the Dast-Kird gorge, and, by the afternoon, -we were able to pitch our camp in a wild, but very picturesque, -little valley, close to Jiand's Summer haunt. This valley, as I -have already explained, lies between the Morpeish and Sar-i-drokan -heights, which at this point rise sheer from it on either side. There -are also a good many trees in the neighbourhood, and the ground round -the bases of these had been flattened, and then plastered with mud, -in order to form good flooring for jugis. - -We spent the night here, and on the following day arrived at -Dast-Kird, where we camped close to a small stream. Unfortunately -this stream was so small, a mere trickle, that it would not suffice -for the animals, who had had insufficient water for the last two or -three days. - -These herds were some little distance behind, for, poor brutes, they -were feeling the heat and lack of water terribly. We, therefore, -proceeded to make some provision for them, before their arrival, by -damming the stream, and trying to make a small reservoir. - -The first animals to arrive were the battery mules, who, when they -smelt water, made a dash for it. But they had scarcely begun to drink -than a mass of twelve thousand sheep and goats, also smelling water, -broke from their would-be shepherds, and, in a solid phalanx, charged -the mules, routed them, and took possession of the water-supply. The -men pulled and tugged, and struck them with their rifles in their -endeavour to stampede them and drink themselves. But those sheep knew -the power of numbers and of combination. With their heads well down -they slaked their thirst from a stream which, now that the dam had -been trodden down, had again become a trickle, and they held that -position, against all comers, for twenty minutes. Poor beasts, they -paid for their orgy at the price of some two hundred lives that night. - -Upon the following day we started on our return march to Khwash, -and, upon our entry there, were accorded a great reception, and the -story of the fight had to be told again and again. - -It was during this march that we began to realise the extent of the -Yarmahommedzai casualties in the recent fighting; for, during the -whole of it, from the scene of the fight right through to Khwash, a -distance of about a hundred miles, not a single one of the enemy did -we see, nor was a solitary shot fired at us. - -But I was still not quite satisfied with results. We had not yet -closely engaged and beaten the Gamshadzais, nor had we put into -operation that deciding factor, the capture of their herds. On the -contrary, when we had attempted to pierce the Saragan defile, they -had forced us to retire. - -I have never yet been able to understand why Halil Khan never brought -his own force against us near Gusht, but only the Yarmahommedzais, -after he had persuaded Jiand to let him lead the latter into battle. - -It can only be supposed that he thought he had a task easy enough -to tackle with one lashkar, and that he would not, in consequence, -endanger his own men's lives. The mystery is the deeper because he -had previously been at great pains to collect all his scattered -tribesmen, and had concentrated them in the Safed-koh. Yet these men, -even when news reached them of our victory over Jiand's tribe and of -the death of their leader, never made the smallest attempt to attack -us or to reverse the decision of arms. - -It will be understood, then, that while the Gamshadzais remained -unbeaten and their herds intact, our claim to dominance in the Sarhad -could not be claimed as anything but partial. If, therefore, we were -to hope for lasting peace in the future, they too must have a lesson. - -So, after a couple of days' rest at Khwash, we marched out with our -faces once more turned towards Gusht, and with every hope of another -victory. The composition of the force was much the same as that upon -the previous occasion, but with the addition of a few Chagai Levies -under Major Hutchinson (political officer). - -A couple of days' marching across the burning plain found us camped -at a place called Ab-i-kahugan, lying in a small valley closely -surrounded by hills. The men were hot and weary, and, as water had -been scarce on the march, they were only too thankful to fling -themselves down and rest. There were a small water hole and a few -stunted trees and shrubs under which a certain amount of shade could -be obtained. - -For myself I dropped down under one of these bushes and slept well on -into the afternoon. When at last I woke, still feeling very done up -with the heat, I saw one or two flashes of lightning in the distance, -and felt certain that it was going to rain. - -I immediately got up and gave orders for the whole camp to be moved -on to higher ground, and selected a likely spot on one of the slopes -of the low hills surrounding the valley. - -The heat was still very great, and the effort expended in -striking and re-pitching camp was not inconsiderable. The present -camping-place was also infinitely cooler and more comfortable. - -As an outcome of this order an officer reported that the men were -grumbling at having to move when tired out with the heat and the -heavy marching of the last few days. - -I explained (for I knew by my own state how tired and done the men -must be) that I had a presentiment that it was going to rain and -that, if it did, the dry valley-bed would soon be a running stream. - -The officer stared at me. "Rain?" he repeated, as though he had not -heard me aright. "But it hardly ever rains in the Sarhad, and it has -never been known to rain in August." - -"Nevertheless," I replied, "this valley-bottom is going to be turned -upside down, and the sooner you get your men out of it and up on to -high ground the better." - -The officer saluted and returned to his men, who sulkily proceeded -to carry up their kit and tents and to form a new camp on the -uncomfortable, sloping sides of the hill. - -As I strolled about, seeing that my orders were being carried out, I -noticed that Major Hutchinson's tent had been left in the bed of the -valley. I walked up to it, found him dozing inside, and told him to -have his tent moved on to higher ground as it was going to rain. - -He, however, demurred, saying that he was very tired. He added, "It -never rains in the month of August in Baluchistan." - -I, however, remained firm, though the few light clouds flecking the -sky a short while before had completely disappeared. - -Despite my stringent orders some of Major Hutchinson's Chagai Levies -apparently passed unnoticed amongst the low scrub, and so remained -down in the shady comfort of the valley. - -As the evening wore on I began to feel that perhaps I had been -foolish in ignoring the dogmatic statements of the men well -acquainted with weather conditions in the Sarhad, and was still -chewing the cud of this reflection when, suddenly, I heard a roar in -the distance. This came rapidly nearer, and very quickly resolved -itself into the sound of rushing water. Almost before we realised it, -a mighty spate swept into the valley, literally filling it. The water -carried everything before it, and very soon small trees, shrubs and -débris were being hurled along in a mighty rush. - -It was pretty evident that the rain foretold had indeed fallen, -though actually, in another part of the hills, forming this spate, -which would have caused us serious loss but for my lucky premonition. - -Torrents of rain accompanied the spate, and the kit of the few -Chagai Levies who had neglected orders was carried away and never -seen again. - -As for the Levies themselves, they came within an ace of losing their -own lives, and only saved themselves by clambering into the branches -of some stunted trees, and waiting there till rescued. Nor was the -rescue-work done without considerable risk to the rescuers. - -The Sarhad-dar had, for some reason, been down in the valley-bed when -the spate arrived, and had been nearly drawn under during the first -few minutes. But he too, fortunately, managed to climb into a low -tree, where for some time his position was perilous enough, for the -swirling waters threatened every minute to snap or uproot the trunk, -when he would have been carried away. - -It was pitch dark when the spate arrived. I had seized a hurricane -lamp from my tent and was watching the amazing scene by its light, -when I heard the Sarhad-dar's voice shouting for help. One of our -resourceful Rekis instantly grasped the situation. He jumped on to -one of the horses tethered close by, urged him into the flood, and -soon had the Sarhad-dar safely beside me on the high ground. He was -later on recommended for the Royal Humane Society's Medal. - -The next morning, as soon as I was awake, my tent was besieged by the -Hazaras. They crowded round, asking me to come out. So slipping into -my kit I emerged with the intention of asking them what they wanted. - -But I had scarcely lifted the tent-flap when they all raised a shout, -and then proceeded to tell me that I was a Buzurg (prophet), that -they all owed their lives to me, and had come to thank me. - -I replied with proper solemnity. It was undeniable, I said, that I -was a prophet, for had they not recently had two concrete instances -of my powers? - -Later on, Major Hutchinson, in thanking me for saving his life, -asked: "How did you know it was going to rain?" - -I laughingly replied, "Because I'm a prophet, my son! Didn't you hear -the Hazaras proclaim it just now?" - -As a matter of fact we had very great reason to be thankful for our -escape. The loss of the whole of our camp equipment, and of hundreds -of our animals, would have been inevitable had the camp remained on -its original site. - -The day following this incident we marched through Gusht again, and -camped on the site of our recent engagement. - -From here we resumed our march in the direction of Zaiti, a camping -ground lying just beyond the Saragan defile. But though we started -at five a.m., met with no opposition and reckoned the distance only -about twelve miles, we were not through the defile before midnight. - -It must have been at about this hour that I called one of the -native Hazara officers to my side, and remarked, "Your men were very -disappointed the other day when we tried to force the pass, and -the order was given to retire. You remember, they said they were -convinced they could have got through, even with the heavy opposition -we encountered. Do you think, now they've seen what it's really like, -they are satisfied that the order was a necessary one?" - -"Sahib," he replied, "of course we all see now that we could have -done nothing in such a place against a determined enemy. I have never -been through such a place in my life, and I am used to rough and -difficult country." - -As a matter of fact the defile was so narrow in places that a loaded -camel could not get through it. Fortunately we had a quantity of gun -cotton with us, so were able to blast the rocks here and there, and -thus make the passage possible for them without unloading. - -In due course we arrived at the village of Sinukan, a place some -eleven miles from Jalk. Jalk at the time was a Gamshadzai stronghold, -where they held two forts of some strength. - -[Illustration: HAZARA PIONEERS WIDENING A PASSAGE FOR LOADED CAMELS.] - -At Sinukan I received a message from the Gamshadzais saying that -they wished to treat with me, and asking whether I would go into -Jalk and state my terms. If these were acceptable, they said, they -would instantly submit, but, if not, they undertook to withdraw their -forces to a distance of five miles on the farther side of Jalk, -provided we also withdrew five miles from the town on our side. -This suggestion was made in order to give us both time to make our -respective dispositions before fighting commenced. - -An answer was sent to say that I agreed to the conditions, and that -my force would come at once into Jalk to meet the Chiefs and present -my terms to them. - -I would say here that these terms were not drastic. They were only -bare necessary safeguards for the lasting peace of the Sarhad. On -their presentation, therefore, and for a time during the discussion, -I hoped that counsels of wisdom would prevail, and that they would -be accepted _in toto_. At the last minute, however, the hotheads -over-ruled the moderates and they were formally rejected. - -On this rejection I warned them that, if they persisted in their -refusal, it meant fighting, and their reply was that they fully -recognised the gravity of their decision, but that they meant to -abide by it. - -Accordingly, we retired not only five miles but the whole eleven -miles back to Sinukan. My reason for this action was that I had -already thought out a plan by which it might be possible to subdue -these warlike tribesmen without the fighting I was naturally anxious -to avoid. I certainly did not want to lose my own men, nor did I -wish to make casualties of any more of the Sarhadis. My chief object -had been, throughout, and, as has already been mentioned in this -narrative, to make friends with them in the long run. - -But no race, white or coloured, ever held in respect man or -government showing weakness or indecision, and, as the foregoing -pages prove, it was of little use attempting to make friends with -these tribesmen without first inspiring them with a wholesome respect -for British arms. - -As we approached Sinukan I directed my Brigade Major to form two -separate camps as I wished to seize Jalk by surprise that night -with a portion of my force. My idea was to leave my transport and -other encumbrances under a sufficient guard at Sinukan and with the -remainder to move off secretly to carry out my intentions. Great -care was taken to keep my idea secret, and only a few officers knew -my intention. So well was the secret kept that my personal servant, -Allah-dad, brought me my tea next morning only to find my bed empty. - -[Illustration: CHAHGIRD FORT IN JALK.] - -At midnight, very quietly we roused the troops and marched off. -Before dawn we arrived outside the town. It was only at the very -last moment that the Gamshadzais, who had learned that I had gone -straight back to Sinukan, and, in consequence, had not anticipated an -attack that night, got wind of our approach. They were, therefore, -taken completely by surprise, and utterly lost their heads. As we -charged into the place with the cavalry they all took to their heels -and rushed out on the other side, leaving many arms behind them. -Within a very few minutes the two forts were in our hands. - -My men soon rounded up the few Gamshadzais who had remained in the -place, which seemed otherwise to be full of women and children. - -To my embarrassment three large _ramas_ of weeping women and children -were presently led up to where I was sitting under a tree on the bank -of a stream. I was then informed that they were all mine. - -Some of them, in tears, asked me what I was going to do with them. - -I replied, "I don't know. But at any rate I am English and not a -German. What would you like me to do with you?" - -They seemed bewildered at first, and without understanding, but when -I assured them that I was speaking seriously, and really wanted to -know what they would like to do, they soon found their tongues and -made known the fact that they would like to go to their own homes. - -"Is that all?" I replied. "Well then, go." - -Their faces which, at first, shone with joy soon fell again. "But, -Sahib, we have nothing left. You have captured all our possessions." - -"But I don't want them," I returned. "Take everything that is yours -and go." - -Their thanks were then overwhelming, but I cut them short. "Wait -a bit before you thank me so much. No Englishman ever makes war -against woman and children--but there are your men. If I catch them, -after all the trouble they've given me, I shall certainly kill them." - -"Kill them then, Sahib," they said scornfully. "They deserted us, and -ran away, when you and your lashkar came in. It is all they deserve." - -As a matter of fact I learned, soon afterwards, that the Gamshadzais -had not only run out of Jalk, but right out of the Sarhad, to take -refuge in other districts. By thus evacuating their own country they -acknowledged their final defeat. - -It is reasonable to suppose that this humiliating end to their -opposition would never have occurred had Halil Khan been alive. -He, at least, would have been game to the last. He would have died -fighting at Jalk--as he had indeed died at Gusht--or he would have -surrendered with dignity. Halil Khan was a fine man, and without his -leadership the spirit of his men at first faltered and then failed. - -It seemed then that, by this last action with the Gamshadzais, the -prestige of the British had been completely restored throughout -the Sarhad. In the West, Juma Khan, leader of the Ismailzais, had -faithfully kept his word to, and had demonstrated his friendship and -loyalty for, the British cause, ever since he had pledged both at -Kacha. In the centre of the district the Yarmahommedzais had been -completely defeated in open action. In the East the Gamshadzais had -abandoned their arms and had bolted from the country. - -There was now nothing left to be done. - -We, therefore, returned, marching easily to Khwash, where, very -shortly after our arrival, I received letters from both the -Yarmahommedzais and Gamshadzais asking to be allowed to return to -their respective homes in the Sarhad, and on any terms that might be -imposed. - -I had had eight months of continual work in the hot weather of the -Sarhad and was very near the end of my tether. As a fact I was, by -that time, suffering badly in health in many ways, and our medical -officer insisted upon an immediate return to India for a long rest. - -As the Sarhad was now completely ours, and as it only remained for -the political officers to dictate terms to the tribes, I listened to -the advice of that medical officer, applied for leave to return to -Simla, and was, in due course, granted it. - -But, though the need for rest in a cooler climate was urgent, it was -with real regret that I said goodbye to Khwash, the centre of so many -hopes and fears, and the scene of such dramatic happenings. - - - - -INDEX - - - Ab-i-kahugan, 209 - - Allah-dad (the author's servant), 19, 20, 23, 36, 216 - - Allan (the author's chauffeur), 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 32, - 33, 36, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 113, 117, 118, 119, - 120, 121, 122, 127 - - - Baghdad, 48 - - Baluch Raiders, 21 - - Bampur, 44, 83, 84 - - Bampur, Khan of, 83, 84, 196 - - Birjand, 16, 38, 39, 101 - - Borgar, 31 - - Bream, Lieutenant, 6, 185 - - Brownlow, Captain, 5, 185, 187, 193 - - - Chagai Levies, 6, 33, 34, 39, 41, 52, 60, 61, 73, 209, 211, 212 - - Chitral, 38 - - Claridge Colonel, 5, 51, 143, 163, 181, 183, 185 - - - Dale, Colonel, 181 - - Dast-Kird, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 201, 206, 207 - - Dew, Colonel, 84 - - Duff, General Sir Beauchamp, 47 - - Duzd-ab Plain, 92, 95 - - - Eastwick, Mr., 48 - - English, Captain, R.A., 6, 185, 195 - - - Galahad (the author's horse), 23, 51 - - Galugan, 40, 82, 84, 85, 89, 92, 109 - - Gamshadzais, 40, 47, 62, 73, 76, 82, 90, 165, 167, 176, 177, 179, 190, - 192, 205, 208, 209, 214, 216, 217, 218, 219 - - Grover, General, 20 - - Gul-Bibi, 58, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 150, 151 - - Gusht, 42, 177, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 194, 200, 208, 209, 213, 218 - - "Gushti," 188, 189, 190, 195, 196 - - Gwarko, 86 - - - Halil, 35 - - Halil Khan, 40, 47, 49, 73, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 89, 90, 94, - 96, 99, 100, 137, 140, 141, 147, 148, 161, 172, 176, 177, 178, - 186, 187, 188, 190, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 205, 208, 218 - - Hazara Pioneers, 106th, 6, 171, 172, 177, 181, 183, 184, 185, 192, - 198, 199, 205, 206, 212, 213, 214 - - Hazara tribes, 17 - - Herat, 17 - - Hirst, Captain, 5, 52, 60 - - Hutchinson, Major, 209, 210, 211, 213 - - - Ibrahim, 41 - - Idu, 6, 33, 34, 35, 36, 41, 48, 49, 50, 53, 59, 65, 72, 73, 78, 83, - 85, 87, 88, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 99, 100, 103, 104, 105, 106, - 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 119, 121, 123, 124, - 125, 126, 127, 129, 133, 134, 135, 136, 138, 150, 165, 166, 176, - 187, 201 - - Ismailzais, 40, 47, 62, 64, 79, 82, 89, 218 - - Izzat, 78, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121, 123, 128, 131, 166, 168, - 169, 170 - - - Jalk, 40, 42, 49, 55, 196, 214, 215, 216, 218 - - Jiand Khan, 40, 47, 49, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, - 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 89, 90, 91, - 94, 95, 98, 99, 100, 102, 103, 111, 112, 113, 116, 118, 122, - 124, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 140, 142, - 146, 147, 148, 152, 153, 154, 155, 157, 158, 159, 162, 172, 173, - 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, - 188, 189, 190, 191, 196, 197, 201, 206 - - Jujak, 106 - - Juma Khan, 40, 47, 62, 64, 79, 82, 84, 89, 90, 91, 99, 100, 101, 140, - 161, 218 - - - Kacha, 47, 49, 52, 53, 86, 87, 92, 95, 96, 97, 99, 104, 106, 116, 126, - 137, 143, 166, 171, 181, 218 - - Kamalabad, 63, 65, 66, 67, 71, 89, 146, 147, 162, 163, 176, 177, 178, - 179, 184, 189 - - Karsimabad, 147, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 161 - - Kerman, 17 - - Khan Bahadur. _See_ the Sarhad-dar. - - Khwash, 39, 40, 42, 50, 52, 55, 57, 58, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 80, 82, - 83, 84, 87, 89, 97, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 108, 112, 113, 114, - 116, 118, 119, 121, 122, 126, 127, 128, 129, 132, 133, 135, 137, - 140, 142, 143, 144, 146, 152, 162, 163, 167, 169, 171, 175, 177, - 179, 180, 181, 184, 185, 187, 199, 208, 209, 219 - - Khwashis, 74, 75, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 130, 163, 164, 166, 167 - - Kirkpatrick, General, 15, 18, 47 - - Kitson, General Sir Gerald, 19 - - Koh-i-Bazman, 44, 83, 85 - - Koh-i-Jiandsiah, 95 - - Koh-i-Taftan, 44, 55, 57, 63, 64, 74, 76, 89, 105, 154, 172, 179 - - Korasan, 16 - - - Ladis, 55, 56, 57, 119 - - Landon, Major, 5, 37, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54, 61, 64, 72, 76, 83, 92, 93, - 95, 102, 103, 104, 105, 108, 113, 118, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, - 133, 136, 137, 138, 152 - - Lang, Major, 5, 183, 185, 206 - - Light Cavalry, 28th, 5, 50, 51, 52, 143 - - Lut Desert, 16 - - - MacGowan, Major, 52, 53 - - Mahommed-Hassan, 72, 73, 74, 80, 81, 135, 140 - - Makn-tuk, 192 - - Makran, 84 - - Meshed, 42 - - Middlesex, 9th, 19 - - Mirjawa, 52, 53, 54, 106 - - Mirza Khan, 82 - - Moore-Lane, Captain, 5, 185 - - Morpeish Hills, 63, 65, 66, 67, 141, 178, 184, 185, 187, 188, 201, - 206 - - Murad, 147, 148, 152, 153, 155, 156, 157, 161 - - Mushki-chah, 30 - - - Narmashir, 17, 91, 170 - - Nasaratabad, 38, 39, 46, 50, 51, 64, 143 - - Nasaratabad-sippi, 64, 90 - - Nur-Mahommed, 157, 158, 161 - - Nushki, 18, 20, 21, 22, 39, 51, 71, 142, 193 - - - Oxus River, 38 - - - Pamirs, 38 - - Persian Gulf, 84 - - Pindi, 18, 20 - - Pioneers, 12th, 53, 54 - - Punjab Infantry, 19th, 52 - - - Quetta, 18, 20, 21, 39, 170 - - - Rekis, 41, 47, 56, 82, 109, 112, 114, 119, 163, 165, 193, 199, 201, - 202, 203, 212 - - Robat, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 36, 37, 38, 41, 47, 50, 51, 64, 71, 86, 97, - 104, 106, 142, 171, 193 - - - Safed-koh, 40, 190, 192, 208 - - Saindak, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 52, 104, 106, 171, 172, 177, 178, 181 - - Sanders, Major, 5, 152, 154, 156, 158, 159, 175, 176, 185, 196 - - Saragan defile, 192, 204, 208, 213 - - Sarhad, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 35, 40, 43, 44, 52, 55, 77, 78, 81, 82, - 94, 101, 113, 119, 135, 147, 161, 165, 177, 180, 186, 200, 201, - 204, 209, 210, 211, 215, 218, 219 - - Sarhad-dar, 39, 57, 58, 61, 64, 72, 79, 83, 95, 97, 98, 102, 132, 136, - 138, 139, 156, 160, 161, 162, 166, 168, 176, 193, 212 - - Sar-i-drokan, 65, 66, 184, 185, 201, 206 - - Scinde Horse, 35th, 5, 37 - - Seistan, 35, 46, 64 - - Shah Sawar, 58, 59, 60, 80, 81, 82, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, - 131, 132, 135, 137, 138, 139, 140, 148, 149, 150, 151, 182 - - Shiah Mahommedans, 17, 184, 198 - - Sikhs, 36th, 5, 152 - - Simla, 37, 47, 50, 219 - - Sinukan, 214, 215, 216 - - Sunni Mahommedans, 17, 41, 184 - - - Takht-i-Jinikan, 92, 93 - - Teheran, 48 - - - Webb-Ware route, 32 - - - Yadgar, 26 - - Yarmahommedzais, 40, 47, 62, 66, 72, 74, 78, 82, 90, 113, 130, 148, - 156, 160, 164, 165, 169, 172, 179, 191, 196, 199, 205, 206, 208, - 218, 219 - - Yates, Lieutenant, 53 - - - Zaiti, 213 - - - - - PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY - THE NORTHUMBERLAND PRESS, LIMITED - WATERLOO HOUSE, THORNTON STREET - NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note - -Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been -corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within -the text and consultation of external sources. - -Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, -and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. For example, -despatch; Sherif; townless; rarified; hill-side, hillside; night-fall, -nightfall; koh-i-Taftan, koh-i-taftan. - -Pg 10 Table of Contents: 'Sharhad-dar' replaced by 'Sarhad-dar'. - -Pg 124: 'he he said' replaced by 'he said'. - -Pg 172 Illustration caption: 'KACHHA' replaced by 'KACHA'. - -Pg 184 Illustration caption: 'GHUSHT' replaced by 'GUSHT'. - -Pg 201: 'Sharhad-dar' replaced by 'Sarhad-dar'. - -Pg 201: 'Reki scout' replaced by 'Reki scouts'. - -Pg 216 Illustration caption: 'CHAHQIRD' replaced by 'CHAHGIRD'. - -Index: 'Ab-i-Kahugan' replaced by 'Ab-i-kahugan'. - -Index: 'Mourlain, Captain, 5' replaced by 'Moore-Lane, Captain, 5, 185' - -Index: 'Mushkichah' replaced by 'Mushki-chah'. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD*** - - -******* This file should be named 51070-0.txt or 51070-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/1/0/7/51070 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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E. H. (Reginald Edward Harry) Dyer</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3,h4 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - - h1, h2 { - margin-top: 1.5em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - letter-spacing: 0.1em; - line-height: .8em; - word-spacing: 0.3em; - font-weight: normal; - font-size: 125%; -} - -p { - margin-top: .5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .3em; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} - -.noindent {text-indent: 0em;} - -.pfs180 {font-size: 180%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs60 {font-size: 60%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} - - -.xs {font-size: x-small;} -.small {font-size: small;} -.medium {font-size: medium;} -.large {font-size: large;} -.xxl {font-size: xx-large;} - -.fs60 {font-size: 60%; font-style: normal;} -.fs70 {font-size: 70%; font-style: normal;} -.fs80 {font-size: 80%; font-style: normal;} - -.chapter {page-break-before: always; page-break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 2em;} - -div.tpage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; - } - -div.tpage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: normal; - line-height: 1.5em; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - } - - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - - hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} - -@media handheld -{ - hr { - width: 0%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; - } - - hr.chap {width: 0%;} -} - -.corr { - text-decoration: none; - border-bottom: thin dotted blue; - } - -@media handheld { - .corr { - text-decoration: none; - border-bottom: none; - } -} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -td {padding: .18em .3em 0 .3em;} - -.tdp {padding-top: .7em;} -.tdpp {padding-top: 2em;} - -.tdl {text-align: left; padding-left: 2em; text-indent: -1.7em;} -.tdr {text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;} -.tdc {text-align: center;} -.tdcx {text-align: center; padding-left: 2em; vertical-align: bottom;} - -.pad3 {padding-left: 3em;} - -.padr2 {padding-right: 2em;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - color: #A9A9A9; - left: 90%; - font-size: smaller; - font-weight: normal; - font-style: normal; - text-align: right; - text-indent: 1em; -} - - -.blockquot { - font-size: 83%; - text-align: justify; - padding-left: 1.5em; text-indent: -1.5em; -} - -.blockquotx { - margin-left: 20%; - margin-right: 20%; - text-align: justify; -} - -.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} -.right {text-align: right; margin-right: 1em;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.wsp {word-spacing: 0.3em;} - -.caption {font-weight: normal; font-size: 70%; - text-align: center; - padding: .7em 0 .5em 0; - word-spacing: 0.2em;} - -.pg-brk {page-break-before: always;} - -/* Images */ -img {border: none; max-width: 100%} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - padding-top: 1em; - padding-bottom: 1em; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; -} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote { - background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:90%; - padding:0.5em; - margin-top:5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; -} - -.transnote p {text-indent: 0em;} - -.customcover {visibility: hidden; display: none;} -@media handheld { - .customcover {visibility: visible; display: block;} -} - - h1.pg { margin-top: 0em; - letter-spacing: 0em; - line-height: 1em; - word-spacing: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - font-size: 190%; } - h2.pg { letter-spacing: 0em; - line-height: 1em; - word-spacing: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - font-size: 135%; } - hr.full { width: 100%; - margin-top: 3em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - height: 4px; - border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ - border-style: solid; - border-color: #000000; - clear: both; } - </style> -</head> -<body> -<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Raiders of the Sarhad, by R. E. H. (Reginald -Edward Harry) Dyer</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: Raiders of the Sarhad</p> -<p> Being the Account of a Campaign of Arms and Bluff Against the Brigands of the Persian-Baluchi Border during the Great War</p> -<p>Author: R. E. H. (Reginald Edward Harry) Dyer</p> -<p>Release Date: January 29, 2016 [eBook #51070]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4>E-text prepared by John Campbell<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/raidersofsarhadb00dyeruoft"> - https://archive.org/details/raidersofsarhadb00dyeruoft</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<p class="p4" /> -<h1>THE RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD</h1> -<p class="p4" /> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="fp" id="fp"></a> -<img src="images/i004.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -A TYPICAL GORGE IN THE SARHAD.</div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="tpage"> - -<p class="xxl wsp">THE RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD</p> - -<div class="blockquotx"> -<div class="tdc"> -<span class="small"><em>BEING THE ACCOUNT OF A CAMPAIGN<br /> -OF ARMS AND BLUFF AGAINST THE<br /> -BRIGANDS OF THE PERSIAN-BALUCHI<br /> -BORDER DURING THE GREAT WAR</em></span> -</div></div> - -<br /><br /> -<p><span class="xs">BY</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Brigadier-General R. E. H. DYER, C.B.</span></p> - -<br /><br /> -<p class="xs"><em>WITH NUMEROUS PHOTOGRAPHS AND TWO MAPS</em></p> - -<br /><br /> -<p> -<span class="xs">LONDON</span><br /> -<span class="medium">H. F. & G. WITHERBY</span><br /> -<span class="small">326 HIGH HOLBORN, W.C.</span><br /> -<span class="small">1921</span></p> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p4" /> -<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE">PREFACE</a></h2> - -<p class="noindent">With the greatest diffidence I have at last made -up my mind to write the story of my small campaign -with the Sarhad Raiders in 1916.</p> - -<p>This campaign sinks into utter insignificance when -compared with the great deeds done in other theatres -of war by men who said nothing about them. But, -insignificant as it was, it forms part of the mosaic -of the Great War, and for this reason may be of some -general interest.</p> - -<p>I take this opportunity of paying a tribute to all -the officers who took part in this little campaign. -Their untiring devotion to duty, and their efforts to -do their utmost under conditions that were often -more than trying, accounts for its success.</p> - -<p>I would like, in particular, to mention Major -Landon of the 35th Scinde Horse, whose great -knowledge of the people and their country was -invaluable; Major Sanders of the 36th Sikhs; -Colonel Claridge of the 28th Light Cavalry; -Captain Brownlow and Captain Hirst, both of the -28th Light Cavalry; Major Lang; Captain Moore-Lane;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -Lieutenant Bream of the Hazara Pioneers, -and Captain English, R.A.</p> - -<p>In addition I would mention how much, not only -I, but the old country owes to Khan Bahadur, the -Sarhad-dar, and to Idu, non-commissioned officer -of the Chagai Levies.</p> - -<p>The photographs are from snapshots taken by -various officers during the campaign.</p> - -<p class="right">R.E.H.D.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p4" /> -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h2> - - -<div class="center fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary="Table of Contents"> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2">CHAPTER I</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp pad3"><span class="fs70 wsp">ORDERS FOR THE WEST</span></td><td class="tdl"><span class="fs70">PAGE</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">I receive my orders—German agents and India—Their routes—A deal in chauffeurs—Concerning an appetite and sausages—Nushliki— - The last of civilisation—Further information—Sand-holes and digging—Petrol in the desert</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">15</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2">CHAPTER II</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">THE ROAD TO ROBAT</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Mushki-chah—The native contractor—An evening rencontre—Idu of the Chagai Levies— - The native idea of an airship—Idu the invaluable—Robat</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">30</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2">CHAPTER III</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">An "intelligent" officer—Matters political—Three tribes and a fourth—Their women and inter-tribal laws—Sarhad conditions— - A summons to the Chiefs—A bid for rank—Telegraph wires and Sheitan—Two first-class liars—A strategic scheme— - An ungazetted General—Lost kit—Swallows and flies—Forces available—Communications freed—The Kacha levy and a shock—Mirjawa</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">37</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>CHAPTER IV</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">BLUFF AND ARMS</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Ladis and its fort—A force without arms—First sight of the enemy—Shah Sawar and more bluff—Battle—Bluff succeeds— - Casualties—Bad news from the North—Idu's proposition—Jiand's stragglers—Jiand's white flag</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">55</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2">CHAPTER V</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">KHWASH AND MORE BLUFF</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Jiand's surrender—A political lecture—Jiand's oath—Bluff for Khwash—The army moves forward—Khwash and its fort— - Mahommed-Hassan comes in—Beetles as scavengers—Halil Khan comes in—Rifle prices, a comparison—Idu's warning— - News of Izzat—Order of march—Bluff for Bampur—The meteor hole</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">69</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2">CHAPTER VI</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">A FULL BAG OF PRISONERS</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">The march to Kacha—The food supply—Flowers in the Wilderness—Galugan—Repeated strategy—Juma Khan comes in— - The bag is full—The throne of the dancing maidens—Landon declines—Idu's doubts—Suspicions aroused—Halil Khan closes up— - Kacha, oaths, and thumb-marks—The Chiefs depart—Bad news</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">87</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2">CHAPTER VII</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">THE RACE FOR KHWASH</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Plans and routes—Car versus legs—An equestrian interlude—The trap in the gorge—More digging—Rendezvous—Mrs Idu and gastronomy— - A reinforcement—A message to Landon—Izzat's men—Idu's romance—A "British Bulldog"—The car abandoned</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">103</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>CHAPTER VIII</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">KHWASH AND THE SECOND SURRENDER</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Doubts dispelled—Organisation for defence—Idu's "Exiat"—And its result—Jiand arrives—Idu's second visit— - The Sarhad-dar arrives—Landon at last—Jiand's visit of ceremony—The Gul-Bibi—Shah Sawar's treachery—We call on the "Rose Lady"— - A carpet and the Sarhad-dar's advice—Another Durbar—Returned loot—Temporary peace</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">122</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2">CHAPTER IX</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">TREACHERY AND ITS SEQUEL</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Further reinforcements—Entrenchments and gardens—Government inquiries—Food supplies—An offer to Jiand—Murad and straw— - Shah Sawar again—Sentence—Idu's suggestion—Re-enter the Rose Lady—News of Jiand's intentions—A vital moment—A round-up— - The Sarhad-dar's advice—A Bhusa hunt—Distrustful wives</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">143</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2">CHAPTER X</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">FAILURE AND FRESH PLANS</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Slave buying—A diet discovery—Poetic justice—Disposition of prisoners—Incredible news—The Sawar's story—Disposal of forces— - The march to Kamalabad—Jiand gains his freedom—Retreat to Khwash</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">165</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2">CHAPTER XI</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">SUCCESS IN MINIATURE</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">The night attack—The Hazaras arrive—Jiand retires—We march on the Sar-i-drokan valley—Cavalry strategy—"Gushti's" decision and opinion— - "The Hole of Judgment"—Attack and retirement—A lost and regained water-supply—The Sarhadis as humorists—The mud fort— - Halil Khan's arrival—The fight at dawn—Exit Halil Khan—A prophet—The Hazaras' request</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">181</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdpp" colspan="2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>CHAPTER XII</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc tdp" colspan="2"><span class="fs70 wsp">VICTORY AND PEACE</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">News of the herds—Towards Dast-Kird—Water!—Mutton for all—Dast-Kird—A stampede—Back to Khwash— - On the track of the Gamshadzais—Twice a prophet—The <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'Sharhad-Dar'">Sarhad-dar</ins>'s roost—Before Jalk—Rejected terms—More strategy and a bloodless - victory—Remain only terms and sick leave</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">201</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdpp smcap">Index</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#INDEX">221</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<p class="p4" /> -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p4" /> -<h2><a name="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</a></h2> - -<div class="center fs70 wsp"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary="List of Illos"> -<tr><td class="tdl"></td><td class="tdl"></td><td class="tdl"><span class="fs80">PAGE</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">A TYPICAL GORGE IN THE SARHAD</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#fp"><em>Frontispiece</em></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">IN DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN NASARATABAD AND ROBAT</td><td class="tdr"><em>Facing</em></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i030">25</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">"A GOOD LIAR," LANDON'S ORDERLY AND CHIEF SPY</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i056">49</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">QUESTIONING A SARHADI PRISONER</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i068">59</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">JIAND'S MEN COMING IN TO PARLEY</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i082">71</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">KHWASH FORT</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i088">75</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">SURRENDERED RAIDERS, (CENTRE) JIAND, (RIGHT) SHAH SAWAR, (LEFT) HALIL KHAN</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i104">89</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">CAMEL CORPS SAWARS AT THE TERMINATION OF AN EXPEDITION</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i114">97</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">THE DURBAR AT KHWASH</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i160a">141</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">RAIDER CHIEFS AT THE DURBAR AT KHWASH</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i160b">141</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">RAIDED SLAVES ON THE WAY TO THEIR HOMES</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i188a">167</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">A PERSIAN GIRL CAPTURED BY JUMA KHAN</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i188b">167</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">CAPTURED RAIDERS ON THE WAY TO KACHA</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i196">173</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>ON THE MARCH TOWARDS GUSHT, AND THE MORPEISH HILLS</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i212">185</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">HAZARAS ON A PICKET POST BELOW WHICH HALIL KHAN WAS KILLED</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i226">197</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">WATER! ON THE MARCH TO THE SAR-I-DROKAN</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i234">203</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">HAZARA PIONEERS WIDENING A PASSAGE FOR LOADED CAMELS</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i248">215</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">CHAHGIRD FORT IN JALK</td><td class="tdcx">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i252">217</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<p class="p4" /> -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p4" /> -<h2><a name="MAPS" id="MAPS">MAPS</a></h2> - -<div class="center fs70 wsp"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary="Maps"> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp"></td><td class="tdl tdp"></td><td class="tdr"><span class="fs80">PAGE</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">SKETCH MAP OF THE PERSIAN-BALUCHI-AFGHAN FRONTIERS</td><td class="tdr"><em>Facing</em></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i018">15</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdp">SKETCH MAP OF THE FIGHT IN THE MORPEISH HILLS</td><td class="tdr padr2">"</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#i206">181</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<p class="p4" /> -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i018" id="i018"></a> -<img src="images/i018.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -<em>Sketch Map of the Persian-Baluchi-Afghan frontiers</em></div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> - -<p class="pfs180">THE RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD</p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER I</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">ORDERS FOR THE WEST</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -I receive my orders—German agents and India—Their routes—A -deal in chauffeurs—Concerning an appetite and sausages—Nushliki—The -last of civilisation—Further information—Sand-holes -and digging—Petrol in the desert.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">Towards the end of February, 1916, General -Kirkpatrick, Chief of Staff at Delhi, sent for me and -gave me orders to take charge of the military -operations in South-East Persia.</p> - -<p>Although Persia, as a country, was neutral during -the War, there is a certain district in the South-East, -abutting on to the frontiers of Afghanistan and of -Baluchistan, and known as the Sarhad, which is -occupied by a number of nomad tribes who claim -absolute independence. At this time these tribes -were causing considerable embarrassment and -difficulty to the Indian Government.