from his prison at Bokhara by the assistance of the chief of Shere Subz, as I have already noticed, and was now making his way to the territories of the Meer Walli by a circuitous route, so as to elude the vigilance of the king, and frustrate his endeavours to recapture him.  We were much pleased to find that Ufzul Khan had no suspicion of our not being free agents, and Sturt answered he regretted much that the shortness of the time we had yet at our disposal would prevent his complying with his request, which, indeed, considering all the circumstances of the case, it would have been an act of most culpable folly to have acceded to.  At the conclusion of this interview Sturt presented him with a handsome rifle, which he received with the utmost gratitude, saying that he was now poor and had nothing to offer in return but his thanks, which, however, he hoped we would believe to be sincere.

No sooner had Meer Ufzul taken his leave than the Meer Walli made his appearance with the evident intention of ascertaining the results of our interview, and the part we were disposed to take in any negociation concerning the Dost.  The Meer was apparently anxious to remain on good terms with both parties, or, in other words, preferred having two strings to his bow.  “Should the Dost claim my protection,” said he, “how would you advise me to act?—­He is your enemy, yet I must not abandon him, or deliver him into the hands of the British; for, although I do not wish to offend the British Government, I owe my present power to the influence of the Ameer,—­he has always been my patron, and I must be his friend.  And then, moreover, you are the first British officers I have seen since your army took possession of Affghanist[=a]n; no notice has been taken of me, the Meer Walli of Koollum; yet, to the petty chiefs of Bamee[=a]n vakeels and friendly messages have been sent, with valuable presents—­while, to my repeated letters courting an amicable alliance, not even an answer has been given.—­Is it courteous to treat an inferior so?—­Is it the conduct generally adopted by the first nation in the world?  The doubtful way in which your Government has behaved leaves me uncertain as to how my conduct will be interpreted,—­but, if you will represent that the Meer Walli wishes to be on terms of amity, I shall consider you as my best friends.  Indeed, I would have it known I wish to remain as neutral as possible in any political struggle that may take place.”—­Here he paused, as if expecting some answer which would be a guide to him, but, receiving none, he at length continued:  “I will receive the Dost and be kind to him until he recovers from the fatigues of his journey, and then will beg him to leave Koollum.”—­It was obvious enough that a consideration for himself was the only motive which really influenced our worthy guest, who, it was clear, would gladly have betrayed his former patron if he could have induced us to guarantee an adequate reward to himself.  Of course we did