PREFACE 



THESE papers were written during the 

 Afghan War, and made the dtbut in 

 the Times of India. They come on the stage 

 again in answer to what vanity fancied was 

 an encore. Perhaps it was the voice of the 

 Scotchman crying, " Ong-core ! Ong-core ! 

 We'll hae nae mair o' that." 



