The Courtiers, the more important Chiefs and I, were standing near. His Highness caught sight of me almost directly, and most kindly ordered a chair to be placed in a particular spot near the couch, to the right, and a little behind where he sat. Then a salute of several guns was fired: the vibration of the air making the Pavilion shake, we adjourned temporarily to another room. On our return Mr. Pyne and the two other Engineers arrived. Pyne looked very smart in a European frock-coat, with a flower in his button-hole: the two other Englishmen were neatly dressed in corduroy riding-suits and long boots. The Amîr shook hands with Mr. Pyne, spoke to him for a few moments, and then chairs were placed for them near mine. About midday I began to feel dreadfully tired, and as some people had already taken their departure, I turned round and asked Pyne if he cared to go then. He said that the Prince had given orders that we were to wait till the roads were clear, and I waited a little longer. Presently, as I began to feel giddy, I said to the Armenian-- “I am going.” He said: “Shahzada Sahib said, a little you stop till----” “Can’t help it,” I said. I stood up, stepped to the Amîr’s couch and bowed. “Rûkhsat?” said His Highness. “Are you going?” “Bali, Sahib,” I said. “Yes, sir.” His Highness kindly said, “Bisyar-khôb. Ba aman-i-Khuda.” “Very well. Good-bye.” I bowed and retired. Outside the Pavilion I got into the palanquin and was carried to Pyne’s room at the workshops. I found him there: he had left soon after I had, and, galloping into Kabul by another road, had arrived before me. He said I looked ill at the Durbar, and he made me drink a tumblerful of sparkling hock at once. I stayed with him a fortnight, till my house was ready. He was exceedingly hospitable, and with well meant, but somewhat mistaken kindness, forced upon me whisky, beer, hock, and all sorts of unsuitable food. He tried to brighten me up by taking me about the workshops and showing me what progress had been made since I had left Kabul, and in the evening he told me yarns and stories without number. Once or twice it was almost too much, and I became giddy and faint. He was very kind, but I was thankful when I got to my house and could lie down. With proper diet and medicine I began to improve, but it was months before I quite recovered. [Illustration] CHAPTER XXII. LIFE IN KABUL.