EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

the outcast in the exciting and pleasure-loving capital
any more.

The wine shops were full. The brothels were the scene
day and night of uproarious, fighting crowds. The shop-
keepers kept a wary eye on the temper of the mob.
The money-changers hid their golden and copper heaps
away from the sight of men. There were no police.
They had reverted to civilian clothes and civilian occu-
pations. Kabul was on the spree in its own bloodthirsty
way.

There are no figures of the casualties on either side.
It is fair to assume that they did not reach any startling
number* Eye-witnesses have said, however, that the
streets were foul with the dead bodies, and it can be
assured that arrangements for the succour of the
wounded were not very elaborate. They died where
they had fallen.

Every public service was neglected* The water supply
was long since cut. The streets were left with their
debris unmoved. The ponies that drew the little native
carts through the bazaar often shied at a body lying in
the gutter.

The electric light soon failed. Nobody minded.
Kabul reverted to its customary state. Everyone was
very happy, very boastful, very bloodthirsty when
thought was given to the remnants of Amanullah's
defenders, and remarkably bawdy in language and
deed.

The battle grew fiercer and more concentrated. The
Palace must be a shambles by now. Still the defenders
held on.

One or two loyal soldiers had been captured, and their
execution in the public highway provided the besiegers
with a welcome diversion. Some were crucified. Some
were shot. Some were beaten and tortured before being

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