AMONG THE AFFGHANS. 279 



bare rocky slope, till attaining a height of 8000 feet. 

 Here the slope upwards was more gradual, and our 

 way lay over green flats covered with soft grass, and 

 dotted with many wild flowers, tulips, and daisies 

 and lilies, and among forests of stunted oaks. This 

 continued till we reached the skirts of the pine- 

 forests, at an elevation of about 9500 feet. As we 

 had been sketching the country en route as we came 

 along, it was near evening, and we determined to 

 halt for the night near some tent-dwellings of nomad 

 shepherds, where our escort were sure of a good even- 

 ing meal of mutton and fresh milk. We were 011 

 the crest of a long spur, and below our right lay a 

 deep mountain gorge forming the boundary-line be- 

 tween Ivhugiani and Ghilzai country. Below us we 

 could see some hamlets of the Ghilzai village of 

 Lokau, and it was just possible that we might find 

 ourselves attacked at night; so we chose a strong 

 position on the crest of a precipice, and lay down to 

 sleep about ten at night, close under a long, low wall, 

 intended to be utilised as a breastwork if needed. 

 The air was fresh and cold, and, being obliged to put 

 out our fires for fear of stray shots, we were glad to 

 roll ourselves well up in our blankets. We slept on 

 quietly till about 3 A.M., when some shots rang in the 

 air, echoed far and near among the mountains, and 

 roused us all in a moment. Of course, we thought 

 we were in for a row, and the first thing we noticed 

 was the young Khan standing by me with drawn 



