Page:The Earl of Auckland.djvu/122

116 If he could not bring himself to sanction the Sháh's scheme for putting a price upon the head 'of that dog,' the great Bárakzái leader, he could write to Lord Auckland that no mercy should be shown to Dost Muhammad; but that, in the event of his capture, he would request the Sháh 'not to execute him, till I can ascertain your Lordship's sentiments .'

On the 4th of November, 1840, shortly after the receipt of Burnes's desponding letter, the Envoy and his assistant, George Lawrence, were returning 'sad and cast down' from their evening ride, when an Afghán horseman rode up and told them that Dost Muhammad himself was close at hand. In a moment the Amír came up, threw himself from his horse, caught hold of the Envoy's stirrup, and then of his hand, which he placed upon his own lips and forehead, in token of his entire submission. Sir William dismounting bade his suppliant a kindly welcome, and led him through the Residency garden into his own room. After bowing to the ground and touching the floor with his forehead, the Amír rose and presented his sword to the Envoy, who returned it to its owner with some words of gracious encouragement. 'The Amír,' says Lawrence, 'was a robust, powerful man, with a sharp aquiline nose, highly arched eyebrows, and a grey beard and moustache, which evidently had not been trimmed for a long time.' Letters were written at his own request to three of his sons, urging them to come at once to Kábul and make