Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 51070-h.htm or 51070-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/51070/51070-h/51070-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/51070/51070-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/raidersofsarhadb00dyeruoft Transcriber's note Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). THE RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD [Illustration: A TYPICAL GORGE IN THE SARHAD.] THE RAIDERS OF THE SARHAD Being the Account of a Campaign of Arms and Bluff Against the Brigands of the Persian-Baluchi Border during the Great War by BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. E. H. DYER, C.B. With Numerous Photographs and Two Maps London H. F. & G. Witherby 326 High Holborn, W.C. 1921 PREFACE With the greatest diffidence I have at last made up my mind to write the story of my small campaign with the Sarhad Raiders in 1916. This campaign sinks into utter insignificance when compared with the great deeds done in other theatres of war by men who said nothing about them. But, insignificant as it was, it forms part of the mosaic of the Great War, and for this reason may be of some general interest. I take this opportunity of paying a tribute to all the officers who took part in this little campaign. Their untiring devotion to duty, and their efforts to do their utmost under conditions that were often more than trying, accounts for its success. I would like, in particular, to mention Major Landon of the 35th Scinde Horse, whose great knowledge of the people and their country was invaluable; Major Sanders of the 36th Sikhs; Colonel Claridge of the 28th Light Cavalry; Captain Brownlow and Captain Hirst, both of the 28th Light Cavalry; Major Lang; Captain Moore-Lane; Lieutenant Bream of the Hazara Pioneers, and Captain English, R.A. In addition I would mention how much, not only I, but the old country owes to Khan Bahadur, the Sarhad-dar, and to Idu, non-commissioned officer of the Chagai Levies. The photographs are from snapshots taken by various officers during the campaign. R.E.H.D. CONTENTS CHAPTER I ORDERS FOR THE WEST PAGE I receive my orders--German agents and India--Their routes--A deal in chauffeurs--Concerning an appetite and sausages--Nushliki--The last of civilisation--Further information--Sand-holes and digging--Petrol in the desert 15 CHAPTER II THE ROAD TO ROBAT Mushki-chah--The native contractor--An evening rencontre--Idu of the Chagai Levies--The native idea of an airship--Idu the invaluable--Robat 30 CHAPTER III A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN