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Rh the troops of the Jind Rájá fought by the side of British soldiers in the breach at Delhi. Fortunate, too, was it that the head official of the Province was a man whose character, temperament and antecedents seemed as though expressly designed to meet a great emergency. Sir John Lawrence had been familiar with Delhi since his first appointment, as a young civilian, twenty-five years before. In 1845 he was its Chief Magistrate, and earned Lord Hardinge's approval by the excellence of his transport arrangements to the battlefield of Sobráon. He had been placed in command of the territory then acquired. On various occasions he had been officially connected with districts on either side of Delhi, and knew them and the people thoroughly. Such knowledge is strength. When the moment arrived he was able to turn it to invaluable account. His colleagues and subordinates formed the strongest body of officials ever concentrated on an Indian Province. Among them were several whose military capacity amounted to absolute genius.

Westward, across the Indus, the wild tribes of the Suláimán hovered on the frontier, ever ready for a fray; and, beyond them, again, was old Dost Muhammad in his Kábul fortress, eagerly watching the course of events and the chances of safety for his little State; dangerously environed by mightier Powers, whose collision might crush it out of existence. Experience had taught him some rude lessons. The British had grievously wronged him — had driven him from a throne into exile and