1845.] An account of the Early Abdatees. 463 



grandson of Saleh, might be sent for. On his arrival, he thus made 

 known his wishes to the couple : " My recovery is out of the question : 

 therefore, as Sarmast-khan is but a boy, I appoint you, Bakhtyar- 

 khan, his guardian ; let him follow my example. And do you, Sarmast, 

 attend to the advice of Bakhtyar-khan, and appoint him your deputy 

 should you ever be absent from your tribe ; and, remember, be liberal. 

 I have spent my life as heart could desire ; I have nothing to regret not 

 having done. I have so behaved to the tribe, foes, and friends, that they 

 will never forget me. If a friend and a foe quarrelled in my presence, I 

 never decided so, that favor if existing should appear ; and at other pro- 

 per times, I have so treated my friend, that the people nocked to him ; so 

 that whenever a foe appeared, so many friends arose for me, that he 

 became powerless. If any one in the tribe belied another, or aspersed 

 his character, I never publicly exposed either, or lowered a friend in the 

 eyes of the people." 



Sher-khan died three days after this. Sarmast-khan faithfully followed 

 the precepts his father had taught him. He lived in all 50 years. He had 

 three sons, Doulat-khan, and two others whose names are not known, 

 as they died without issue. 



On the death of Sarmast-khan, as Doulat-khan was quite a boy, 

 Haiyat Sultan succeeded to the chiefship of the tribe. He was a cou- 

 sin of Sarmast-khan's. He also conducted all communications with the 

 Beglar-begee of Candahar. 



This latter once made a feast, and invited to it all the Afghan chiefs, 

 Kat-khudahs and Sar-khels, to meet his own Moghul Sardars. Wine was 

 introduced, and ceremony thrown aside. Haiyat Sultan and the other 

 Afghans were induced to join in the revelry, and, as they were not so 

 accustomed to the juice of the grape as their entertainers, soon got in- 

 toxicated. From the praises of wine it was not long before the com- 

 pany entered upon the praises of woman ; each party, of course, becoming 

 the champions of its own countrywomen. At last proposals for inter- 

 marriages were made, and agreed to by both parties. Seven Afghan 

 daughters were betrothed by name to as many of the Persian officers, 

 and vice versa, and dresses of honor were given to their Afghan fathers- 

 in-law that were to be. Next morning Haiyat Sultan on getting sober, 

 became painfully aware how he and his companions had committed 

 themselves, and was at a loss how to leave Candahar. In this dilemma 



