256 AFOOT THROUGH THE 



girls for the Imperial harem, they were married as 

 children and then hidden to save them from a terrible 

 fate. 



The mention of some event in the second Sikh war 

 brought into prominence the familiarity of the native 

 with all the principal dates of our occupation and know- 

 ledge of its history. The discussion began to lack 

 interest; it caught fresh fire from the sergeant's 

 summing-up " Jolly glad you'd all be to kick us out 

 again." The unconscious discourtesy and tactlessness 

 were blatantly British. Pat came the protest, so self- 

 evident as to be almost proverbial, the Sikh speaking 

 pompously, a trifle priggishly, as is the immemorial 

 custom of natives when they utter a truism. He 

 was sincere, however, " Why should we ? Are we so 

 powerful that we could subdue the hated Mahomedans, 

 or would they again make cause with the Mahrattis? 

 When to uphold liberty's sacred cause would you find 

 the Pathans or Bengalis fighting against your ' glorious * 

 government ? " (I am sorry to note that the sergeant 

 sniggled audibly at the qualifier.) "Your Government 

 says, ' each man follow his own religion, don't be fools 

 and make riot with each other, and then we will not 

 interfere with you.' Your government very strong, and 

 your soldiers well armed," he added significantly. 



A common thought struck them. " But the 

 Russians," suggested Mr. Atkins, feeling himself 

 a politician. The Sikh's face grew stern; he 

 had come to facts, and, after all, for a soldier 

 these were worth more than argument, though 

 a native's subtle mind seizes on these with avidity. 

 ' You have heard of Penjdeh, Sir Peter Lumsden, 

 the Pamir delimitation ? " The sergeant nodded ; 



