226 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



several villages lying on either bank of the Cabul 

 river north of Dakka, paying the Ameer a lump sum 

 of about one-fourth of the full amount collected. In 

 exchange for this he is permitted to govern the Moh- 

 munds as he pleases, and is allowed to keep up a 

 small force of infantry and cavalry, from which he 

 is bound to supply a contingent to the Ameer in 

 time of war, in addition to a body of militia or levies, 

 generally raised among the more independent section 

 of the tribe. He still claims a supremacy over the 

 whole of the Mohmunds, but these dispute his right 

 whenever possible. When he is otherwise engaged, 

 he leaves the various sections to themselves ; but so 

 soon as he finds himself able to assert his right, or 

 to interfere, he compels submission in peculiarly 

 oriental style. Watching his opportunity when the 

 smaller sections in any of the valleys are at feud 

 amongst themselves, he secures an invitation as 

 arbitrator ; proceeds to the valley with as many 

 troops as he can muster, and settling down as a 

 guest in some central position, levies contributions 

 of food and money all round, till his now loyal sub- 

 jects are tired of his exactions, pay up arrears of 

 revenue, swear fealty, and escort him back to his 

 home with every token of respect and affection. 

 Despite these little disagreements, however, the 

 various sections never completely denied the right 

 of supremacy till the instalment of Mahmood Shah 

 Khan, the present ruler, by the orders of the late 