</p> - -<p>The Germans and their agents, who were past -masters in the art of propaganda, were still -endeavouring, as they had done for years before the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -outbreak of hostilities, to work upon the discontented -portion of the Indian population in the hope of -rousing them into open rebellion. They believed -this to be quite possible, in spite of the magnificent -way in which India had offered her resources of men -and money to the British Raj, and hoped thereby to -handicap us still further in our great struggle in the -West.</p> - -<p>They were pouring their agents, with their lying -propaganda, into India via Persia and Afghanistan. -Afghanistan, like Persia, was nominally neutral, but -she was breaking her neutrality by many open acts -of aggression, and was offering every facility in her -power to the German agents in their passage through -her territories, and thence into the Punjab.</p> - -<p>To reach Afghanistan, however, the German -agents had to pass through some part of Persia. -The Persian Government placed no restrictions on -the movements of either British or Germans, of -which fact the latter took full advantage.</p> - -<p>A glance at the map will show that apparently the -easiest route for them to take across Persia was in -the North, in the Russian sphere of influence, and -to approach Afghanistan through Korasan; or, -failing this, by a route rather farther South, across -the Lut Desert, in the direction of Birjand. As a -matter of fact they had tried both these routes, but -without much success, owing to the inhospitable -nature of the country through which they had to -pass and also to the opposition they met with from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -the Hazara tribes round Herat, who, belonging as -they do to the Shiah section of the Mahommedan -religion, are at daggers drawn with the Afghans, -who belong to the Sunni section.</p> - -<p>Therefore the Germans had to try yet another -road, and succeeded farther South where they had -failed in the North. By taking the longer route -through Kerman and Narmashir in the South and -South-East of Persia, they found easy ingress into -Afghanistan.</p> - -<p>To effect this, however, they had to make friends -with the nomad and war-like tribes of the Sarhad. -These tribes were traditionally friendly to the British, -but the Germans had bribed them heavily and had -moreover assured them that Germany had turned -Islam and that the Kaiser William himself was a -convert to their religion. As the Sarhad tribes were -always out for a good thing for themselves, and as -they believed the lie about the German conversion, -they had allowed themselves to be tricked into helping -the Germans. This they were doing not only -by permitting them to pass through their territory, -but also by harassing the lines of communication -between the inadequately small British frontier posts.</p> - -<p>The story of Germany having turned Mahommedan, -farcical as it was, was nevertheless a potential -source of grave danger for us in India. It must be -remembered that Germany's ally, Turkey, was -Mahommedan, and that in helping us against -Germany, the Mahommedans of India were already<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> -being called upon, indirectly, to fight against their -own co-religionists. When, in addition, India was -assured that powerful Germany was winning, so her -agents avowed, in every theatre of war, it was -inevitable that in time her loyalty to us must suffer.</p> - -<p>It was vital to stop this lying but insidious -propaganda, and the first step was to prevent German -agents from entering India at all. To do this the -nomad tribes of the Sarhad must be brought back -into line with their old policy of friendship with -Britain. Hence my orders from General Kirkpatrick.</p> - -<p>He instructed me to proceed without a moment's -unnecessary delay to Quetta, where I was to receive -more detailed instructions.</p> - -<p>On leaving him I hurried, with car and native -chauffeur, to the railway station, and asked for a -truck on which to place the car for entrainment to -Nushki. The station-master assured me I was -asking for an impossibility. A great Maharajah, -then travelling, had commandeered every available -truck for his suite, luggage and cars. I told him -that the Government business on which I had been -sent was all important, and, by a little persuasion, -soon had myself on the way to Pindi and the car on -the way to Nushki.</p> - -<p>Arrived at Pindi I found I had exactly one hour -left in which to catch the train for Quetta. There -was no time to pack, sort out kit, or decide what -should, or should not, be taken on a campaign which -might last only a few weeks or many months, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -which might assume a political aspect sooner than -expected. My servant, Allah-dad, was therefore -directed to take everything for sorting out when time -could be spared, and I rushed off to try and "do -a deal" with General Sir Gerald Kitson, before -starting.</p> - -<p>I realised that a motor-car might play an important -part in this prospective campaign, as it would be -necessary to travel for long distances in a land of no -railways and no regular roads, the best road to be -hoped for probably being a sandy track used by -camel caravans. I had already had some experience -of difficult motoring with an inefficient chauffeur, so -naturally wanted to secure the best man that could -be got.</p> - -<p>I must here explain that I possessed an English -chauffeur, Allan by name, and that General Kitson -employed his brother in the same capacity. Now, -without any disparagement of <em>my</em> Allan, I knew his -brother to be a more practical and experienced man. -General Kitson generously gave his consent to an -exchange of chauffeurs.</p> - -<p>I may as well say, at once, that it was a lucky day -for me that saw Allan of the 9th Middlesex Regiment -enter my service, for, during the months to come, he -was as cheery and full of resource as he was ready -for any event, however untoward. His appetite -stood forth as the only thing that ever caused me -uneasiness, and I must admit that I have never met -a man with one of such colossal proportion. As an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -instance—on one occasion, when camped out in the -desert, between Nushki and Robat, and supplies -were none too plentiful, we cooked twelve sausages -for breakfast.</p> - -<p>I had one, and then was persuaded by Allan to -attempt a second. I only succeeded in disposing of -half of it. I then got up and left Allan to have his -own breakfast. Allah-dad, being a Mahommedan, -of course refused to touch sausage.</p> - -<p>At lunch-time Allah-dad asked what I would -have to eat, and got the answer, "Oh, some of the -cold sausages left from breakfast."</p> - -<p>Allah-dad replied, "But there are no sausages, -Sahib. Allan has eaten them all."</p> - -<p>I expostulated, maintaining that it was impossible. -No normal man could have eaten ten and a half -large sausages. But Allah-dad was not to be shaken. -It may be well imagined that the feeding of my -chauffeur during the months to come loomed up as -one of my minor anxieties.</p> - -<p>From Pindi I went to Quetta by train, my car, -with the native chauffeur having gone direct to the -then rail-head at Nushki, in the North of Indo-Baluchistan.</p> - -<p>At Quetta I laid in a store of petrol, spare tyres, a -few personal necessities, reported to General Grover -for orders and information, and then proceeded to -Nushki; which place was reached, and the car -picked up, on, if I remember rightly, the 25th of -February.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> - -<p>This day in Nushki was to prove the last in a -civilised town for many months to come. The look -of the country lying before us so intimidated my -native chauffeur that he came to me, a short time -before we were due to start, with a countenance torn -with grief and, with lamentations and protestations of -sorrow, told me that both his father and mother were -ill, and that it was vital for him to return and succour -them. As I had been in two minds as to the -advisability of taking the rascal with me, this sign of -the white feather at the very outset at once decided -the point, and I gave him to understand that he -could go and bury as many of his relations as he -pleased. With a countenance swiftly transformed -to cheerfulness he left me.</p> - -<p>Just before starting a wire was handed in from a -high political official at Quetta informing me that -the Baluch Raiders had already cut our lines of -communication, were right across my path, and he -advised, if not ordered, me not to proceed.</p> - -<p>However, as explicit military instructions were to -endeavour to reach Robat (near the Koh-i-Maliksia), -a hill at which the Baluch, Afghan and Persian -frontiers meet, as well as that of the district known -as the Sarhad, with the least possible delay, and as I -knew the Raiders were across my path even before I -left Quetta, I saw no reason for altering previously -made plans or for delaying my departure.</p> - -<p>Accordingly I started on the journey to Robat -early on the morning of the 27th. I reckoned it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -would take at least five days to reach that town, as -the route it would be necessary to follow would be -fully three hundred and seventy-five miles. I -already knew that it would be essential to make -many long détours round freshly formed sand -dunes and other obstacles, for it must be remembered -that there was no proper road but only a rough -camel-track continually blown over and obliterated -by sand, along which supplies were taken from India -to Robat, and the small garrison posts which we had -established at various points Northward.</p> - -<p>The mention of small garrison posts may lead the -reader to suppose that this area of wild activity was -fairly well policed, but, as a fact, one battalion of -Indian infantry, a regiment of Indian cavalry and, I -believe, four mountain guns, constituted the entire -force of regulars holding a front of close upon three -hundred miles. It was small wonder, then, that the -Sarhad tribes, commonly known as Raiders, from -their raiding proclivities, who knew every inch of -the country, could climb like cats, and could do long -marches on short rations, had succeeded in cutting -our lines of communication, and in carrying off our -supplies.</p> - -<p>I could, therefore, look for no further help for the -time in the matter of supplies and so took with me -all that I thought would be necessary for our three -hundred and seventy-five mile trek across the sandy -wastes lying between Nushki and Robat.</p> - -<p>Petrol was, at the moment, the most important of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -our needs; we had, therefore, to carry with us all we -should require, making allowance at the same time -for mishaps. Moreover, we had to take enough -food and water to last Allan, Allah-dad and myself -for five or six days.</p> - -<p>As regards personal luggage we travelled -absolutely light, leaving all kit to follow at a slower -pace on camels, together with my horse, Galahad. I -had some compunction in leaving the latter behind, -but my orders were concise and urgent—to reach -Robat, endeavour to get into touch with all our -scattered posts, and effect a combination against the -Raiders at the earliest possible moment.</p> - -<p>A start was made very early in the morning, -but the first day's journey proved disappointing. -Instead of doing the ninety miles planned, we only -accomplished thirty. The track was even worse -than I had expected, for we constantly ran into sand-hills, -and had to dig the car out. I have never done -so much digging in my life as I did on that journey -to Robat. Sand-hills were, however, only a portion -of our afflictions, for, in addition, there were many -water pools and small shallow lakes—due to recent -rain—which had to be taken at a rush, or somehow -circumvented.</p> - -<p>So serious, at last, did our rate of progress become -that, as we approached what seemed to be the -hundredth of these wide, shallow pools, I lost -patience and ordered Allan to drive straight through.</p> - -<p>He attempted to carry out the order, but about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> -half-way we sank up to the axle and stuck. No -power on earth would induce the car to budge -another inch, and, though we all three got out into -the water, and lugged, pushed and dragged at the -wretched car, no impression could be made upon -her.</p> - -<p>So we remained till, at last, about two a.m., I -caught sight of a light on a small hill not very far -away in the west, and, on going over to it, found a -sort of recluse, or holy man, quietly cooking his -food. After the usual courtesies I asked him to -come and help me to pull my car out. He replied -that he was an old man and could not do much by -himself, but that a caravan of nomads, who had -arrived the evening before, were encamped close by. -So off I went again, flushed my "quarry", and, with -the help of large bribes, persuaded all the able-bodied -men to come back to the car. Fortunately -we carried a good strong rope as part of our kit, so -soon had the car out and running again.</p> - -<p>Allan was never again ordered to drive through -water on that route.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i030" id="i030"></a> -<img src="images/i030.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -IN DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN NASARATABAD AND ROBAT.</div> -</div> - -<p>On the second day our troubles recommenced, -for we had barely done a dozen miles than we stuck -in another sand-hill, and the laborious digging-out -process had to be done all over again. Fortunately, -the party who had got the car out of the lake the -night before were close behind, and for an obvious -reason. They had been given so many rupees for -their timely help that, knowing the difficulties lying -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>ahead, they had followed in the hope of further -largesse. They got it.</p> - -<p>Once safely out again I made a tour of inspection -round the car, but only to find more trouble.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, what on earth is this, Allan? She's -leaking!"</p> - -<p>Allan smiled a superior smile. "I don't think so, -sir. My cars don't leak."</p> - -<p>But a moment later his superiority turned to -consternation, and he was burying his head in the -bowels of the car.</p> - -<p>After a moment's inspection he showed a face of -such utter dismay that it would have been comical -had not the situation been so serious.</p> - -<p>"Great Scott, sir! I must have left the -petrol tap turned on, and the tank is nearly -empty."</p> - -<p>Here, I'm afraid, my language was violent, and -it was some minutes before Allan was able to -ascertain exactly how much petrol we had left. His -calculations established the fact that we had lost -some fourteen gallons. This meant that we should -have to walk the greater part of the last two hundred -miles of our journey. A pleasant prospect in that -forbidding country. But orders were to go on, and -go on we did.</p> - -<p>That day we made good time, and before evening -had done the ninety miles set as a day's march. -But, as we had lost so much ground the previous -day, I determined to go on as long as Allan could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -stick at the driving wheel, and we went on—to a post -called Yadgar.</p> - -<p>I should explain that in this barren, townless, -roadless district there are occasional small rest-houses, -very modest types of Dâk bungalows, -established by the Indian Government for the benefit -of travellers, or soldiers on their way to frontier duty. -They are quite bare except for a camp bed or two, a -tub, a table, a few chairs and a wash-hand basin, -with a <em>chokidar</em>, or keeper, in charge.</p> - -<p>Such a rest-house we found at Yadgar, and being -not only very tired and dusty, but filthily dirty, as -the result of our struggles with the car, we pulled up -to try and get a superficial wash.</p> - -<p>I jumped out and tried the door. It was locked, -and I banged loudly without getting any answer. -It would not do to lose an unnecessary minute, for -the many miles we should have to walk later on -loomed unpleasantly ahead, but I knew there were -pretty certain to be water and washing-basin behind -that door, and did not intend to leave them unused -if I could help it, <em>chokidar</em> or no <em>chokidar</em>. So, -I took a butting run with my shoulder, the door gave, -and I set out in search of the water tub.</p> - -<p>An open door on my right showed me a small -room, absolutely empty, except for a row of tins -against the wall. Knowing that petrol was carried -in such tin drums I went and examined them. The -next moment Allan heard a shout that brought him -hastily inside, wondering whether I had gone mad,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -had been bitten by a wild beast, or was being -murdered.</p> - -<p>"Look!" I cried, as he came running up to me. -"Look at those tins and tell me what's inside!"</p> - -<p>Allan seized hold of one of the drums, read what -was written on it, gave it a shake, and we could both -hear the blessed sound of lapping inside.</p> - -<p>"It's petrol, sir," he whispered in an awed voice.</p> - -<p>Petrol in the desert—petrol where one would as -soon have expected to find a Bond Street jeweller!</p> - -<p>At first we could neither of us believe it. Personally -I imagined we had both got temporary jim-jams, -but Allan, with his usual stolid, common sense, -opened one of the drums, tested the contents, and -pronounced it to be first-class petrol. There were -seven drums, each containing four gallons.</p> - -<p>"This means we'll motor, not walk into Robat after -all, sir," said Allan, with a grin and sigh of relief. -The thought of those miles of desert—nearly two -hundred of them—which confronted us after the -mishap had been haunting us both like a nightmare.</p> - -<p>At this moment the <em>chokidar</em> returned, in great -trepidation, fearing a dressing-down for being absent -from duty. But I was far too elated at the turn of -events to want to swear at anyone.</p> - -<p>I asked him where the petrol had come from, and -whose it was. He shook his head, and said he had -no idea. It had always been there. It belonged to -no one, and no one had put it there, so far as he knew. -He had never seen a car there before; in fact, he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> -never seen a car anywhere before, and could not -understand how it was that men could travel on a -thing which was not alive, which was not like any -horse or camel he had ever seen.</p> - -<p>This was all very good hearing, so I proceeded to -tell him that the petrol belonged to me, and, as he -quite cheerfully acquiesced, I gave him a receipt -which he could show to any Government official in -case of needed absolution in the future. As we now -had means to finish our journey by car, I decided to -spend the night at the rest-house.</p> - -<p>After a simple camp meal Allan, worn out with the -strenuous work of the past two days and night, was -quickly snoring in the deep sleep of exhaustion, so -I went for a stroll.</p> - -<p>As I paced up and down I tried to draw up some -preliminary plan for the coming campaign. But such -occupation was somewhat futile, as, until I could -reach Robat, I had no knowledge at all as to the -strength and composition of the force that would be -at my disposal. But upon one thing I made up my -mind—even at that early stage—I would do my -utmost to show these Raiders, who were doing us so -much harm, that they could not do this with impunity. -The lesson once driven home, an endeavour should -be made to become friendly with them, to win them -back to our side, and, so to speak, appoint them as -doorkeepers of the Baluchistan frontier; but doorkeepers -with their rifles pointed at our enemies -instead of at ourselves.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the midst of these meditations I found myself -stumbling with fatigue, so, with a last look at the -beauty of the night, I turned indoors, and in a few -minutes was sound asleep, and making up for the -"whiteness" of the night before.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER II</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">THE ROAD TO ROBAT</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -Mushki-chah—The native contractor—An evening rencontre—Idu -of the Chagai Levies—The native idea of an airship—Idu -the invaluable—Robat.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">On the third day we made good progress, fate being -kind in helping us to avoid the sandy pitfalls which -had hitherto been our undoing, and, by nightfall, we -found ourselves approaching the post of Mushki-chah.</p> - -<p>Here we found the road blocked with a number of -camel caravans carrying Government food supplies -for our scattered posts along the frontier. These -posts were already in difficulties owing to the Raiders' -interference with their commissariat.</p> - -<p>As can be imagined there was a great deal of noise, -the native drivers gesticulating and talking in a way -which proved that something was afoot. I got out -of the car and asked who was in charge of the -caravan. A huge native contractor was pointed out -to me, and, summoning him to my side I asked him -what all the hubbub was about.</p> - -<p>He was in a state of great agitation and told me -that he had received information from several reliable -sources that the whole of the countryside ahead of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -them was in the hands of the Raiders, and that, -therefore, it was useless to go a step further.</p> - -<p>I expostulated with the man, pointing out that, by -the terms of his contract, he must go on, and that if -he did not the soldiers for whom he was bringing -supplies would die of starvation.</p> - -<p>But he was dogged. He knew too well the -methods of the Raiders with the men they captured.</p> - -<p>"It's no use, Sahib," he said, respectfully but -firmly. "My men will not go on as they are unarmed, -and a single armed Raider is enough to hold up the -whole caravan."</p> - -<p>I knew the man was right, but persisted in my -efforts to persuade him to chance it, pointing out that -he might be lucky enough to elude the Raiders and -to win through.</p> - -<p>"If the Government will give me a military escort -I will go, but not without," was his final word.</p> - -<p>I had no authority to compel him to go on, so gave -up the struggle. But I realised more than ever -how imperative it was to endeavour to reach Robat -without a moment's unnecessary delay, and start -conclusions with the Raiders, whose menace was -growing more dangerous every day.</p> - -<p>We were, therefore, on the road very early next -morning, for I hoped to make Saindak that night. I -had intended to go by Borgar, but now that I knew—for -I had verified the contractor's statements, and -believed them to be correct—that that place was in -the hands of the Raiders, I elected to go by an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -alternative route, known as the <em>Webb-Ware</em> route, -which is practically out of use nowadays, hoping, -thereby, to avoid the enemy.</p> - -<p>It was still dark when we set off on the most -strenuous part of our journey; climbing, making -détours, digging the car out again and again till we -were all three worn out in body and temper. We -hardly halted that day, for the necessity for speed -was as fully realised by Allan as by myself.</p> - -<p>When night fell we had not yet sighted Saindak, -but I knew we could not be very far off, and cursed -the coming of the night which made it impossible to -see where we were. I knew we had got off the camel -track somehow, for the ground was even more -bumpy than it had been, and was frequently intersected -by nullahs or rocky ravines, which made the -going positively dangerous. If the car were knocked -right out of action our difficulties would reach the -last stage of disaster.</p> - -<p>At last, in despair, Allan stopped, saying it was -useless going on any further. We might overturn -the car at any moment and smash it as well as -ourselves. He submitted that the only sane thing -would be to camp just where we were and wait for -daylight, when we might regain the camel track.</p> - -<p>I knew he was right, but said I would make one -final effort on foot to find the track, and directed him -to give me the hurricane lamp we carried on the car.</p> - -<p>Stumbling and slipping over the broken ground -in the pitch darkness, the lamp barely lighting up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -my immediate path, I had wandered some distance -from the car when I heard voices. Instantly I -thought of the Raiders who were over-running the -district. It would be too galling, too humiliating to -be captured by them before the campaign, on which -I was building such high hopes, had even begun.</p> - -<p>Noiselessly I put out the lamp and listened in the -dense darkness. There was absolute silence for -some minutes, and I stood stock still. Then voices -sounded again, and I conjectured that there were not -more than two, or at the most three, speakers.</p> - -<p>I thought rapidly, and finally decided that there -would not be many men in front of me. Had there -been anything approaching an encampment of the -Raiders in the neighbourhood, there would have -been lights, camp fires and considerable noise. The -voices I had heard probably belonged to men who -had seen the lights of the car, and had come to find -out what it was.</p> - -<p>I turned swiftly and made my way back to the car, -where I had foolishly left my revolver. Recovering -my weapon I warned Allan in a whisper of the voices -I had heard, and told him to be ready to stand by. -Then I made my way back in the darkness, and when -I had regained the spot, called out loudly, in -Hindustani, "Who's there?"</p> - -<p>Instantly a voice answered, "I am Idu of the -Chagai Levies, friendly to the British Government."</p> - -<p>I then called out who I was, and, immediately, -three fully armed men came forward in the darkness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> - -<p>I asked them what they were doing there, and the -voice that had answered me before replied that they -were all three members of the Chagai Levies, and -that they, and about fifty others, had come out to -fight me.</p> - -<p>"To fight me?" I exclaimed. "Whatever for?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Sahib," returned the man who had said his -name was Idu, "we thought you were a German -airship." And he went on to explain that for a long -time he and his companions had been watching -powerful lights floating about in the sky, and as they -knew that Germans were the only people in the -world who had <em>hawaiijihaz</em> or airships, they were -convinced the lights they had seen belonged to one -of these. And when it had alighted on the hill in -front of them, the majority of his companions had -been so terrified that they had run away, and only -himself and his two comrades had had the bravery to -stay where they were and face the unknown danger.</p> - -<p>Then it dawned on me what he was driving at. -The flashing electric lights of the car, lighting up the -distant, rising slopes of the desert, had appeared to -these men to come from the sky, and my harmless -motor-car the dreaded German airship. Cars, of -course, along this route were as great a novelty as -airships, and doubtless not one of the men in front of -me had ever seen one before.</p> - -<p>I reassured them as completely as I could, adding -that I was delighted to meet such redoubtable -warriors, and hoped that now they would come with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -me and help me, as my business was to fight -Germans, airships and all. This was strictly true, -for, but for German influence, there would have been -no need to wage war on the Raiders who had only -been induced to become our enemies by lying -German propaganda.</p> - -<p>Idu said they would be only too glad to go with -the Sahib and to help him fight the enemies of the -British Raj. He also told me that he had already -saved my life once that evening.</p> - -<p>"How was that?" I asked, my spirits rising as I -gazed through the darkness at my first three recruits.</p> - -<p>"Well, Sahib," returned Idu, "when the airship, -which you say is no airship, stopped, in a little while -we saw the figure of a man, carrying a lantern moving -towards us, and Halil here," laying his hand on the -shoulder of one of his pals, "lifted his rifle and was -about to shoot. But I said, 'Nay. See, it is but one -man. Let us wait and see who he is.' And then the -lantern went out and there was no longer a target."</p> - -<p>"You did well, Idu," I said solemnly. "You -have most certainly saved my life, and as you seem to -be as intelligent as you are brave, I shall appoint -you to my personal staff. I am the officer who has -been sent out to take command of the forces along -the Sarhad, and in Seistan. But at the present -moment my chief concern is to find the right road to -Saindak. Can you show it to me?"</p> - -<p>Idu laughed. "I could lead you there blindfold, -Sahib."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> - -<p>I felt the difficulties of the road were now over, -and, piloted by these three stalwarts, the car—a -source of the utmost excitement and wonderment to -them—Allan, Allah-dad and my weary self were, ere -long, safe in the rest-house of the small mud fort at -Saindak.</p> - -<p>The following morning, after a good night's rest, -I had a long talk with Idu, and the very favourable -impression I had formed of the man the night before -was greatly increased. I found him by daylight to -be a highly intelligent-looking, splendidly proportioned -fellow of about five feet eight, with a big -black beard. I had glimpses, even then, of the keen -sense of humour which was to do so much to lighten -the difficulties of the ensuing campaign. Never -once in all the months to come did I find his wit and -humour fail.</p> - -<p>As after-events proved he was absolutely -invaluable. In fact, I often called him, and told -him that I called him, my "head." Not only did he -know every yard of the country, but he knew by -name practically every one of the Raiders, knew their -peculiarities and their weak points as well as their -strength. Idu was a man in a million, and I should -like to think that, some day, this public appreciation -of him, and of what he did to help in this campaign, -may reach him.</p> - -<p>After breakfast and my talk with Idu, we set out -on the last march of the first phase of my journey, -and reached Robat by two o'clock in the afternoon.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER III</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -An "intelligent" officer—Matters political—Three tribes and -a fourth—Their women and inter-tribal laws—Sarhad -conditions—A summons to the Chiefs—A bid for rank—Telegraph -wires and Sheitan—Two first-class liars—A -strategic scheme—An ungazetted General—Lost kit—Swallows -and flies—Forces available—Communications freed—The -Kacha levy and a shock—Mirjawa.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">My first visit in Robat was to the officer who had -been commanding the scattered British forces up to -that date. He was a very sick man, and had been -holding out with the utmost difficulty until he could -be relieved. Here I met Major Landon of the 35th -Scinde Horse, one of the three Intelligence Officers -employed by the Indian Government in Persia.</p> - -<p>I very quickly realised that Landon was an officer -of very high intelligence, as well as an Intelligence -Officer, and that he had a fund of information -concerning the country, and the conditions and -characteristics of the inhabitants of both Persia and -Baluchistan. In fact, I judged that he would be -such an asset that, then and there, I invited him to -become my Brigade-Major, although I ruefully -remarked that I had, at present, no brigade!</p> - -<p>He was keen to accept, but did not know how -the authorities at Simla would view his acceptance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -of such a post, and asked me whether I should be -willing to shoulder the responsibility of annexing -him for the campaign. Considering that my -shoulders were broad enough, I promptly replied -that my orders had been to take command of all the -scattered forces I could find and co-ordinate them, -and that I looked upon him as my second "find," -Idu and his two companions being the first. -Further, that he was here as Intelligence Officer and -would acquire no intelligence sitting down in Robat, -whereas, if he came with me, he would get all he -wanted at first hand!</p> - -<p>I set myself to pick up all the information I could -about the conditions of British "influence" in this -part of Persia, and on the borders of Afghanistan. -To make it in any way clear why we had any -influence here at all we must revert to the old fear of -the threatened advance of Russia on India, in the -days before Russia became our ally in the Great War.</p> - -<p>Slowly and gradually Russia had been extending -her influence in the Pamirs until her outposts on the -Oxus River were only eight marches from Chitral. -Evidently, as a wide counter, strategic move, the -Indian Government had sought to increase its own -influence with Persia and Afghanistan by pushing -forward her outposts to Robat and Nasaratabad.</p> - -<p>Consequently, at the time of which I am writing, -Robat, Nasaratabad and Birjand were held lightly -by chains of small posts composed entirely of Indian -troops and some local levies commanded by British<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -officers. Our lines of communication running from -Birjand to Nushki, a distance of about six hundred -miles, were held, in widely scattered posts, by only -one battalion of Indian Infantry and one regiment of -Indian Cavalry and four mountain guns. Thus it -will be seen that it was very difficult to obtain any -troops for a movable column.</p> - -<p>A British Consulate had also been established at -Nasaratabad, which is on the borders of Afghanistan -and Persia. During the War the importance and -influence of the Consul increased considerably, as he -was in a position to gather information which was of -great value to the military commanders, who constantly -sought his advice.</p> - -<p>There was also a Baluch Political Officer, known -as the Sarhad-dar, who worked under orders from the -British Political Officer at Quetta. The Sarhad-dar, -to a certain degree, controlled the Sarhadi Raiders, -occasionally with the help of the Chagai Levies, -which were raised by the Indian Government for this -particular work.</p> - -<p>Supplies were brought to these scattered posts by -camel caravans from India.</p> - -<p>Communication with India was maintained by -means of the telegraph. Later on it became -necessary to send out a wireless troop from India -to establish communication between my force at -Khwash and Saindak.</p> - -<p>At the same time I did my best to learn all I could -about the tribes amongst whom I was going to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> -operate, their ways and customs, and the nature of -the country in which they lived.</p> - -<p>A glance at the map will show the situation -and boundaries of the Sarhad—literally meaning -boundary. It will be seen that it extends from Jalk -in the East to Galugan in the West. The Eastern -part, from Jalk to Safed-koh, is held by a tribe -known as the Gamshadzais, under their notable -leader, Halil Khan.</p> - -<p>The central portion is held by the Yarmahommedzais -under Jiand Khan, an elderly man, who has -been undisputed chief, and a sort of over-lord of the -whole of the Sarhad, for very many years. He has -been looked upon by his own and neighbouring -tribes as well-nigh a demi-god. As Jiand enters -later, and largely, into this narrative all further -description of him will be reserved till actual contact -is established with him.</p> - -<p>Khwash—known also as Vasht or Washt—is the -capital of the Sarhad, and is situated within Jiand's -jurisdiction, although he is not the actual owner of the -town. The word Khwash literally means "sweet," -and, I believe, owes its name to the water, which is, -by the way, quite warm when it appears at the -surface of the ground in the immediate vicinity.</p> - -<p>The Western portion of the Sarhad, extending -roughly from Khwash to Galugan, is held by the -Ismailzais under their redoubtable leader, Juma -Khan.</p> - -<p>All three of these tribes possess approximately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -one thousand families apiece, and, of course, each -family has many members, as well as large numbers -of camels, and herds of sheep and goats.</p> - -<p>Each of these tribes, at the time of which I write, -could muster, roughly, from one to two thousand -riflemen, chiefly armed with Mauser rifles and -modern ammunition.</p> - -<p>South of Robat lay a fourth tribe, the Rekis, -fewer in number than any one of those already -mentioned. This tribe was entirely friendly to the -British, and, although nominally under a leader -called Ibrahim, paid more heed to Idu, who, as I -have already said, was one of the most remarkable -men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He -was also a Havildar (Sergeant) in the Chagai Levies; -a local force raised by the Indian Government.</p> - -<p>These various tribes all belong to the Sunni -branch of the Mahommedan religion, and are of -Arab origin. As a whole they are a fine-looking set -of men, slim and graceful, with fine, intelligent faces, -and aquiline features. Their hair is allowed to grow -unrestricted, and falls in long black ringlets, on -either side of the face, in true King Charles I. style. -In fact, one of these men, with whom I afterwards -made good friends, was nicknamed Charles I. on -sight, as, with his flowing ringlets and short pointed -beard, he bore such a strong resemblance to the -pictures of that unfortunate monarch.</p> - -<p>These men are fine skirmishers, and will fight -with the utmost bravery when well led, and have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -confidence in their leaders. Being nomads, they -possess but few villages, such as Khwash, Gusht, and -Jalk; which consist of a mud fort or forts and a few -houses. Their lives are spent for the most part in -tents, called Jugis, which are made of camels' hair, -dyed black, and are pitched wherever a convenient -spot can be found.</p> - -<p>Wives, families and herds accompany them on -their wanderings from place to place. Their -womenkind are often good-looking, and usually -lighter skinned than the men. The women's -endurance, too, is wonderful, for they can climb the -precipitous hills with as much agility as the men, -bear the hardships of long marches, the violent -summer heat and the intense cold of the winter -nights with great fortitude. They go unveiled, and -appear to be treated well by their husbands and sons. -In fact, in some notable instances, the women of the -Sarhad exercise great influence over their husbands, -and, when this is so, rule with the proverbial "rod of -iron." Each man is allowed four wives, and, though -he does not always acquire this number, he never -exceeds it.</p> - -<p>The tribes literally live by raiding. They know -no fear, and seldom show mercy. They not only -raid travellers but villages, and, on occasion, large -towns. These raids have been known to be pushed -as far as Meshed, the sacred town and "Mecca" of -Persia, which lies far away in the North upon the -Turkestan border. Such expeditions are carried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -out with immense skill and cunning, and are seldom -unsuccessful. The raiders not only loot jewels, -carpets, food, cattle and herds, but women and -children, whom they subject to a life of utter misery.</p> - -<p>Persian ladies are frequently carried off in this -way, to become eventually abject slaves subject to -inter-tribal barter. The prices paid for such slaves -naturally vary according to quality, age and looks. -As much as three hundred rupees may be taken as -an average price for a young woman, and as little as -twenty-five rupees for a small child.</p> - -<p>But, although they are utterly lawless in regard to -other people, their few inter-tribal laws are fairly -strictly observed. These laws, however, chiefly -consist of the doctrine that Might is Right and -Success pardons all Sins. In the Sarhad a man is -expected to tell the truth—unless a lie better suits -his purpose. Any oath given on the Koran is -binding, provided a Mullah or priest is present. -Otherwise such an oath is as often honoured in the -breach as in the observance.</p> - -<p>They have, however, some standards of honour to -which they strictly adhere. If, for instance, they -come as invited guests to your camp, or if you go as -an invited guest to theirs, treachery is not thought -of. The laws of hospitality, as in nearly all Eastern -countries, are strictly maintained.</p> - -<p>Their food consists mostly of flour-cake, made, -as a rule, of barley, though occasionally of wheat, -and goat-flesh and wild herbs. As their herds always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -travel with them, except when fighting or raiding, -there is always a plentiful supply of meat and milk. -Their slaves, on the contrary, are half starved, and -present the most pitiful contrast to their own women -and children, who are well fed, healthy and provided -with ample clothing.</p> - -<p>Their country, the Sarhad, is very arid, sandy, -sparsely cultivated, and crossed by range upon range -of bare volcanic hills, with rugged peaks and -precipitous sides. Some of these hills rise to considerable -heights, as, for example, the Koh-i-Bazman, -overlooking Bampur in the South. This -peak reaches an altitude of eleven thousand four -hundred feet. The Koh-i-Taftan is another, of -something over thirteen thousand feet, and is snow-capped -in Winter and early Spring, despite the fact -that it is an active volcano. The word Taftan -signifies boiling. Its crater possesses two main -outlets, from which clouds of sulphur-smoke are -constantly being emitted. The whole summit is in -consequence covered with white ash, so giving it a -wonderfully imposing and picturesque appearance -from a distance, especially at sunset or sunrise. The -effect is very like that of Fuji-Yama, but certainly on -a grander scale.</p> - -<p>The hills of this district are all of volcanic origin, -and, for this reason, rich in sulphur and sal-ammoniac -deposits. The low-lying country obviously once -formed the bed of a sea, for the fossils to be found -here in quantity are of marine origin, and the soil is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -thickly impregnated with salt. Fresh water is very -scarce, though large salt water lakes are fairly -frequent.</p> - -<p>It is interesting to think how much could be done -with this country were some scheme of irrigation -introduced. The natives have a simple method of -supplying water to meet their wants. This is done -by means of karezes, underground channels which -tap underground springs and so bring the water to -where it is wanted.</p> - -<p>Trees are occasionally planted by these karezes, -in the towns, but otherwise are scarcely ever seen in -this inhospitable, arid region, where it is even hard -to find sufficient food for camels, horses or herds, -when on the march. There are occasional valleys -through which a small stream may flow for a certain -distance, but which, very soon, disappears again into -the sand. In those rare spots where water is plentiful -the luxuriance of the vegetation is phenomenal, -proving how fertile the country might become -were it irrigated in the same way as are certain -parts of India. Wheat, barley, spinach, cucumbers, -pumpkins and green vegetables grow readily where -water exists.</p> - -<p>Climatic conditions in these regions are curiously -extreme. Great cold prevails in the Winter, but the -heat in Spring and Summer is terrific. There is, -too, a curious feeling of intense lightness in the -atmosphere which induces a queer feeling of -"emptiness" in those unaccustomed to its rarified<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -quality. A hot wind, impregnated with sand, blows -in Seistan more or less continually from April to -July, so adding to the general discomfort of the -white man. This wind is known as the Sad-o-bistroz -(literally, "wind which blows for one hundred -and twenty days"). But, though disagreeable and -irritating, this wind saves the health of the Seistani -inhabitants during the most trying months of the -year, as it checks malaria by blowing away the -mosquitoes.</p> - -<p>This rather vague, and very incomplete, attempt -at a sketch of the people who were causing such -serious trouble to our Government, and of the -country in which they lived, may, at any rate, -serve to give some idea of the foe, and his terrain, -in this small but terse campaign which I shall -make an attempt to describe in the following -chapters.</p> - -<p>It grew more evident daily that it was necessary -to organise a movable column to operate against -the Raiders as soon as possible.