As we rode back friends were as thick as summer flies, and levies began from that moment to come in.' The Subadar-Major of the 51st--one of the four regiments disarmed--had a few days before written to the men of the 64th, who were divided amongst the outposts, calling upon them to return to Peshawar in time to join in the revolt fixed for the 22nd May.

The letter ran; 'In whatever way you can manage it, come into Peshawar on the 21st instant.

Thoroughly understand that point! In fact, eat there and drink here.' The rapidity with which the disarmament had been carried through spoilt the Subadar-Major's little game; he had, however, gone too far to draw back, and on the night of the 22nd he deserted, taking with him 250 men of the regiment.

His hopes were a second time doomed to disappointment.

However welcome 250 muskets might have been to the Afridis, 250 unarmed sepoys were no prize; and as our neighbours in the hills had evidently come to the conclusion that our _raj_ was not in such a desperate state as they had imagined, and that their best policy was to side with us, they caught the deserters, with the assistance of the district police, and made them over to the authorities.