would be forcibly overcome; but that if, as was expected, help was given, the tribe would be handsomely rewarded. If at the same time a regiment had been sent to Dràband, the Shiranis would have seen that Government would stand no trifling – would have at once bowed to the inevitable, and have striven by good service to make what money they could out of the expedition. Government, however, was constrained, owing to the non-interference policy which was again supreme, to lay down the preliminary conditions it imposed as to tribal consent and the surrender of hostages. The shortness of the time allowed for making arrangements gave me no choice but to act as I did. Until convinced that force is about to be used, an Afghan tribe is as dilatory and evasive as the Porte in either concluding or carrying out an arrangement not entirely to its own liking. Even when force is used, finesse is often required. In the Umbeyla campaign of 1863, in which a combination of tribes defied a force of 6000 of our troops for two months, and cost us a loss of 900 men, the coalition was not broken up until mutual distrust was sown amongst the leaders of the enemy by various devices, one of which, for its simplicity and success, deserves mention. Instead of receiving a deputation publicly, the political officer sent for the leading chief alone into his tent, and told him to sit down. The chief did so, whereupon the political officer, without saying another word, went on with his writing for twenty minutes or so, and then looking up remarked to the chief, "I hope your parrot is well?" and dismissed him.
On his rejoining the other members of the deputation, they asked him to narrate what had happened. He told them the truth. Not a man believed him. He was discredited and distrusted from that hour, as all thought that he and his tribe had been bought over, and would betray them.
But to return to Takht-i-Suliman affairs.
When the number of hostages had been agreed to, and a route fixed, which was known to be the easiest though most circuitous, and was supposed to have drinkable water at convenient stages, the question of carriage was discussed. I was prepared for disappointment, and already making other arrangements. It was, however, advisable to throw the odium of failing to take advantage of a seemingly reasonable offer on the Shiranis. The offer was accordingly made. They met it by asking exorbitant terms and raising absurd difficulties. Thus one greybeard boldly asserted that their oxen were so self-willed that unless each animal's tail was twisted by its particular owner it would lie down. Was I then prepared to feed 2000 Shiranis? I closed matters by replying sharply that I would not have such useless animals at all. They had been given the chance of making many thousand rupees, but as they had failed to appreciate it, their enemies the Nasar Powindahs would be employed.
The fact was, I had become convinced that the General's objections to Shirani carriage were insuperable. By employing them he had pointed out that we should be at their mercy at any time. The Nasars, could they be persuaded for their own profit to undertake the work, would do it well. They are a leading clan amongst a great tribe of warrior traders and graziers, collectively known as Powindahs, who for centuries past have led the life they are leading