</p> - -<p>There were more troops at Nasaratabad than at -any other post, and I considered that some of these -might well be taken for the purpose. Moreover, -there was a British Consul there whose advice and -information would be very valuable. Accordingly, -Landon and I arranged to go there by car on the first -possible day.</p> - -<p>But I thought it would be a good preliminary -move to find out exactly how the land lay with regard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -to the Raiders, and to force them, so to speak, to -declare their policy towards us.</p> - -<p>I therefore told the local Baluchi political officer -to send out notices to Jiand Khan, the leader of the -Yarmahommedzais, to Halil Khan, the leader of the -Gamshadzais, to Juma Khan, leader of the Ismailzais, -and to the leader of the Rekis, to meet the new -British General, just arrived from India, so that -counsel might be taken together on a certain date at -a small post called Kacha.</p> - -<p>Of course, from all I had heard, I did not for one -moment expect these Raider Chiefs to keep the -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rendezvous</i>. But if, by some amazing chance, they -did, we might come to some amicable arrangement -and so avoid actual fighting. If, on the other hand, -they refused to do so, it would be tantamount to a -declaration of war.</p> - -<p>A few days later I kept the appointment I had -made, but, with the exception of the Reki leaders, -who assured me of their consistent loyalty to the -British, not a single Raider Chief turned up.</p> - -<p>Thereupon I returned to Robat and planned my -campaign.</p> - -<p>Already I could see I was going to be badly -handicapped by my lack of rank, and determined to -make a bid for the rank which would give me more -authority. With this object in view I sent a -telegram to General Kirkpatrick—already mentioned -as Chief of Staff at Simla, and acting as Commander-in-Chief -in the absence of General Sir Beauchamp<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -Duff—asking him to make me a General, and stating -baldly that I considered it necessary.</p> - -<p>It may seem strange that, in this wild, desolate -country, largely in the hands of lawless, rebellious -tribes, it was possible to send a telegram at all. But -a fine telegraph line, right across Persia, connecting -Europe with India, has been in existence for over -fifty years. The concession to erect this line was -obtained from the Shah by Mr Eastwick in 1862, -then British Chargé d'Affaires in Teheran.</p> - -<p>There had been long negotiations over this -concession, which had been consistently refused by -the Persian Government; but the Shah's personal -friendship for Mr Eastwick prevailed where diplomatic -negotiations had failed. It was a particularly -advantageous arrangement for us, as, by the contract -drawn up by the Persian Government in 1864, that -Government undertook to construct a telegraph line -from the Persian frontier, near Baghdad, to India, at -the expense of Persia, but to place it under the -control of British officers. This and other telegraph -lines had not been interfered with or cut in any -way by the Raiders, for the simple reason that they -have strong superstitious fears of telegraph wires, -and imagine them in some way to be in close -communication with Sheitans (devils).</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i056" id="i056"></a> -<img src="images/i056.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -"A GOOD LIAR."<br /> -<em>Landon's orderly and chief spy.</em></div> -</div> - -<p>Whilst I was awaiting a reply to my urgent -request for an advance in rank, Idu, Landon and I -took counsel together. I asked Idu whether he had -two first-class liars amongst his friends, in whom he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>could place implicit trust. His eyes twinkled as he -assured me he had many friends on whose complete -fidelity, as well as on whose absolute qualifications, -he could rely.</p> - -<p>I then unfolded to him my scheme. It was quite -obvious that it would be utterly impossible to defeat -the Raiders in open fight. They numbered several -thousands of fully armed men, amply equipped, and -supplied with all the ammunition and food they -needed. They were also in their own country, every -yard of which they knew well.</p> - -<p>In a straightforward fight any small force we -could muster would be wiped out in a few minutes. -But as it was necessary to fight and beat those -Raiders, who were doing us such immeasurable -damage, bluff must be used to strengthen our arms.</p> - -<p>I suggested to Idu that he should procure his two -skilled friends and tell them, at the outset, that if -they succeeded in the plan entrusted to them their -pockets would be literally lined with rupees. They -were, then, to run away from me to the two principal -Raider Chiefs, Jiand and Halil Khan, and their -story was to be that they had managed to escape -from the great and famous British General who had -just arrived with five thousand fully armed troops. -Also, that this General Dyer was greatly incensed at -their disobedient method of treating his summons to -meet him at Kacha, and that he was starting in great -force to attack them, but that he was planning to -march first against Halil Khan in the direction of Jalk.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> - -<p>If Idu's men succeeded in making the Raiders -swallow all this, the immediate stroke I had in view, -namely, an attack on Khwash, might hope for some -success. It would at any rate draw the Raiders off -the lines of communication and so enable supply -caravans to proceed to Robat.</p> - -<p>Idu was greatly taken with the idea. It appealed -to his sense of humour, and he had soon produced -his two spies, on whom, he assured us, he could rely -as on himself. Their mission fully explained, Idu's -friends started off at once.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, though I was not yet a General I -determined to act the part. The 28th Light Cavalry -made crossed swords for my shoulders and the -necessary red tabs. The former were considerably -bigger than the regulation pattern, but were otherwise -well made. Then Landon and I went off by -car to Nasaratabad.</p> - -<p>We found the place to be a small mud-walled -enclosure with walls of great thickness. -Inside the enclosure were something like a -hundred shops, for the most part kept by Persian -soldiers, whose military duties are not usually -onerous. We made our way to the Consul's house, -and had a very interesting interview with him. -Whilst we were there a telegram arrived from Simla -informing me that I had been promoted to the rank -of Brigadier-General. This was a great relief, for -I now no longer felt an impostor.</p> - -<p>As a set-off against this bit of good news, I heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -that the whole of my kit, which had followed me -from Nushki, had been captured by the Raiders. -In addition they had killed my horse, Galahad, -robbed the groom of all his clothing and torn his -golden ear-rings from his ears. On my return to -Robat he came to me stark naked, with his nerves -utterly shattered, and absolutely useless for any -further service.</p> - -<p>We also met Colonel Claridge, who was commanding -the 28th Cavalry and the troops at -Nasaratabad. I asked him to send to Robat as -soon as possible all the food supplies he could -collect, two mountain guns, a squadron of cavalry, -and as many infantry as he could spare. I was very -disappointed, however, at the few troops available -at Nasaratabad for the expedition, but I realised that -the situation in Afghanistan demanded the presence -of a fairly strong garrison at Nasaratabad itself.</p> - -<p>On the way back to Robat we stopped at a post -where I was accommodated in a room with a domed -mud roof, which had been whitewashed. As I lay -on my blankets in the morning, gazing up at the -roof, I noticed that the dome was covered with small -black spots. As the light grew stronger I realised -that they were flies, thousands of them, in a comatose -condition, owing to the cold of the night.</p> - -<p>As the morning advanced, swallows flew in by the -open door, and, fluttering round the dome, picked off -the helpless flies one by one, until not a single one -was left.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> - -<p>Directly we reached Robat Landon and I set to -work on our plans. After considerable thought we -determined to make an attempt to capture Khwash, -the capital of the Sarhad, and so endeavour to entice -the Raiders off our lines of communication. But it -took some time to get the guns and food supplies to -Robat, for Robat was quite one hundred miles from -Nasaratabad. It was also necessary to get in enough -supplies for a month at least, as it was useless -placing reliance on anything reaching us from -India. In other words we had to be quite -independent of all lines of communication.</p> - -<p>At last the two guns, and supplies, under Major -MacGowan, reached Robat, where were now -collected about a dozen or fifteen of Idu's Chagai -Levies, and seventeen Sawars of the 28th Light -Cavalry under Lieutenant Hirst. But I still had -no infantry. That, however, I hoped to get at -Kacha, the garrison of which consisted of a hundred -sepoys of the 19th Punjab Infantry, and two maxim -guns.</p> - -<p>Therefore, Landon and I arranged to go to Kacha -for the infantry, while MacGowan proceeded with -his two guns, seventeen cavalrymen and supplies, -direct to Mirjawa, via Saindak. We would then -join him there, as soon as we had collected the -infantry for our advance on Khwash.</p> - -<p>Our real movements had been kept marvellously -secret, whilst the news of the five thousand fully -armed troops under my command had been spread<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> -far and near by Idu's spies; the consequence being -that the Raiders were all quietly retiring, from -raids upon our lines of communication, to organise -their own <em>lashkars</em> (armies), and their own -defence.</p> - -<p>Thus, and at any rate temporarily, the lines of -communication of our scattered frontier posts were -cleared, and without striking a blow. One small -objective had at least been accomplished.</p> - -<p>While MacGowan's little force was making its -way to Mirjawa, Landon and I rode to Kacha, -reaching that place on the 2nd of April. There -Lieutenant Yates, of the 12th Pioneers, paraded all -the men he could lay his hands on in front of the -mess-house, and, as we rode up, gave the order for -the men to present arms.</p> - -<p>The result was a shock.</p> - -<p>I dismounted and called on all those men who had -ever fired a shot in their lives to fall out.</p> - -<p>To my dismay only nine men obeyed.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Yates told me that he had done his -best with the men, but the greater proportion of -them were mere raw recruits. It was a bitter disappointment, -and it was very obvious that a great deal -of brick-making had to be done without straw. -But there was nothing else for it. These were -the only men, trained or untrained, available for -the expedition, and I had to be thankful for -them.</p> - -<p>I took the nine trained soldiers, sixty-five of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -untrained recruits, and two maxim guns belonging -to the 12th Pioneers, and, with these, Landon and -I made our way to the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rendezvous</i> at Mirjawa, -where we all met on the evening of the 6th of -April.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER IV</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">BLUFF AND ARMS</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -Ladis and its fort—A force without arms—First sight of the -enemy—Shah Sawar and more bluff—Battle—Bluff succeeds—Casualties—Bad -news from the North—Idu's proposition—Jiand's -stragglers—Jiand's white flag.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">The following day we marched to Ladis, reaching -that place just before nightfall, and without incident.</p> - -<p>Ladis is a camping place situated in a comparatively -fertile tract of country fully four thousand feet -above sea-level on the slopes of the famous Koh-i-taftan. -A considerable stream flows through the -valley. If this stream were exploited for irrigation -purposes the whole district could be made most -productive and profitable. The climate is far -better than in the greater part of the Sarhad, and -there is an abundance of chikor and other partridges, -ibex, and wolves.</p> - -<p>On the right bank of the stream is a fine old -deserted fort, which is far more substantially built -than the occupied forts of Khwash and Jalk, but it -has been ruined by the disintegrating effect of the -water on the banks on which it is built. A passage -at the base of it indicates that at one time an under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>ground -tunnel connected the fort, which lies on the -right bank, with the left bank, thus affording a means -of escape, or of reinforcement, for the garrison.</p> - -<p>We found, waiting for us at Ladis, a band of -about fifty Rekis, who had come to join the -expedition in answer to an urgent appeal from Idu.</p> - -<p>I found they had no arms, ammunition or equipment, -and asked them where their rifles were.</p> - -<p>"We have none, Sahib," their spokesman replied. -"We thought the General Sahib would give us -rifles."</p> - -<p>I was obliged to tell them that we had no spare -arms, but as every extra man would be an asset in -our great game of bluff I was not going to let them -go, and would find some means of utilising their -services.</p> - -<p>At first they were greatly disappointed to find -that they were not going to be awarded a free issue -of British rifles, and commented on the absurdity -of a force of the size they saw before them attempting -to attack the great Raider Chief, Jiand Khan.</p> - -<p>"Why, Sahib," the spokesman said, "Jiand has -fully two thousand well-armed men, all out to meet -you. They will wipe you out in about two -minutes."</p> - -<p>If it came to an open fight we all knew that this -was literally true. But we were relying on bluff and -luck.</p> - -<p>The local political officer, a Baluch, was entirely -of the Rekis' way of thinking, and did his utmost to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -persuade us to turn back and save our skins. But -we had not come so far to turn back. Orders were, -therefore, given to go forward.</p> - -<p>Fortunately for us, and before we struck camp -early on the following morning, another political -officer arrived to supersede him—a man of totally -different calibre. Khan Bahadur, the Sarhad-dar -(the chief political officer of all matters concerning -the Sarhad) was full of fight, greatly taken with our -game of bluff, and fully prepared to enter into its -spirit, the only spirit which could possibly bring such -an enterprise as ours to a successful conclusion.</p> - -<p>From Ladis the force marched South in the -direction of Khwash, covering about eighteen miles. -This was not bad going when it is remembered that -the average rate for a camel caravan over rough -sandy country of this sort is about ten or twelve miles -a day. We camped that night in a narrow valley, -surrounded by hills, and with a good water supply.</p> - -<p>The following day the march was resumed, and -we were beginning to wonder how soon we should -get in touch with Jiand's forces when our advance -scouts reported that the enemy was just ahead, and -encamped on the low hills running out in spurs from -the Koh-i-Taftan.</p> - -<p>Our force was halted, and, riding forward myself, -I dismounted and took a good look at the enemy's -position. This appeared to be, as I had to admit -to myself, a very strong one, and, as far as I could -gather, it looked as if it had been no idle report that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -Jiand's force numbered something like two thousand -men. In any case we were in for it now, and must -take our chances as they came.</p> - -<p>I rode back, ordered the mountain guns to be -brought up to some low hills on the left, and the -cavalry to move forward under cover to the right.</p> - -<p>The transport camels, numbering about six -hundred, now came up, under cover, and were put in -charge of the sixty-five untrained infantrymen. The -two machine guns were brought up to a favourable -position in the centre, and our little force was now -fully deployed for action.</p> - -<p>At this moment a man mounted on a camel was -seen coming from the enemy's camp, accompanied -by a man on foot carrying a white flag of truce.</p> - -<p>When the messenger had approached nearer the -Sarhad-dar exclaimed, "Why, it is Shah Sawar -himself!"</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i068" id="i068"></a> -<img src="images/i068.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -QUESTIONING A SARHADI PRISONER.</div> -</div> - -<p>Now Shah Sawar was a very famous Raider -Chief, and a relation of Jiand's. At one time he had -been the owner and governor of Khwash, but it -appears that he had greatly coveted, as a bride, a -very beautiful lady known as the Gul-Bibi, or Rose -Lady. As usual, negotiations were conducted -between the prospective bridegroom and the lady's -nearest male relative, who, in this instance, happened -to be a somewhat weak-charactered man named -Mahommed-Hassan. The price that Mahommed-Hassan -placed on the Gul-Bibi was no less than the -ownership of Khwash itself. Shaw Sawar's infatuation -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>drove him to pay the price, though, from what -I came to know of the ruffian afterwards, I am -perfectly convinced that he had every intention of -recovering his patrimony as soon as a favourable -opportunity presented itself.</p> - -<p>When he rode up to me, preceded by the flag of -truce, I was struck by his fine appearance.</p> - -<p>He announced that he had come with a message -from his kinsman, Jiand Khan, to the effect that, -"If the General Sahib, accompanied by only one -man, would meet Jiand half-way, Jiand, also accompanied -by one man, would meet him and discuss the -situation."</p> - -<p>Of course the very last thing I wanted to do was -to prolong any negotiations. Every moment that -passed increased the danger that our bluff would be -discovered, for it was quite obvious that, up to date, -Jiand believed in the existence of the great force -being brought against him under a British General, -as reported to him by Idu's spies. Therefore, it -was necessary to bluster, and answer indignantly, -"How dare you come to a British General with any -such proposal from a scoundrel like Jiand? Go -back and tell him that I am coming, not half-way, -but the whole way, and at once. I will give you -time to take him my message. I will then fire a -shot into the air as the signal that hostilities have -begun, and the attack, which will wipe him out, will -commence."</p> - -<p>Shah Sawar was visibly impressed, and, after a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -few moments' hesitation, beckoned to the man who -had come with him. After a whispered colloquy the -latter returned to Jiand with the General Sahib's -message. Shah Sawar himself said that he intended -to remain with me.</p> - -<p>He was obviously cowed and bewildered. He -firmly believed we had a great army in the low hills -behind us, and deemed it safer to remain with us as -a prisoner than to return to Jiand's camp and engage -in a battle against five thousand troops—which he -could not see from his present position!</p> - -<p>Whilst the messenger was racing back to Jiand -the seventeen cavalrymen were ordered to show -themselves, and as they topped the hills, apparently -the advance guard of a great force, their big horses -looked most imposing.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Hirst, commanding them, was directed -to make a pretence of threatening the left flank and -rear of Jiand's position, but ordered not to go too -close!</p> - -<p>Then, as soon as information came that Jiand's -messenger had reached his camp—some six hundred -yards distant—and had had time to deliver his -message, one of the Chagai Levies was ordered to -fire a shot into the air as a signal that the battle -had begun.</p> - -<p>He pulled his trigger, but nothing happened.</p> - -<p>I told him to try again.</p> - -<p>Again he pulled the trigger, and this time with -the desired result.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> - -<p>The battle had begun.</p> - -<p>The order to charge was given. The cavalry -moved rapidly to the right, the machine guns -rattled, and the infantry—nine trained men and a -handful of Chagai Levies, rushed forward in the -centre.</p> - -<p>What happened in the enemy's camp I only -learned afterwards, but it appears to have been as -follows: Jiand, seeing the cavalry advancing as if -to threaten his retreat, really believed that the -mythical army of five thousand was commencing its -attack in full force, and, mounting his own camel, he -gave an order which literally amounted to a "<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">sauve -qui peut</i>." In any case, and in a moment, his force -was scattered in a frenzy of terror, and in full retreat, -amongst the hills and valleys.</p> - -<p>For a moment Landon and I looked at each other. -Then, as we realised that the great bluff had -succeeded, we rushed forward, with a loud whoop, -closely accompanied by the Sarhad-dar. As we -were mounted, we got ahead of the others, and -actually overtook a number of Jiand's men retreating -down a nullah. We emptied our revolvers into -them, and some of our infantry coming up, their -terror was increased, for they thought they had been -trapped by overwhelming numbers.</p> - -<p>The enemy had suffered a loss of seven killed. -On our side we had one man wounded, and I -honestly believe he was wounded by one of our own -untrained infantrymen, who, in the excitement and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -enthusiasm of the moment, had disobeyed orders -and joined in the chase.</p> - -<p>By the evening there was no one left in sight to -chase, so we halted and made preparations to camp -where we were. Only a few hours before we had -known that if the truth of our numbers had leaked -out not one of us would live till night to tell the tale. -Fortunately the secret had been well kept, and, -although we had only accounted for seven of the -enemy, it was obvious we had won a decisive victory. -Jiand's entire force was scattered and demoralised, -and it would take him a considerable time, even -when he did learn how he had been tricked, to collect -them again.</p> - -<p>He was a very notable man, with enormous power -and prestige, not only with his own tribe, the -Yarmahommedzais, but with all the nomad tribes of -the district, and was regarded as a personage by -the Governments of both India and of Persia. His -defeat would be a very bitter pill for him to swallow. -Although he was looked on by the Ismailzais and -the Gamshadzais as a sort of over-lord, even of their -own Chiefs, there was always great rivalry between -the various tribes, and he would know that Juma -Khan, whilst outwardly sympathising with him, -would, in reality, be jubilant.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, and for the sake of his own prestige, -he must make the most of the forces brought against -him. That very evening I learned from one of his -men, who had been overtaken and brought back<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -as a prisoner, that he had given out that he had -had seven hundred men killed and amongst the -number was his own favourite son. The death of -this son, I afterwards found, was a bitter blow to -the famous old Chief, and I have always been sorry -that he credited my hand as being the one which -had struck him down, though this was absolutely -untrue.</p> - -<p>Seven men multiplied by a hundred was not bad -as a free advertisement. But I determined to go -one better.</p> - -<p>"Seven hundred!" I retorted to the trembling -prisoner. "Nonsense! If you had said seven -thousand, it would be far nearer the mark."</p> - -<p>Now the great thing was to make the most of -our almost bloodless victory near Koh-i-taftan, and -pursue Jiand and his men as far as possible amongst -the rocky fastnesses of the hills into which they had -fled. If only the old ruffian could be persuaded to -surrender before the bluff was called, it would be -just possible to make the other tribes think that the -whole game was up, and so make terms with us; -thus obviating a long and harassing campaign.</p> - -<p>So we pursued him for two days, as far as -Kamalabad, his own special winter headquarters, -nearly overtaking him. But he just eluded us as -we entered the place by riding out at the other end, -and so escaped into the Morpeish Hills, where it -was quite hopeless to think of following him with -our very small force.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the other hand, if we left him there, he became -an hourly menace. It could be only a question of -time before Jiand would be bound to learn how he -had been duped. He would then collect his men -once more, summon the other tribes to his assistance, -and wipe out our little force as he might have done, -had he only known, at Koh-i-taftan.</p> - -<p>Moreover, news had just reached us of an -untoward little incident which had occurred away -to the West of Robat. A small British force had -been operating in the vicinity of Nasaratabad-sippi -(not to be confused with Nasaratabad in Seistan) -and this force had been attacked in overwhelming -numbers by the Ismailzais, under Juma Khan. It -had suffered considerable loss, not only in men, but -in mules, rifles, and, most important of all, ammunition. -The British officer commanding had fought -ably and had averted disaster, but the losses had -been sufficient to create a rumour that Juma Khan -had scored an exaggerated victory.</p> - -<p>This must undoubtedly be avenged, and the only -hope of doing so was to strike at once, and whilst -Jiand's forces were still scattered and demoralised.</p> - -<p>Landon, the Sarhad-dar, Idu and I immediately -took counsel together. We discussed the reports -of the various scouts who had been sent out in every -direction. It appeared that the redoubtable Jiand -had received a great shock, and that his nerves were -thoroughly shattered. He had dearly loved his -son, and the loss was a great grief. He also firmly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -believed he had lost a great number of his followers -in killed and wounded, and his pride was suffering -badly in the loss of his prestige as a practically -unbeaten Chief.</p> - -<p>Then Idu evolved a brilliant scheme by which -he believed we should be able to lure Jiand, in his -present broken state, to surrender. Kamalabad, -where we were at present encamped, and which -was Jiand's favourite winter residence, is one of the -few spots in the Sarhad well irrigated and consequently -well cultivated. The place is freely -intersected with karezes, from which the fields are -systematically watered. Moreover, the valley is -watered on its Western side by a stream which -gushes out of the ground, and, after flowing past -Gazo, winds round the Northern slopes of the -Morpeish Hills and the Sar-i-drokan, to lose itself -soon afterwards in the sand.</p> - -<p>Kamalabad is not, strictly speaking, a village, as -there are no houses there. But it becomes densely -populated when Jiand's nomad families camp there -in their <em>jugis</em> during the winter months.</p> - -<p>Beyond this fertile valley, which for half the -year is teeming with life, though it is practically -deserted during the summer months, the Morpeish -Hills rise abruptly and precipitately out of the plain -to a height of ten thousand feet.</p> - -<p>On the farther side of these hills, and shut in -beyond by the Sar-i-drokan Range, rising to about -the same height as the Morpeish Hills, and running<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -parallel with them for a distance of about seventy-five -miles, is another valley, Jiand's favourite summer -haunt.</p> - -<p>It will thus be seen that it was utterly impossible -to think of attempting to drive Jiand out of his -refuge. Even supposing that we succeeded in -dislodging him from the Morpeish Hills he would -at once make for the Sar-i-drokan, a range which -would be still more difficult to negotiate, apart from -the fact that it would draw us farther and farther -from our base and any hope of supplies. But it -was evident that something must be done, and done -quickly. Idu's proposal was, therefore, the only -one offering any hope of success.</p> - -<p>All the crops of wheat and barley in the Kamalabad -Valley were then at their full growth, though -still green, and it was upon these crops, when -harvested, that Jiand and the entire Yarmahommedzai -tribe relied for their yearly bread supply.</p> - -<p>Idu's idea was substantially this, that we should -send a message to Jiand, whilst he still believed -himself pursued by a vast force, summon him to -surrender forthwith, and tell him that, if he failed -to comply with the instant summons, the whole of -his crops would be destroyed. Anyhow the idea -was worth trying.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, trustworthy messengers were sent to -him telling him that if he surrendered himself on -behalf of his tribe, before sundown on the following -day, the lives of himself and his followers would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -be safe, and his crops would be spared. If, however, -he failed to surrender by the appointed time, six -hundred camels, which had already arrived with the -advance guard of the great force operating against -him, would be turned loose in his fields, and, as he -well knew, would make very short work of his crops.</p> - -<p>The hours that passed between the sending out -of the messengers, and the time limit for Jiand's -surrender, were very anxious ones. Would bluff -continue to carry us through, or had the bubble -been pricked?</p> - -<p>During that day news reached us from stragglers, -who came trembling to join us at Kamalabad, that -many of the old people and women of Jiand's tribe -were in great distress. During the headlong flight -of himself and his fighting men the weaklings were -left behind, and, in their terror, they had fled into -all sorts of hiding places where there was neither -water nor food. Orders were immediately given -that they were to be reassured and succoured in -every way, and that food and water were to be -supplied to them, also <em>jugis</em>, wherever possible, to -shelter them.</p> - -<p>The day passed and the time limit was rapidly -running out when, between four and five o'clock in -the afternoon, we saw a little group of men emerge -from the Morpeish Hills, carrying a white flag.</p> - -<p>These men approached and announced that they -had come as emissaries from Jiand Khan, who was -on his way to surrender. He admitted his defeat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -by the overwhelming numbers brought against him, -said he knew it was no use continuing to fight against -them, and that his heart was broken by the loss of -his son. For the sake of his people he must save -the crops or they would surely die. Therefore, if -the General Sahib swore on his honour that the lives -of himself and his men would be safe, and that his -crops would be spared, he would surrender.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER V</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">KHWASH AND MORE BLUFF</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -Jiand's surrender—A political lecture—Jiand's oath—Bluff for -Khwash—The army moves forward—Khwash and its fort—Mahommed-Hassan -comes in—Beetles as scavengers—Halil -Khan comes in—Rifle prices, a comparison—Idu's warning—News -of Izzat—Order of march—Bluff for Bampur—The -meteor hole.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">At five o'clock Jiand arrived riding a camel, and -followed by a few attendants.</p> - -<p>I went forward to meet him, and treated him with -all the courtesy due to his position.</p> - -<p>He dismounted and offered his salaams. He was -a fine but pathetic-looking figure—a tall, spare -man—but the weight of years, and the strain -of recent events, were beginning to bow his -shoulders. His thick beard was quite grey, but -his eyes could still flash with passion and anger, -though, at present, they were dulled with grief and -humiliation.</p> - -<p>I immediately offered him my condolences -on the death of his son, and told him I had -heard that he believed that I personally was -responsible for his death. I assured him that this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -was not so, and that I greatly regretted that so -valiant a father should suffer the loss of a valiant -son. I then invited him to sit down on a small rise -of ground where a few sparse bushes offered some -shade from the sun, and as we had no seats we sat -down on the ground round him.</p> - -<p>I pointed out to Jiand his folly in having proved -false to the traditional friendship which had existed -between him, his tribes and the British Raj. I also -told him that I knew perfectly well he had -been misled by German lies as to the breaking of -British power, coupled with advice to harry the -British lines of communication, and to help himself -to all supplies upon which he could lay his hands -before the German forces advanced into India, for, -when they did, nothing much would be left to take. -But, I asked him, how could a man of his intelligence -have ever allowed himself to be gulled in such a -manner? Had he thought, he must have known that -British might was far too firmly established to be -overthrown by anything so despicable as the German -race, and he must have known too that, in deserting -his old friends the British, and in fighting against -them, he was only courting disaster.</p> - -<p>I further asked him if he had ever, with his own -eyes, seen one of the German airships which they -had been boasting were flying everywhere, destroying -enemy's lands, towns and herds. Jiand admitted -that he had not.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i082" id="i082"></a> -<img src="images/i082.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -JIAND'S MEN COMING IN TO PARLEY</div> -</div> - -<p>I asked him how it came about that, if he had -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>really believed so much in the strength and power of -the Germans, not one of them was to be found in -the district to come to his help in his present -difficulties? Either they were cowards and had run -away, or they had lied to him and there had never -been any German forces sweeping on victoriously -to wipe out the British Raj.</p> - -<p>Jiand admitted the force of all my arguments, and -replied that he, and all the Sarhadis, had been grossly -deceived, but pleaded that he himself had done his -best to restrain his men from interfering with the -British lines of communication, warning them that -it was neither safe nor wise. However, he could -not seriously have expected that I would swallow -this excuse, as he was known to be held in such awe -by his followers that not one of them would have -dared to dispute his authority.</p> - -<p>I demanded the return of all government camels -and stores and of my kit, captured between Nushki -and Robat, and he assured me that everything -should be sent back in full.</p> - -<p>While we were talking I noticed his eyes kept -wandering round, and, at last, he could restrain his -curiosity no longer, and asked me point blank where -the vast mass of troops was which had conquered -his own.</p> - -<p>I replied, "It was not necessary to bring all my -men to Kamalabad. I only came here with my -advance guard to make you my prisoner. We have -yet to capture Khwash."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> - -<p>The rest was left to his imagination.</p> - -<p>His parole was then demanded, which he promptly -gave, and solemnly swore, on the Koran, that -neither he nor any of his tribe, would raise a hand -again against the British Raj.</p> - -<p>Neither he nor the handful of men he had brought -with him, were disarmed. We had to continue our -game of bluff and had to show that we were not in -the least afraid of him.</p> - -<p>After I had dismissed him, telling him he would -accompany me wherever I went under open arrest, -Landon, the Sarhad-dar, Idu and myself took -counsel together as to the best way to obtain -the surrender of Khwash with its fort, the main -stronghold of the Yarmahommedzais.</p> - -<p>We decided to send a couple of Landon's scouts -direct to Khwash—about nineteen miles distant—with -a message to Mahommed-Hassan, telling him -that Jiand was a prisoner in my hands, and that he -himself admitted a loss of seven hundred men killed -in open fight with my forces, but that the figure was -an under-estimate. Shah Sawar was also a prisoner -in my hands. I called on him, therefore, to -surrender the fort of Khwash to me before twelve, -noon, on the following day, or warned him I should -blow the whole place to the skies. Nor should I -hold myself responsible for the future action of my -troops.</p> - -<p>Idu's eyes twinkled. "Just suppose, General -Sahib, that Mahommed-Hassan refuses; may I ask<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -how you propose to blow Khwash to the skies—or -anywhere?"</p> - -<p>I replied with becoming dignity that I should of -course blow it to the skies with my artillery.</p> - -<p>Idu roared with laughter. He said he had seen -my pop-guns firing and he was afraid that, unless our -bluff could do the trick, I should be unpleasantly -surprised at the strength of the walls of Khwash.</p> - -<p>The next morning our entire force of two -mountain guns, two machine guns, seventeen -cavalrymen, nine trained and sixty-five untrained -infantry and a handful of Chagai Levies, moved -forward to the assault of the Raiders' stronghold. -By eleven o'clock, and while we were still about -three miles distant, we came into full view of the -fort. Even from that distance I could see that Idu's -boast as to its strength was no idle one, and that -if Mahommed-Hassan elected to put up a fight we -could not possibly expect to be able to take it by -assault.</p> - -<p>Our anxieties were now further increased by -rumours that Halil Khan, with all his Gamshadzais, -was on the way to reinforce Jiand, of whose personal -surrender he had not yet heard.</p> - -<p>Our objective, Khwash, lay on a plateau about six -miles wide, bordered on either side by two ranges -of hills. These hills have an altitude of some six -thousand feet and run parallel to each other on the -North-East and South-West sides of the fort. The -fort itself is somewhere about four thousand five<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -hundred feet above sea-level. This plateau was -at one time well populated, well wooded and cultivated -with some seventy-three karezes running -along it, all tapping the great underground -stream which flows from the Southern slopes of the -Koh-i-taftan.</p> - -<p>We were hot and played out after our sixteen-mile -march, so halted to rest, and to speculate as to -whether Mahommed-Hassan would surrender on, or -before, the time-limit given him.</p> - -<p>We had not long to wait, however, for hardly -had we halted when we saw a messenger, on foot -and carrying a white flag, coming towards us.</p> - -<p>He salaamed as he reached us and said he bore -a message from Mahommed-Hassan, imploring me -not to blow Khwash into the skies, as he had heard -all about the defeat of the Yarmahommedzais under -Jiand, and that, under the circumstances, he recognised -the folly of attempting to oppose my advance. -Moreover, he was now on his way to surrender -himself and the fort.</p> - -<p>So bluff still held the day!</p> - -<p>And sure enough, a few minutes later, -Mahommed-Hassan, a miserable-looking creature, -arrived and tendered his formal surrender.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i088" id="i088"></a> -<img src="images/i088.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -KHWASH FORT.</div> -</div> - -<p>As we marched forward in style to enter the fort -the Yarmahommedzai garrison marched out and -joined the local population of "Khwashis," who -have lived in and around the fort for many -generations. These latter are peaceful cultivators -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>of the soil, and are allowed to exist because they are -useful servants to Jiand and his fighting men.</p> - -<p>They and their womenfolk are graciously allowed -to keep a certain proportion of the crops they grow, -the bulk of which goes to Jiand. These Khwashis -are a much lower type of humanity than the Raiders, -and only ask to be allowed to exist in peace.</p> - -<p>The fort, on closer inspection, proved to be some -seventy yards square, with two gates, one to the -South-East and one to the North-West. The outer -walls rise to about thirty feet with towers at the four -corners, three of which are about thirty-five feet -high, while the fourth is probably fully fifty feet. -This latter tower was the one occupied by the -garrison.</p> - -<p>Of the seventy-three fine karezes originally -existing in and around the fort we could only find -two. But one of these was a particularly good one -whose waters came to the surface and flowed outside -the South-East walls in an extraordinarily clear and -limpid stream, in refreshing contrast to so many of -the tepid, brackish streams found throughout the -Sarhad.</p> - -<p>But the one feature of the neighbourhood which -struck me most forcibly was the quantity of beetles -to be found everywhere. Never in my life have -I seen so many. They were of the variety -commonly known as dung-beetles. This kind is -larger than the ordinary house beetle, round and -flat, jet black, and can fly, which adds to its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -unpleasantness. Directly occasion offers it flies -from every direction and is soon rapidly and -effectively at work. As a scavenger, unpleasant as -it is, it undoubtedly represents a provision of nature -to keep the place—where sanitation is unknown—clean -and healthy.</p> - -<p>A few trees are scattered round Khwash, and a -welcome sight these were after unending vistas of -sandy waste and bare hillside.</p> - -<p>The country in the close vicinity of Khwash was -well cultivated, whilst I noted with satisfaction that -some of the hill slopes were covered with a tall grass. -This would prove invaluable as fodder for the -horses.</p> - -<p>That same day another piece of good news -reached us, to the effect that Halil Khan, the great -leader of the Gamshadzais, had just heard of the -surrender of Jiand, also the full details of his great -defeat, and loss of seven hundred men. But beyond -this the news ran that he was coming himself to -surrender, and to tell me that he had seen the folly -of his past actions.</p> - -<p>Upon receipt of this news Landon and I looked -at each other and then roared with laughter. We -began to realise that the Battle of Koh-i-taftan had -indeed been a decisive victory!</p> - -<p>That same evening Halil Khan, and about fifty -of his chosen men, arrived, and, formally salaaming, -surrendered themselves. I was immensely -impressed by the appearance of this Raider Chief.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -He was not very tall, but was magnificently -proportioned and developed, with an intelligent, -handsome head, and a peculiarly alert look. He -certainly looked what he was well known to be, -namely, one of the best fighting leaders in the -Sarhad.</p> - -<p>He and all his men were armed with Mauser rifles -and an abundance of ammunition. Halil Khan -seemed wedded to his, and when he was informed -that the General Sahib was going to extend to him -the same terms as to Jiand and allow him to keep -his rifle, his joy was very apparent.</p> - -<p>These German rifles had either been provided by -the Germans, and sent direct across Persia, or were -the outcome of the gun-running in the Persian Gulf -prior to the War.</p> - -<p>The price of a Mauser in the Sarhad, at that time, -was about one thousand one hundred rupees, though -I was glad to learn that the British Lee-Enfield was -valued at one thousand two hundred rupees. The -real cost of manufacturing these rifles is, I believe, -from six to ten pounds or sixty to one hundred -rupees, so that it will be seen what sort of a price the -Raiders are prepared to pay for their arms.</p> - -<p>Halil Khan was particularly anxious to learn how -we had managed to defeat Jiand, and was of course -curious to know where the vast British forces were. -But he gathered no more information than Jiand -had done.</p> - -<p>My own private opinion is that Halil Khan was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -disgusted with Jiand for surrendering, and that he -himself would have dearly loved a fight, for—as I -was afterwards to learn to my cost—he was not -only a magnificent fighter, but did not know the -meaning of fear.</p> - -<p>The only way in which I can account for his own -surrender—for only a day or so previously he had -been fully prepared to fight us—is that he had just -become aware of the fact that Jiand was a prisoner -in our hands. He was afraid, therefore, that if he -attacked us the proud old Chief might suffer, and -that, on the whole, it would be wiser to appear -submissive—for the moment.