anour which characterised him in
reality covered a warm and sympathetic nature, of which those who were
admitted into his intimacy were fully aware. By this time he had made
several notable friends, including Major George Lawrence (brother of
the future Lord Lawrence), and a subaltern in the 16th Native Infantry,
named Neville Chamberlain, who was to make a great name for himself in
the stirring days to come.

To such as had followed his career Nicholson had come through his
baptism of fire with flying colours. He had shown himself possessed of
high courage, and had won admiration as much for his fortitude in
captivity as for his bravery in action. So far, indeed, the life of a
soldier had suited him; he was now to see the other side of the shield
and experience the peaceful but monotonous existence in cantonments at
Meerut and Moradabad.

In this distasteful period of inaction, he applied himself diligently
to the study of native languages, and was able to report to his mother
ere long that he had passed the interpreter's examination. What also
eased the irksomeness of his situation was his appointment as adjutant
of his regiment. The new duties that fell to his lot gave him plenty
of employment.

But the reign of peace was destined to be short. In the autumn of 1845
came the first signs of a great rising among the Sikhs, whose territory
was divided from the British by the river Sutlej. This warlike nation
had reached the height of their power under the famous Ranjit Singh.
After his death no fit successor was found to rule in his place, and
the turbulent soldiery quickly found an excuse to rebel against the
British Government which held them in check by the troops massed upon
the frontiers.

War was declared in November. In the following month occurred the
battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshah, in which General Sir Hugh Gough was
victorious over the Sikh army. At these fierce engagements Nicholson
was present as a commissariat officer, and not, to his regret, as a
combatant. Some weeks later followed the victories of Aliwal and
Sobraon, which resulted in the youthful Prince Dhuleep Singh, the
avowed head of the Sikhs, making his submission, and gave the British a
foothold in the Punjaub.

By one clause of the treaty which was concluded, the province of
Cashmere was ceded to us, but shortly afterwards it was made over to
the Maharajah Gholab Singh of Jummu for the sum of one million
sterling. At the reque