will be improving your acquaintance with a country which is of supreme
importance to the British Empire and, at the same time, be able to trace
the operations by which Lord Roberts made his great reputation as a
general, and a leader of men. Afghanistan stands as a line between the
two great empires of England and Russia; and is likely, sooner or later,
to become the scene of a tremendous struggle between these nations.
Happily, at the present time the Afghans are on our side. It is true
that we have warred with, and beaten them; but our retirement, after
victory, has at least shown them that we have no desire to take their
country while, on the other hand, they know that for those races upon
whom Russia has once laid her hand there is no escape.
In these pages you will see the strength and the weakness of these wild
people of the mountains; their strength lying in their personal bravery,
their determination to preserve their freedom at all costs, and the
nature of their country. Their weakness consists in their want of
organization, their tribal jealousies, and their impatience of regular
habits and of the restraint necessary to render them good soldiers.
But, when led and organized by English officers, there are no better
soldiers in the world; as is proved by the splendid services which have
been rendered by the frontier force, which is composed almost entirely
of Afghan tribesmen.
Their history shows that defeat has little moral effect upon them.
Crushed one day, they will rise again the next; scattered it would
seem hopelessly they are ready to reassemble, and renew the conflict,
at the first summons of their chiefs. Guided by British advice, led by
British officers and, it may be, paid by British gold, Afghanistan is
likely to prove an invaluable ally to us, when the day comes that Russia
believes herself strong enough to move forward towards the goal of all
her hopes and ef forts, for the last fifty years the conquest of
India.
G. A. Henty
