Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-12-23
PEOPLE OF K4FlRIsTAN.
1ts George Robertson's Description of au
 Almost Unknown Kace.


 Almost Unknown Kaco.
 Sir George Robertson's 5 official report on his visit to Kafiristan, which will soon be published by order of the sec. retary of state for India, contains an interesting account of country and people in regard to which hardly any thing was known beyond vague sur misc and information derived from na- tive travellers, until he was enabled, at the risk of his life, to penetrate within its outer walls Speaking of the gen eral characteristics oi the Kahrs, he writes:
 Civilization abruptly fell asleep centuries ago in Katiristan, and is still dormant. A conquering race may pro- gress in the arts and in civilization, as it progresses and excels in war-Iilze skill. But not so an isolated people like the Kafrs They have degener- @ted until their tribal headquarters are merely robbers nests. In the va rious &5ifts and expedients to which they have been forced in order to pre- serve their freedom and their lives, ly- Ing, running away and unIerhand vices have been particularly seryicsa- ble. In their mode Of warfare no spark of ehivalry is possible The si- lent watcher, his face protruding from g thicket. his wild eyes gIancing swiftly and fearfully around, or the 1.-the form wriggling like a snake along the ground to stab his sleeping enemy, man, woman or child-these are the pictures which arise in my mind when l think of Kafir braves; not because this illustrates the sole method of warfare employed, but be- cause continued intercourse with tho people and observation of their silent, stealthy gait and shifty faces taught me what are the most popular methods of attack.
 Little parties of two or three will stea1thily penetrate many miles into Rn enemy's country where they would be at once killed if caught. They will creep into forts and villages during the night, stab right and left, and then fly to their own hills with hue and cry after them. In view of the inferior nature of their weapons they achieve wonders. The extreme difficulties which the country presents to an in. vader has, no doubt, much to do with their being able to maintain their iu- dependence; but the chief reason, after all, is the galIantry, the reckless brav- cry and devotion with which the Kafrs defend themselves or carry any war into the enemy country It is curious to notice the almost superstitious fear 4he Kafrs have of rifles, feeling gem erated hy ignorance. On one occasion successful raiding party on it's way home was crowded round me on a hill slope. There were about one hundred men present. To amuse them I opened the breeeh of my express rifle The instant 1 did so many of them dived down the hill side from abject fear os what was about to happen.
 "A Kafr parliament is strange sight. The clamor Is wonderful. 1ozen men, perhaps try to speak at once; each has his own little group of listeners, whose attention, if it wan ders, he seeks to retain by loud ejacu- lation of 'ai, aip or by little pol1es in Ehe ribs with his walking club If some very exciting topic is being dis- cussed, perhaps, all are takers and none are listeners; but, as rule, whom one of the tribal orators begins to speak, he gets the attention of the greater part of the assembly his efforts being helped by the shouted illustra. trations or further arguments by one or two of his admiring friends. Kafrs love to argue among themselves to de- eide on some definite line of action. Singly they are often reasonable, but 4Svhen they go off in mob to the dane- ing platform, or group themselves un- der tree and begin excited discus sions, it is practically impossible to foretell what they will decide. More over, the discussion arrived at on one day is quite likely to be rescinded on khe next day, and reverted to on the third But such occurrences are ex- .ceptional, and only happen when the people laboring under strong excite ment on some subject, such as a pros pect of gain. "-London Standard.