| CHAPTER I |
| ORDERS FOR THE WEST | PAGE |
|
| I receive my orders—German agents and India—Their routes—A deal in chauffeurs—Concerning an appetite and sausages—Nushliki— The last of civilisation—Further information—Sand-holes and digging—Petrol in the desert | 15 |
| CHAPTER II |
| THE ROAD TO ROBAT |
| Mushki-chah—The native contractor—An evening rencontre—Idu of the Chagai Levies— The native idea of an airship—Idu the invaluable—Robat | 30 |
| CHAPTER III |
| A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN |
| An "intelligent" officer—Matters political—Three tribes and a fourth—Their women and inter-tribal laws—Sarhad conditions— A summons to the Chiefs—A bid for rank—Telegraph wires and Sheitan—Two first-class liars—A strategic scheme— An ungazetted General—Lost kit—Swallows and flies—Forces available—Communications freed—The Kacha levy and a shock—Mirjawa | 37 |
| CHAPTER IV |
| BLUFF AND ARMS |
| Ladis and its fort—A force without arms—First sight of the enemy—Shah Sawar and more bluff—Battle—Bluff succeeds— Casualties—Bad news from the North—Idu's proposition—Jiand's stragglers—Jiand's white flag | 55 |
| CHAPTER V |
| KHWASH AND MORE BLUFF |
| Jiand's surrender—A political lecture—Jiand's oath—Bluff for Khwash—The army moves forward—Khwash and its fort— Mahommed-Hassan comes in—Beetles as scavengers—Halil Khan comes in—Rifle prices, a comparison—Idu's warning— News of Izzat—Order of march—Bluff for Bampur—The meteor hole | 69 |
| CHAPTER VI |
| A FULL BAG OF PRISONERS |
| The march to Kacha—The food supply—Flowers in the Wilderness—Galugan—Repeated strategy—Juma Khan comes in— The bag is full—The throne of the dancing maidens—Landon declines—Idu's doubts—Suspicions aroused—Halil Khan closes up— Kacha, oaths, and thumb-marks—The Chiefs depart—Bad news | 87 |
| CHAPTER VII |
| THE RACE FOR KHWASH |
| Plans and routes—Car versus legs—An equestrian interlude—The trap in the gorge—More digging—Rendezvous—Mrs Idu and gastronomy— A reinforcement—A message to Landon—Izzat's men—Idu's romance—A "British Bulldog"—The car abandoned | 103 |
| CHAPTER VIII |
| KHWASH AND THE SECOND SURRENDER |
| Doubts dispelled—Organisation for defence—Idu's "Exiat"—And its result—Jiand arrives—Idu's second visit— The Sarhad-dar arrives—Landon at last—Jiand's visit of ceremony—The Gul-Bibi—Shah Sawar's treachery—We call on the "Rose Lady"— A carpet and the Sarhad-dar's advice—Another Durbar—Returned loot—Temporary peace | 122 |
| CHAPTER IX |
| TREACHERY AND ITS SEQUEL |
| Further reinforcements—Entrenchments and gardens—Government inquiries—Food supplies—An offer to Jiand—Murad and straw— Shah Sawar again—Sentence—Idu's suggestion—Re-enter the Rose Lady—News of Jiand's intentions—A vital moment—A round-up— The Sarhad-dar's advice—A Bhusa hunt—Distrustful wives | 143 |
| CHAPTER X |
| FAILURE AND FRESH PLANS |
| Slave buying—A diet discovery—Poetic justice—Disposition of prisoners—Incredible news—The Sawar's story—Disposal of forces— The march to Kamalabad—Jiand gains his freedom—Retreat to Khwash | 165 |
| CHAPTER XI |
| SUCCESS IN MINIATURE |
| The night attack—The Hazaras arrive—Jiand retires—We march on the Sar-i-drokan valley—Cavalry strategy—"Gushti's" decision and opinion— "The Hole of Judgment"—Attack and retirement—A lost and regained water-supply—The Sarhadis as humorists—The mud fort— Halil Khan's arrival—The fight at dawn—Exit Halil Khan—A prophet—The Hazaras' request | 181 |
| CHAPTER XII |
| VICTORY AND PEACE |
| News of the herds—Towards Dast-Kird—Water!—Mutton for all—Dast-Kird—A stampede—Back to Khwash— On the track of the Gamshadzais—Twice a prophet—The Sarhad-dar's roost—Before Jalk—Rejected terms—More strategy and a bloodless victory—Remain only terms and sick leave | 201 |
| Index | 221 |
