The next few days were taken up with manoeuvres, which the Prince attended, accompanied by Lumsden[3] and myself.  The defence was commanded by Reid, the attack by Hardinge, the latter’s object being to gain possession of the Ridge, with a view to future operations against the city on the arrival of the main army from the Punjab.  But the attack did not meet with the success which attended Barnard in 1857, while the Commander of the defence proved himself as skilful in protecting the Ridge against an enemy advancing from the north as he had been, twenty years before, in repulsing one coming from the opposite direction.

The Prince of Wales held another investiture of the Star of India on the 7th of March at Allahabad, which Lord Napier and the staff attended.  At its close we took our leave of His Royal Highness, who started that night for England.

In less than a fortnight our dear old Chief followed, and I saw him off from Bombay on the 10th April.  I was very low at parting with him, for though in the earlier days of our acquaintance I used to think he was not very favourably disposed towards me, when I became more intimately associated with him nothing could exceed his kindness.  He was universally regretted by Europeans and Natives alike.  The soldiers recognized that he had carefully guarded their interests and worked for their welfare, and the Native Princes and people felt that he was in sympathy with them, and to this day they speak of Lat Napier Sahib with the deepest respect and affection.

Lord Napier was succeeded in the command by Sir Frederick Haines.

[Footnote 1:  Now General Lord Chelmsford, G.C.B.]

[Footnote 2:  60th Rifles, 2nd Gurkhas, and 1st Punjab Infantry.]

[Footnote 3:  Lumsden returned to Head-Quarters as Adjutant-General on Edwin Johnson being appointed a member of the Indian Council in London.]

* * * * *

CHAPTER XLII. 1876-1878

  Lord Lytton becomes Viceroy—­Difficulties with Sher Ali
  —­Imperial assemblage at Delhi—­Reception of the Ruling Chiefs
  —­Queen proclaimed Empress of India
  —­Political importance of the assemblage
  —­Sher Ali proclaims a ’Jahad’—­A journey under difficulties

With a new Commander-in-Chief came a new Viceroy, and it was while we were in Bombay seeing the last of Lord Napier that the Orontes steamed into the harbour with Lord Lytton on board.  Little did I imagine when making Lord Lytton’s acquaintance how much he would have to say to my future career.

His Excellency received me very kindly, telling me he felt that I was not altogether a stranger, as he had been reading during the voyage a paper I had written for Lord Napier, a year or two before, on our military position in India, and the arrangements that would be necessary in the event of Russia attempting to continue her advance south of the Oxus.  Lord Napier had sent a copy of this memorandum to Lord Beaconsfield, by whom it had been given to Lord Lytton.