"You did well, Idu," I said solemnly. "You have most certainly saved my life, and as you seem to be as intelligent as you are brave, I shall appoint you to my personal staff. I am the officer who has been sent out to take command of the forces along the Sarhad, and in Seistan. But at the present moment my chief concern is to find the right road to Saindak. Can you show it to me?" Idu laughed. "I could lead you there blindfold, Sahib." I felt the difficulties of the road were now over, and, piloted by these three stalwarts, the car--a source of the utmost excitement and wonderment to them--Allan, Allah-dad and my weary self were, ere long, safe in the rest-house of the small mud fort at Saindak. The following morning, after a good night's rest, I had a long talk with Idu, and the very favourable impression I had formed of the man the night before was greatly increased. I found him by daylight to be a highly intelligent-looking, splendidly proportioned fellow of about five feet eight, with a big black beard. I had glimpses, even then, of the keen sense of humour which was to do so much to lighten the difficulties of the ensuing campaign. Never once in all the months to come did I find his wit and humour fail. As after-events proved he was absolutely invaluable. In fact, I often called him, and told him that I called him, my "head." Not only did he know every yard of the country, but he knew by name practically every one of the Raiders, knew their peculiarities and their weak points as well as their strength. Idu was a man in a million, and I should like to think that, some day, this public appreciation of him, and of what he did to help in this campaign, may reach him. After breakfast and my talk with Idu, we set out on the last march of the first phase of my journey, and reached Robat by two o'clock in the afternoon. CHAPTER III A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN An "intelligent" officer--Matters political--Three tribes and a fourth--Their women and inter-tribal laws--Sarhad conditions--A summons to the Chiefs--A bid for rank--Telegraph wires and Sheitan--Two first-class liars--A strategic scheme--An ungazetted General--Lost kit--Swallows and flies--Forces available--Communications freed--The Kacha levy and a shock--Mirjawa. My first visit in Robat was to the officer who had been commanding the scattered British forces up to that date. He was a very sick man, and had been holding out with the utmost difficulty until he could be relieved. Here I met Major Landon of the 35th Scinde Horse, one of the three Intelligence Officers employed by the Indian Government in Persia.