</p> - -<p>But Idu warned me at the time, and again and -again in the immediate future, "Jiand and Halil -Khan will never rest until they have fought you -again. Unless you can get a much larger force, at -the very first opportunity, and almost certainly when -they learn that you have at present practically no -troops, they will turn and attack you. Place no -reliance on their word or their oath, even though it -be given on the Koran."</p> - -<p>That same evening I learnt of a great raid that -had recently been made into Persia by a section of -the Yarmahommedzais, under a leader called Izzat. -As an outcome of this raid hundreds of Persian -ladies and children had been dragged from their -homes and brought by Izzat into the Sarhad, there -to be bartered as slaves. Their sufferings, both -from the indignity and shame of their present state,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -and the hardships they must inevitably have undergone -amongst their nomad captors, after the comparative -luxury of their own homes, can well be -imagined.</p> - -<p>The Sarhad-dar, a well-educated and sensitive -man, as well as a brave fighter, was so overcome by -the picture drawn of the sufferings of these wretched -women and children that he burst into tears, and -sobbing like a child, pleaded with me to ignore -everything else and to at once set about returning -these Persians to their homes.</p> - -<p>Strongly as my own wishes coincided with his, I -knew such a course to be impossible. I had still -more important things to do. Moreover, our own -situation might become desperate at any moment. -Although Jiand and Halil Khan, with a handful of -their followers, were prisoners in my hands, their -tribes were at large, and at the first suspicion of the -trick that had been played on them would be on -us like a swarm of bees. It must be remembered -too, that Juma Khan of the Ismailzais was still at -liberty, in a position to learn that we really had no -troops, and might bring his men against us at any -moment.</p> - -<p>It was obvious, therefore, that I had to deal with -him before I dared attempt the rescue of any Persian -women, though the thought of them and their -plight, and the determination to endeavour to rescue -and return them to their homes at the first possible -moment never left me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> - -<p>The following day I decided to hold a Durbar, -so gave orders that all the Sarhadi Chiefs were to -be present, and that they could bring as many of their -followers as they chose.</p> - -<p>The Durbar was held on the banks of the stream, -just outside the fort, and under the shade of one of -the trees. We all sat on the ground, and I opened -the Durbar as I thought a commissioner might do -in India, though, truth to tell, I knew very little -indeed about Durbars!</p> - -<p>I explained to the Sarhadi Chiefs, Jiand, Halil -Khan, Shah Sawar, and Mahommed-Hassan, -that the Sirkar (literally, ruling power) was not -represented in force by what they saw at Khwash. -They might be interested to know, however, that -some four millions of the very finest troops in the -world were then fighting under the British flag in -various theatres of war all over the world, and that, -as surely as night follows day, Germany would be -defeated, because right and might were on our -side.</p> - -<p>I explained to them collectively, as I had -explained to Jiand individually, that they had been -misled by German lies and propaganda into believing -that Germany was winning, and also that the -Germans had turned Mussulmans. I told them that -it was quite the other way about, for, in point of -fact, their own fellow-Mahommedans, the Turks, -had really become Germans, taking their orders from -their new masters, and had taken to drinking wine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -and to doing other acts absolutely contrary to the -teachings of the Koran.</p> - -<p>I told them that Christians never became Mahommedans, -though it was easy for them to say so to -secure their own ends. I also told them that I -would give them a lakh of rupees for every German -they could produce who had really become a -follower of the Prophet. I advised them that on -such matters they should look for decision to the -Sherif of Mecca as their spiritual head, and that he -was entirely on the British side.</p> - -<p>They were then recommended no longer to make -fools of themselves, for I had originally come to -the Sarhad as their friend, and that, though they -had fought against me, I was willing to let bygones -be bygones and to be friends with them in the -future. I also pointed out that all their interest lay -in retaining the friendship of the Sirkar, for they -would surely lose their country for ever if they -persisted in the mad course of opposing us.</p> - -<p>I asked them why their new friends had not helped -them to oppose me, with advice if with nothing else? -And, if these friends had really been sweeping -victoriously on to overcome the British Raj, why -they were not there with them?</p> - -<p>Jiand, Halil Khan, Shah Sawar and Mahommed-Hassan -all expressed their keen regret at what had -occurred, promised that they would return to their -old allegiance, and that, instead of fighting me any -more, they would help me to restore order in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -Sarhad. They also promised to bring Juma Khan -and his Ismailzais to book.</p> - -<p>I then explained my plans for the immediate -future. I told them of my intention to retain -Khwash as a pledge for their good behaviour, and -until such time as a benign Indian Government -might see fit to return it to them. But I promised -that I would send in a faithful report of their -repentance for their past misdeeds, and of their -promise to assist us in the future, and told them they -might rest assured that the Government would do all -that was right and fair.</p> - -<p>The following day we marched out once more with -the object of attacking Juma Khan at Galugan, -leaving the head of the Reki clan (I think his name -was Mirza Khan) in command of Khwash, with -a few of his own tribe, and five of my nine infantrymen -who could handle a rifle. Not, it will be considered, -a very formidable garrison to leave in charge, -but it was impossible to spare any more men.</p> - -<p>We marched in the following order: Shah -Sawar and his men were in front as advance guards, -Halil Khan and the Gamshadzais on the left flank, -and Jiand and his Yarmahommedzais on the right -flank. Our infantry went with the baggage, and the -guns and ammunition brought up the rear. The -cavalry and a few infantrymen formed my personal -escort.</p> - -<p>I hoped by this arrangement to keep the -various Sarhadi Chiefs well apart so that they might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -be unable to compare notes. My own small force -was kept in the rear, and well together.</p> - -<p>I was asked by the Raiders why I was making all -these careful arrangements to protect my camels.</p> - -<p>I replied that in war one had to be prepared to -meet any emergency, and that I was not at all -satisfied with what I had heard concerning the -conduct of the Khan of Bampur, for there had been -rumours that he might be foolish enough to try -conclusions with me.</p> - -<p>Bampur is situated in Persian Baluchistan, fully -six marches away to the South of Khwash, and is -overlooked by the Koh-i-Bazman. Bampur, it will -be remembered, was the old capital of Baluchistan, -but to-day it is only a squalid collection of mud-built -huts and deserted gardens, clustered round a -semi-ruined fort standing in an unhealthy, malarial -district.</p> - -<p>It was held at this date by a Baluchi Chief, -apparently as cowardly as he was arrogant. The -fear I expressed of his intention was to lull any -possible suspicion of the Sarhadi Chiefs—nominally -my prisoners—as to the formation of my battle -array; but there remained a modicum of truth behind -the reason given.</p> - -<p>When we halted that night Landon, the Sarhad-dar, -Idu and myself, as usual, took counsel as to the -next day's movements, and finally decided to send -two of Landon's spies to Bampur. Arrived there -they were to tell the Khan that they had run away<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -from us to warn him, because my mighty army, now -on the march, might possibly take Bampur in its -stride. In addition they were to tell him that, whilst -it was true that the General commanding had given -out that he was only going to march along the borders -of the Bampur district in order to reach Galugan, -where he intended to crush Juma Khan, they fully -believed this to be only a blind, and that Bampur -was to be first destroyed. Khwash itself had -recently been threatened, and had only escaped -destruction by surrender. It was now left in charge -of five hundred of the British General's best troops, -with ample supplies for a month.</p> - -<p>It was only later on that I learned the success of -this mission. The two spies arrived on a certain -night at about one a.m. and did their part so well -that, by two a.m., the terrified Khan had mounted -his camel, and set forth for Makran.</p> - -<p>Makran is an arid region lying along the shores -of the Persian Gulf, and stretching inland for a -distance of about sixty miles. It is filled with bare, -dry mountains, and hills with curiously serrated -edges. From the more fertile parts large quantities -of dates are grown and exported.</p> - -<p>Arrived at the headquarters of the British political -officer, Colonel Dew, the Khan flung himself on his -mercy, and implored him (so I have been told) not -to allow General Dyer to attack him, though I have -never seen Colonel Dew since to obtain an -authentic account of the interview.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> - -<p>But this was another potential enemy cleared -from our path, at any rate for the moment, and this -was all that mattered to us.</p> - -<p>On, or about, the 15th of April we continued our -march towards Galugan, and on the second day -came in view of the Koh-i-Bazman, an extinct -volcano. This is an imposing mountain of between -ten and eleven thousand feet, covered with snow -and rising, a sheer, solitary peak, out of the plain.</p> - -<p>At one point on the march Idu asked me whether -I would like to see a curious hole in the ground -lying only a little way off our line of route.</p> - -<p>We turned aside for a few hundred yards, and, -on a plain as flat as a billiard-table, with a surface -coated with hardened clay—obviously, at one time, -the bed of a lake—we came upon it. The perfectly -level, smooth lips of the hole offered no suggestion -that it had been excavated by human agency. On -the contrary, it gave the appearance of having -been punched in the ground by some tremendous -force. The hole was about one hundred and -fifty feet long, one hundred and twenty feet -wide, and about fifty feet deep, with absolutely -perpendicular sides.</p> - -<p>Idu asked whether I could suggest any explanation -of this formation, and, after examination, I -admitted I had none to offer, asking him in turn -whether any tradition was attached to it.</p> - -<p>He replied that the hole had once been only half -its present size, but twice as deep, and that his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -grandfather remembered how and when the hole was -made.</p> - -<p>The old man had told him that, one night when -he was a youth, something had exploded in the sky -and fallen to the earth, punching a hole one hundred -feet deep in the plain. Owing to weather and -climatic conditions, the sides of this hole had -gradually fallen in, hence its present width and -shallowness.</p> - -<p>There can, therefore, be little doubt that an -enormous meteorite fell here, and that it lies buried -at the bottom of this hole. Its locality is about -seven hundred yards from a hill called Gwarko, and -could easily be found by anyone interested in such -phenomena.</p> - -<p>This is not the only natural feature which would -repay a visit from those interested in natural science, -for, though I am no geologist or scientist myself, I -was greatly interested in the numerous gorges in -the vicinity of Kacha, a post in the hills near Robat, -where, at certain seasons of the year, violent spates -occur, and the rushing water has so burnished the -sides of the rocks that they glisten in the sun like -polished, variegated marble. The sections so made -show a close mass of fossils, which, apparently, were -once oysters, centipedes, crabs, etc.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER VI</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">A FULL BAG OF PRISONERS</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -The march to Kacha—The food supply—Flowers in the Wilderness—Galugan—Repeated -strategy—Juma Khan comes in—The -bag is full—The throne of the dancing-maidens—Landon -declines—Idu's doubts—Suspicions aroused—Halil -Khan closes up—Kacha, oaths, and thumb-marks—The -Chiefs depart—Bad news.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">The march from Khwash to Kacha was over -constantly ascending ground, and the higher the -altitude reached the more abundant did the vegetation -become.</p> - -<p>On the third day I noticed that a great many of -the Raiders were carrying bunches of green stuff -under their arms, plucked along the line of march, -and I asked Idu what they were going to do with it.</p> - -<p>He replied that they would eat it raw, and supplemented -this information with the further news that, -beyond a few dried dates, the surrendered Raiders -had brought hardly any rations with them. -Consequently, and very shortly, I should be called -upon to feed them. This was an alarming prospect. -We had left a generous supply of food behind for -the garrison of Khwash, thus reducing our own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -rations to a bare sufficiency for the considerable -distance to be covered.</p> - -<p>I instructed Idu to ward off the evil day as long -as possible, but told him that, in the last extremity, -our food supplies would, of course, be fairly and -evenly shared with the Sarhadis.</p> - -<p>At this stage in the march we reached a height of -some seven thousand feet, and I was struck with the -beauty of the scene. Around us the slopes were -covered with a profusion of flowers of every hue, -forming, so it seemed, a vast, variegated carpet. -Although I know nothing whatever of flowers from -a botanical point of view the beauty of many of them -struck me so much that, later in the year, I collected -some of the seeds and preserved them carefully -with the idea of home cultivation. These seeds -remained with me in all my wanderings, but, unfortunately, -on my journey home the pocket-book -containing them was lost.</p> - -<p>One plant in particular, the asefœtida (locally -known as hing), is very striking, and most effective -in the distance. The lower leaves are very big, and -the plant throws up a tall, yellow shoot, two or -three feet high, topped by a cluster of the most -brilliant flowers of the same colour. This plant is -much valued by the Baluchis, and I am told that -large quantities are exported from this district to -India.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i104" id="i104"></a> -<img src="images/i104.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -SURRENDERED RAIDERS: HALIL (left), JIAND (centre), SHAH SAWAR (right).</div> -</div> - -<p>We were lucky in finding cool camping places on -the third and fourth nights of the march. On the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>fifth we commenced our last march on the plain to -Galugan, the territory belonging to the Ismailzais -under their leader, Juma Khan.</p> - -<p>Galugan is like Kamalabad, a district only populated -during certain seasons of the year, when the -Ismailzais make a regular encampment there, live -in jugis, and settle down for a time to the cultivation -of their crops. The place is well watered, with a -very fertile soil capable of bearing magnificent crops -of wheat and barley.</p> - -<p>As we approached the camping ground of Galugan -our scouts came back to inform us that Juma Khan -had deserted Galugan, and had gone, with all his -tribe, into the high hills surrounding the place. He -had heard of the defeat of Jiand at Koh-i-taftan, of -his subsequent surrender, and of the capture of -Khwash. He had also seen our forces approaching, -and had no hope of success if he had remained to -offer battle.</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact we really did present quite an -imposing appearance by this time. Our numbers -had been augmented by small groups of Jiand's and -Halil Khan's men who had joined us at intervals all -along the route.</p> - -<p>We accordingly marched, without any opposition, -into Galugan, and found it, as reported, absolutely -deserted, with the exception of one old woman who -had utterly refused to desert her crops, and was -eventually discovered hiding in a field.</p> - -<p>As the threat of destruction to his crops had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -so successful with Jiand we determined to try -the same threat on Juma Khan. Accordingly, -messengers were sent summoning him to surrender -at once, with all his force, under a similar penalty. -I told the messengers to impress upon him the fact -that he and his tribe were now quite isolated, that -the Gamshadzais and Yarmahommedzais had -surrendered, but that they, and their leaders, had -been well and generously treated, their lives and -crops spared, and that the same generous treatment -would be accorded to him if he delivered himself -up without delay.</p> - -<p>Very shortly he sent back a message to say that -he realised he was in a hopeless position, and was -quite prepared to surrender unconditionally. He also -offered to restore all the plunder he had taken in the -direction of Nasaratabad-sippi. But he asked for a -definite guarantee that his life would be spared.</p> - -<p>I sent back word that he need have no fear on -that score. My mission was to make him see the -error of his ways and to re-establish good relations -between his tribe and the British; also, that he would -be treated exactly as I had treated Jiand and Halil -Khan.</p> - -<p>That same evening he came into camp, with some -thirty of his followers as a body-guard, and formally -surrendered.</p> - -<p>He was a somewhat different type from both Jiand -and Halil Khan. Juma Khan was of medium -height, and slightly built. He had a very pleasing,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -well-cut, high-bred face, always full of smiles and -laughter, as though life were one huge joke.</p> - -<p>Idu, who, as I have already said, knew all about -the Sarhadi Chiefs and their characteristic points, -said to me after I had interviewed Juma Khan, "If -Juma Khan gives you his oath on the Koran he will -keep it. He is well known throughout the Sarhad -as a man who abides by his word. Any promise, -therefore, that he makes to you he will faithfully -keep."</p> - -<p>I was especially glad that Juma Khan had come -into line, and for a very good reason. The easiest -route for German emissaries into Afghanistan lay -through his territory. On all routes across Persia -water-supply is one of the most vital considerations, -the consequence being that many an otherwise -convenient road had had to be abandoned owing to -lack of water. Now the stream which runs from -Galugan, piercing the hills and running into the -Persian district of Narmashir, offers an excellent -supply, so making this route an easy one for German -agents—if not opposed by Juma Khan. But with -Juma Khan on our side it would be practically -impossible for such to get through the Sarhad. It -was, therefore, my policy to treat him with special -consideration. To be plain, I wished him, though -an unwilling captive, to be a real convert to our -interests.</p> - -<p>All the Sarhadi Chiefs were now prisoners, but the -problem arose as to the best and safest method of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -transporting them, and all their followers, back to -Kacha, fully eighty miles distant. Our own food -supplies were already running very short, yet I was -obliged to promise the Raiders a fair and equal -share of these. We were, therefore, immediately -obliged to go on half rations.</p> - -<p>To add to our troubles the weather was beginning -to get very hot on these plains, and I well knew that, -at any rate on some days—owing to water difficulties—it -would be necessary to make long marches.</p> - -<p>The first march out of Galugan proved to be -heavy uphill work, our route lying up a steady, steep -incline. But at night we found a suitable camping -ground by the side of a stream. Here again the -ground was covered by a mass of beautiful flowers. -The following day we descended to the Duzd-ab -plain, and had only crossed some five miles of it -when a hill of such extraordinary appearance came -into view that Landon and I simultaneously -exclaimed. This looked for all the world like a -huge mushroom with flattened dome and very thick -stem—obviously a hill whose upper part was of a -harder formation than the lower, thus resisting with -better success the attacks of time and weather.</p> - -<p>Idu cantered up on his pony and pointed to the -hill with pride. "That, Sahib," he said, "is called -the Takht-i-Jinikan" (throne of the dancing -maidens).</p> - -<p>"Why was it given that name?" I asked. "Do -maidens live there alone?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> - -<p>Idu grinned. "Listen, Sahib, and I will tell you -the story of the Takht-i-Jinikan. On beautiful -moonlight nights immortal maidens are supposed to -dance on the flat top of this hill. If a young man -is really very good he may climb to the top of the -hill alone, while they are dancing, in the hope of -obtaining a bride. But he must be very good to be -sufficiently worthy to win the love of one of these -immortal maidens. If he succeeds she becomes -mortal, and they are married."</p> - -<p>I asked Idu if he had met anyone who had -obtained an immortal bride.</p> - -<p>Idu smiled. "I fear there is no young man in the -Sarhad good enough to be worthy of the honour!"</p> - -<p>I persuaded Landon, who was unmarried, to climb -the hill with me—but not by moonlight! On our -return Idu asked Major Landon if he had seen the -Jinikan.</p> - -<p>Landon replied regretfully that he had not, but -was sure it was because he had not been able -to ascend the hill by moonlight—certainly not -because he was not good enough. He, however, -had seen some very large footprints, which he -sincerely trusted, for the sake of the beauty of -the legend, did not belong to these immortal -damsels!</p> - -<p>But what pleased me more than the romantic hill -was the discovery of a stream only a short distance -away. This afforded not only an unexpectedly good -supply of water, but, from a quantity of dry bushes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -along its banks, an abundance of fire wood for -cooking.</p> - -<p>On each day of the march we held counsel with -the Sarhadis and soon became on friendly terms -with them. We found them a very interesting -crowd, full of adventure and the joy of life. They -informed me that, as they had now thrown in their -lot with me, they were quite ready to take part in -any raid with me, if only I would organise one. -Nor did the objective matter. Persia, Afghanistan, -or, in fact, anywhere where there might be excitement -and adventurous doings. So friendly, indeed, -were we all that I began to think my work, and the -whole object for which I had been sent to the -Sarhad, accomplished.</p> - -<p>But Idu was never optimistic on the subject. He -invariably shook his head, and warned me, in and -out of season, against Halil Khan and Jiand. He, -at last, so infected me with his own anxiety, that I -began to wonder whether the two Chiefs might not -take it into their heads to wipe out our little force -one night. They could have done this with the -utmost ease. This change of mind induced me at -last to make my camp dispositions with redoubled -care. The Raiders were given to understand that -they must take part in organising the camp against -some unknown foe who might make them, as well -as myself, an object of attack.</p> - -<p>My suspicions were further aroused by the minute -way in which they questioned me as to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -individuality of that foe, and the direction from -which it would be possible for him to come. I told -them that habit in soldiers becomes second nature; -that it was a soldier's habit to take the utmost precaution -in self-defence, and that neglected precaution -might always bring possible disaster. But I could -see that they accepted the explanation with doubt, -and obviously disbelieved in my mythical foe.</p> - -<p>The third day's march across the Duzd-ab valley -was a very trying one. We had to make a double -march, for our food supplies were almost exhausted, -and it was obviously imperative to reach Kacha as -soon as possible. It must be remembered, too, that -we had been on half rations since leaving Galugan, -and already there had been much grousing amongst -the whole force.</p> - -<p>That night we encamped at the base of a hill -which Jiand proudly announced as "Koh-i-Jiandsiah," -or the "Hill of Black Jiand." I asked him -who Black Jiand might be, and he replied that his -father's name was Jiand, though he was not black, -and that the hill had been named after him. The -old fellow was obviously proud of the honour which -had been conferred on his father.</p> - -<p>Here Landon and I spent an anxious night, for -both Idu and the Sarhad-dar were very nervous and -depressed. The latter said that a rumour had got -about amongst the Sarhadis that all my promises -and protestations to them were false, and that I was -really leading them into a trap at Kacha, where they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -were all to be killed. Consequently, the idea had -been discussed as to whether it might not be safer, -and wiser, to attack our small force, overwhelm us -during the night, and escape before daybreak.</p> - -<p>As may be imagined, the prospect was scarcely a -pleasant one, but we could take no stricter precautions -than had already been done, and our sole -remaining action now was to show an absolutely -untroubled and confident front to men who, though -nominally our prisoners, held us in the hollow of -their hands. In other words to "trust to luck."</p> - -<p>Fortunately for us the Raiders, who still could -not make head or tail of the real situation, -determined on a pacific course, and the night passed -without incident. So luck stood with us, and on -the following morning we were early astir for the -last march south of Kacha.</p> - -<p>It was evident that the situation had now become -one of the "touch and go" order, so I determined to -emphasise my supposed confidence in the Raiders, -by this means restoring theirs, and convincing them -that there was no trap. I, therefore, gave orders -that none of them were to march in advance, but in -the rear, as I wished to have a clear view of my -covering troops.</p> - -<p>As we drew in towards Kacha I noticed that Halil -Khan and his band gathered as close in behind me -as possible, and I learned afterwards that he had -said, "If we are to be led into a trap I will see to it -that the General Sahib does not escape me."</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i114" id="i114"></a> -<img src="images/i114.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -CAMEL CORPS SAWARS AT THE TERMINATION OF OPERATIONS.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> - -<p>I had already given orders that, the instant we -entered Kacha, the advance guard of infantry, also -the cavalry and guns, were to march straight off -to their respective barracks. This order I learned -afterwards greatly relieved the anxiety of the Sarhadis, -who had actually talked themselves into an -honest belief of the existence of a trap. They -themselves encamped in the vicinity of the British -Political Officer's house. He himself was absent at -that date. Ample food supplies were dealt out to -them. Now that our lines of communication were -clear of the Raiders food was coming through again -from India.</p> - -<p>For the moment all need for anxiety seemed at -an end.</p> - -<p>On the 1st of May I summoned a Durbar, to be -held, on the following day, close to the Political -Officer's house. Idu was not present, for he had -asked for leave to go to Robat on important personal -business. I suspected this important business was -a visit to one of his numerous wives, though the -rascal always disclaimed the suggestion that his -absences ever had anything to do with a woman.</p> - -<p>The Durbar was an impressive affair. Several -bags of money were brought from the Government -Treasury by the Sarhad-dar and placed at my feet. -These were to be given to the Chiefs as rewards for -future good conduct. After delivering an address—more -or less a repetition of what I had said at -Khwash as to the folly of deserting the British for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -the Germans—I called on the Chiefs to sign an -agreement whereby they handed their country over -to the Sirkar, and promised in future to be loyal to -the Indian Government. Further than this, and -under this agreement, they were to give timely -warning of the approach of German agents from any -direction.</p> - -<p>As most of the Raiders could not write, their -thumb-marks were duly impressed on an imposing -looking document produced by the Sarhad-dar, and -the Chiefs swore on the Koran to abide by the -agreement. They were then handed the money -rewards promised them, Jiand receiving the largest -amount—two thousand rupees.</p> - -<p>I then announced to them that they were all free -to return to their homes, and that if ever any of -them needed a friend, or would like me to adjudicate -between them on any local quarrel, they were at -liberty to call upon me for the purpose.</p> - -<p>They professed themselves as very grateful for -all that had been given them; admitted they had -been treated generously, and promised, on oath, that -there should be no more trouble in the Sarhad, nor -should any German or German agent be permitted -to pass through their territories.</p> - -<p>Thus, when they left for their homes, on the -morning of May 3rd, all parties were, apparently, -on excellent terms.</p> - -<p>I wrote a despatch to headquarters at Simla, -giving a short account of the expedition and its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -results, at the same time bringing forward the -names of various officers, and other ranks, for good -work done. I also mentioned the fact that I did -not know what to do in regard to the traffic in slaves.</p> - -<p>That evening Idu returned. He came straight -to my room and told me I had acted unwisely in -disregarding his repeated warnings as to the unreliability -of Jiand and Halil Khan. He further added -that some of his own chosen men, who had been -scouting around and picking up all possible information, -had met him, on his return to Kacha, and had -given him the following authentic and disquieting -news. It was to the effect that, hardly had Jiand -got out of Kacha, that morning, with promises of -devotion and loyalty still hot upon his lips, than -he had halted and called a meeting of the Raider -Chiefs, urging them to repudiate their oaths, to -collect all their fighting men as quickly as possible, -attack and take Khwash, and then to turn their -attention to my force, which he now openly said he -knew to be a contemptibly small one.</p> - -<p>This was bad news indeed. We naturally knew -that Khwash could be captured in a few minutes. -There were only five men there. We were also -quite conscious of the fact that we could be wiped -out in less than the same time if attacked in any -force.</p> - -<p>But the bad was leavened by the good, for the -same report told us that Juma Khan had resolutely -and absolutely refused to fall in with Jiand's plans.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -He was also reported to have said that the General -Sahib had kept every promise made to them, had -spared their lives and crops when he could have -destroyed them, had treated them, from the commencement -of hostilities, as honourable foes, and -later as friends, and had finally given them considerable -sums of money. He had never broken his -word, and he did not intend to begin doing so now. -Therefore, he was to be counted out of any plans of -treachery which Jiand might be meditating. Upon -which expression of opinion he had ridden off to his -own country with his following.</p> - -<p>But, even with Juma Khan eliminated, the situation -was serious enough, for I saw no chance of -obtaining reinforcements from any quarter in time -to prevent a disaster. However, it was no use -crying over spilt milk. Things must be faced as -they were.</p> - -<p>After all, as I pointed out to Idu, Jiand could not -do the impossible. He and Halil Khan could not -collect their scattered men in a moment. The one -thing left for us to do was to set off on the morrow, -march back to Khwash, endeavour to reach it before -Jiand, and organise our defence against his coming.</p> - -<p>I have often since been blamed for an apparent -foolhardiness in trusting the Raiders sufficiently to -let them go. But it must be remembered that I had -not come out to fight the Raiders—unless events -made it absolutely necessary to do so—but, rather, -to make friends with them and to keep the Germans,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -or their agents, from coming through their country. -Moreover, the force at my disposal was very small -indeed, and quite insufficient to keep these Raiders -in check when once the bluff was called. In other -words, I should soon lose the game if I persisted -in treating them as enemies.</p> - -<p>It must be understood, too, that the Sarhad was -only the Southern portion of my command, and -that rumours were constantly coming in that -Germans, who had failed to get through into -Afghanistan via the South, were not only moving -North towards Birjand, but were trying to cross -the border in that direction.</p> - -<p>I knew, also, that it would soon be necessary to -move North in order to induce the Russians to -keep a more careful guard than they had been doing -in the district North of Birjand, a district within -their sphere of influence in Persia.</p> - -<p>Nor must it be supposed that I had not quite -realised, before I let the Raiders go, that I had not -obtained all the safeguards I could have wished. -But I did not then, nor do I now, see that I had -any other alternative.</p> - -<p>In any case I had gained one very definite -advantage. I had won over Juma Khan to our -side; and it was through his territory that the -Germans would first have to pass in order to get -through the Sarhad.</p> - -<p>But, though Juma Khan had already given -a practical example of his determination to be loyal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -to his oath, I recognised that he would be bolstered -up in his loyalty if he felt there was apparent some -show of strength on our side. The loss of Khwash -to Jiand would, therefore, be a terrible confession -of weakness.</p> - -<p>Landon and the Sarhad-dar fully concurred with -me that the one and only wise plan to follow would -be to march at daybreak with all the forces we -could command, and endeavour, by a series of -forced marches, to reach and enter Khwash before -Jiand could take it.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER VII</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">THE RACE FOR KHWASH</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -Plans and routes—Car versus legs—An equestrian interlude—The -trap in the gorge—More digging—Rendezvous—Mrs -Idu and gastronomy—A reinforcement—A message to -Landon—Izzat's men—Idu's romance—A "British Bulldog"—The -car abandoned.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">Time was obviously the chief factor to be reckoned -with for any hope of ultimate success; I wondered, -therefore, whether the car might not be utilised in -this dash back to Khwash.</p> - -<p>Considering the nature of the ground over which -we had marched, it seemed rather a mad idea, but -Idu pounced on it.</p> - -<p>"The very thing, Sahib," he said excitedly. -"You remember how astonished even I was when -I first saw it? How much more will it impress -Jiand's ignorant men! They will think it a new -sort of devil, and it will be more useful than a dozen -guns!"</p> - -<p>"I believe Idu is right," Landon said. "Why -don't you go in the car, whilst I take charge of the -army?"</p> - -<p>After further details had been discussed, we -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>decided to adopt this plan. The car was still at -Robat, about twenty-four miles distant, with Allan -in charge. I, therefore, sent a telegram, and also -a duplicate message by a sawar on a mari camel, -telling Allan to provision the car, bring all the spare -tubes and tyres he possessed, and start early the -following morning on the track to Saindak, where, -at a spot to which the sawar would guide him, about -nine miles out of Kacha, Idu and I would meet him -on horseback.</p> - -<p>Landon, who would be able to use a far more -direct route to Khwash than the car could take, was -to start with the army—the same old army of seventeen -cavalrymen, four trained infantrymen (it will -be remembered five had been left in Khwash), sixty-five -untrained men, with two mountain guns, two -machine-guns, and six hundred camels. He was to -endeavour to reach the Raiders' stronghold in seven -marches.</p> - -<p>Six hundred camels for so small a force would -seem out of all proportion. But it must be remembered -that transport for provisions, and everything -else we should need for at least a full month, was -required; that we could not depend on keeping open -any sort of lines of communication; and that -whenever a Durbar or meeting was held, all those -attending it expected to be fed, and well fed. Our -very existence depended on an ample supply of food. -Further, the presence of so many camels helped to -uphold the game of bluff it was still necessary to -play, and a distant view of these six hundred camels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -gave an appearance of numbers out of all proportion -to our real fighting strength.</p> - -<p>Landon's route would take him by a comparatively -short cut, though, even by this—over the -western slopes of the Koh-i-taftan—he could not -hope to accomplish the march in less than seven -days.</p> - -<p>Very early in the morning Idu and I rode off on -a couple of small ponies provided by the former, and -he assured me that it was only a very special breed -of pony that could hope to cope with the difficulties -of the nine hilly miles lying between us and the -meeting-place arranged with Allan and the car.</p> - -<p>Idu was fully justified in his criticism of the track -we had to follow, for it grew steeper and narrower -as we proceeded, until, at last, we were negotiating -a mere cleft in the hill, with our elbows almost -touching the rocky sides.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, my pony, who had probably been -deciding that he had had enough of it, stopped dead, -quivered all over and—sat down! Idu, who was -immediately in front, turned round to see what had -happened, and his pony promptly rolled backwards -on the top of us.</p> - -<p>I got clear as well as I could for laughing, helped -Idu—who was very badly shaken—to extricate -himself from the ponies, and then, between us, got -the ponies out of the crevasse into which they had -managed to jam themselves. This took some time, -and when we got them up we found the poor beasts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -so frightened that we had to walk them the greater -part of the way.</p> - -<p>At eleven o'clock, perspiring from every pore, we -reached the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rendezvous</i> arranged, and to our great -relief found Allan waiting, stolid, imperturbable, -reliable as ever, with the car in spick-and-span -order. Poor Allan little knew what he was in for. -He had, of course, seen nothing of our recent little -campaign, as he had remained at Robat during the -past few weeks. He was, therefore, quite delighted -at the prospect of a little activity.</p> - -<p>We gave our ponies to the camel sawars who had -acted as guides to Allan, with instructions to take -them back to Kacha, so Idu and I took our places, -thankful to be in the car once more, and set off on -our journey South.</p> - -<p>We soon passed through Saindak, and, as the -going was not quite as bad on that first day as we -had expected, we got farther than we had hoped, -reaching a halting place called Jujak, where there -was an old ruined sarai (rest-house) and a good -spring. Here we slept out in the open, and set off -early on the following morning. Idu was greatly -impressed with the powers of the car, and began to -think it could go anywhere, scale any height, and -slip through any opening, however narrow. This -was flattering to the Overland, but it led us into -future difficulties from which only great good luck -extricated us.</p> - -<p>We had intended going via Mirjawa, but Idu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> -pointed out that there was a much shorter way -through the hills, which, he was quite certain, the -car could manage. But we were to prove once -more that the longest way round may often be the -shortest way home!</p> - -<p>The car entered the hills by a gorge which rose -steeply to their summits, and, though we had to get -out occasionally and push, it really was astonishing -how well she took the inclines. But it was when -we descended that our troubles began, for, in doing -so, we entered another gorge which grew narrower -and narrower, till, at last, Allan stopped the car -dead, declaring that we could go no farther. -And a glance at our route did seem to show that -we had manœuvred ourselves into a hopeless -impasse.</p> - -<p>Ahead the gorge was too narrow to allow of going -on. Behind it was so steep that the car could not -back out. On the right we were completely shut -in by the high steep sides of the gorge, on the -left it looked as impassable; whilst it was quite -impossible to turn!</p> - -<p>There remained nothing for it but to dig a way -out, so we set to work, and, after working till we -were wet through, managed somehow to get the car -through the wall of earth shutting us in on the left, -and out on to the open hill-side.</p> - -<p>Idu openly expressed his disgust and disappointment -with the car. He had given her credit for -being capable of doing anything and going any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>where, -and this failure to pass through "the eye of -a needle" diminished his respect for her.</p> - -<p>There was still no direct way down the hill, and -we had perforce to go many miles out of our course, -in a long hair-pin loop, to reach anything like decent -going. No one who has not attempted to take a -car over trackless hills of rough, broken surface, and -filled with blind gorges, can have any idea of the -difficulties that confronted us here, and during the -greater part of our journey to Khwash.</p> - -<p>By dint of ceaseless pulling and pushing, and -digging the car out again and again, we managed to -reach the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rendezvous</i> with Landon before nightfall. -He marched in a few minutes after we arrived, and -was as frankly pleased as astonished to see us. He -had just come through another section of those hills -himself. He had not, therefore, expected the car -would get through, and was wondering how on earth -I should ever rejoin him and the army. So we -all camped out in the open, grateful for the coolness -of the evening, for the heat of the day had been -terrific.</p> - -<p>Before sunrise on the following morning Landon -marched out, and, as soon as we had lost sight of -him, Idu, Allan, and myself set off in the car.</p> - -<p>I do not propose to give a detailed account of the -remainder of our journey. One day was very like -another, and the bad surface only differed in quality -and degree. The heat was very great by day, and -the glare over the sandy wastes and hills almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -blinding. Here and there, especially in the Galugan -valley, we came across groups of human beings, -mostly of a low type of humanity, who bolted in -terror at sight of the car.</p> - -<p>One evening we halted at a settlement of Rekis, -Idu's own tribe, and received a very warm welcome, -for one of Idu's wives was amongst his people. The -rascal always maintained that he had no interest in -women, but, nevertheless, seemed to me to be a -very good understudy to the proverbial sailor, for -he appeared to have a wife in every village and -encampment.</p> - -<p>This particular Mrs Idu was delighted at the -unexpected reunion with her husband, and did the -honours of the camp right royally. Following -accepted custom, I, first of all, bought a few sheep -from the Jugi-dwellers, and then presented these -to them so that they could prepare a feast. Mrs -Idu, a very unprepossessing-looking, but highly -amiable lady, acted as hostess, and we all squatted -round the camp fires while the meat was roasting.</p> - -<p>Allan's face was a picture as he watched the -tribesmen cook and eat their meat. They hacked -chunks of flesh from the dead carcasses of the sheep -with the knives they always carried, spitted them on -the cleaning rods of their rifles, and roasted them -over the fire. These they ate voraciously, as though -very hungry, and, as a matter of fact, food in that -district is both scarce and monotonous. In any -case they devoured the meat whilst it was still nearly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -raw. Even Idu ate his meat half-cooked, maintaining -that it was far more tender in such a state.