We rode through the Khyber and Gomal Passes, visited Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Quetta, looked into the Kohjak tunnel, and attended some interesting manoeuvres, carried out with a view of testing, in as practical a manner as possible, the defensive power of the recently-finished Takatu-Mashalik entrenchment.  The principal works were fired upon by Artillery and Infantry, and, notwithstanding the excellent practice made, infinitesimal damage was done, which proved the suitability of the particular design adopted for the defences.

Lord Lansdowne expressed himself greatly interested, and much impressed by all he saw of the frontier; and he was confirmed in his opinion as to the desirability of establishing British influence amongst the border tribes.  With this object in view, His Excellency authorized Sir Robert Sandeman (the Governor-General’s Agent at Quetta) to establish a series of police posts in the Gomal Pass, and encourage intercourse between the people of the Zhob district and ourselves.

It was high time that something should be done in this direction, for the Amir’s attitude towards us was becoming day by day more unaccountably antagonistic.  He was gradually encroaching on territory and occupying places altogether outside the limits of Afghan control; and every movement of ours—­made quite as much in His Highness’s interest as in our own—­for strengthening the frontier and improving the communications, evidently aroused in him distrust and suspicion as to our motives.

[Footnote 1:  The total coat of the coast and frontier defences amounted to the very moderate sum of five crores of rupees, or about three and a half millions sterling.]

[Footnote 2:  The Committees consisted, besides the Military Member of Council and myself, of the heads of Departments with the Government of India and at Army Head-Quarters.]

[Footnote 3:  When the report of the Mobilization Committee was submitted to the Viceroy, he recorded a minute expressing his ’warm admiration of the manner in which the arduous duty had been conducted,’ and ’his belief that no scheme of a similar description had ever been worked out with greater thoroughness, in more detail, and with clearer apprehension of the ends to be accomplished.’  He concluded by conveying to the members an expression of his great satisfaction at what had been done, and recording that ’the result of the Committee’s labours is a magnificent monument of industry and professional ability.’]

[Footnote 4:  Statement of transport carriage maintained in India in the years 1878 and 1893 for military purposes, exclusive of animals registered by the civil authorities on the latter date, and liable to be requisitioned in time of war: