AMANULLAH

Most of them were kept outside the gardens. They did
not possess the qualifications of European clothes for
entry within the gates.

The police were having high holiday. A dozen argu-
ments, accompanied by the persuasion of their staves
for emphasis, were taking place in the confines of the
square. The troops elbowed their way through. Even
the perpetual moroseness of Pierri was lifted from his
shoulders for the moment.

Our bus clattered its way down the hilL We were
covered in dust, and many times escaped by a miracle
from the murder of an inoffensive group of citizens.
Eventually we arrived at the parade ground. The band
was once more playing the National Anthem.

Seated on a special platform, Amanullah and the
privileged group of foreign delegates were watching the
first of the military events. This was a contest of
marksmanship, and the King watched through his field
glasses with a close interest as the results were put up
on an indication board.

They were good, these crack shots from the Army.
Even the Turkish officers who competed could not beat
them. They were using Italian rifles, and after the un-
certainty of the home-made products they were scoring
consistently and well* Amanullah was delighted, I
could hear him explaining to Sir Francis and to
Stark, his neighbours, as the results came up on the
board.

His other diversion was his cine-camera, which he had
brought back as one of the prizes of his European visit.
He stood up in his place and swung it often round the
assembled company. The King was pleased, to be the
film-man from his throne. He was the boy again,
revelling in the sports that had always been his
favourites.

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