</p> - -<p>Of course, the car was a source of intense interest -and excitement. At first the tribesmen were too -afraid of it to go anywhere near it, but when they -saw it stand quite still at Allan's orders, and that it -had no bite, curiosity overcame fear, and, one by -one, they crept up and nervously touched it. At -this stage Allan sounded the Claxton, and, with -shrieks of terror, they all bolted. But Idu, who -had come over the mountains in it, and, therefore, -had lost all fear of the monster, felt a devil of a -fellow, and, with a flourish, assured them it was not -the roar inside which made it go, and that it would -do no one any harm. So they came back to it once -more, and, after some persuasion, were induced to -sound the Claxton themselves. Once familiar with -it, they laughed like children each time it barked, -and I began to wish I had taken the thing off before -we started.</p> - -<p>After supper Idu prepared my blankets under the -shelter of a small bush, but, before turning in, I sat -down on the ground for a final smoke, placing the -hurricane lamp from the car on the hard smooth -earth in front of me.</p> - -<p>The light naturally attracted myriads of insects -of all sorts, many of which I had never seen before, -and which are, I feel sure, unknown in India. -Beetles of many sorts swarmed around, both in the -air and on the ground, whilst a scorpion, the biggest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -I have ever seen, darted out from the darkness to -inspect the light. He was a brown fellow, not an -iridescent blue, like the Burmese variety, though he -was quite as big. With his tail curled right over -his back, and sting ready to strike, he looked a formidable -person, and it was comic to watch the haste -with which all the lesser fry scuttled out of his way, -and, though he made many attempts to secure his -supper, I did not see him succeed, so swift were his -intended victims in escaping from their dreaded -enemy.</p> - -<p>We were, as usual, up in the morning before daybreak, -and en route before the rest of the camp was -astir. The going that morning proved fairly good, -the chief obstacle being huge clumps of a coarse, -rank grass, which we had to circumvent.</p> - -<p>We had proceeded some distance when Idu, whose -eyes seemed able not only to see in the dark, but -through hills and fields of crops, suddenly exclaimed, -"I can see men in front of us. We had better halt -while I go forward and find out whether they are -friends or enemies."</p> - -<p>We stopped the car, for we were now on the -borders of Jiand's territory, and these men might be -his followers treating us to an ambush. Idu leapt -out, and, advancing under cover with the eel-like -movements all these Raiders possess, reconnoitred -the position. Obviously all was well, for, shortly -afterwards, he sauntered back in the open and told -me that it was quite all right. The men he had seen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> -were Rekis, and they were now coming to speak to -me.</p> - -<p>Soon afterwards fifteen well-armed, powerful-looking -men on camels ambled up to us, and I was -grateful indeed to know they were friendlies and not -Jiand's men.</p> - -<p>They, however, kept at a respectful distance from -the car, which was still retaining its moral effect, and -implored me, as the friend and protector of Idu and -of themselves, to go back.</p> - -<p>"Jiand is advancing on Khwash, Sahib, with a -big lashkar," they said. "He is probably already -there, and he will kill you and your followers unless -you run away on the devil which has brought you -here."</p> - -<p>I expressed a hope that their information was -wrong, and that, as it was not certain that Jiand was -already in Khwash, I still hoped to get there first. -I pointed out to them that if we could only get into -Khwash we could, with their help, hold it or even -bluff Jiand into surrendering without a fight. After -a little further persuasion by Idu—who told them -what wonders the car could do, and what rewards -they would gain—and after considerable talk among -themselves they decided to throw in their lot with us.</p> - -<p>"We shall want all the help they can give us with -the car", Idu whispered to me, "for the ground we -have to pass through between here and Khwash is -far worse than anything we have crossed yet."</p> - -<p>I could imagine nothing worse than the first two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -days amongst the hills. But Idu knew what he was -talking about, as we were to discover during the -next twenty-four hours.</p> - -<p>At this point I sent one of these men back to -try and find Landon and the army. As Idu had -sketched out the best route for them to follow he -was able to tell him the exact direction in which to -go. In the interval I wrote a message to Landon -urging him to use his best speed, for it had now -developed into a race between Jiand and ourselves, -and telling him that I hoped to reach Khwash myself -before the following evening.</p> - -<p>I of course knew that nearly everything hung upon -getting to Khwash first. If Jiand got in with his -men, he could hold it as long as he chose against -us, and vice versa. It was clear, too, that the holder -of Khwash was master of the Sarhad. Moreover, -I felt a grave responsibility for the lives of the five -Sepoys I had left there, for they would meet with -short shrift at Jiand's hands.</p> - -<p>The message dispatched, we set off once more, -with our new cavalcade in attendance, and had gone -some twenty or twenty-five miles when Idu again -asked for a halt as he believed he saw men camped -in a little nullah straight ahead of us. Were he -correct they would be Yarmahommedzais, and so our -enemies, for we were now right in the heart of Jiand's -territory.</p> - -<p>Allan was, therefore, directed to drive the car into -the mouth of a nullah close at hand, where the car,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -and the Rekis with their camels, could be concealed, -and where we could fill up our water-bottles and the -radiator, from a small stream that trickled through it. -The banks of the nullah had been hollowed out by -the action of the water, so affording a certain amount -of shade, for which we were very grateful after the -burning heart of the open sandy plain.</p> - -<p>After rest and a drink Idu went out to reconnoitre, -and presently returned with a glum face.</p> - -<p>"They are Izzat's men," he said. (Izzat, it will -be remembered, had been the ringleader in the recent -raid into Persia, which had resulted in the capture of -so many women and children). "Izzat is a great -fighter, and we are in for a scrap."</p> - -<p>"How many men has he with him?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"About eighteen," Idu replied.</p> - -<p>"Only eighteen?" I felt relieved. "Why, -then we are about equal in numbers, to say nothing of -the car. If they want a fight they shall have it."</p> - -<p>Idu looked dubious. "In any case it would mean -the loss of many of my tribe, and we shall want them -all if we are to hold Khwash. Will the General -Sahib permit me to go and see if I can persuade -Izzat not to fight?"</p> - -<p>Knowing Idu's persuasive qualities I gave a ready -consent, but warned him to take no personal risks. -With his great knowledge of the country, and of all -the Sarhadis with their different peculiarities, he was -absolutely indispensable to me, and I have no hesitation -in making the admission. Furthermore, I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -conceived a very genuine affection for the man, -whose utter devotion and loyalty never swerved from -the moment he joined me.</p> - -<p>"Have no fear, Sahib," he said with a grin. -"You know the law of our tribes. It is the one law -we never break."</p> - -<p>Idu then went forward, and, from safe cover, -shouted out to Izzat, explaining who he was, and -asking for a safe conduct. This was instantly given.</p> - -<p>I have said before in this narrative, and I proved -again and again, that whilst the Raiders would break -every other law and oath, even when given on the -Koran, the one law they never break is that of -hospitality. If they promise safe conduct it is -absolutely observed in letter and spirit.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, Idu went forward boldly, quite -certain, according to the code of his enemies, that -his life was safe until he returned to his friends.</p> - -<p>His conversation with Izzat proved a lengthy one. -Izzat was hard to convince. But, at last, and as -usual, Idu's wily tongue won the day. When he -returned it was to tell me that he had persuaded -Izzat and his men to come along with us, if not as -friends at any rate not as enemies.</p> - -<p>He gave me a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">résumé</i> of the arguments he had -used. These were original, even for Idu, with -whose methods I was beginning to be familiar. The -conversation must have been something as follows:</p> - -<p>"What are you doing here, Izzat? Your home -is a long way from here."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have come to fight the British General, and I -am in command of a reconnoitring party to report -to Jiand, who is advancing on Khwash."</p> - -<p>"Do I understand you?" said Idu. "Do you -seriously mean that you have come with the intention -of fighting the General Sahib?"</p> - -<p>"I do," replied Izzat.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Idu scornfully, "all I can tell you -is that you will be wiped out in a couple of seconds. -If you fight, you will prove yourself a liar. The -General Sahib captured you and could have killed -you and all your men. Instead he treated you well, -gave you back your rifles, large sums of money, and -let you go free. Moreover, you swore on the Koran -at Kacha that you would never fight against him -again, and put your thumb-mark on the agreement. -You are a fine kind of Mahommedan to break your -oath given on the Koran. Besides, you fool, don't -you know that the General Sahib has brought a -wonderful devil with him? Come over here and -look."</p> - -<p>He led Izzat to a spot whence he could see the car.</p> - -<p>"Do you see," he went on, "that queer thing -there? And do you see that the front part of it is -filled with hundreds of little holes? The General -Sahib has only to press a button and a hail of bullets -will come out of those holes, and you, and all your -men, will be killed. He is only waiting till I go -back. I have come out to try and save your lives. -If I tell him that you are going to fight he will press<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> -the button, and there will not be one of you left. -Your only hope is to go and fall at his feet and ask -him to forgive you."</p> - -<p>Izzat was deeply impressed, and, after consultation -with his men, told Idu that he would accept his -advice. If, therefore, he would go back and beg -the Sahib not to destroy them with his motor-car -they would follow a few minutes later and surrender!</p> - -<p>Allan roared with laughter at Idu's explanation of -the radiator, but after a few moments grew serious.</p> - -<p>"Do you think it's safe to let them come, sir? -They seem a pretty brutal lot; and when they find -out that Idu has been spoofing them they may attack -us, and cut our throats before we can do them much -damage?"</p> - -<p>"I know, but we'll hang on to Idu's bluff -about the radiator as long as we can. Besides, we -are nearly man to man. Remember, the one thing -to do is to show no sign of fear or doubt of them. -That impresses them more than anything."</p> - -<p>So Allan and I remained seated in the shade of -the overhanging bank, whilst Izzat and his men came -and sat in a circle in front of us. I then proceeded -to tell Izzat, in very plain language, what I thought -of him.</p> - -<p>His mind was still visibly working under the -impression Idu had produced, for he appeared quite -cowed in his apologies for his conduct.</p> - -<p>After a long dressing-down I thought it advisable -to make a show of magnanimity, so promised to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -forgive him on condition that he and his men came -along with me, and helped me when I needed assistance -with the car. I explained that, though it was -a devil, yet the sand sometimes obstructed it and -then it needed human help.</p> - -<p>Izzat promised anything and everything I asked, -even volunteering to fight for me if I wanted him.</p> - -<p>This latter promise, however, I utterly discounted. -It was not in the least likely that he would fight -against his own tribe, and I knew that we should -have to be perpetually on the look-out for treachery, -especially until Landon and his little force arrived.</p> - -<p>But I had got out of Izzat, whilst still uncertain -of his fate, the information that Jiand's preparations -for the taking of Khwash had been quicker than I -had expected; also that he was already on the march -in full force, and would surely reach Khwash the -following day.</p> - -<p>This meant that we had not a moment to lose. -I had hoped that by arriving on the following evening -I should be in time. But now we must make a dash -for it, and, by hook or by crook, arrive by the -morning.</p> - -<p>Evening was already approaching, but instead of -camping for the night as I had intended, and getting -by daylight through the hills lying between us and -the valley in which Khwash stood, it would now be -necessary to negotiate them by night.</p> - -<p>Allan looked dubious when I told him of my -decision.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I can't guarantee to get the car through, sir," -he said. "Idu says these hills are far worse than -the hills near Ladis, and you know what a job we -had getting through them by daylight. But I'll do -my best."</p> - -<p>And if ever a man did his best Allan did his right -nobly that night.</p> - -<p>A whole series of hills, without any tracks over -them, intersected with nullahs, valleys filled with -sand-drifts, and marshy tracts, had to be negotiated -in the darkness, lighted only by the stars and the -car's lamps.</p> - -<p>On the lower slopes we got stuck again and again -in the narrow steep-sided nullahs, and it took the -combined efforts of the Rekis, Izzat's men and a -stout rope, always carried on the car, to drag her -out. Over and over again it seemed as though we -must give up the attempt and wait for daylight. But -Allan came of the right stock. He also knew well -how vitally important for British prestige throughout -the Sarhad it was to be first in Khwash, and so -confirm our supremacy there.</p> - -<p>So Allan stuck to his job, muttering repeatedly -when the difficulties seemed insuperable, "I'm a -British bull-dog, sir, and I am not going to be beat."</p> - -<p>This expression of Allan's afterwards became a -saying amongst our men when any difficulty arose.</p> - -<p>But if Allan wasn't beaten the car very nearly was -at one point when negotiating the worst bit of ground -I have ever passed over in my life—for there was no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -going round it. The strata here were up-ended, and -consisted of alternate layers of shale and quartz. -Weathering had done its work more easily on the -shale, hence the quartz, which was much thinner -than the shale, projected upwards in great dagger-like -points in every direction, and over a long -distance.</p> - -<p>Of course tyres and tubes were cut to ribbons in a -few minutes, and, as it would have been futile to -replace them, the car was literally dragged over the -ground on her rims.</p> - -<p>As may be imagined, when we had left this awful -bit of ground behind, my poor car was in a pitiable -condition. Luckily, Allan had plenty of spare -tubes and four fresh tyres. With these adjusted, -we started again, but the ground was still so bad -that every mile or so we were badly punctured, and -tubes had to be replaced or patched. It must be -understood, too, that the heat was intense, even at -night time. I can safely say that that one night's -journey was the very worst I have ever experienced -in any part of the world.</p> - -<p>We were all utterly exhausted long before daybreak, -and, every now and again, despite our -desperate anxiety, eyelids closed and heads nodded. -As for Allan, sturdy bull-dog though he was, nature -was too strong for him.</p> - -<p>Just as dawn broke his heavy eyelids closed for a -second as he sat at the wheel. But that second -proved fatal. The car swerved a fraction from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -course we had been following by the light of the -lamps, and, in an instant, it was over the edge of -the track and firmly embedded in a sandy nullah-bed.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later the sun rose over the plain -below us, lighting up the walls of Khwash, a bare -five miles away.</p> - -<p>Allan was in despair at the position of affairs and -cursed himself for his momentary relaxation. But -the damage had been done, and, as we knew by -experience how long it would take to extricate the -car, we decided to abandon it and press forward to -Khwash with all speed.</p> - -<p>I invited myself on to Izzat's own camel, as it -looked the most comfortable! Allan was induced to -get on to another, and Idu invited himself on to the -next best-looking animal.</p> - -<p>I ordered Izzat to ride close beside me, for I did -not trust him for a moment, more especially since the -failure of the car, whose first impression had been so -satisfactory. And then, as fast as we could urge -the animals, we ambled on towards our "Mecca," -with the question ever before us, "shall we be in -time or has Jiand forestalled us?"</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER VIII</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">KHWASH AND THE SECOND SURRENDER</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -Doubts dispelled—Organisation for defence—Idu's "Exiat"—And -its result—Jiand arrives—Idu's second visit—The -Sarhad-dar arrives—Landon at last—Jiand's visit of -ceremony—The Gul-Bibi—Shah Sawar's treachery—We call -on the "Rose Lady"—A carpet and the Sarhad-dar's -advice—Another Durbar—Returned loot—Temporary peace.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">As we approached the fort, still in doubt as to -whether Jiand occupied it or not, Allan turned round -on his camel and asked, "Which way shall we run, -sir, if we have to run?"</p> - -<p>I laughed, though I could not help approving his -foresight. "There's no more running, Allan. If -Jiand is not in Khwash, all will be well. If he is—well, -you can take it from me, the game's up. -There'll be no running for any of us."</p> - -<p>We were now near enough to see a man standing -on the top of one of the towers. Was he one of the -men I had left, or a Yarmahommedzai? A few -minutes later we could distinguish his uniform.</p> - -<p>We were in time! We should be first into -Khwash after all!</p> - -<p>In my joy I took off my helmet and waved it to -show the man I was not one of the enemy, for he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -might easily have mistaken us, seeing that we were -all mounted on camels. He paused a moment, -then, recognising the signal, tore down from the -tower, quitted the walls and rushed out to meet us, -nearly beside himself with excitement and relief.</p> - -<p>"You are only just in time, Sahib," he said. -"Shah Sawar has already arrived with a large force -and is encamped close by. We have been expecting -him to attack all the morning. Come quickly into -the fort, or, even now, you may be too late."</p> - -<p>We needed no second bidding, but, urging the -camels forward, pressed on, and were soon all -safely contained within strong mud walls.</p> - -<p>Without a moment's delay the place was organised -for defence. This was done as well as it was -possible to do, pending the arrival of Landon with -his force.</p> - -<p>The five infantrymen till now constituting the -garrison were put in the highest tourelle, where I -also took up my quarters. From this vantage-point -I not only had the best view of the whole -plain but could command every inch of the fort's -interior. Idu's men manned the three remaining -tourelles, whilst Izzat's band were placed, all -together, in the centre of the Square, where a -watchful eye could be kept on them. Izzat himself -I kept close by my side, for Idu, who knew him too -well to trust him a yard, advised me to keep a close -personal watch on him.</p> - -<p>The place was now as secure as our limited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -numbers could make it, and no more could be done -but await developments.</p> - -<p>Idu, who had never left my side, now asked -permission to leave the fort for the purpose of -questioning the Khwashis outside the walls. He -also asked for some money with which to bribe them.</p> - -<p>"A very little will open their mouths, Sahib," <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'he he said'">he -said</ins> persuasively. "And they will surely know -all about the movements of Shah Sawar and of -Jiand."</p> - -<p>As no enemy had yet appeared in sight I gave -him leave to go, and all the money I had in my -pocket.</p> - -<p>On his return he informed me that he had learned -exactly where Shah Sawar and his men were -encamped, and proposed that he should go out and -confer with him.</p> - -<p>At first I refused point-blank. Idu could not -go on bearing a charmed life, and Shah Sawar was -a treacherous scoundrel. I pointed out that even -if Shah Sawar did not kill him he might take and -keep him prisoner, and I could not possibly do -without him. His loss would be irreparable.</p> - -<p>Idu was obviously pleased and flattered at my -appreciation of him, but persisted that his was the -wiser plan.</p> - -<p>"You have seen, again and again, Sahib, that -what I have told you is always true. No Sarhadi -will break his oath of safe conduct to an enemy."</p> - -<p>"I know," I replied. "But you have not got<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> -that promise from Shah Sawar, and without it I will -not let you go."</p> - -<p>Idu, who had the utmost faith in his own powers -of persuasion, was not to be done. He argued that -it would be easy enough to bribe one of the -Khwashis, encamped outside, to go over to Shah -Sawar and get the necessary safe conduct.</p> - -<p>At last, and with great reluctance, I consented, -provided Shah Sawar sent every assurance and -guarantee that there would be no treachery if Idu -went as an emissary.</p> - -<p>In due course these assurances arrived. I had, -therefore, to keep my word to Idu, and give my -consent, though, even then, I did not trust Shah -Sawar. However, once again Idu's confidence in -that one, all-sacred law of hospitality was justified.</p> - -<p>From my tower I watched him start, but he was -very quickly lost to view amongst the sand dunes -and fields with their tall-grown crops which lay -between the fort and Shah Sawar's camp, some three -miles distant.</p> - -<p>He was away something like three hours, and I -was beginning to get desperately anxious, when, to -my great relief, I saw him ambling back on his Mari.</p> - -<p>He was highly pleased with the success of his -mission, and gave me a full and detailed account of -his meeting with Shah Sawar. As usual he had -taken a high tone, and, on arriving at the camp, had -immediately and scornfully approached the Chief.</p> - -<p>"So I see you are about to make a fool of your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>self -again. But what do you think you are going -to do? The General Sahib is in Khwash waiting -for you!"</p> - -<p>At first Shah Sawar refused to believe this, saying -that it was impossible to have got there from Kacha -in the time. It was evident that the Khwashi sent -as a messenger had faithfully kept the oath Idu had -exacted from him, i.e., that he would give Shah -Sawar no indication whatever of my presence, or -any reason for Idu's request for a safe conduct to -his camp.</p> - -<p>But when Idu persisted that, possible or not, I was -there with a considerable force, and that a large army -was approaching to reinforce me, and would be in -Khwash at any minute, Shah Sawar asked how on -earth it had been done. He well knew the country -lying between Kacha and Khwash, and he could -not believe the distance had been covered since he -himself had seen the General Sahib in Kacha.</p> - -<p>Idu replied that it was nevertheless true, and that -he had come in a motor-car, also that he, Idu, had -come in it too!</p> - -<p>"What is a motor-car?" asked Shah Sawar, "and -how could it come over the hills?"</p> - -<p>"A motor-car," replied Idu (this is his own -account), "is an infernal machine which climbs any -hill as fast as you like. It can spread bullets in -every direction. Neither you nor anyone else has -the slightest chance if you try to fight against it."</p> - -<p>It appears that Shah Sawar did not know whether<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -to believe or disbelieve Idu's strange statements, -so produced a Koran which all Sarhadis carry -concealed somewhere under their robes.</p> - -<p>"Will you swear on the Koran that the General -Sahib is in Khwash, and that he really came over the -hills in this strange thing which you call a motor-car, -also that this motor-car is at Khwash?"</p> - -<p>Idu grinned when he told me that he had sworn -to all these facts. "Of course I knew, Sahib, that -we had left the motor-car away up in the sandhills, -but I know how you loved it, and I guessed that -you would have sent parties of Khwashi to fetch -it in."</p> - -<p>This is exactly what I had done under Allan's -guidance, for he had been heartbroken at the thought -of leaving the car to become derelict. She had -therefore been dragged out by the docile Khwashis, -and had only a short time before been brought -triumphantly into the fort.</p> - -<p>"Well, is Shah Sawar coming to attack us?" -I queried.</p> - -<p>"No, Sahib. He is coming, it is true, but when -he comes, he will speak fair, he will pretend that -he never meant to fight against you, but that he -only came out with his men to do you honour!"</p> - -<p>So in due course Shah Sawar arrived, and when -Idu brought me word that he was approaching, I -went outside the fort to meet him. I had not the -slightest desire that he should see how few men were -inside the walls, neither did I wish him to have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -chance of speech with any of Izzat's men. He was -received with all the dignity I could muster, and I -outwardly accepted his assurance that he had only -come on a friendly mission, in fact for the purpose -of doing me honour. I told him, however, that for -the present he must remain with me as my prisoner—or -guest—anyhow until his over-lord, Jiand, had -arrived and vouched for his permanent good conduct. -I then asked him casually when he expected Jiand -to arrive.</p> - -<p>He replied that the old Chief would be outside the -walls of Khwash that evening, and that he was then -only a very few miles distant.</p> - -<p>I then dismissed Shah Sawar under escort, and -ordered Idu to select one of his trustiest men. This -man I told to choose the swiftest camel in the place, -to set off at once, find our approaching force, and -give a letter to Major Landon. In this letter I -asked Landon to send on the cavalry at once, at -whatever time the message reached him, as they -must, without fail, be in the fort that night or early -next morning if the situation was to be saved. The -infantry and supply camels must follow as soon after -as possible without the protection of the cavalry.</p> - -<p>These orders were sent because I knew perfectly -well that, at any moment, our true strength, or rather -our weakness, might be betrayed by some ignorant -Khwashi, or worse still, by some unsuspected traitor -within the walls. It does not need much imagination -to understand that if Jiand had got to know the truth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> -before reinforcements could reach us, he and Shah -Sawar's men combined, would have been able to -take the fort in a very short time.</p> - -<p>Just at nightfall, to our dismay, we learned that -Jiand himself, with a large following, had arrived in -the immediate neighbourhood, had camped close at -hand, and was preparing to attack us at once.</p> - -<p>Once again Idu volunteered to do a conjuring -trick. It was a race now against time. If Landon -could reach us during the night we could snap our -fingers at Jiand. If he failed, well—we were done. -To gain time, even a few hours, meant everything.</p> - -<p>So having, as usual, obtained the promise of safe -conduct, Idu went out to visit Jiand, and to -endeavour once more to play the great game of bluff.</p> - -<p>But when he returned he seemed very doubtful as -to the success of his mission. He told Jiand that I -was already in Khwash, having arrived by motor-car, -on whose supernatural powers he enlarged once -more; also that my whole army was in Khwash, -having come in motor-cars, which were quite wonderful, -though not so wonderful as mine (Idu's powers -of imagination were on the up grade!). Jiand was, -moreover, acquainted with the fact that Shah Sawar -had already seen the folly of attempting to fight, and -had paid me a visit of ceremony and of submission. -Idu went on to say that I had heard of his treachery, -and the fact that he was marching towards Khwash -to attack me there; also that I was in a towering rage -about it, and was fully prepared for him. His urgent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -advice to him (Jiand) was that he should present -himself at the fort at eleven o'clock the following -morning, make his profound apologies to the General -Sahib, and that, meanwhile, he would himself plead -with the General not to be too severe with the Chief -when he came to surrender!</p> - -<p>"Do you think he'll wait till then?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, Sahib," Idu replied. And for -once his cheery good spirits seemed to have deserted -him. "I am not at all sure that Jiand believed a -word I said. If he did not he will attack us to-night, -and——" he stopped significantly.</p> - -<p>We all understood. Here were we, a mere -handful of men, in that old mud fort (which meant so -much to both sides) with two large enemy camps outside. -Either of them, if they once learned the truth, -could obliterate us in a few hours. Combined, our -chances would not be given even that amount of rope.</p> - -<p>It was a desperately anxious night. Everything -now depended upon Landon getting my message. -If an accident, or any other untoward happening, -held up his force, or delayed it, we might reckon -that all was up. We could not hope to rely on -bluff beyond the following morning. Some of the -Khwashis would, as certain as to-morrow's sun, be -questioned by the Yarmahommedzais, and, if so, the -truth as to the fort's garrison would be dragged from -them.</p> - -<p>I warned the five infantrymen of the great danger -threatening us, and told them that there could be no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -sleep for anyone that night. Everyone must keep -his eyes skinned for any movement in the darkness -which might be the forerunner of a sudden night -attack.</p> - -<p>I myself made no attempt to sleep, but continually -patrolled to see that every man was awake and in his -place, and that no movement or talking occurred -amongst Izzat's men.</p> - -<p>Interminable though it seemed, the night at last -wore itself out, and, as the dawn broke, I climbed to -the top of the highest tourelle, like Sister Anne, to -see if anybody was coming.</p> - -<p>So far not a sign of the army, which must approach -from the North. My spirits sank, and I anxiously -turned towards the East, and South-East, on which -sides Jiand's and Shah Sawar's men were encamped. -No signs of movement there, but this meant little, -for I knew that, under cover of those well-grown -crops, their men could stealthily approach, almost to -the walls, before being observed.</p> - -<p>Once again my eyes turned to the North.</p> - -<p>The hours went by, and with every one that passed -my anxiety grew. What had happened to Landon? -Had he been able to make good time, or was he, as -he easily might be, if anything had gone wrong, still -a day's march away?</p> - -<p>Suddenly I saw a small cloud of dust stirring in -the plain to the North, and my heart bounded.</p> - -<p>Out of the cloud of dust there presently emerged -the solitary figure of a camel with a man on his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -back. The camel devoured the plain until it was -close to the walls, and I rushed down to the gate to -see who the rider might be.</p> - -<p>It was my friend the Sarhad-dar, and I was more -touched than words can express by the manner in -which he met me, embarrassing though it was at the -moment. He flung his arms round me and embraced -me with the utmost affection, for he said that he had -not hoped to see me alive. My urgent message had -reached Landon, who was now pushing forward at -his utmost speed. They had also had numerous -confirmations of the information I had given as to -the numbers Jiand was bringing against Khwash, -and of his intention to retake and kill its defenders. -The Sarhad-dar's early arrival was explained by his -action in telling Major Landon he could not wait to -ride at the slower pace of the army, but must forge -on ahead to see whether he could do anything to -help me. The Sarhad-dar's action was one of great -bravery, for he rode quite alone through territory -which he was fully aware might have been swarming -with enemies, and who were actually only a short -distance from his path.</p> - -<p>When he saw Shah Sawar he turned and cursed -him volubly, telling him he was an accursed liar and -traitor, and that, one day, he would see to it that he -got his full deserts.</p> - -<p>Once again I mounted to the tourelle, and this -time the dust raised by the approaching cavalry could -be plainly seen.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> - -<p>Idu, who was with me, looking in the opposite -direction, announced that men were moving in -Jiand's camp. But, though I have very good eyesight, -and though I looked hard and long in the -direction indicated, I could see nothing. Idu's sight -was certainly phenomenal, but he could not tell -whether this movement foretold an attack or a -friendly visit. In any case it was very lucky -that Landon's relieving force was so close at -hand.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later Landon himself arrived with -the cavalry, hot, fagged out, and covered with sand, -but much bucked at the fact that he had arrived in -time. The camels and infantry were only a short -distance behind, for, as we knew by bitter experience, -the last stage of the route had been so bad, that, -until the plain had been reached, five miles away, the -cavalry could make no better going than the rest of -our small force; hence the short distance separating -them.</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact the whole force arrived very -soon after, full of fighting spirit, despite the fact that, -for over a month, it had been continually on the -march.</p> - -<p>I felt we could now snap our fingers at Jiand.</p> - -<p>As may be imagined it was a very cheery morning, -for, now that the guns had arrived, we knew that -Jiand had about as much chance of taking Khwash -as of grasping the moon. We had beaten him in -the race with only an hour or two to spare, but since<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -we had won, the game was up for Jiand, at any rate -for the moment—and he knew it!</p> - -<p>In due course the old ruffian, for he was not -lacking in pluck whatever he might lack in truth, -arrived to pay a ceremonial visit, which he said was -merely for the purpose of doing me honour. He -had heard, he said, that it had been represented to -the General Sahib that he had come on a warlike -mission. This rumour was quite untrue. He had -merely come, with about a hundred of his tribe, to -repeat the assurances he had already given of his -absolute loyalty to the British Raj! As a matter of -fact he had left the bulk of his men at the camp -because he was afraid that they would be disarmed.</p> - -<p>He then asked whether he might see the motor-car, -about which he had heard such wonderful stories. -I promptly deputed Idu the romancer as lecturer, -for no one could compete with him in a description -of its marvels.</p> - -<p>Allan solemnly set the car in motion, and Jiand -and his men gazed at him as a sort of demi-god. So -one must be who could so control the devil in this -queer shaped thing that he could make it, without -the help of camels or horses, move across the plain -and climb the hills. Both he and the General Sahib -must surely be in close league with Sheitan!</p> - -<p>After a while I asked Jiand if he would like to go -for a ride in it, assuring him he would enjoy it. But -he promptly replied that he would not risk it that -day. Perhaps at some other time.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> - -<p>As a matter of fact the old Chief was utterly -unnerved at his second failure, and obviously under -the impression that his position as over-lord of the -Sarhad was once again in jeopardy.</p> - -<p>When Jiand left I gave Shah Sawar leave to go -too, but warned him that the next time he broke his -word it would be the last chance he would get of -doing it.</p> - -<p>Towards evening Idu, who had slipped away from -the fort on secret business of his own, came up to my -quarters to tell me that when Jiand and Shah Sawar -had got back to their camp, they had received a fine -scolding from the Gul-Bibi, Shah Sawar's wife, for -whose fair sake, it will be remembered, the latter -had bartered Khwash to Mahommed-Hassan, her -nearest male relation.</p> - -<p>And he chuckled as he went on to describe how -this imperious lady had jeered at them both, calling -them fools, and twitting them with the fact that it -was now common talk that the General had arrived -with a mere handful of men, and had simply tricked -them into surrender. Nor did she leave the matter -there. She proceeded to tell Jiand that, had he had -the heart of a mouse he could have attacked and -taken Khwash the night before, or even early that -morning, for the General's little force had not arrived -till the sun was well up.</p> - -<p>For her part, she said all her admiration was for -the General, and she intended to send him two sheep -as a present, and as a mark of her appreciation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> - -<p>"As a matter of fact," Idu concluded, "the sheep -have already arrived."</p> - -<p>"But I can't accept presents from a people who -have been showing themselves hostile," I said. -"And how is it that a woman can have the audacity -to lecture a Chief like Jiand, whatever she may do to -her own husband?"</p> - -<p>"You don't know the Gul-Bibi—yet," Idu -grinned. "But you will. She is one of the most -influential individuals in the Sarhad, though she is a -woman. Also, she is one of the most beautiful -women in the world. And you must pardon me, -Sahib, but you must accept the sheep she has sent. -For it would be looked upon as a great insult were -you to refuse."</p> - -<p>The Sarhad-dar concurred, saying that there was -no choice. The sheep must be accepted as a peace-offering.</p> - -<p>I gave in, and asked what I ought to do in return.</p> - -<p>"Go and call upon her, Sahib," said Idu. "The -Gul-Bibi is accustomed to have honour paid to her."</p> - -<p>"All right," I replied, and turning to Landon, who -had been present and much amused, I added, -"You'll have to come too. I'm a married man, and -I'm not going to call on the most beautiful woman -in the world alone; though, by the way, I suppose -she will be veiled?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," Idu put in. "The Gul-Bibi -values her good looks far too highly to conceal them. -I'll let her know to-night that you and Major Landon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> -will call upon her to-morrow in the motor-car. She -will be more pleased at that than at the gift of -many sheep."</p> - -<p>That evening Landon gave me a very disconcerting -piece of information, particularly so in the light -of present arrangements. It was to the effect that, -on the way to Khwash, he had captured one of Shah -Sawar's men carrying letters to the Germans. -These letters had been written immediately after -Shah Sawar had been released from Kacha, and -in the face of the promises given and oaths sworn -on the Koran. In these letters he had renewed -his offers of help, and had undertaken to allow -them to pass, whenever they chose, through his -section of the Sarhad.</p> - -<p>"The treacherous brute!" I exclaimed. "What -on earth are we to do about him now? I've just sent -him back to his own people, and have come to terms -with Jiand. Moreover, we have accepted the Gul-Bibi's -peace offering, and have promised to visit her -to-morrow. She seems so influential, too, that if -we make friends with her, these ruffians may really -keep their word this time."</p> - -<p>After considerable discussion we decided to -ignore Shah Sawar's treachery for the present and -proceed as arranged.</p> - -<p>Shah Sawar and Jiand had large numbers of their -fighting men on the spot, and Halil Khan, with a -third big force, was to be expected on the morrow. -We must, therefore, endeavour to disperse some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -of these brigands to their homes before we court-martialled -that arch-villain Shah Sawar!</p> - -<p>The following morning Landon, the Sarhad-dar, -Idu and myself, set off in the car to call upon the -Rose Lady—the most beautiful woman in the world!</p> - -<p>Half-way there Shah Sawar himself came to meet -us, and eventually conducted us to a huge jugi. -Inside this we found the famous beauty, seated on -a pile of coloured cushions. To my great surprise -I found that Idu had not exaggerated. The Gul-Bibi -really was a beautiful young woman, very fair -for a Sarhadi, with regular, clean cut, almost Grecian -features, and unusual-looking, big hazel eyes. She -was evidently small-boned, and her limbs and -hands were beautifully modelled. She was obviously -aware of her own attractions, and very animated. -Her dress was white, embroidered in Persian -colourings, and she wore a chuddah over her head, -which fell in graceful folds, without, however, in any -way concealing her face.</p> - -<p>On our entry she rose with dignity and bowed. -Shah Sawar then proceeded to introduce us one by -one. We each bowed in turn, and, at her invitation, -sat on the ground in front of her, in a semicircle.</p> - -<p>She then proceeded to make us a very charming -address in Persian, which Landon and I understood, -though we could neither of us speak much Persian. -This concluded, with the Sarhad-dar's help, as -interpreter, I did my best to make a suitable reply.</p> - -<p>These preliminaries completed, a very beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> -Persian carpet was produced and offered to me by -our hostess.</p> - -<p>This was very embarrassing, and I whispered to -the Sarhad-dar that I could not possibly accept it.</p> - -<p>His reply was emphatic. "You cannot refuse it. -You must accept it as you have come here as her -guest."</p> - -<p>"But," I persisted, "I've got to court-martial her -husband to-morrow, or the next day, and shall -probably have to shoot him. I can't take a present -from her under such circumstances."</p> - -<p>"Shoot him, then, if you must," replied the -Sarhad-dar. "She can get plenty of husbands. -But you must accept the carpet now or you will give -dire offence. You can in any case send a money -present of equivalent value to-morrow if you like."</p> - -<p>So I was obliged to accept the carpet with the -best grace I could, and did my best in halting -Persian to praise both the gift and the giver.</p> - -<p>After this the interview proceeded merrily, and -the Gul-Bibi proceeded to chaff her husband quite -openly, telling him that he had been cleverly tricked -and scored off. She also told him that he was a -fool and as one without intelligence.</p> - -<p>But Shah Sawar only laughed, taking his wife's -raillery in good part. It was obvious that she had -him very much under her thumb, and that he had a -very strong regard for her.</p> - -<p>Altogether it resolved itself into quite a friendly -meeting, and, presently, we adjourned to inspect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -the car, which, as usual, was the occasion of much -awe and wonderment. The inspection over we -invited the Gul-Bibi to go for a ride in it one day, -after which we took our leave and made our way -back to Khwash.</p> - -<p>A day or so later Halil Khan arrived with a -following of about twenty-five men. He had left -his lashkar some miles away, for he had, of course, -heard of the surrender of both Jiand and Shah -Sawar. Immediately upon his arrival we held -another Durbar, and around the circle sat the same -old collection of warriors, with their Chiefs Jiand, -Shah Sawar, Mahommed-Hassan and Halil Khan. -Juma Khan, the only man of his word I had yet -encountered, was the one absentee.</p> - -<p>Those who were present all solemnly swore to the -fact that they were there on an entirely friendly -mission, and that, if I had suspected otherwise, I -had been totally misinformed! They were all -sucking doves, or their equivalent, whose one desire -was to do me honour!