lpless had he rushed straight on. The chuprassie (an
orderly from my police battalion) replied to his cry for my blood, 'All
our names are Nikalseyn here,' and, I think, would very likely have got
the better of him had I not interfered, but I should not have been
justified in allowing the man to risk his life, when I had such a sure
weapon as a loaded musket and bayonet in my hand."

[1] The head-man of an independent village.

CHAPTER VII.

THE GREAT MUTINY.

Nicholson quitted Bannu early in 1856 for a six months' special mission
to Cashmere, preparatory to taking up an appointment as Deputy
Commissioner at Peshawur. It was at this frontier outpost that his
loyal friend Herbert Edwardes was stationed as chief political officer.
Before going on to speak of this important change, however, I may refer
to a side of Nicholson's work that has not been touched upon in the
preceding chapter.

His duties as a civil officer at Bannu comprised more than the
dispensing of justice and the keeping in order of the unruly tribesmen.
As "Warden of the Marches" he had to watch closely the agricultural
interests of the community, and it is well worthy of note that he
reclaimed a large waste tract of land named Landidak by running a canal
into it from the river Kuram. He also made a summary settlement of the
Land Revenue in 1854, thus following up a task that Reynell Taylor had
begun.

To make quite clear the course of future events, it is necessary
further to point out that Nicholson was now placed directly under John
Lawrence. Three years previously friction had arisen between Sir Henry
Lawrence, as Chief Commissioner of the Punjaub, and his equally
strong-willed brother. While the difficulties were purely technical,
and in no way affected their personal relations, it soon became evident
that affairs would come to a deadlock, and Lord Dalhousie very wisely
determined on a bold stroke. Transferring Sir Henry to Rajputana, to
act as Agent there, he gave John Lawrence the vacant post of Chief
Commissioner, a position for which he was well fitted.

To Nicholson the change of masters was by no means welcome. Between
him and Sir Henry there existed a rare bond of sympathy, and he felt
that he could never entertain a similar affection for John Lawrence.
Despite this, however, he worked loyally for his new chief, who, for
his part, thoroughly understood the nature of his fiery-tempered and
impetuous subordinate, at the