captivity. He had revenged himself, after his restoration, by sending his best troops to aid the Sikhs in their struggle for independence. He had now made up his mind that the British were better as friends than foes. The wrongs, which he had received — the assistance which he had given our enemies had been mutually condoned, and a formal agreement of amity had been signed in 1855. In Lord Canning's first year the course of events had tended to strengthen the ties of friendship between the English Government and the Amír. Persia was once again threatening Herát; war with Persia was imminent. There was, fortunately, at this time, an official at Pesháwar who appreciated the importance of the Amír's alliance, and believed that he might be conciliated and trusted. Herbert Edwardes succeeded in convincing Lord Canning that we might with advantage settle the terms on which England would help him in his struggle with the common enemy. The old Chieftain came down to the Kháiber, discussed his resources and necessities with the British envoys, renewed the alliance and received a satisfactory assurance of material aid. 'Now,' he said, 'I have made a treaty with the British, and I will keep it till death' — a promise which, happily for England, he observed with exemplary fidelity at a crisis when its breach would have been disastrous.
But there were dangers nearer home. The great south-easterly bend of the Jumna marked a frontier which seemed boldly to challenge the sturdy tribes of
