apparent diameter, and an altitude of about 150, burst into view, and after a brief display suddenly vanished.
Continuing the journey eastwards from Sorgak, we entered scrubby country with here and there a small village, the houses of which had sloping roofs. When we were about two marches from Kara Sai the men from Kiria, who attended to the hired transport, became troublesome. They had already unreasonably petitioned to be allowed to return, and now they became openly mutinous. In such circumstances the only safe course is to require implicit obedience and, if persuasion cannot secure it, then to compel it by force. I was not ignorant of what had been going on amongst the men, and when my orders to load the animals met with a refusal, I was prepared to act. Abdul Karim, in accordance with my instructions, seized one of the ringleaders and held him prisoner while I walked up to the other and, with my left fist, delivered a firm blow straight from the shoulder. The man staggered and was about to fall, but I kept him upright by a second blow which was speedily followed by a third. The second and third blows, though not administered in the way of punishment, but rather for assistance and support to the crestfallen delinquent, evidently convinced him that more would follow if required. While he stood dazed and terrified, the whole of his companions fled, save only the man whom Abdul Karim had secured. The proceedings now became farcical, for it was evident no danger would arise from the Kiria men ; but it was necessary that the comedy should reach a proper conclusion. I sent for a stirrup leather which was hanging from a saddle at some little distance, and for some ghee (butter often rancid) to oil it, and, advancing to Abdul's prisoner, I explained the nature of the operation to which he was about to be subjected. The man became abjectly penitent and protested that he would give no
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