EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

raiders collected their precious new rifles and openly
issued a challenge to the King whom they had called
Kafir, or Infidel.

Their next advance was on the Royal Palace, now
unguarded, and in the dawn they revelled in such a
glorious welter of destruction that even the Plain was
lit for miles around by the flames from that ornate,
well-stocked, and pleasant building. The red glow
showed the demented bands of tribesmen holding orgy
of destruction among the " infidel's " Western imports.
Furniture from Regent Street, brocades from Bond
Street, carpets from the Rue de la Paix, costly presents
from the crowned heads and the Presidents of Europe,
were piled on the hungry flames.

Revenge was sweet and savage. The tribesmen yelled
their ecstasy, piled more and more on the flames, and
triumphed in the greatness of Allah who had given them
this reward for their patience. For two days the flames
did their work, and then the wrecked and pillaged city,
razed to the ground, became the feasting ground of the
vultures. The tribesmen departed, with a burnt and
blackened city as their challenge to Amanullah.

His reply was the suggestion of a jirga, and a truce.
It was, indeed, officially held, though it is doubtful
whether very many of the insurgents heard about it.
From the Arg, the great fort which is part of the Kabul
Palace grounds, he issued a new declaration cancelling
some of his latest edicts. But it was too late. The
effect was nil.

At one stroke he abolished the law decreeing European
clothing in Kabul. But this was in the manner of an
anti-climax, for there were few who remained faithful
to the law in these days. He further abolished his
objectionable decree prohibiting polygamy among the
officials of the State. He tried to patch up a truce with

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