Soon after daybreak next morning we reached the Bias river.  Crossing by a bridge of boats, we found on the other side a small one-roomed house with a verandah running round it, built for the use of the European overseer in charge of the road.  On matters being explained, this man agreed to turn out.  The ladies and children were put inside, and my cousin and I spent the day in the verandah; in the evening, with the assistance of the overseer, we were able to get a sufficient number of bearers to carry us all on to Mian Mir without further adventure.  In the course of conversation we found that one of the ladies was the wife of Lieutenant Donald Stewart,[2] of the 9th Bengal Infantry, and that she and her friend were returning to join their respective husbands after spending the summer months at Simla.  This meeting was the beginning of a close friendship with Sir Donald and Lady Stewart, which has lasted to the present day.

At Mian Mir (the military cantonment of Lahore) I stayed a few days with another half-sister, and from there, as the weather was beginning to get cooler, I travelled day and night.  One evening about eight o’clock I was disappointed at not having come across the usual rest-house; lights could be seen, however, at no great distance, and I proceeded towards them; they turned out to be the camp fires of a Cavalry regiment which was halting there for the night.  Being half famished, and fearing that my craving for food was not likely to be gratified unless someone in the camp would take pity upon my forlorn condition, I boldly presented myself at the first tent I came across.  The occupant came out, and, on hearing the strait I was in, he with kindly courtesy invited me to enter the tent, saying, ’You are just in time to share our dinner.’  My host turned out to be Major Crawford Chamberlain,[3] commanding the 1st Irregular Cavalry, the famous Skinner’s Horse, then on its way to Peshawar.  A lady was sitting at the table—­Mrs. Chamberlain—­to whom I was introduced; I spent a very pleasant evening, and in this way commenced another equally agreeable and lasting friendship.

[Footnote 1:  A Native woman-servant.]

[Footnote 2:  Now Field Marshal Sir Donald Stewart, Bart., G.C.B., G.C.S.I.]

[Footnote 3:  Now General Crawford Chamberlain, C.S.I., a brother of General Sir Neville Chamberlain.]

* * * * *

CHAPTER III. 1852-1853

With my father at Peshawar—­Peshawar in 1852—­Excitements of a frontier station—­A flogging parade—­Mackeson’s assassination —­The Jowaki expedition—­A strange dream—­A typical frontier fight