This page needs to be proofread.
THE CLOSURE OF AFGHANISTAN 205
now founded the dynasty of the Amirs, who, for nearly
one hundred and fifty years, have been the chiefs of
a group of tribes firmly planted in the mountains and
valleys of Afghanistan. This rugged highland country
MOUNTAIN TRIBES OF THE AFGHAN BORDER.
blocks all the roads from the Oxus and Northeastern
Persia into India; it is a country of free and martial
races, strong enough to make a great civilized state
think twice before attacking them, too weak and poor
