EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

Whatever the truth, the fact of aiding Amanullah
out of the besieged Palace would reflect nothing but
credit on Sir Francis. His departure was all that was
needed to restore peace temporarily, and to relieve the
danger to the British Legation, situated in such a
critical position in the line of fire between two opposing
forces.

The transfer of power from the hated Amanullah to
his brother, however, could not be expected to assuage
the still rising tempest of anger against the new regime.
Matters had gone too far for that. Inayatullah was
known as a weak man who would not be likely to be too
afflicted with the reforming mania of his brother. It
might well be expected that the country would return
to the original status of slovenliness and backwardness
that suited so well the mullahs. But once begun, there
was no stopping the bands of armed and desperate men
who swarmed into Kabul.

They had had a taste of power. A howl of rage rose
when it was realised that their prey had escaped. So
far as they knew, there would be no great change now
that the weak elder brother was in charge at the Palace.
But what with the feasting and the revelry, the
generosity of the frightened shopkeepers, and the
freedom with which the mob could loot and pillage the
rich granaries and storehouses, there was little ambition.
to proceed further with the " cleaning-up " campaign.

High spirits there were in Kabul during the next four
days. There was no law, no order, save the old one of
might being right.

These were heroes fighting for their faith. So said
the mullahs, always in the rearguard, pressing their
point with many a telling phrase likely to impress the
ignorant hillmen. Indeed, the religious grounds for
this barbarous campaign must have been utilised to the

229