AMONG THE AFFGHANS. 237 



Englishman as a dangerous enemy to domestic peace. 

 When first the troops invaded Afghanistan, the sight 

 of a British escort was the signal for every woman 

 and child to fly to the nearest rocks ; but ere two 

 months had passed, the feeling had so completely 

 changed, that it was found difficult at times to turn 

 the women and children away from the vicinity of 

 towers doomed to destruction. They remained fear- 

 lessly in the villages round which our troops en- 

 camped, and brought commodities for sale into the 

 camps with perfect confidence. More than one chief 

 remarked to the present writer, during his wanderings 

 amongst them, that never before had they heard or 

 read of an army so gentle and so courteous to enemies 

 and friends alike. 



Two or three trips through the country were 

 necessary before all required was finished ; and as 

 these experiences may help to elucidate the peculiar 

 characteristics of the tribes which have lately come 

 under British sway, we may be excused for dwelling 

 on them. 



A second trip had been arranged for, and in due 

 time we again started, accompanied by a Mr Sinclair, 

 assistant-commissioner, since dead. We were escorted 

 by a company of native infantry, as on the former 

 trip. This escort would not have been sufficient if 

 the trips had not been invited by the inhabitants : 

 these indeed would perhaps have preferred having 

 the Englishmen without other escort than their own 