</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i160a" id="i160a"></a> -<img src="images/i160a.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -THE DURBAR AT KHWASH.<br /> -<em>Khan Bahadur (Sarhad-Dar) standing.</em></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i160b" id="i160b"></a> -<img src="images/i160b.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -RAIDER CHIEFS AT THE DURBAR AT KHWASH.</div> -</div> - -<p>I played up to the game, accepted their protestations, -and told them that, this being so, I had a -proposition to make. I then proceeded to suggest -that the Chiefs, each with a certain number of -followers, should remain with me, whilst the -remainder were sent back to their homes. My idea, -I said, was to raise a corps of Levies amongst the -Sarhadis. I could guarantee that their pay would -be good, and, as they were already such good fighting -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>men, their training light. I also promised that -many of their officers should be selected from -amongst themselves.</p> - -<p>After a short consultation they pretended to fall -in with the idea, and several of the tribesmen -actually enlisted then and there.</p> - -<p>But Halil Khan got up and begged me to excuse -him. He said it was not that he was not willing to -serve in any corps I might wish to raise, but that -he was very anxious about his wife and family, who -were wandering about in the Morpeish hills. He -was most eager to find them, and would look on -it as an act of grace if I would permit him to go. -As the whole scheme in view was to make their -enlistment voluntary, I had, of course, to consent.</p> - -<p>But he was not to go without a warning, and as -he got up to leave I called him back, and looked -him straight between the eyes. "Halil Khan," I -said, with all the severity I could muster, "if you -play me false, or ever raise your hand against me -again, I will blow your head off."</p> - -<p>He looked back at me as steadily. "Sahib, your -kindness overwhelms me. I swear by the Koran" -(drawing one from under his robes) "that I will never -fight against you again."</p> - -<p>"Well, I will accept your word this second time. -But if you fail to keep it—remember."</p> - -<p>And so he left, under safe conduct, and shortly -afterwards Jiand, but not until I had reminded him -that I had not yet received the loot he had taken,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -and which he, at our last meeting, had engaged to -hand over. I demanded its immediate return, and -laid special stress on the four tyres included in it. -I also told him that he must return, at the same time, -all Government camels seized when he had raided -the British lines of communication, and also the four -hundred Afghan camels which I had just heard his -men had seized on the caravan route from Nushki -to Robat.</p> - -<p>Jiand faithfully promised that all should be -returned within a couple of days of his departure -from the neighbourhood of Khwash. This promise -he kept to the letter, for the camels and loot arrived -on the date specified.</p> - -<p>As may be imagined, the tyres were specially -welcome. Those on the car were absolutely worn -out, and, of course, we had no possible means of -obtaining others.</p> - -<p>For the moment, everything seemed peaceful. -So peaceful that we settled down in Khwash for a -few quiet weeks; but, in the interval, did our utmost -to make the place secure against all attacks.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER IX</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">TREACHERY AND ITS SEQUEL</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -Further reinforcements—Entrenchments and gardens—Government -inquiries—Food supplies—An offer to Jiand—Murad -and straw—Shah Sawar again—Sentence—Idu's suggestion—Re-enter -the Rose Lady—News of Jiand's intentions—A -vital moment—A round-up—The Sarhad-dar's advice—A -Bhusa hunt—Distrustful wives.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">During this rest in Khwash I was able to increase -to some extent the forces under my command. I -obtained a whole squadron of the 28th Light -Cavalry, under Colonel Claridge, and two machine -guns from Nasaratabad. In addition I obtained -from Kacha a considerable quantity of gun-cotton, -with fuses, etc., and a supply of barbed wire, of -which, fortunately, there were large stores at Kacha.</p> - -<p>The men were kept busy with their musketry -training, and with the improvements that were being -made in and about the fort. We also succeeded in -creating a really creditable, and very useful, garden -outside the walls, with the help of a native gardener, -whom I had sent for from Kacha. He brought -large quantities of seeds with him, and it was amazing -how, in so short a time, we were able to obtain -full-grown marrows, cucumbers, pumpkins, Indian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -corn, turnips, carrots, lettuces and spinach. These -fresh vegetables formed an invaluable addition to, -and variation of, a very monotonous diet. We also -sowed a considerable amount of barley of a kind -which comes to maturity and ripens within three -months.</p> - -<p>The men were immensely interested in their -garden, but were still more eager to toil on the -serious work of improving our defences, and in the -building of barracks to obtain shelter from the sun.</p> - -<p>The forces at my disposal were, at best, -infinitesimal compared with those the Raiders could -collect, though, of course, the latter were at the -great disadvantage of being minus mountain or -machine guns. But supposing—as might happen at -any moment—it became necessary to divide my -forces, part to go on any expedition, and part to -remain in defence of Khwash, the Raiders, if they -chose to attack in numbers, could, without question, -recapture their capital.</p> - -<p>I decided, therefore, to blow up the surrounding -walls of the fort, as well as the three smaller -tourelles, leaving the tallest tower alone standing. -In places of these raised tourelles I made an -entrenched camp outside the site of the old walls. -Peculiar folds in the ground lent themselves well -to my purpose, enabling me to place the defensive -lines along the tops of the folds. The interior of -the work was thus well concealed from view.</p> - -<p>The high tourelle was then improved and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> -strengthened, and a machine gun placed on its top -to command the whole of the camp below.</p> - -<p>Those Raiders dwelling in the surrounding districts -took a keen interest in these changes, for they -were under the impression that we had only -demolished the existing walls with the intention of -building stronger and higher ones, and asked me -how high I intended to make them.</p> - -<p>As I did not think it wise to gratify their curiosity, -I replied that, when finished, it might be just possible -to see the tops of them! From this reply the rumour -got abroad that I was making a vast fortress, and, -later on, the Persian Government sent urgent -inquiries as to why I had built a great fort in Persia -without its permission. It was, in consequence, -difficult to persuade them that I had built nothing, -but, on the contrary, had blown up existing walls, -and that all that I had done in excess of this was -to dig into the ground!</p> - -<p>Although time was passing peacefully and busily -in the organisation of these various works, I was -beginning to get very anxious about the food supply -of both men and beasts.</p> - -<p>It was now the end of May and the heat was -intense. The camels used in the caravans bringing -supplies from India found little or no grazing -between marches, and died in their dozens on the -way, the consequence being that but little of the -supplies despatched from India ever reached us.</p> - -<p>Our horses began to die off in alarming numbers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -The grass on the slopes of the hills surrounding -Khwash was of course quickly eaten up, and we -were reduced practically to nothing, not possessing -even straw as fodder. To make matters worse there -were still three months to wait before we could hope -to obtain straw from the barley we had sown. -Altogether the position was beginning to be of an -alarming nature, and I began to wonder whether, -though Jiand and all his men had not been able to -turn us out of Khwash, we might not be driven out -by slow starvation.</p> - -<p>Something had to be done and done quickly. No -stone must be left unturned to save us from this -pass, and I cast about for means of feeding the -animals other than by these failing supplies from -India. It was then that I suddenly remembered -Jiand's crops at Kamalabad. When, on the first -occasion, he had surrendered there I had spared not -only the lives of himself and his followers but his -crops as well. Those crops I decided to call upon -him to share with us now.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, in the early part of June, I sent for -him, and in a few days he obeyed the summons, -but was obviously reluctant, and very morose.</p> - -<p>I thereupon frankly told him the position with -regard to the animals, and said that I knew he must -have vast quantities of bhusa from his crops, for the -bulk of which he could have no use, and asked him -to sell it.</p> - -<p>The old villain refused point blank. I swallowed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> -my anger as best I could, and told him I would give -four times the market price for it if he would send -it at once.</p> - -<p>But he was obstinate, and persisted in his refusal, -in spite of all my offers.</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact I had been told repeatedly -that it was Jiand's one hope and ambition that I -would try conclusions with him in his own part of -the country, where his secret hiding places, and -defences amidst the difficult hill country, were only -known to his own tribe. Moreover, so I was also -told, Halil Khan was continually urging him to -force me to fight. Halil Khan himself was itching -to wipe out the humiliation and discredit they had -both suffered as an outcome of being bluffed twice -when they could actually have wiped us out.</p> - -<p>Indignant as I was there was nothing to be done -but to let him go. I had promised him safe conduct -to and fro; I, therefore, had no alternative.</p> - -<p>But there was still another stone that could be -turned. About five miles distant from the valley of -Kamalabad, Jiand's stronghold, lay another fertile -valley, Karsimabad, the property of an old Chief -named Murad. This old man had at one time been -the leader of the Sarhad, until Jiand had deposed -him from his leadership and assumed it himself. -Although Murad was outwardly on friendly terms -with Jiand—he was not strong enough to show himself -otherwise—I had heard many hints of the old -ex-Chief's jealousy of and resentment towards Jiand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> - -<p>I, therefore, sent for Murad and asked him if he -would sell his straw, telling him that Jiand had -refused to do business with me. The old fellow -assured me I could have all the straw I wanted, and -that I could have it for nothing. Of course I refused -his generosity, told him I would pay him what I -had offered Jiand, and instructed him to get it ready -as soon as possible, when I would send my camels -to bring it in.</p> - -<p>Before Murad, who was obviously delighted with -such a good piece of business, departed he gave me -a word of warning which fully confirmed all I had -heard of Halil Khan's and Jiand's smouldering -enmity.</p> - -<p>"If they can kill you, Sahib, they will. And they -will most surely fight against you and try to kill -you before many weeks are past."</p> - -<p>It was about this date that repeated confirmations -reached me of Shah Sawar's persistent treachery. -Up to the present I had elected to ignore the incident -of his letters to the Germans. They had never -reached their destinations, so no harm had been -done so far. It had been my constant wish, despite -all the warnings I had received, to make friends -with the Yarmahommedzais. But it was now time, -I considered, to take some notice of Shah Sawar's -activities, and this seemed a suitable moment to -charge him bluntly concerning his traffic with the -Germans.</p> - -<p>Accordingly he was summoned to appear before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> -a drum-head court martial consisting of myself and -two other officers, to be tried for repeated acts of -treachery, and particularly for communication with -the Germans, coupled with the information supplied -to the same quarter that I had few troops, and that, -if they (the Germans) came to the Sarhad it would -be easy for them, with his help, to overwhelm my -whole force.</p> - -<p>As usual, Shah Sawar swore he was innocent of -all these charges and pointed out that it was obvious -he could not possibly have been guilty, as he could -not write.</p> - -<p>Then I played a trump card, for I produced the -mullah (priest) who had written the letters at his -dictation, and who had wandered, a day or so before, -into the camp.</p> - -<p>When Shah Sawar caught sight of the mullah he -shrugged his shoulders and muttered, "Kismet." -He knew the game was up, confessed at once that -he had dictated the letters, and had put his mark -to them.</p> - -<p>There was naturally only one sentence that could -be passed upon him, and he knew it. He was found -guilty and condemned to be shot. He implored me -to give him another chance, but I was tired of his -broken promises, and told him flatly that he had -offended once too often. He had been convicted -by a duly constituted court martial, and the finding -of the court must stand. I told him also that his -time was short, and advised him to write any fare<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>well -messages he wanted to send, and to make his -will as quickly as possible. The mullah was also -given leave to write anything that Shah Sawar -wished to dictate.</p> - -<p>As I passed from the tent I gazed hard at Shah -Sawar. The sweat was pouring down his face—few -men can hear the sentence of immediate death -without emotion of some sort—but he did not utter -a sound. It must be admitted that he bore himself -like a man, as, with a gesture of resignation, he -told the mullah he wanted him to start writing at -once.</p> - -<p>Whilst he was writing out his last wishes, I made -my way to the Durbar tent to wait until he had -finished. On my way I met Idu and told him the -result of the court martial. Idu had an uncanny -gift of intuition and I am certain realised how much -I disliked my obvious but uncongenial duty. He -looked at me strangely and then disappeared.</p> - -<p>Some little time later I was leaving the tent when -I caught sight of the Gul-Bibi, Shah Sawar's wife, -dressed in her very best attire, running towards me. -Directly she reached me, she fell on her knees and, -touching my feet with her hands, broke into -lamentations.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" I asked, trying to speak sternly. -"What have you to say?"</p> - -<p>The Gul-Bibi had a great deal to say! She said -that Idu had gone to her and told her of the sentence -that had been passed on her husband and she had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> -come to plead for his life. She used every argument -she could think of to persuade me to reverse the -finding of the court, and finally went bail in her own -person for the future good behaviour of the handsome -rascal, if only he might have another chance.</p> - -<p>"I swear to you," she said passionately, "that if -ever my fool of a husband raises his hand against -you again or breaks his word to you, I will shoot -him with my own hands. I, the Gul-Bibi, swear it."</p> - -<p>It occurred to me that after all it might be -politic to temper justice with mercy. Shah Sawar -undoubtedly had great influence and the concession -of his life might be a turning-point in the determination -of his tribe to be loyal to the British cause.</p> - -<p>I said that she had accomplished what no one else -could have done and that her eloquence had -persuaded me to grant her her husband's life.</p> - -<p>"But this is the very last time I will show him -any mercy. Shah Sawar has proved himself a -traitor and has broken his oath again and again. I -am only letting him go now on your guarantee of his -good behaviour in the future. If ever he breaks -faith again, it will be for the very last time. You -may go now and tell him what I have said and tell -him that he owes his life entirely to you."</p> - -<p>I directed her to the tent where she would find -Shah Sawar waiting for death, and presently she -returned with her husband by her side. He was -obviously very subdued and very impressed. His -gratitude was genuine enough, anyhow for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> -moment, and once more he promised that he would -never fight again—etc., etc.</p> - -<p>The next day a message was received from Murad -to the effect that he had collected a fine quantity of -bhusa, and that it was piled up in fourteen great -stacks ready for transport, if camels could be sent -to fetch it.</p> - -<p>Word was sent back that I would go myself on -the morrow to Karsimabad with the camels, and a -small escort, in order that it might be possible to -thank and pay him in person.</p> - -<p>Accordingly orders were given for the escort and -camels to be ready to start early the next morning.</p> - -<p>But, that night, news was brought by one of -Landon's intelligence men which caused a modification -of these plans.</p> - -<p>It should here be mentioned that Major Landon -had, shortly before, been obliged to leave me. It -will be remembered that he was one of but three -Intelligence Officers in Persia, and had therefore to -return to his duties. His place as my Brigade -Major had been taken by a very able Staff Officer, -Major Sanders of the 36th Sikhs.</p> - -<p>The news the scout brought me was to the effect -that Jiand knew all about my proposed visit to -Karsimabad, and was planning to attack in force, and -capture me. He had been waiting for a good -opportunity to lure me out of Khwash, and now -felt he had his chance.</p> - -<p>"Well, he shall have it," I replied. "Only, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -will disappoint him. For instead of going with only a -small escort, we'll take a good part of our entire army, -and the guns. He'll then have his work cut out."</p> - -<p>The consequence being that when we marched -out on the following morning we made an imposing -spectacle. I determined to do the thing thoroughly, -so took a considerable number of infantry, the -cavalry, guns and a large convoy of camels.</p> - -<p>We had only marched a short distance when one -of the scouts came in with the information that all -the bhusa at Karsimabad had been burned.</p> - -<p>At first I could hardly believe my ears and told -him he must be mistaken; that perhaps some of it -had been burned by accident, but that fourteen -stacks, the number Murad had mentioned as -collected, could not all have been burned by this -means. But the man proceeded to tell me that it was -no accident. He himself had seen the scorched -ground upon which the stacks had stood. They -had been built sufficiently far apart to make it -impossible to be burned by one setting light to -another. Each stack had been separately and -individually fired, and Murad had proof that it had -been done by Jiand's men.</p> - -<p>As may be imagined, I was nearly beside myself -with rage at the news. It would entail untold -suffering amongst our unfortunate beasts, who were -already underfed. The act was unforgivable, -especially when we were just hoping to obtain a -safeguard against the worst months of the year.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> - -<p>The march of the column was immediately -quickened. There remained but one thing to do—to -go forward and ascertain the truth. If Jiand had -really been guilty of this act he should be accommodated -as regards fighting. So far everything -possible had been done to create friendly relations -with him, and over and above this he had been, -throughout, generously and leniently treated. But -patience has its limits, and there could be no more -leniency.</p> - -<p>Despite the burning heat we managed to cover -the distance in record time, and were within -five miles of Karsimabad when the advance -guard reported the enemy in sight, and in large -numbers.</p> - -<p>"Come out to capture me, I suppose!" I -remarked to Sanders. "Jiand is, probably, still -under the impression that we are coming with only -a small escort. I wonder what he'll do when he sees -the column—and the guns?"</p> - -<p>What he did do we were soon to know. The old -villain must have indulged in one short look to -realise, once again, that he had been foiled in his -attempt at a surprise; for I knew, by current rumour, -that he stood in deadly terror of what the guns could -do. He had certainly never seen them working, -but had heard the rattle of the Maxims at Koh-i-taftan, -and had a wholesome dread of their destructive -possibilities. When, therefore, the cavalry and the -guns came into view, instead of attacking, he sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -a messenger ahead to meet me, and to ask whether -he might come and do me honour!</p> - -<p>"Tell him," I replied, still furiously angry, "that -it is not a case of may he come—he must come -himself and instantly. I am in no playful mood as -he will find to his cost."</p> - -<p>A few minutes later we saw Jiand, accompanied -by two or three men ambling towards us on his camel. -Immediately on his arrival Jiand assured me that, -hearing I was in the neighbourhood, he had come -with his followers to do me honour.</p> - -<p>"Honour be damned!" I retorted. "What do -you mean by burning the bhusa I have bought from -Murad? Was that also by way of doing me -honour?"</p> - -<p>Jiand protested his innocence. Was it possible -that anything that belonged to the General Sahib -should, or could, be burned? And how could he -(the General) so wrong him (Jiand) as to suspect him -of any such offence? If the bhusa really was -burned, he swore that he was innocent, and had had -nothing to do with it.</p> - -<p>"We'll soon prove whether you had or not," I -returned. "I am on my way to Karsimabad to -inquire into it. You will go there too, and if I -find you had a hand in it, as I am convinced you -had, you shall regret it to your dying day. Go on -in front of me, and wait for me in Karsimabad."</p> - -<p>With a sullen face Jiand obeyed, and our own -force continued its march.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> - -<p>Arrived within three-quarters of a mile of Murad's -place we halted at what appeared to be a favourable -place to camp. This represented a hard flat piece -of ground at the base of a small hill. A picket on -the hill-top would command the surrounding country -and so prevent surprise.</p> - -<p>The bulk of the force was left and I went forward -with an escort of about a dozen infantrymen and -some fifteen cavalrymen.</p> - -<p>At the entrance to Karsimabad I noticed a huge -tree with a mud platform placed round its base, close -beside the ruins of a small fort. This seemed to -offer an ideal spot upon which to hold the inquiry, -for the tree afforded a wide circle of shade from -the burning heat.</p> - -<p>Accordingly I sat down, with Sanders and the -Sarhad-dar on either side, whilst the cavalry accompanying -us dismounted and remained behind the -tree. The infantry-escort formed up on our right.</p> - -<p>Murad, who appeared greatly distressed, came -forward and told me that all the bhusa he had -collected for us had been burned down, thus -confirming the report I had already received.</p> - -<p>"Who did it?" I thundered. "Can you produce -the man who dared to burn my property?"</p> - -<p>To my great surprise Murad said he could. He -had captured the man, a Yarmahommedzai.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had the man been brought forward when, -from every quarter, appeared men armed with rifles. -A moment before the place, excepting for ourselves,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> -had been empty. These men seemed to have sprung -out of the ground, but must, actually, have been -concealed in the adjoining fields. In an instant I -could tell that they were picked men of Jiand's -lashkar. There must have been between one -hundred and fifty and two hundred of them. They -came forward and squatted down in a circle close in -front of us; Jiand, and his kinsman and evil genius, -a man named Nur-Mahommed, placing themselves -well in the foreground.</p> - -<p>In a flash I realised the tactical error I had made -in leaving the main force three-quarters of a mile -away, and before I had made certain that Jiand's -men had not occupied Karsimabad. These men -held their magazine rifles, which were always loaded, -across their knees. From where we sat, I now -realised, and too late, that I could not see, or signal -to, my own small force, and that, except by a miracle, -it would be equally ignorant of these proceedings. -I glanced quickly behind me at the fifteen or sixteen -cavalrymen I had brought, saw that they had dismounted -and were holding their lances in their -hands, whilst their rifles remained in the buckets on -the off-sides of the horses. A bad position for -getting at them when dismounted and at a moment's -notice.</p> - -<p>It was obvious that I had allowed myself to be -caught in a trap. We all knew it, though not one -man with me showed it by the quiver of an eyelid.</p> - -<p>I turned to the man whom Murad had brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -forward and placed before me as the burner of the -stacks of straw.</p> - -<p>"How dare you burn my bhusa? What reason -had you for doing it, and who told you to do it?"</p> - -<p>Before the man, who was trembling like a leaf, -had time to answer, Nur-Mahommed sprang up and -shouted:</p> - -<p>"The country is ours and everything in it. We -will burn the bhusa, or burn anything we like."</p> - -<p>And he glared at Sanders and myself in a way that -left no doubt as to his meaning.</p> - -<p>I told him angrily to sit down, as I was not -talking to him. For answer he assumed a threatening -attitude, and openly sneered at me for attempting -to give orders I could not enforce.</p> - -<p>I ordered a sepoy to arrest him.</p> - -<p>What followed all happened in a flash.</p> - -<p>The sepoy had scarcely moved a step to obey -when every one of Jiand's men leapt to their feet and -brought their rifles to the present.</p> - -<p>I must confess to having acted automatically. -Indeed, there was no time to think or do otherwise.</p> - -<p>I literally roared at them. "How dare you, you -dogs? Sit down this instant!"</p> - -<p>I reached out my hands towards Jiand who was -close to me, and, in a paroxysm of rage, forced him -down by my side.</p> - -<p>"Sit down!" I roared again into the dark faces of -the men surrounding us.</p> - -<p>Hesitation and doubt spread amongst that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -threatening crowd—and the bulk of them sat -down!</p> - -<p>They were now given no time to recover their -poise. Sanders and the escort were at once ordered -to disarm the men who remained standing.</p> - -<p>Like a flash my men darted forward, only too -thankful to take action instead of waiting to be shot -down, and in a twinkling had wrenched their rifles -from the scowling brutes who were hesitating as to -whether they would shoot first or submit. They -were looking to their Chief for a lead. But Jiand, -that once invincible warrior, had lost his nerve, and -now sat cowering, unable either to make a decision -or dominate his own men.</p> - -<p>So, whilst they stood, furtive and undecided, they -were disarmed and left helpless.</p> - -<p>"Now," I shouted, turning to those who had sat -down, "get up and place your rifles against that -wall, there," pointing to the wall of the mud fort. -"And if there is the slightest sign of treachery I will -shoot you down like the dogs you are."</p> - -<p>Like a lot of beaten sheep they got up and -obeyed.</p> - -<p>The danger was over before we had had time -fully to realise it.</p> - -<p>I then proceeded to tell the Raiders what I -thought of them in language which has since been -reported as hectic. They were told that their lives -and their property had been spared again and again; -that over and over again their liberty had been given<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -them when they should have been kept as prisoners. -But this time their offence was beyond forgiveness -and they should now have a taste of the treatment -they deserved.</p> - -<p>I then ordered my escort to seize and tie the men -together, and drive them back to the camp. A -certain number of the Yarmahommedzais leapt up at -this, and, before they could be stopped, had bolted -into the high-grown crops surrounding the place. -But we caught a good sixty of them, and these were -bound by their hands in groups of three by their -turbans. They were then marched off to the main -column, which had remained in blissful ignorance of -these happenings a short three-quarters of a mile -away.</p> - -<p>Sanders and I remained where we were, and a few -minutes later the Sarhad-dar returned, wiping the -sweat from his face.</p> - -<p>"That was a close shave, Sahib," he said, and I -could see that his hands were shaking, despite the -fact that he had behaved with the utmost bravery -during the crisis. "Though so many got away, -amongst those we have captured are nearly all the -leading men of the Yarmahommedzais. Without -them the tribe will be as men without leaders, and -we need not fear them. I have searched and -questioned some of them, and I have indisputable -proofs that they came to capture you. They wanted -you—alive, not dead, that they might be able to -dictate their own terms."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well," I said disgustedly, "I've had enough in -the way of trying to make friends with them. I know -that both you and Idu have advised all along that it -would be of no use, but I have hoped against hope. -Now the Indian Government must deal with them, -and I shall advise the Government that the best -thing to do will be to send them to India and imprison -them there."</p> - -<p>The Sarhad-dar replied, with heartfelt relief, "I -am thankful you have at last come to that decision. -It's the only chance of obtaining peace in the Sarhad. -Juma Khan has already given ample proof of his -loyalty, and Halil Khan, untrustworthy as he is, -would never dream of fighting the Sirkar alone. If -I may advise I would suggest that whoever is -ultimately set free Nur-Mahommed is never liberated. -He is Jiand's evil genius. Without him you -might have won over Jiand to real loyalty, but so -long as Nur-Mahommed, who is a devil, is always -whispering in his ear you can never trust Jiand to -keep any oath."</p> - -<p>Before we left Karsimabad I paid Murad some -compensation for his straw, for he had had the best -intentions.</p> - -<p>When we reached the main column, which was -now agog with curiosity, I once again combed out -our prisoners, retaining some forty-three and letting -the others go. It must be remembered that we were -desperately short of food ourselves and I did not -want a single unnecessary mouth to feed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> - -<p>But I was not going back to Khwash without a -supply of fodder for our animals. I, therefore, told -Jiand that as he had burned the bhusa I had bought, -and had refused his own at the generous price -offered, I should now take his without payment.</p> - -<p>So we made a détour by way of Kamalabad, where -my men immediately started hunting for straw and -wheat. We eventually found that the latter had -been carefully hidden by Jiand, and in a highly -ingenious way. The wheat had been put into sacks, -and buried in the sand dunes. The sand had then -been carefully smoothed over, leaving nothing to -show that it had been disturbed.</p> - -<p>But, before our search, I asked the Sarhad-dar, -"How on earth will the men find the sacks?" fearful -lest, after all, Jiand had foiled me.</p> - -<p>"They know how to find it," he replied. "Give -them the order to search for it and you'll see what -they'll do. They know the trick well enough."</p> - -<p>Accordingly, orders were issued to search for, -and carry off, all the sacks of wheat and all bhusa -that could be found.</p> - -<p>In an instant they were at work amongst the sand -dunes, prodding in the sand with their cleaning rods. -Every now and again a man would shout "Here!" -and after a few minutes' digging a sack would be -dragged to light.</p> - -<p>It was immensely interesting to watch this unearthing -of plunder, and after a while I called "Give me -a cleaning rod and let me try."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> - -<p>But I proved a hopeless exponent of the game. -Prod as I would, I could find nothing, though -the smiling Rekis would prod where I had drawn -blank and fish out several sacks. This wheat was a -great find, and was loaded on to the camels with the -greatest care.</p> - -<p>From Kamalabad I sent a couple of men ahead -with messages to Colonel Claridge—who had -remained behind in charge of Khwash—telling him -briefly what had happened, and asking him to -prepare a barbed wire cage for the prisoners now -being brought in.</p> - -<p>So promptly did he set to work that, when -we marched in next day, there was ready as perfect -a cage as any commander could wish to have.</p> - -<p>We were given a great reception by the garrison, -delighted at the plunder we had brought. The -bhusa meant the saving of our animals, and the -wheat was invaluable to ourselves, as our supply of -flour had begun to run very short.</p> - -<p>The wheat was given to the ladies of Khwash to -grind outside the camp. These industrious females -all possessed little stone hand-mills, and, for many -days afterwards, the air was filled with the sound of -these at work. These same ladies implored me to -pay them in person for their work, because, they -informed me, their men-folk were not to be trusted. -It appeared on inquiry that when the men were paid -they were apt to put the wages of their wives' labour -into their own pockets. So, each afternoon, for some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -days, we had a pay-parade of Khwashi ladies to -receive in rupees the wages they had honestly -earned.</p> - -<p>While I was waiting for Government instructions -as to the disposal of our Yarmahommedzai prisoners -I made these work at strengthening the camp. It -was not easy to get much work out of them as they -strongly resented being put to what they considered -to be a degradation. They maintained it to be a -gross indignity for a fighting man to be made to -work with his hands, and contended that all manual -labour should be performed by lower caste people -such as the Khwashis.</p> - -<p>But honest work did not hurt them, for, during -their imprisonment, their health improved to a -remarkable extent. This result was probably due to -the increased variety of their rations, and to the -vegetables grown in our new garden which they -shared with the garrison.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER X</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">FAILURE AND FRESH PLANS</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -Slave buying—A diet discovery—Poetic justice—Disposition of -prisoners—Incredible news—The Sawar's story—Disposal -of forces—The march to Kamalabad—Jiand gains his -freedom—Retreat to Khwash.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">Whilst waiting instructions from the Indian Government -as to the disposal of our Sarhadi prisoners I -turned my attention to the slave question. This -had long been one of my pre-occupations. The -chief trouble lay in the fact that not only the -Yarmahommedzais and the Gamshadzais, but also -the friendly Rekis—the men of Idu's tribe—possessed -large numbers of these unfortunate -women and children. The consequence was that, -when I announced that an order was about to be -issued commanding the surrender of all slaves -throughout the Sarhad, Idu openly groused.</p> - -<p>He pointed out that it would be a great hardship -on his fellow-tribesmen. Many of them had not -actually engaged in raids, but had honourably -bought, and paid for, the women from their captors, -and that, in consequence, they would not only be -out of pocket to the extent of the purchase price -but would, also, be without servants to do their -menial work.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> - -<p>Idu's point of view was clear enough, but he was -asked, "what about the unfortunate slaves?"</p> - -<p>The Sarhad-dar backed me up for all he was -worth, and at last a compromise was made. The -order went forth that the slaves must all be liberated -without question, but that, as the Rekis had aided us -in every possible way, the Government would -purchase their slaves at the rate of three hundred -rupees for a woman, seventy-five for a girl, and -twenty-five for a boy.</p> - -<p>In due course slaves began to arrive from every -direction, though undoubtedly the order was ignored -in every instance where it was possible to do so. At -last, in order to accelerate delivery, it was necessary -to promise to purchase all slaves, no matter by whom -owned. From that moment it was astonishing how -the number increased, some arriving on camels, -others on foot. The condition of these wretched -women and children was pitiable in the extreme. -Some of them were those whom Izzat had captured -during his recent big raid, but the majority had been -in captivity for many years and were in a wretched -state, half-starved, half-naked, and cowed, as the -outcome of evident ill-treatment. Many appeared -to have lost all hope in life.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i188a" id="i188a"></a> -<img src="images/i188a.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -RAIDED SLAVES ON THE WAY TO THEIR HOMES.</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i188b" id="i188b"></a> -<img src="images/i188b.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -A PERSIAN GIRL CAPTURED BY JUMA KHAN, AND WHO ESCAPED TO KHWASH.</div> -</div> - -<p>These poor folk were given quarters amongst the -Khwashis, special <em>jugis</em> being set aside for them, and -were gradually restored to some semblance of -civilised humanity. White army drill and brightly -coloured prints, were requisitioned from Kacha. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>With these materials the Khwashi ladies made -garments for our enfranchised slaves. It was pitiful -to see their joy and gratitude when told that they -were now free, and would shortly be sent back to -their own homes.</p> - -<p>One of our new guests became a constant source -of wonder to us all. She was a fine, well-grown, -attractive young woman of about nineteen or twenty, -and had been a captive in the hands of a Gamshadzai -Chief. When she heard of the order that all slaves -were to be released she claimed her freedom, and -her right to go to the British General at Khwash, -where safe asylum was offered to all Persian slaves. -Her Gamshadzai master, however, had not the -slightest intention of letting her go. She was far too -useful.</p> - -<p>But this Persian girl possessed both grit and -powers of endurance. One night she escaped in the -darkness, and, though pursued for a long distance -by her captor, managed to elude him, and made good -her escape. Apparently she ran all through the -night, covering fully forty miles over rough precipitous -hills and sandy plains. It seemed an incredible -feat—at first none of us believed the tale—but she -provided such striking evidence of it that we had at -last to believe her.</p> - -<p>Poor soul, she was very dirty, her feet were bare -and her clothing torn to ribbons, but in her pride and -joy at being free once more, she was a moving -picture.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> - -<p>The emaciated condition of these slaves filled us -all with commiseration, and when it was commented -upon amongst ourselves the Sarhad-dar remarked -grimly, "You can't have seen their staple food. If -you had, you wouldn't wonder. They carry it in -those little bags they all bring in with them."</p> - -<p>My curiosity was aroused and I asked some of the -women to show me what was contained in those bags. -They promptly told me that they contained the only -food they were allowed by their captors, apart from -any green stuff they were themselves able to gather -wild on the hillsides. Some of the bags were then -emptied, and quantities of dried beetles were poured -out on the ground.</p> - -<p>Incredible as it seems close inquiry confirmed their -statement—that these dried beetles formed the -greater part of their diet. With this evidence one -could no longer wonder that these poor creatures -were in such a wretched, cowed and hopeless -state.</p> - -<p>When as many slaves were collected as could be -accommodated it became needful to send them off in -order to make room for others, and also to obviate -the necessity of feeding them. Moreover, now that -this batch had begun to regain its humanity, its -members were very anxious to return to their own -homes, and when it was announced that we were -going to repatriate them under escort they fell to -laughing and crying with joy. When they were told -that this would be done under the charge of Izzat—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -Yarmahommedzai who had captured so many of -them—their joy was turned to dismay, and they -implored me not to trust them to his tender mercies, -but to send them with anyone else, for he would -surely take them back again into captivity.</p> - -<p>"I have decided on Izzat," I replied, "because he -is a Chief who has plenty of camels of his own for -your transport, and, as he stole so many of you, he -will know exactly where to return you. But you -shall hear yourselves what I am going to say to him. -If, then, you are not satisfied, I will choose someone -else. You shall decide for yourselves."</p> - -<p>Accordingly Izzat was sent for, and informed of -this order. I considered it a piece of poetic justice -that he should be the one to restore the people whom -he had stolen, and whose lives he had ruined. Izzat -listened grimly and I fancied I could detect in his -dark eyes a hint of what he proposed doing when -these women were once again in his power.</p> - -<p>"And," I added quietly, "you will bring back and -place in my hands a letter from every one of the -women I put in your care. I have the names of all -of them written down. These letters must be written -individually by each woman after she has safely -reached her own home, and must also state that she -has been well used on the way. If there is lacking -a letter from any single one of these women, when -you return to Khwash, I shall hang every member -of your family on the tree under which I am now -sitting, and you will then be able to count their dead<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> -bodies for yourself. They will remain in my charge -during your absence."</p> - -<p>Izzat could see that I meant what I said. "Sahib, -I am in your hands. I will do whatever you say."</p> - -<p>I then turned to the eager Persian women.</p> - -<p>"You have heard what has been said. You have -listened to the conditions made, and which Izzat has -accepted. Are you willing now to go with him?"</p> - -<p>They all assured me they were, and a day or so -later the cavalcade set out, Izzat taking sufficient -camels to allow for the accommodation of all who -were infirm and weak, and for the fitter members to -be able to ride turn and turn about, also for the -portage of sufficient food for their long trek of some -one hundred and fifty miles into the Narmashir.</p> - -<p>As may be imagined it was a great relief to us all -when we had seen them safely on their way. I -should here record the fact that, in due course, Izzat -returned, bearing letters from every one of the slaves -to the effect that they had safely arrived at their -own homes. He dared not risk the penalty he knew -would have surely been exacted had he failed in his -trust.</p> - -<p>After some little delay I received from Quetta an -answer to my request for instructions as to the disposal -of the Sarhadi prisoners. This answer directed -that they should be sent straight to Quetta, a distance -of something like four hundred and fifty miles.</p> - -<p>Naturally I had not sufficient troops to spare for -an adequate escort on such a long march, and sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> -an answer to that effect; but, at the same time, suggested -that if the Government could arrange for -escort, by Indian troops from Saindak (about nine -marches from Khwash), I could arrange to police -them that distance.</p> - -<p>After waiting another two weeks, word came that -three hundred of the 106th Hazara Pioneers would -be sent to Saindak to take them over, and I was -requested to send the prisoners there, under escort, -without delay. I was also informed that a wireless -troop was immediately being dispatched to Khwash, -the purpose being to open up easier communication -with India. At this period the only method of such -communication was by wire from Robat, or Kacha, -to Quetta, and camel messengers had then to be -employed to take messages from Robat, or Kacha, -to Khwash, a not always reliable, and often lengthy, -proceeding.