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AMANULLAH

on the new roads, the new cities, hear sounds that
he heard once in his dreams of the new Afghanis-
tan. His thoughts centre on the new flag, black and
red and green, symbolic of sorrow, glory, and peace,
which waves over the old fortress of Kabul, showing
its arch and pulpit for all the world to divine its meaning.

He sees a great pastoral land in peace—in the strange
and unusual condition of uninterrupted work. He senses
the heart of the people loyal to a new king. He knows
now, that he was defeated, never to return.

In Amanullah, Nadir Shah has a critic inevitably
biassed but tragically experienced* Perhaps the criti-
cism is not harsh, but approving and constructive. Per-
haps the considered verdict of the brave failure on the
subject of the diplomatic success is kindly and well
disposed.

But if this be so, then a miracle has occurred in the
heart of Amanullah. He could not make the sacrifice
of surrendering his grievances. He could never find it
in his heart to be a watcher of any disposition but
bitterness and envy*

And Amanullah knows now that he will never go
back. Kings never return to KabuL Most of them
who fail, would not even achieve security in a Roman
suburb*

The remaining years of the brave, foolhardy first
King of the Afghans must be spent in watching his
successor-

But Nadir Khan has another keen watcher.

More critical than the verdict of the Western world,
less tolerant than the jury of his countrymen, a man
and a class.

As the sun sinks behind the white fringe of the Pamirs,

234