CHAPTER XVI

A SAD PARTING—GOOD-BYE TO THE EAST—A CHALLENGE TO
THE AMIR—AT THE GATES OF KABUL—DEATH OF THE
BANDIT

ti MANULLAH had made a wise decision. His
/•\ confidence in the fighting spirit of the Kanda-
-*• ^-haris had not been justified. They were
unwilling to follow him any more, and they certainly
would not risk a trial of strength with the formidable
Bacha Sachao,

He had undertaken several tours in the vicinity of
Kandahar, and had succeeded in recruiting several
thousand men to his side. His dynamic personality
was still powerful enough then. He could still inspire
a crowd with his own courageous example. The old
fire was there; but fear of the present ruler pre-
dominated, and not even the appeal on religious grounds
to rid their beloved country of this unholy usurper in
Kabul could move the Kandaharis from their apathy,
He had no money to bribe them with. He could
promise peace and power and plenty to whomsoever
would support him, but he had promised that before.,,»

There were other personal complications* He was
no doubt urged by his relatives to go while the going
was good. Bacha Sachao was not the type to leave
unmolested a rival in the country. It was quite possible
that he would eventually endeavour to rid Afghanistan
once and for all of the ex-King,

Then, when the sad little party was making its way
down to Bombay, in the baking heat of the early

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