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, when I knew the exact date of the -Hazaras' arrival at Saindak, I made my own dispositions -for sending the Sarhadi prisoners there. It -should be clearly understood that the whole of the -rough, roadless district lying between these two -places was over-run by the enemy, and, moreover, an -enemy deeply resentful of the fact that so many of -their Chiefs were in our hands. It must be remembered, -too, that our numbers were, compared with -theirs, ludicrously small.</p> - -<p>We calculated, however, and reasonably I think, -on the unlikelihood of an attack by the Yarmahom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>medzais -on the column, owing to the presence of -the more important prisoners, whose lives they would -not dare to endanger. It was, therefore, thought -absolutely safe for the wireless troop, who would be -accompanied by a small escort only, to come through -to us at the same time as, and on a parallel route to, -that of the prisoners, though the two parties were -marching in opposite directions. The wireless troop -had orders to come South along the Eastern slopes -of the Koh-i-taftan, and the prisoners were to be -marched North over the Western slopes of the same -peak.</p> - -<p>I decided also to send as large an escort as possible -with the prisoners, my object being to ensure against -any contretemps prior to their receipt by the Hazaras—a -magnificent type of fighting man—for conduct -to India. I also had another reason, for I had been -warned, by repeated rumour, that Halil Khan was -then occupied in gathering his entire forces together -for the rescue of Jiand and his men whilst being -marched northward to Saindak.</p> - -<p>Our own garrison was, therefore, practically -reduced to a skeleton, whilst a force consisting of -three troops of cavalry, seventy-five infantry (about -three-fourths of our total numbers) and two maxims, -under the command of two white officers, was -detached for escort duties.</p> - -<p>This column started early one morning in July, -and was to march eighteen miles on the first day.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i196" id="i196"></a> -<img src="images/i196.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -CAPTURED RAIDERS ON THE WAY TO <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'KACHHA'">KACHA</ins>.</div> -</div> - -<p>That same night, or rather early on the following -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>morning, for it was about two a.m., I was awakened -in my tent and informed that a sawar had just arrived -with an urgent message for me. A moment later one -of the cavalrymen composing the escort, which had -started so gaily about twenty hours before, came in, -breathing quickly and heavily with the speed at -which he had ridden. He told me that he had ridden -as he had never ridden before to bring me a message -from the officer commanding the prisoners' escort. -It was to the effect that every one of the prisoners, -save Jiand and one of his sons, had escaped in the -darkness, and that he awaited further orders in the -circumstances.</p> - -<p>For a moment I thought I was still asleep and -dreaming. How could it be possible that forty-five -unarmed men had succeeded in escaping from -an armed, and numerically larger, escort?</p> - -<p>But the stark truth was at last forced upon me, and -it amounted to nothing short of absolute disaster. -The whole of my four months' work had been -undone in a few hours, and I was confronted with -the knowledge that I should now have to make a -humiliating confession of utter failure, and at the -very moment when the work I had been sent to do -seemed so nearly and successfully finished.</p> - -<p>The situation resolved itself into this; not only -would it now be impossible to hand over our enemy -and ringleaders to the large armed escort now on its -way, and especially detailed to receive them, but -these escaped Chiefs would be able to reorganise and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> -hearten up their people, who had remained quiet -during the past few weeks simply because they had -been without their leadership.</p> - -<p>These same Chiefs, of course, knew to a man the -strength of our force, and were naturally bitter with -resentment as an outcome of their recent captivity. -They would, I knew, now leave no stone unturned -in their endeavour to wipe us out. My feelings can -be better imagined than described.</p> - -<p>The Sawar was questioned closely as to this -disastrous affair, and I obtained the following details.</p> - -<p>The escort had pitched its camp before sundown -on an open hillside. An enclosure, or sort of rough -zareba, had been constructed with a few strands of -barbed wire, and the prisoners, with the exception -of Jiand and his son, had been placed inside, and -sentries set over them. Jiand and his son had been -kept apart, in a small <em>jugi</em>, with a sentry in front -of it.</p> - -<p>It was a very dark, quiet night, and the camp had -soon settled down to sleep.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, strange stealthy sounds had been heard -close to the zareba, and the sentries had fired wildly -into the darkness. Instantly the whole camp had -been roused, and the officers had rushed to the -prisoners' quarters.</p> - -<p>Lamps were brought, and it was quickly found -that the zareba was empty. What had happened -seemed fairly obvious. The prisoners had evidently -taken off all their clothes and flung the heavier<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> -garments over the barbed wire. This done, and -acting in consort, they had broken or borne it down -by sheer weight. In any case the whole lot of them -had escaped, absolutely naked, leaving their clothes -behind on the barbed wire!</p> - -<p>Of course an immediate search was instituted, but -the Raiders had escaped into the rough, broken hills -during the few minutes succeeding the alarm, and not -a single one was re-taken. The only prisoners now -left in our hands were Jiand and his son.</p> - -<p>After such a set-back a man may be pardoned for -being at his wits' end. Not only did it spell failure -to keep faith with the Indian Government in regard -to the prisoners, but it became plain that the wireless -troop, whose safe passage I had practically -guaranteed, was now in peril; for they would, almost -certainly, be attacked, as they must by this time be -right in the heart of the enemy territory, whose fighting -men would now be elated beyond bounds at -their successful coup.</p> - -<p>I quickly realised that we must act without an -instant's delay. We must first rescue that wireless -troop with its small escort at any cost. The best -thing to be done at the moment was to order the -prisoners' escort—who now had no one to escort! -except Jiand and his son—to proceed instantly in the -direction along which the wireless troop was coming, -whilst Sanders and myself, with every man we could -collect after leaving some sort of garrison for Khwash—goodness -knows we were few enough already!—set<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> -out to join up with the escort, which would have -to march due East that day.</p> - -<p>I could then take some of the men forming that -escort and go in the direction of Kamalabad with the -object of holding off the Gamshadzais under Halil -Khan; I was convinced they would now, without -question, put into execution the threat they had so -repeatedly made of trying to rescue Jiand. As will -be seen my objective was the Kamalabad valley, -where I should at least have a better chance of holding -them up than elsewhere.</p> - -<p>The messenger was thereupon directed to return -at once to the officer commanding the escort, with -a letter directing the new move and telling him at -what point I would intersect his march that evening.</p> - -<p>As soon as he had been dispatched a servant was -sent to awaken Sanders, Idu and the Sarhad-dar, -and summon them immediately to my tent. When -they were told the bad news their dismay was fully -equal to mine. The Sarhad-dar seemed to think the -world had come to an end. The situation was in -any case quite black enough, and it was a very -depressed little party that an hour later set out from -the camp.</p> - -<p>It was not until well on into the evening that the -force composing the prisoners' escort joined us at -the appointed <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rendezvous</i>, but when it did I proceeded -to re-arrange the composition of units without -delay. I took twenty-five cavalry, some fifty of -the infantry, also the two machine guns, and ordered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -the officer commanding, who was desperately downcast -at the disaster, to march at top speed with the -force left him in the direction along which the wireless -troop must now be coming. His further orders, on -getting in touch, were to tell them what had -happened, and, as I did not now consider it safe for -them to come at present to Khwash, to go back with -him to Saindak, where he was to hand over Jiand -and his son to the Hazaras now waiting to receive -them.</p> - -<p>He was further instructed to say that I was marching -in another direction, towards Kamalabad, in an -endeavour to hold up Halil Khan and the Gamshadzais, -who, according to rumours reaching us that -evening, were on their way in great force to Gusht, -at the end of the Kamalabad valley.</p> - -<p>My little force started then and there, marching a -distance of about twelve miles through the night, -and reached Kamalabad before daybreak. It must -be remembered that campaigning under conditions -obtaining in a district such as the Sarhad is utterly -different from that of any other type of warfare.</p> - -<p>Amongst my own little force, and especially -amongst the camp followers, were both friends and -potential foes, traitors and spies. In addition to this -the whole population of the country was its fighting -force, nearly every man being armed and trained to -fight. Rumour, and news carried by runners, take the -place of the dispatches and newspapers of the West, -the consequence being that one's movements are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> -conveyed from mouth to mouth immediately upon -that movement taking place. This fact will in itself -account for our being able to hear such constant and -detailed news of both the enemy's movements and -intentions—and vice versa.</p> - -<p>No sooner had we reached Kamalabad than we -learned that Halil Khan had just been there, but had -taken to the Morpeish Hills as we approached. He -had every intention of fighting, but wanted to do it -on ground of his own choice. In any case he did -not want to fight in the open, where our Maxim -guns would undoubtedly have given us a great -advantage.</p> - -<p>It was a great relief to hear this, for it meant -that we had intercepted him, and now stood between -him and the escort with Jiand. It meant in effect -that he could not attack it without first meeting and -defeating us. Jiand and his son at any rate—and, -after all, Jiand was the supreme Chief—would now -be safely handed over at Saindak.</p> - -<p>But my satisfaction on this point was very short -lived. Soon after reaching Kamalabad another -messenger, sent off post-haste by the officer in charge -of the escort, arrived with the news that they had -been attacked in force, and that Jiand and his son -had been rescued!</p> - -<p>I questioned the man closely as to what had -happened, and discovered that Jiand and his son had -been actually snatched from the very hands of their -gaolers. The fight had been a long and hard one;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> -many men on our side had been killed, both the -British officers wounded, and many rifles and much -ammunition captured. It seemed that the whole -force might have been annihilated but for the opportune -arrival on the scene of the wireless troop with -their escort. The Yarmahommedzais evidently -thought this troop the advance guard of reinforcements -and retired, taking Jiand and his son with -them.</p> - -<p>I learned later that the rescue party consisted of -nineteen of the very men who had escaped from the -prisoners' escort two nights before. It appears that -they had run all the way to Kamalabad naked, had -clothed and re-armed themselves, and had gone back -to rescue their Chief.</p> - -<p>One could not but admire such a magnificent feat -of daring and endurance, even though it added -enormously to the difficulties of our own position.</p> - -<p>The Gamshadzais, in all probability, already knew -what had happened. They would also know that I -had brought only a very small detachment to -Kamalabad, that merely a beaten remnant of the -escort, now without British officers, was left on the -slopes of the Koh-i-taftan, and that there was a still -smaller force in Khwash.</p> - -<p>It was obviously hopeless now to attempt to fight -where we were. It was equally obvious that our -best course would be to get back to Khwash with all -speed. Khwash still remained a dominating factor, -and was still in our hands. From that vantage point<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> -it might yet be possible to collect our scattered forces, -and obtain reinforcements.</p> - -<p>Flushed with victory, and elated at his escape, -Jiand would also remember the importance of -Khwash, and would doubtless soon be on his way -thither, if, indeed, he was not already marching -upon it.</p> - -<p>So, once again, it was to be a race between us for -the capital of the Sarhad.</p> - -<p>And, as on that former occasion of a few months -ago, we won the race, but our return was a very -different affair to that of our previous triumphant -entry.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i206" id="i206"></a> -<img src="images/i206.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -<em>Sketch Map illustrating the march to Khwash -and the fighting in the Morpeish Hills.</em></div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER XI</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">SUCCESS IN MINIATURE</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -The night attack—The Hazaras arrive—Jiand retires—We march -on the Sar-i-drokan valley—Cavalry strategy—"Gushti's" -decision and opinion—"The Hole of Judgment"—Attack -and retirement—A lost and regained water-supply—The Sarhadis -as humorists—The mud fort—Halil Khan's arrival—The -fight at dawn—Exit Halil Khan—A prophet—The -Hazaras' request.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">Immediately on re-entering Khwash Colonel -Claridge was sent out, with all the men it was -possible to spare, in an endeavour to find, and bring -back, the strayed remnants of the prisoners' escort. -In the meantime a camel messenger was dispatched -to Saindak asking the O.C. of the Hazaras to -march South to our help at once, and to take a route -by which they might, with luck, join up with -Colonel Claridge. A messenger was also dispatched -to Colonel Dale, then commanding at Kacha, -requesting him to send us all the supplies and -ammunition he could spare, and personally to do his -utmost to expedite the Hazaras, who were also in -his immediate sphere of command.</p> - -<p>Hardly had Colonel Claridge and his small -detachment left Khwash when Jiand, with a large -force, took up his position among the low hills about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -three miles to the North-East of the town, and Shah -Sawar, who, as I might have expected, was now in -full and open revolt, worried us from the hills to the -South-West.</p> - -<p>But we were not going to admit yet that we were -beaten. Daily we left the camp for the open as a -challenge to Jiand to come out of his hills and fight, -though it must be confessed that we hoped he would -not accept it.</p> - -<p>At last, after a good deal of apparent indecision, -the two Chiefs made up their minds to attack us, -and by night.</p> - -<p>I must explain that in order, as far as possible, -to deceive the enemy as to our numbers—or rather -lack of them—the whole of our newly entrenched -camp remained occupied by day; nor did we spare -any device likely to give the impression of a larger -garrison. But at night the men were withdrawn to -a small, strongly fortified sector of the camp, so as -to consolidate our strength. One of our Maxims -had been placed in this sector, the other on the -only tourelle left standing, and trained on the camp.</p> - -<p>As we were always expecting a night attack, we -were thus well prepared for it when it came. Jiand -made his at the North-East and Shah Sawar at the -South-West angles of the camp: and when the -presence of large numbers of the enemy became -apparent round these areas, our men started to shoot -wildly, but were quickly steadied, and ordered to -hold fire. The whole of our depositions had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> -made with the object of allowing the enemy, if the -attack came by night, actually to enter the camp, and -so enable us to deal with them in denser formation.</p> - -<p>The outer defences were rushed, and from the -temporary pause that occurred it was clear that the -enemy was surprised at finding no defence. This -was of course the vital moment at which to let them -know we were alive.</p> - -<p>From my position in the defensive section of the -camp I had had a telephone line laid to the tourelle. -It was, therefore, possible to order the two Maxims -to open simultaneous fire, and, at the same time, -a heavy rifle fire right into the heart of those -undefended sectors.</p> - -<p>The enemy recognised that a night surprise had -failed, and were evidently not inclined to continue -the fight under conditions so very unfavourable to -themselves, so beat a hasty retreat. The night was -very dark, and so the results of our fire were not -observable. Rumour said that the enemy had -suffered heavily in dead and wounded, but they must -have removed their casualties as there was nothing -to be seen in the morning. The results were all I -desired, as we were not attacked again.</p> - -<p>Three or four days later we were much elated to -learn that a junction had been effected between -Colonel Claridge, the remnant of the prisoners' -escort, and the three hundred men of the 106th -Hazara Pioneers under Major Lang. The same -information showed that they were marching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -together, as quickly as possible, on Khwash, and -would probably be in that day. This was good -news indeed.</p> - -<p>When they did arrive my spirits rose higher still. -The Hazaras were a splendid body of men, all -spoiling for a fight, and I promptly arranged that -they should have it. It will be remembered that -the Hazaras are Shiahs, hence their eagerness to -blot out as many of the Sunni Sarhadis, per man, -as they could manage.</p> - -<p>Directly Jiand became aware of their arrival he -realised that it would be simply waste of time to -remain in the neighbourhood of Khwash. He had -now not the slightest hope of capturing it, so withdrew, -with all his forces, to the Sar-i-drokan valley, -which, it will be remembered, was his Summer haunt. -This valley lies parallel with the Kamalabad valley, -but on the farther side of the Morpeish Hills, and is -bounded on its Northern side by the Sar-i-drokan -Range.</p> - -<p>It seemed now that there might be a good chance -of fighting Jiand with real hope of success, and with -the elimination of bluff, upon which it would no -longer be of any use to rely.</p> - -<p>Could we but defeat him in a square and open -fight our past failures would be amply avenged, and -British prestige again in the ascendant.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i212" id="i212"></a> -<img src="images/i212.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -ON THE MARCH TOWARDS <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'GHUSHT'">GUSHT</ins> AND THE MORPEISH HILLS.</div> -</div> - -<p>So, with this object in view, messages were sent -telling him to look to himself, for we were coming, -not only to fight him, but to lift all his herds. Jiand -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>replied with the defiant message that he was quite -ready for us, and that he knew how to defend his -herds, as well as his men, from all comers.</p> - -<p>The Hazaras were given a couple of days' rest -after their long, rapid march, and we then set out. -The combined force now consisted of the three -hundred Hazaras, a squadron of cavalry, two -mountain and two machine guns and some Rekis. -The remnant of our original force and two machine -guns were left in Khwash, under the command of -Colonel Claridge.</p> - -<p>The British officers with me were Major Sanders -(Brigade Major), Major Lang, Captain Moore-Lane, -Lieutenant Bream of the Hazaras, Lieutenant -English with the guns, and Captain Brownlow in -command of the cavalry. We started on a scorching -hot day, the 28th of July, with Jiand's herds in -the valley of the Sar-i-drokan as objective.</p> - -<p>There were two ways of entering this valley, which -is about seventy-five miles long, more or less closed -at either end by a bottle-neck formation of hills, -and protected along the whole length of its sides, -as already described, by the precipitous Morpeish -and Sar-i-drokan Ranges.</p> - -<p>We fully realised that the entry to this valley -would, in all probability, be a tough proposition, as -the entrances could be easily defended, and would -therefore be hard to force. The North-Western -gorge, one of the two by which the valley could be -entered, was called the Dast-Kird, and was very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> -narrow. Jiand could, therefore, easily hold us in -this direction. For, in an attack upon it, cavalry -would only be an incumbrance, and, owing to the -perpendicular sides of the gorge, and to the curious -convexities of the hill-sides which obscured the view -from below, the guns would fail in their proper -sphere of usefulness.</p> - -<p>Yet it would be necessary to enter the valley by -that gorge, or by the alternative one at the South-Eastern -end, and close to a place called Gusht. -But this second gorge was almost as difficult of -access, if defended, as that of the Dast-Kird.</p> - -<p>It will be well to explain also that here, in the -Sarhad, victory is attained more by the number of -ramas—herds of goats and sheep—captured than -by the number of men killed. It will be seen, therefore, -that if we were to claim, and to be accredited -with, a victory over Jiand, it became essential to -capture the whole, or the greater part, of his herds.</p> - -<p>This we well knew would be a difficult matter, but -it would have to be done, despite Idu's doubts on -the point.</p> - -<p>"If you try to go in by the Dast-Kird, Sahib, -Jiand will send his herds out by Gusht. If, on -the other hand, you try to enter by Gusht, it will -probably be fatal. Not only will Jiand send his -herds out by the Dast-Kird, but as Gusht stands -on the border of Halil Khan's territory he also will -doubtless take you on, whilst it will only be a -comparatively short distance for Jiand to make his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> -dash through the Dast-Kird and so down to Khwash. -While he is attacking the few men you have left in -Khwash, you will be left at Gusht with Halil Khan -guarding the defile!"</p> - -<p>For once Idu had become a croaker, but we were -not in the mood to listen to him.</p> - -<p>We camped out in the open, but under the lea of -the Morpeish Hills, and from out of those hills we -knew that hundreds of eyes were watching our every -movement.</p> - -<p>At this stage I sent for Captain Brownlow and -ordered him to march with the cavalry, while it was -still light, for several miles in the direction of the -Dast-Kird, at the same time making as big a display -as he could; but, when night fell, to rejoin us as -quickly and noiselessly as possible.</p> - -<p>This little piece of strategy will be plain to the -reader. When the enemy saw our cavalry, apparently -going in the direction of the Dast-Kird, he -would conclude that we intended to attack at that -point. Jiand would, therefore, concentrate in that -direction to defend the pass, and to prepare the -ground for battle on the morrow. We, meantime, -would be marching with all speed in the opposite -direction—towards Gusht.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, Captain Brownlow, making a fine -show with his cavalry, set out towards the Dast-Kird, -and continued in that direction till night-fall. But -he went one better than his instructions. He found -and collected a quantity of dried-up scrub, and this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> -he set fire to in patches, to give the impression that -our whole force was camping there on its way to the -Dast-Kird. This done he returned to camp under -cover of darkness.</p> - -<p>Jiand fell into the trap. Warned by his scouts of -what they imagined to be taking place he moved off -with his force of something between one thousand -and fifteen hundred fighting men, and actually -marched all night towards the Dast-Kird. To -safeguard his herds he sent them off in the -opposite direction, towards Gusht. The position -now amounted to this. Jiand's herds, on the farther -side of the Morpeish Hills, and ourselves on the near -side, were hurrying as fast as we could towards the -Gusht defile, whilst Jiand and his men were hastening -in the opposite direction—towards Dast-Kird. -Thus it was that, by the time Jiand realised the trick -that had been played upon him, we had gained a full -two marches in the race for the defile.</p> - -<p>Gusht—the town mentioned as being just outside -the gorge of the same name—belonged to a Raider -Chief with a name so difficult to pronounce that I -never achieved it, and so was forced to call him -"Gushti." The name has stuck to him I believe -ever since. This Raider was at the head of about -two hundred fighting men, and claimed to be a -complete free lance, and to owe allegiance neither to -Jiand, Halil Khan, nor anyone else. Gusht boasted -a mud fort of some size, and from this stronghold -"Gushti" raided at will.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> - -<p>I had been told that "Gushti" was prepared to -join any force—as a free lance—if bent on an -expedition which appealed to his taste. We were, -in consequence, up against the fact that, if Jiand -reached Gusht first, "Gushti" would undoubtedly -be persuaded to join him. On the other hand, if we -were first on the spot, it might be possible to bribe -him into throwing in his lot with us.</p> - -<p>The distance between Kamalabad, where we had -first camped, and Gusht is about sixty miles, and the -distance between Kamalabad and Dast-Kird is -approximately fifteen miles. It will be understood, -then, that while Jiand was marching the fifteen miles -between Kamalabad and Dast-Kird we were moving -fifteen miles in the opposite direction. When, therefore, -he learned the truth as to the position, we were -thirty miles ahead of him—a useful start. On -learning his error Jiand turned and came hot-foot in -pursuit of us along the farther slopes of the hills. -And such good progress did he make, despite the -difficulties of the ground, that he came very near to -overtaking us, though, fortunately, not quite. The -prize offered for the race was a big one, the unopposed -passage of the Gusht defile, plus the active, or -passive, assistance of "Gushti."</p> - -<p>On the third day's march we approached, and -deployed our force to give it as big a frontage as -possible. This was done to impress "Gushti." -As usual, we had sent messengers on ahead. These -invited "Gushti" to join us, and pointed out the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> -uselessness of opposition as Jiand was hopelessly -behind, and promised large rewards if he decided to -join us of his own free will.</p> - -<p>When we arrived "Gushti" came out to meet us, -all smiles and pleasantness, and assured me that he -had not the slightest idea of opposing us, but that he -would prefer not to fight against his old friend Halil -Khan. He undoubtedly held him in wholesome -dread. He also warned me that we were in for a -big thing if we really meant fighting. Jiand might -be behind, but not so very far, for, as usual, news of -our proceedings had spread ahead of us. Jiand, he -continued, with a very large force, was close on our -heels, though on the other side of the range; whilst -the Gamshadzais, under Halil Khan, were gathered -in large numbers on the Southern slopes of the -Safed-koh—about two marches away to the North -of the Gusht defile—and were ready to attack us at -any moment.</p> - -<p>He admitted, however, that we had gained one -great advantage, namely an unopposed passage -through the defile.</p> - -<p>We spent a very short time in Gusht, which -boasted a considerable number of mud huts, as well -as the fort already mentioned. There were also -several karezes, and a fair number of date palms -dotted about, which gave a picturesque appearance -to the place. In addition, there was a spring which -"Gushti" insisted on our seeing, and which was -supposed to possess extraordinary qualities.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> - -<p>This spring gushes out of the top of a dome-shaped -rock, and close beside it, also in the rock, -is a hole called "The Hole of Judgment." If a man -has been accused of wrongdoing, and is brought -to this hole, a sure test of his innocence or guilt can -be obtained. If, on thrusting his hand into the hole, -he is able to draw it out again, he is innocent. If -he cannot perform the feat he is guilty. This -appears to be an unfailing method of obtaining -absolution for their sins.</p> - -<p>We passed through the defile that evening, though -we had already had a long march, for I did not want -to risk losing the advantage we had gained. Once -through the neck we debouched into comparatively -open ground, and, after continuing our march for -some three miles, halted and encamped by the side -of a fine kareze.</p> - -<p>That same night Jiand arrived at a point only -five miles distant. We had not, therefore, won the -race with much to spare. Later information showed -that he had travelled night and day, and was deeply -depressed to find that, owing to his initial mistake, -we had passed, unopposed, what should have been a -formidable barrier.</p> - -<p>The next morning we advanced about three miles -along the valley, subject to a certain amount of -sniping which grew worse as we proceeded. We -encamped in a strong position by a spring. We -were fully aware that, at any moment, the Yarmahommedzais -in front of us might join hands with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> -Gamshadzais. Their combined forces would then -number anything between two thousand to two -thousand five hundred men.</p> - -<p>We now learned that a large number of the -Gamshadzai herds had been sent to a place called -Makn-tuk in the Safed-koh hills beyond the Saragan -defile. I decided to attack in the direction of Makn-tuk.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, at about five o'clock on the following -morning, we attacked the Gamshadzais' position by -the Saragan defile, but at the outset the opposition -proved far greater than we had anticipated, and, -though this attack was pushed till eleven o'clock, the -main body had then only advanced about half a mile.</p> - -<p>I then realised that it would be futile to hope to -push on to Makn-tuk, and, much against my will, -withdrew the scattered forces, some of which were -already engaged far up on the hill-sides. With the -help of covering fire from the Maxim and mountain -guns, we withdrew with comparatively small loss to -our last camping ground.</p> - -<p>The Hazaras were very disappointed at this order -to retire, for they declared that, had they been -allowed to advance, they would, most certainly, -have succeeded in knocking out the opposition and -winning through to Makn-tuk. But during our -passage through that region at a later date these fire-eaters -were better able to gauge the extraordinary -difficulty of the terrain, and had to admit that it would -have been impossible to fight a way through.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the meantime a body of the enemy had moved -down from the hills, and had cut off our only available -water supply by capturing the picket-post guarding -the spring before mentioned.</p> - -<p>This was serious and I immediately rode forward -with an escort of about a dozen cavalrymen. But -we had not proceeded far when, quite suddenly, a -heavy fire was opened on us from the hills. Fortunately -no one was hit, but it was a miraculous escape, -for the ground around us was literally ploughed up -with bullets.</p> - -<p>We dismounted, attacked and regained the picket-post. -As Brownlow and I entered the sangar I -noticed, on the ground at my feet, one of my own -cigarette boxes, which had been taken by the Raiders -when they captured my kit on its way from Nushki -to Robat.</p> - -<p>The dozen Sawars were now left to defend the -spring, at any cost, and Brownlow and I returned to -the main body, meeting on the way the Sarhad-dar, -with some of the Rekis, who were coming to our -assistance. However, the danger was over for the -moment.</p> - -<p>The Rekis solemnly assured me that I must be -tir-band (immune from fire). They had watched the -hail of bullets from the hills spattering around us, -and could yet hardly believe we had none of us -been hit.</p> - -<p>I had already found by experience that it was -always wise to take advantage of little superstitious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> -suggestions of this sort, so solemnly replied that it -was a well-known fact that I was tir-band!</p> - -<p>We had now seen enough of the enemy's ways and -methods to realise his inclination to waste a great -deal of invaluable ammunition at long ranges. We, -therefore, decided upon what seemed a wise course -of action. Realising that to attack him in the hills -would be too expensive we would remain down in -the open, anyhow for a few days, draw his fire, and -give him a good opportunity of eating up his limited -food supply. We had food for a month, and knew -that he had only sufficient to last four or five days.</p> - -<p>Accordingly we camped where we were for that -night, and on the following morning moved a little -farther back towards the Gusht gorge, taking up the -position upon which we had camped when first entering -the valley.</p> - -<p>On that short rearward march we were fired at -continuously, first at long range, and then, as the -enemy grew bolder, at close quarters. We could -distinctly hear them shouting as they came, crouching -low amongst the rocks and scrub of the hill-sides. -They were humorists, too, these Sarhadis, for, -between the shouts, we could catch a very passable -imitation of the rat-a-tat-tat noise of our machine -guns. They came, at last, near enough to shout at -me, directly and personally, calling on me to surrender; -promising if I did so to spare my life, and -also informing me that it was no good trying to fight -any longer as I was practically surrounded, and my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> -retreat cut off. They used the selfsame expressions -I had so often used when summoning them to surrender. -This was turning the tables with a vengeance! -But we quickly saw that their boast as to -having cut our retreat was not altogether an idle -one. They had, at this stage, actually occupied a -little mud fort crowning a small hillock. This -hillock lay like an island in the bottom of the valley, -and commanded the camping ground we were making -for.</p> - -<p>The Raiders could be plainly seen shooting at us -through the loop-holes, but, unfortunately for them, -Lieutenant English promptly trained one of his -mountain guns on the fort. The first round fired -hit its mark, burst inside, and raised a huge cloud of -dust. Its disconcerted occupants promptly bolted, -and the way to our camping ground lay open.</p> - -<p>Here it was possible to place the whole force in -comparative safety, partly owing to the cover afforded -by the hillock with the mud fort on its summit, and -in a greater measure to the very convex slopes of -the hills to the North, which gave us complete shelter -from snipers' bullets.</p> - -<p>Our only vulnerable point was from behind. If -the enemy collected in the low hills running out from -the sides of the gorge it would be possible to rush -us in the darkness. It was in that direction, accordingly, -that we must look out for trouble.</p> - -<p>With the idea of guarding against this I asked -"Gushti" to supply me with a couple of men who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> -knew the country well, and were able to find their -way amongst the hills by night.</p> - -<p>I then waited till it was quite dark before sending -out two strong pickets, each consisting of fifty men, -under the guidance of "Gushti's" men, to occupy -two of the low hills which Sanders and I had carefully -noted whilst the daylight lasted. These commanded -the ground over which the attack would most -likely come. We now fully realised that we were -in a very tight corner, and that there was nothing to -be done but to stay and fight it out.</p> - -<p>That night Halil Khan himself arrived with reinforcements -from Jalk, and went straight to Jiand -and his Yarmahommedzais.</p> - -<p>He harangued them on their lack of enterprise in -not having already defeated my force and made me -a prisoner. He told the tribesmen that they vastly -outnumbered my men and suggested that, if Jiand -had lost his nerve, they had better serve, for the time -being, under his leadership, when they would soon -see how to capture the Sahib's forces. The outcome -of this forceful personality's action was that -Jiand, old and now very weary, consented to waive -his leadership in Halil Khan's favour—for the time -being.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i226" id="i226"></a> -<img src="images/i226.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -HAZARAS ON A PICKET POST BELOW WHICH HALIL KHAN WAS KILLED.</div> -</div> - -<p>So sure seems Halil Khan to have been of his -ultimate and complete victory over us on the morrow -that he actually sent a messenger off, that night, to -the Khan of Bampur, telling him that the British -General, who had caused so much trouble, was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>already a captive, and that hundreds of his men had -been killed. He also wound up this premature -message by inviting the Khan to come and share -the loot.</p> - -<p>He then left Jiand's camp, taking with him Jiand's -men, marched right round our position to our rear, -and occupied a long, deep hollow between the two -very low hills on which the pickets had been posted, -but whose presence was absolutely unsuspected, as -they had got there noiselessly in the darkness.</p> - -<p>From this hollow an easy advance on our camp -could be made, and Halil Khan's intention had been, -with the dawn, to rush us, and by sheer weight of -numbers, overwhelm us.</p> - -<p>But just before dawn one of those insignificant -accidents occurred upon which great things so often -depend.</p> - -<p>As Halil Khan made ready for the attack, which -I heard later was timed to take place during the next -ten minutes, the rifle of one of his men went off by -accident.</p> - -<p>I distinctly heard the shot, and have since been -told that I rushed out of my tent shouting, "The -Lord has delivered them into our hands!"</p> - -<p>I am perfectly certain I never said any such thing, -though I may have exclaimed, "We've got em!"</p> - -<p>In an instant a roar of musketry broke out from -the hills on both sides, for the shot had alarmed the -pickets, and they were firing down into the hollow -from whence the sound had come.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> - -<p>Light was beginning to break, and it was then just -sufficient to see by, dimly and uncertainly. In any -case I knew I had got my chance.</p> - -<p>Instant orders were given that every man in camp -should reinforce the pickets.</p> - -<p>It soon became apparent that Halil Khan, ignorant -that the heights above him were occupied, had committed -a grave error. Daylight showed that his -force were completely exposed to our fire, and that he -could neither advance nor retire without running the -gauntlet of it; for this grew hotter and hotter as -reinforcements came up.</p> - -<p>Halil Khan and his men fought like tigers, but -were in an impossible position. We had all the -ammunition we required and an easy target. Our -own casualties were astonishingly light, but we did -not get off scot-free, and Halil Khan was personally -responsible for many of our men.</p> - -<p>By eleven o'clock the fight was over, and those of -the enemy remaining alive got clear as best they -could.</p> - -<p>Before long news was brought that Halil Khan -had been killed, and that his body was still lying in -the hollow. Immediate orders were given for it to -be brought in, as I feared the Shiah Hazaras might -attempt to mutilate it. One of the Hazaras spread -the news that he had seen me blow Halil Khan's -head off. The Sarhad-dar overheard him, repeated -what the Hazara had said, and asked me to go and -look at the body, which had now been brought in.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> - -<p>A number of us went and looked at the body, and -found that a bullet had pierced his eye and had blown -the back of his head off.</p> - -<p>One of the Rekis, who had been present at the -last Durbar in Khwash, exclaimed, "Sahib, you are -a Buzurg (a prophet). You said at the Durbar in -Khwash that if ever Halil Khan fought against you -again you would blow his head off. And behold, -you have done it."</p> - -<p>Once again I felt it policy to acquiesce and to -admit that I was a prophet. As a fact, I had not -fired a single shot during the engagement.</p> - -<p>Soon after I had returned to my tent an irate, -native officer of the Hazaras craved admission, which -was accorded. Without preface he opened bluntly. -"Sahib, will you give us Halil Khan's body?"</p> - -<p>I asked, "Why? What do you mean to do with -it? Do you want to mutilate it?"</p> - -<p>He replied, "Sahib, when we lost men the day -before yesterday, and buried them before retiring, -the Yarmahommedzais, who came down after our -departure, dug up the bodies, mutilated them -horribly and flung them to the jackals. Therefore, -in justice, Halil Khan's body is ours."</p> - -<p>"Halil Khan was a brave man as well as a great -leader," I replied. "You are going to give him a -soldier's funeral. You surely have no wish to treat -him in the same terrible way that your men were -treated?"</p> - -<p>He urged his point of view with such heat that I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> -at last grew angry and asked him by what right he -demanded Halil Khan's body, and to answer me as -to who had killed him.</p> - -<p>"You did, Sahib," he replied, eyeing me curiously.</p> - -<p>"Exactly," I said with decision. "Then to whom -does the body belong—to you or to me?"</p> - -<p>This seemed rather to appeal to him, for he replied -with greater calm:</p> - -<p>"To you, Sahib, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so too, and I am going to do what I -like with it. Go at once to Gusht, buy a new winding -sheet, and we will give Halil Khan a soldier's -burial; one befitting his brave deeds and position. -Bring in all the mullahs (priests) you can find in -Gusht. Oh, and, by the way, you can pay for the -winding sheet for wasting so much of my time in -argument."</p> - -<p>So we accorded Halil Khan a really fine soldier's -funeral. Nor was this without results, for we -learned, later, that it had made a great and favourable -impression throughout the Sarhad.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> - - <div class="chapter"></div> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">CHAPTER XII</a><br /><br /> - -<span class="pfs60">VICTORY AND PEACE</span></h2> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -News of the herds—Towards Dast-Kird—Water!—Mutton for -all—Dast-Kird—A stampede—Back to Khwash—On the -track of the Gamshadzais—Twice a prophet—The <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'Sharhad-Dar'">Sarhad-dar</ins>'s -roost—Before Jalk—Rejected terms—More strategy -and a bloodless victory—Remain only terms and sick leave.</div> - - -<p class="noindent">We had certainly won a decisive victory from a -military point of view, but, according to the unwritten -code regulating victory in the Sarhad, we had yet to -capture the Raiders' <em>ramas</em> or herds of goats and -sheep.</p> - -<p>This omission still confronted us when one of -Idu's special <ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'Reki scout'">Reki scouts</ins> declared he knew the -exact whereabouts of Jiand's herds, and that he could -lead us there in two marches. At the end of each -of these he declared we should also find a good camping -ground, and a good water supply. As these men -had never yet promised water and failed us, orders -were given to strike camp and march out in the direction -of Dast-Kird, through the valley lying between -the Morpeish and Sar-i-drokan Ranges.