A Day in Chitral 1 7 



They generally affect the greatest reluctance to 

 do so, and though there are few Chitralis that 

 are not really proficients, a forced performance 

 of this sort causes them unlimited shame, and 

 they kick up their heels and wave their arms 

 in an exaggerated failure to imitate the more 

 or less graceful dance of the country. Chitralis 

 of even the highest rank are not excused, and 

 officials holding appointments corresponding to 

 those of our Prime Minister and Commander-in- 

 Chief may on occasions be seen capering about 

 for the edification of the crowd. Sometimes in- 

 stead of dancing they have to pay forfeit. I 

 once saw the Mehtar's foster-brother, a fine 

 handsome youth in big Afghan boots and a 

 flowing robe of Bokhara silk, decline to dance. 

 He was accordingly made to stand on a high 

 stone, his cap was doffed for him, and the crier, 

 addressing himself to the crowd of women that 

 lined the walls, proclaimed in a loud voice, " Oh 

 ladies, here you see the Mehtar's own foster-brother, 

 a beautiful youth that we hear is more at home 

 in the boudoir than he is on the polo-ground." 

 The regular dancing followed, and by the time 

 all was over, the sun was sunk behind the 

 purple mountains, a faint rosy light only linger- 

 ing on the highest snow-peaks; by-and-by this 

 also faded and grew cold, the call to even- 



B 



