A rule existed requiring a language test, but it had seldom been enforced, certainly not in the case of 'acting appointments,' so that this refusal came as a great blow to me.

It had, however, excellent results, for it made me determined to pass in Hindustani.

It was then May, and in July the half-yearly examination was to be held.

I forthwith engaged the best _munshi_[11] at Peshawar, shut myself up, and studied Indian literature from morning till night, until I felt pretty confident of success.
Just before the examination took place, the officer who had stepped into my shoes when I was turned out (Lieutenant Mordaunt Fitz-Gerald, of my own regiment) was offered an appointment in the Punjab Frontier Force.

He consulted me as to the advisability of accepting it, and I told him I thought he ought not to do so.