</p> - -<p>Although we made a very early start the heat soon -became intense. There was not a particle of shade, -and our route lay slightly uphill all the way, over -rugged broken ground. Also, as we were confident<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> -of finding water at the camping ground, the men -had emptied their water bottles before mid-day, and -were enduring agonies of thirst long before we -reached our proposed camping place; whilst the -suffering of the animals was pitiful to see. But the -prospect of a good drink at the end of the march kept -up our spirits.</p> - -<p>At last, late in the afternoon, the Reki, who had -constituted himself our guide, gave a cry and ran -forward, telling us that we had reached the spot -where we should find water.</p> - -<p>No sign of stream or spring showed itself, but I -remembered that the Sarhadis have a way of finding -water seemingly miraculous to the white man, and -when the Reki proceeded to dig and scratch in the -ground at the foot of a stunted tree we fully expected -to see a little spring gush forth. The men, therefore, -with lips swollen and tongues cleaving to the roofs -of their mouths, crowded round, eager and impatient.</p> - -<p>But, for once, Nature and the Reki failed us. For -though the latter dug and dug, with the sweat pouring -down his face, the dry, arid ground showed not -the faintest sign of moisture.</p> - -<p>At last he desisted and fell at my feet, saying -despairingly, "Sahib, there is no water! I found -water here once, in the cold season, and I thought it -would always be here. The heat must have dried -it all up."</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i234" id="i234"></a> -<img src="images/i234.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -WATER! ON THE MARCH TO THE SAR-I-DROKAN.</div> -</div> - -<p>Our situation was pretty desperate. We had not -a drop of water for man or beast, and now could not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>tell when we should get any. All through the latter -part of that day's march we had succeeded in getting -the men along solely by encouraging them with -promises of water. "Just a mile farther on" and -then, "perhaps another half-mile." Only those who -have marched without water in torrid countries can -have any conception of the depression that grips -men when they do not know when, or where, water -may next be found.</p> - -<p>I cursed the man for misleading us, and he shook -with fear. "It is not my fault, Sahib. Water was -here when last I came to this place. But to-morrow, -without fail, I will lead you to a fine stream of -water."</p> - -<p>"To-morrow?" I echoed. "How are we to -exist till to-morrow? Why should I believe you? -You have deceived us to-day, why not again to-morrow?"</p> - -<p>The man swore on the Koran he could and would -lead us to a place where we should find water. "If I -do not succeed, Sahib, in finding water before eleven -o'clock, then take my life."</p> - -<p>I replied grimly that if he failed again, his life -would most certainly be forfeit—that was to say if -any of us then remained in a condition to shoot him.</p> - -<p>The whole force suffered horribly that night, and -when we set out again it was still dark. The Reki -went on ahead with the advance guard. I rather -imagine he was anxious to put a safe distance -between himself and my revolver, for I had, indeed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -determined to have him shot if he deceived us a -second time. No man could face a second day of -that blinding heat and glare without water and keep -his sanity.</p> - -<p>We had only been marching a few hours when a -Sawar rode back from the advance guard to report -that large herds of sheep and goats had been sighted -a short distance ahead.</p> - -<p>Our spirits instantly rose. Where there were -sheep there would, most probably, be water. Shouting -to the men to encourage them we galloped -forward and were soon pushing our way through -masses of sheep to find ourselves on the banks of a -stream of clear, cool water.</p> - -<p>The difficulty, of course, was now to restrain man -and beast from over-drinking; for if ever nectar -flowed on this earth it flowed that day in that parched, -sun-baked Saragan Valley.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately, like the majority of streams in the -Sarhad, and in Persia generally, it only flowed above -ground for a short distance, to be soon lost again in -the arid, sandy ground. So orders were given to -halt at that spot till we were all rested, and had -absorbed sufficient water to make up for the past -thirty-six hours.</p> - -<p>The thirty-four herds of sheep and goats found -here were claimed as spoils of war, and I determined -to give the men a real, good feast for once. Here -was any amount of mutton for the killing, and well-nigh -as much goats' milk as water.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> - -<p>The hungry Hazaras sent in a request that -they might each have a whole sheep a day. I -naturally thought such a request fantastic, and, -not taking it literally, sent back word that they -might, for once, have as much meat as they -wanted.</p> - -<p>But they took the permission literally, and actually -did slaughter a sheep for each man. I discovered -afterwards that their great idea had been to be able -to boast, in the future, that, after their great victory -over the Yarmahommedzais, led by the Gamshadzai -Chief, Halil Khan, their rations had been "a sheep -per man per day."</p> - -<p>After this feast the carcasses of the uneaten sheep, -and of the half-cooked meat, lay about in an orgy of -waste, and the sight of the camping-ground was, as -may be imagined, a sickening one. Never again -was such a ration-order given!</p> - -<p>Late in the afternoon, with the whole force in fine -fettle, we continued our forward march, driving the -herds with us, and, a little later, found a good camping -ground with a plentiful supply of water. For -many hours that night, owing to the bleating of -thousands of sheep, there was little rest for anyone. -But as they were now <em>our</em> sheep and not the enemy's, -the annoyance was cheerfully borne.</p> - -<p>Upon the following day water proved scarce, and -a great deal of digging had to be done before even a -trickle could be found. The unfortunate sheep and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span>animals had, therefore, to go very short. The -country was also from this point getting very difficult, -and marching became a great labour in consequence. -Part of our route lay through a narrow, rocky defile; -one of the worst to negotiate, from a military point of -view, that I have ever encountered. Had a mere -handful of the enemy chosen to obstruct us it would -have been utterly impossible to get through.</p> - -<p>Much picketing of the heights had to be done, and -this called for a great effort on the part of the Hazara -Pioneers. These duties were well carried out under -the very able direction of Major Lang.</p> - -<p>Fortunately the Yarmahommedzais had had -enough of it, and left us severely alone. In fact, the -only signs we had of them were the blood tracks of -their wounded, walking or carried. But even these -were significant enough evidence of their losses -during the fight.</p> - -<p>The next day brought us more open ground, -though marching still remained arduous, as we were -tackling an uphill route. But later it fell away again -towards the Dast-Kird gorge, and, by the afternoon, -we were able to pitch our camp in a wild, but very -picturesque, little valley, close to Jiand's Summer -haunt. This valley, as I have already explained, -lies between the Morpeish and Sar-i-drokan heights, -which at this point rise sheer from it on either side. -There are also a good many trees in the neighbourhood, -and the ground round the bases of these had -been flattened, and then plastered with mud, in order -to form good flooring for jugis.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> - -<p>We spent the night here, and on the following day -arrived at Dast-Kird, where we camped close to a -small stream. Unfortunately this stream was so -small, a mere trickle, that it would not suffice for the -animals, who had had insufficient water for the last -two or three days.</p> - -<p>These herds were some little distance behind, for, -poor brutes, they were feeling the heat and lack of -water terribly. We, therefore, proceeded to make -some provision for them, before their arrival, by -damming the stream, and trying to make a small -reservoir.</p> - -<p>The first animals to arrive were the battery mules, -who, when they smelt water, made a dash for it. -But they had scarcely begun to drink than a mass of -twelve thousand sheep and goats, also smelling water, -broke from their would-be shepherds, and, in a solid -phalanx, charged the mules, routed them, and took -possession of the water-supply. The men pulled -and tugged, and struck them with their rifles in their -endeavour to stampede them and drink themselves. -But those sheep knew the power of numbers and of -combination. With their heads well down they -slaked their thirst from a stream which, now that the -dam had been trodden down, had again become a -trickle, and they held that position, against all -comers, for twenty minutes. Poor beasts, they -paid for their orgy at the price of some two hundred -lives that night.</p> - -<p>Upon the following day we started on our return<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> -march to Khwash, and, upon our entry there, were -accorded a great reception, and the story of the fight -had to be told again and again.</p> - -<p>It was during this march that we began to realise -the extent of the Yarmahommedzai casualties in the -recent fighting; for, during the whole of it, from the -scene of the fight right through to Khwash, a -distance of about a hundred miles, not a single one -of the enemy did we see, nor was a solitary shot fired -at us.</p> - -<p>But I was still not quite satisfied with results. -We had not yet closely engaged and beaten the -Gamshadzais, nor had we put into operation that -deciding factor, the capture of their herds. On the -contrary, when we had attempted to pierce the -Saragan defile, they had forced us to retire.</p> - -<p>I have never yet been able to understand why -Halil Khan never brought his own force against us -near Gusht, but only the Yarmahommedzais, after -he had persuaded Jiand to let him lead the latter into -battle.</p> - -<p>It can only be supposed that he thought he had a -task easy enough to tackle with one lashkar, and that -he would not, in consequence, endanger his own -men's lives. The mystery is the deeper because he -had previously been at great pains to collect all his -scattered tribesmen, and had concentrated them in -the Safed-koh. Yet these men, even when news -reached them of our victory over Jiand's tribe and -of the death of their leader, never made the smallest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> -attempt to attack us or to reverse the decision of -arms.</p> - -<p>It will be understood, then, that while the -Gamshadzais remained unbeaten and their herds -intact, our claim to dominance in the Sarhad could -not be claimed as anything but partial. If, therefore, -we were to hope for lasting peace in the future, -they too must have a lesson.</p> - -<p>So, after a couple of days' rest at Khwash, we -marched out with our faces once more turned towards -Gusht, and with every hope of another victory. -The composition of the force was much the same as -that upon the previous occasion, but with the addition -of a few Chagai Levies under Major Hutchinson -(political officer).</p> - -<p>A couple of days' marching across the burning -plain found us camped at a place called Ab-i-kahugan, -lying in a small valley closely surrounded -by hills. The men were hot and weary, and, as -water had been scarce on the march, they were only -too thankful to fling themselves down and rest. -There were a small water hole and a few stunted -trees and shrubs under which a certain amount of -shade could be obtained.</p> - -<p>For myself I dropped down under one of these -bushes and slept well on into the afternoon. When -at last I woke, still feeling very done up with the -heat, I saw one or two flashes of lightning in the -distance, and felt certain that it was going to rain.</p> - -<p>I immediately got up and gave orders for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> -whole camp to be moved on to higher ground, and -selected a likely spot on one of the slopes of the -low hills surrounding the valley.</p> - -<p>The heat was still very great, and the effort -expended in striking and re-pitching camp was not -inconsiderable. The present camping-place was -also infinitely cooler and more comfortable.</p> - -<p>As an outcome of this order an officer reported -that the men were grumbling at having to move -when tired out with the heat and the heavy marching -of the last few days.</p> - -<p>I explained (for I knew by my own state how tired -and done the men must be) that I had a presentiment -that it was going to rain and that, if it did, -the dry valley-bed would soon be a running stream.</p> - -<p>The officer stared at me. "Rain?" he repeated, -as though he had not heard me aright. "But it -hardly ever rains in the Sarhad, and it has never -been known to rain in August."</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless," I replied, "this valley-bottom is -going to be turned upside down, and the sooner you -get your men out of it and up on to high ground the -better."</p> - -<p>The officer saluted and returned to his men, who -sulkily proceeded to carry up their kit and tents -and to form a new camp on the uncomfortable, -sloping sides of the hill.</p> - -<p>As I strolled about, seeing that my orders were -being carried out, I noticed that Major Hutchinson's -tent had been left in the bed of the valley. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> -walked up to it, found him dozing inside, and told -him to have his tent moved on to higher ground as -it was going to rain.</p> - -<p>He, however, demurred, saying that he was very -tired. He added, "It never rains in the month -of August in Baluchistan."</p> - -<p>I, however, remained firm, though the few light -clouds flecking the sky a short while before had -completely disappeared.</p> - -<p>Despite my stringent orders some of Major -Hutchinson's Chagai Levies apparently passed -unnoticed amongst the low scrub, and so remained -down in the shady comfort of the valley.</p> - -<p>As the evening wore on I began to feel that -perhaps I had been foolish in ignoring the dogmatic -statements of the men well acquainted with weather -conditions in the Sarhad, and was still chewing the -cud of this reflection when, suddenly, I heard a -roar in the distance. This came rapidly nearer, and -very quickly resolved itself into the sound of rushing -water. Almost before we realised it, a mighty spate -swept into the valley, literally filling it. The water -carried everything before it, and very soon small -trees, shrubs and débris were being hurled along -in a mighty rush.</p> - -<p>It was pretty evident that the rain foretold had -indeed fallen, though actually, in another part of -the hills, forming this spate, which would have caused -us serious loss but for my lucky premonition.</p> - -<p>Torrents of rain accompanied the spate, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> -the kit of the few Chagai Levies who had -neglected orders was carried away and never seen -again.</p> - -<p>As for the Levies themselves, they came within -an ace of losing their own lives, and only saved -themselves by clambering into the branches of some -stunted trees, and waiting there till rescued. Nor -was the rescue-work done without considerable risk -to the rescuers.</p> - -<p>The Sarhad-dar had, for some reason, been down -in the valley-bed when the spate arrived, and had -been nearly drawn under during the first few minutes. -But he too, fortunately, managed to climb into a low -tree, where for some time his position was perilous -enough, for the swirling waters threatened every -minute to snap or uproot the trunk, when he would -have been carried away.</p> - -<p>It was pitch dark when the spate arrived. I had -seized a hurricane lamp from my tent and was -watching the amazing scene by its light, when I heard -the Sarhad-dar's voice shouting for help. One of -our resourceful Rekis instantly grasped the situation. -He jumped on to one of the horses tethered close -by, urged him into the flood, and soon had the -Sarhad-dar safely beside me on the high ground. -He was later on recommended for the Royal -Humane Society's Medal.</p> - -<p>The next morning, as soon as I was awake, my -tent was besieged by the Hazaras. They crowded -round, asking me to come out. So slipping into my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> -kit I emerged with the intention of asking them what -they wanted.</p> - -<p>But I had scarcely lifted the tent-flap when they -all raised a shout, and then proceeded to tell me that -I was a Buzurg (prophet), that they all owed their -lives to me, and had come to thank me.</p> - -<p>I replied with proper solemnity. It was undeniable, -I said, that I was a prophet, for had they not -recently had two concrete instances of my powers?</p> - -<p>Later on, Major Hutchinson, in thanking me for -saving his life, asked: "How did you know it was -going to rain?"</p> - -<p>I laughingly replied, "Because I'm a prophet, -my son! Didn't you hear the Hazaras proclaim it -just now?"</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact we had very great reason to -be thankful for our escape. The loss of the whole -of our camp equipment, and of hundreds of our -animals, would have been inevitable had the camp -remained on its original site.</p> - -<p>The day following this incident we marched -through Gusht again, and camped on the site of our -recent engagement.</p> - -<p>From here we resumed our march in the direction -of Zaiti, a camping ground lying just beyond the -Saragan defile. But though we started at five a.m., -met with no opposition and reckoned the distance -only about twelve miles, we were not through the -defile before midnight.</p> - -<p>It must have been at about this hour that I called<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> -one of the native Hazara officers to my side, and -remarked, "Your men were very disappointed the -other day when we tried to force the pass, and the -order was given to retire. You remember, they said -they were convinced they could have got through, -even with the heavy opposition we encountered. -Do you think, now they've seen what it's really like, -they are satisfied that the order was a necessary -one?"</p> - -<p>"Sahib," he replied, "of course we all see now -that we could have done nothing in such a place -against a determined enemy. I have never been -through such a place in my life, and I am used to -rough and difficult country."</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact the defile was so narrow in -places that a loaded camel could not get through it. -Fortunately we had a quantity of gun cotton with us, -so were able to blast the rocks here and there, and -thus make the passage possible for them without -unloading.</p> - -<p>In due course we arrived at the village of Sinukan, -a place some eleven miles from Jalk. Jalk at the -time was a Gamshadzai stronghold, where they held -two forts of some strength.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i248" id="i248"></a> -<img src="images/i248.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -HAZARA PIONEERS WIDENING A PASSAGE FOR LOADED CAMELS.</div> -</div> - -<p>At Sinukan I received a message from the -Gamshadzais saying that they wished to treat with -me, and asking whether I would go into Jalk and state -my terms. If these were acceptable, they said, they -would instantly submit, but, if not, they undertook to -withdraw their forces to a distance of five miles on -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>the farther side of Jalk, provided we also withdrew -five miles from the town on our side. This -suggestion was made in order to give us both time -to make our respective dispositions before fighting -commenced.</p> - -<p>An answer was sent to say that I agreed to the -conditions, and that my force would come at once -into Jalk to meet the Chiefs and present my terms to -them.</p> - -<p>I would say here that these terms were not drastic. -They were only bare necessary safeguards for the -lasting peace of the Sarhad. On their presentation, -therefore, and for a time during the discussion, I -hoped that counsels of wisdom would prevail, and -that they would be accepted <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">in toto</i>. At the -last minute, however, the hotheads over-ruled the -moderates and they were formally rejected.</p> - -<p>On this rejection I warned them that, if they -persisted in their refusal, it meant fighting, and -their reply was that they fully recognised the -gravity of their decision, but that they meant to -abide by it.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, we retired not only five miles but -the whole eleven miles back to Sinukan. My reason -for this action was that I had already thought out -a plan by which it might be possible to subdue these -warlike tribesmen without the fighting I was naturally -anxious to avoid. I certainly did not want to lose -my own men, nor did I wish to make casualties of -any more of the Sarhadis. My chief object had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> -been, throughout, and, as has already been mentioned -in this narrative, to make friends with them in -the long run.</p> - -<p>But no race, white or coloured, ever held in -respect man or government showing weakness or -indecision, and, as the foregoing pages prove, it was -of little use attempting to make friends with these -tribesmen without first inspiring them with a wholesome -respect for British arms.</p> - -<p>As we approached Sinukan I directed my Brigade -Major to form two separate camps as I wished to -seize Jalk by surprise that night with a portion of -my force. My idea was to leave my transport and -other encumbrances under a sufficient guard at -Sinukan and with the remainder to move off secretly -to carry out my intentions. Great care was taken -to keep my idea secret, and only a few officers knew -my intention. So well was the secret kept that my -personal servant, Allah-dad, brought me my tea next -morning only to find my bed empty.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a name="i252" id="i252"></a> -<img src="images/i252.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -<ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'CHAHQIRD'">CHAHGIRD</ins> FORT IN JALK.</div> -</div> - -<p>At midnight, very quietly we roused the troops -and marched off. Before dawn we arrived outside -the town. It was only at the very last moment that -the Gamshadzais, who had learned that I had gone -straight back to Sinukan, and, in consequence, had -not anticipated an attack that night, got wind of our -approach. They were, therefore, taken completely -by surprise, and utterly lost their heads. As we -charged into the place with the cavalry they all took -to their heels and rushed out on the other side, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>leaving many arms behind them. Within a very -few minutes the two forts were in our hands.</p> - -<p>My men soon rounded up the few Gamshadzais -who had remained in the place, which seemed otherwise -to be full of women and children.</p> - -<p>To my embarrassment three large <em>ramas</em> of -weeping women and children were presently led up -to where I was sitting under a tree on the bank of a -stream. I was then informed that they were all -mine.</p> - -<p>Some of them, in tears, asked me what I was going -to do with them.</p> - -<p>I replied, "I don't know. But at any rate I am -English and not a German. What would you like -me to do with you?"</p> - -<p>They seemed bewildered at first, and without -understanding, but when I assured them that I was -speaking seriously, and really wanted to know what -they would like to do, they soon found their tongues -and made known the fact that they would like to go -to their own homes.</p> - -<p>"Is that all?" I replied. "Well then, go."</p> - -<p>Their faces which, at first, shone with joy soon fell -again. "But, Sahib, we have nothing left. You -have captured all our possessions."</p> - -<p>"But I don't want them," I returned. "Take -everything that is yours and go."</p> - -<p>Their thanks were then overwhelming, but I cut -them short. "Wait a bit before you thank me so -much. No Englishman ever makes war against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> -woman and children—but there are your men. If I -catch them, after all the trouble they've given me, I -shall certainly kill them."</p> - -<p>"Kill them then, Sahib," they said scornfully. -"They deserted us, and ran away, when you and -your lashkar came in. It is all they deserve."</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact I learned, soon afterwards, that -the Gamshadzais had not only run out of Jalk, but -right out of the Sarhad, to take refuge in other -districts. By thus evacuating their own country they -acknowledged their final defeat.</p> - -<p>It is reasonable to suppose that this humiliating -end to their opposition would never have occurred -had Halil Khan been alive. He, at least, would -have been game to the last. He would have died -fighting at Jalk—as he had indeed died at Gusht—or -he would have surrendered with dignity. Halil -Khan was a fine man, and without his leadership the -spirit of his men at first faltered and then failed.</p> - -<p>It seemed then that, by this last action with the -Gamshadzais, the prestige of the British had been -completely restored throughout the Sarhad. In the -West, Juma Khan, leader of the Ismailzais, had -faithfully kept his word to, and had demonstrated his -friendship and loyalty for, the British cause, ever -since he had pledged both at Kacha. In the centre -of the district the Yarmahommedzais had been -completely defeated in open action. In the East the -Gamshadzais had abandoned their arms and had -bolted from the country.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was now nothing left to be done.</p> - -<p>We, therefore, returned, marching easily to -Khwash, where, very shortly after our arrival, I -received letters from both the Yarmahommedzais -and Gamshadzais asking to be allowed to return to -their respective homes in the Sarhad, and on any -terms that might be imposed.</p> - -<p>I had had eight months of continual work in the -hot weather of the Sarhad and was very near the -end of my tether. As a fact I was, by that time, -suffering badly in health in many ways, and our -medical officer insisted upon an immediate return to -India for a long rest.</p> - -<p>As the Sarhad was now completely ours, and as -it only remained for the political officers to dictate -terms to the tribes, I listened to the advice of that -medical officer, applied for leave to return to Simla, -and was, in due course, granted it.</p> - -<p>But, though the need for rest in a cooler climate -was urgent, it was with real regret that I said goodbye -to Khwash, the centre of so many hopes and -fears, and the scene of such dramatic happenings.</p> - - -<p class="p4" /> -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span><br /> - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<h2><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a><a href="#CONTENTS">INDEX</a></h2> - -<p class="noindent fs80"> -<a name="AK" id="AK"></a> -<ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'Ab-i-Kahugan'">Ab-i-kahugan</ins>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a><br /> -<br /> -Allah-dad (the author's servant), <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, - <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a><br /> -<br /> -Allan (the author's chauffeur), <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, - <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, - <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, - <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, - <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, - <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Baghdad, <a href="#Page_48">48</a><br /> -<br /> -Baluch Raiders, <a href="#Page_21">21</a><br /> -<br /> -Bampur, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a><br /> -<br /> -Bampur, Khan of, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a><br /> -<br /> -Birjand, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a><br /> -<br /> -Borgar, <a href="#Page_31">31</a><br /> -<br /> -Bream, Lieutenant, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a><br /> -<br /> -Brownlow, Captain, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Chagai Levies, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, - <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, - <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a><br /> -<br /> -Chitral, <a href="#Page_38">38</a><br /> -<br /> -Claridge Colonel, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, - <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Dale, Colonel, <a href="#Page_181">181</a><br /> -<br /> -Dast-Kird, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, - <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a><br /> -<br /> -Dew, Colonel, <a href="#Page_84">84</a><br /> -<br /> -Duff, General Sir Beauchamp, <a href="#Page_47">47</a><br /> -<br /> -Duzd-ab Plain, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Eastwick, Mr., <a href="#Page_48">48</a><br /> -<br /> -English, Captain, R.A., <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Galahad (the author's horse), <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a><br /> -<br /> -Galugan, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, - <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a><br /> -<br /> -Gamshadzais, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, - <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, - <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, - <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, - <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a><br /> -<br /> -Grover, General, <a href="#Page_20">20</a><br /> -<br /> -Gul-Bibi, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, - <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a><br /> -<br /> -Gusht, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, - <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, - <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br /> -<br /> -"Gushti," 188, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a><br /> -<br /> -Gwarko, <a href="#Page_86">86</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Halil, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br /> -<br /> -Halil Khan, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, - <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, - <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, - <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, - <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, - <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, - <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, - <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br /> -<br /> -Hazara Pioneers, 106th, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, - <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, - <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, - <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a><br /> -<br /> -Hazara tribes, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br /> -<br /> -Herat, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br /> -<br /> -Hirst, Captain, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a><br /> -<br /> -Hutchinson, Major, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Ibrahim, <a href="#Page_41">41</a><br /> -<br /> -Idu, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, - <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, - <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, - <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, - <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, - <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, - <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, - <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, - <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, - <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, - <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, - <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a><br /> -<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> -Ismailzais, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, - <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br /> -<br /> -Izzat, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, - <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, - <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Jalk, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, - <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br /> -<br /> -Jiand Khan, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, - <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, - <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, - <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, - <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, - <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, - <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, - <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, - <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, - <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, - <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, - <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, - <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, - <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, - <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, - <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, - <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, - <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a><br /> -<br /> -Jujak, <a href="#Page_106">106</a><br /> -<br /> -Juma Khan, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, - <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, - <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, - <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Kacha, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, - <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, - <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, - <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, - <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br /> -<br /> -Kamalabad, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, - <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, - <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, - <a href="#Page_189">189</a><br /> -<br /> -Karsimabad, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, - <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br /> -<br /> -Kerman, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br /> -<br /> -Khan Bahadur. <em>See</em> the <a href="#SD">Sarhad-dar</a>.<br /> -<br /> -Khwash, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, - <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, - <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, - <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, - <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, - <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, - <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, - <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, - <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, - <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, - <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, - <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, - <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a><br /> -<br /> -Khwashis, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, - <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, - <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a><br /> -<br /> -Kirkpatrick, General, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a><br /> -<br /> -Kitson, General Sir Gerald, <a href="#Page_19">19</a><br /> -<br /> -Koh-i-Bazman, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a><br /> -<br /> -Koh-i-Jiandsiah, <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /> -<br /> -Koh-i-Taftan, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, - <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, - <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> -<br /> -Korasan, <a href="#Page_16">16</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Ladis, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a><br /> -<br /> -Landon, Major, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, - <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, - <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, - <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, - <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, - <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, - <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><br /> -<br /> -Lang, Major, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a><br /> -<br /> -Light Cavalry, 28th, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a><br /> -<br /> -Lut Desert, <a href="#Page_16">16</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -MacGowan, Major, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a><br /> -<br /> -Mahommed-Hassan, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, - <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a><br /> -<br /> -Makn-tuk, <a href="#Page_192">192</a><br /> -<br /> -Makran, <a href="#Page_84">84</a><br /> -<br /> -Meshed, <a href="#Page_42">42</a><br /> -<br /> -Middlesex, 9th, <a href="#Page_19">19</a><br /> -<br /> -Mirjawa, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a><br /> -<br /> -Mirza Khan, <a href="#Page_82">82</a><br /> -<br /> -<a name="ML" id="ML"></a> -<ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'Mourlain'">Moore-Lane</ins>, Captain, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a><br /> -<br /> -Morpeish Hills, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, - <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, - <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a><br /> -<br /> -Murad, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, - <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br /> -<br /> -<a name="MU" id="MU"></a> -<ins class="corr" title="Transcriber's Note—Original text: 'Mushkichah'">Mushki-chah</ins>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Narmashir, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a><br /> -<br /> -Nasaratabad, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, - <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a><br /> -<br /> -Nasaratabad-sippi, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a><br /> -<br /> -Nur-Mahommed, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br /> -<br /> -Nushki, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, - <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Oxus River, <a href="#Page_38">38</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Pamirs, <a href="#Page_38">38</a><br /> -<br /> -Persian Gulf, <a href="#Page_84">84</a><br /> -<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> -Pindi, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a><br /> -<br /> -Pioneers, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>th, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a><br /> -<br /> -Punjab Infantry, 19th, <a href="#Page_52">52</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Quetta, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Rekis, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, - <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, - <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, - <a href="#Page_212">212</a><br /> -<br /> -Robat, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, - <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, - <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, - <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, - <a href="#Page_193">193</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Safed-koh, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br /> -<br /> -Saindak, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, - <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, - <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a><br /> -<br /> -Sanders, Major, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, - <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, - <a href="#Page_196">196</a><br /> -<br /> -Saragan defile, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a><br /> -<br /> -Sarhad, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, - <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, - <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, - <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, - <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, - <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, - <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a><br /> -<br /> -<a name="SD" id="SD"></a> -Sarhad-dar, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, - <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, - <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, - <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, - <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a><br /> -<br /> -Sar-i-drokan, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, - <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a><br /> -<br /> -Scinde Horse, 35th, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a><br /> -<br /> -Seistan, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a><br /> -<br /> -Shah Sawar, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, - <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, - <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, - <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, - <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a><br /> -<br /> -Shiah Mahommedans, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a><br /> -<br /> -Sikhs, 36th, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><br /> -<br /> -Simla, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a><br /> -<br /> -Sinukan, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a><br /> -<br /> -Sunni Mahommedans, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Takht-i-Jinikan, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a><br /> -<br /> -Teheran, <a href="#Page_48">48</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Webb-Ware route, <a href="#Page_32">32</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Yadgar, <a href="#Page_26">26</a><br /> -<br /> -Yarmahommedzais, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, - <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, - <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, - <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, - <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, - <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a><br /> -<br /> -Yates, Lieutenant, <a href="#Page_53">53</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Zaiti, <a href="#Page_213">213</a><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="p4" /> -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="p4" /> - -<p class="center fs60"> -PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY<br /> -<span class="small">THE NORTHUMBERLAND PRESS, LIMITED</span><br /> -WATERLOO HOUSE, THORNTON STREET<br /> -NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE<br /> -</p> - -<p class="p4" /> -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<div class="transnote"> -<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE</strong></p> - -<p class="customcover">The cover image was created by the transcriber -and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been -corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within -the text and consultation of external sources.</p> - -<p>Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, -and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. For example, -despatch; Sherif; townless; rarified; hill-side, hillside; night-fall, -nightfall; koh-i-Taftan, koh-i-taftan.</p> - -<p> -<a href="#Page_10">Pg 10</a> Table of Contents: 'Sharhad-dar' replaced by 'Sarhad-dar'.<br /> -<a href="#Page_124">Pg 124</a>: 'he he said' replaced by 'he said'.<br /> -<a href="#Page_172">Pg 172</a> Illustration caption: 'KACHHA' replaced by 'KACHA'.<br /> -<a href="#Page_184">Pg 184</a> Illustration caption: 'GHUSHT' replaced by 'GUSHT'.<br /> -<a href="#Page_201">Pg 201</a>: 'Sharhad-dar' replaced by 'Sarhad-dar'.<br /> -<a href="#Page_201">Pg 201</a>: 'Reki scout' replaced by 'Reki scouts'.<br /> -<a href="#Page_216">Pg 216</a> Illustration caption: 'CHAHQIRD' replaced by 'CHAHGIRD'.<br /> -<a href="#AK">Index</a>: 'Ab-i-Kahugan' replaced by 'Ab-i-kahugan'.<br /> -<a href="#ML">Index</a>: 'Mourlain, Captain, 5' replaced by 'Moore-Lane, Captain, 5, 185'<br /> -<a href="#MU">Index</a>: 'Mushkichah' replaced by 'Mushki-chah'.<br /> -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 51070-h.htm or 51070-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/1/0/7/51070">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/0/7/51070</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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