same time that he appreciated his many
admirable qualities. There were differences of opinion between the two
naturally, but John Lawrence's firmness and tactful methods, together
with Nicholson's sense of justice, prevented any rupture.

At Peshawur Nicholson found that his reputation had preceded him, and
made his task all the easier. Bannuchi and Waziri tribesmen had
carried a faithful report of his doings to their more northern
compatriots, and the word quickly went round that "Nikalseyn" was a
dangerous man to flout. There were some, as it happened, who ventured
to cross swords with him, but the result taught them that this
stern-faced, black-bearded giant of a sahib was their master every whit
as much as was Edwardes.

The spring of the fateful year 1857 now arrived, and with it came a
desire in Nicholson's mind to exchange his post in the Punjaub for
another more remote. A restless fit was on him. He would have liked
to go to Persia to see some fighting, or to Oude, to serve under Sir
Henry Lawrence. Fortunately for India, Lord Canning, who had succeeded
Lord Dalhousie as Governor-General, did not see his way to oblige him.
Edwardes pleaded his cause at Calcutta in an interview in which, after
a eulogy of his friend, he uttered these memorable words: "My lord, you
may rely upon this, that if ever there is a desperate deed to be done
in India, John Nicholson is the man to do it!" But the time was too
critical for such a man as the Deputy Commissioner at Peshawur to be
spared. Already signs were to be observed of disaffection among the
native troops, and the time was rapidly nearing when a challenge was to
be flung at British supremacy in India. "Wait," said Lord Canning in
effect, and Nicholson went on quietly with his duties.

The native mine which had been slowly preparing exploded in May of the
same year. On the morning of the 12th the belated news was flashed
over the wires to Peshawur that three regiments of sepoys had revolted
at Meerut two days before, and massacred every European not in the
British lines. The Great Mutiny had begun in earnest.

How Edwardes, Nicholson, and the other British officers at Peshawur
received the startling tidings we learn from Lord Roberts, who was on
special duty in the city at the time. Roberts, then a youthful
subaltern in the artillery, acted as secretary at the council of war
which was immediately held at the house of General Reed, the divisional
commander