EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

walls in the dusk, and conducted into safety several
European women who were afraid to move from their
houses. Food was scarce in the Legation, but every-
thing had been long ago arranged in case of such a
catastrophe, and it was assured by secret messages
from the British Mnister that the tinned food kept m
stock would last a considerable time.

The interior of the Legation took on the character of
an overcrowded but orderly fort. Women slept in the
basement, and their comfort and their morale was well
cared for by Lady Humphrys. Sandbags were prepared
in case of dire need, and the women were set to work
making bandages in the event of any of the guards
being bit when the real attack on the Royal Palace,
now hourly awaited, should begin.

It was hardly thought that the rebels would turn their
attention to the British Legation, and Sir Francis
Humphrys was in full confidence that he would be able
to keep British territory free from molestation. It was,
however, as well to be on the safe side, and the grisly
history of Englishmen in Kabul must have caused him
some anxious forebodings.

The Legation was particularly liable to the stray
shots from both sides. Sir Francis knew enough about
the mechanical efficiency of both Afghan tribesmen
and Government troops to be aware that very many
of the shells from the artillery, when brought into
use, would fall sadly astray. It ™as hardly to be
expected that the British Legation, so unfortunately
placed between the two opposing sides, would escape
scot-free.

Two days before Christmas a decisive decision was
made. Some days before that I had heard a rumour
in India that the women would be evacuated by aero-
plane. It was, indeed, strongly felt in India that such

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