The record-union., 1897-03-28
ON THE SPUR OF OCCASION.

The story was told to Plaistow, Ven
nering and myself in the moonlight on
the banks of that exquisite reach of
| the Jhelum in kashmir, known as the
Chenar Bagh, or Garden of Plane Trees.
1t was told by the Major apropos OF
the appointment of young Hedlam Of
the Slkhs, to the command of an so
lated fort up Gilgit way. Hedlam had
departed abruptly in the morning, and
| Vennerlng, with whom he had
chummed, was asked to join the party,
WhereupOn he ordered his sleeping
doongah to be mOored in the neighbor-
hood of ours, and the arrangement was
complete.
Naturally the talk drifted in the di-
rectlon of Hedlam and his appointment,
and Marden PlaiStow, M P, theorist
and advocate of every pro-native
scheme that India and an Irresponsible
native press have even tried to foiSt
upon England, entered very eagerly
INTO the discussion. He was a stout,
Habby man, in search of ideas and in
formation on Indian matters. He pes
tered us with questions and arguments,
and dispclieved us most obstinately
| when We told him the plain, unvar-
| nished truth
They should undoubtedly select an
older and more experienced man to fill
so responsible position, Plaistow was
saying dogmatically. He was anxious,
as usual, to condemn the action of the
Slmla Government whenever possible.
"Why?" asked the Major, mildly.
1t had taken him hard five and
| twenty M living Ipar rniror fn
acquire the knowledge Plaistow be-
lieved he could master inside of six
months.
Its Patent absurdity," remarked
Plaistow, filling his glass with an air
OF judicial disapprobation. "A mere
boy-not yet 2i, It's not fair to the
boy himself, let alone the rest Then,
appearing to realize to the full the
enormity Of the official offense, he pro-
ceeded inpressively: But why-why
do they do it? They can hardly expect
a boy like that to govern and keep in
check, direct and administer a turbu-
lent country half as big as Wales"
On 800 rupees a month, too" chimed
in Lieutenant Vennering, feelingly;
800 rupees a month, a batch of Sc
poys, and a mud fort. On the cheap
isn't it?''
The Government does not often err
on the side Of economy" replied Plais-
tow, though in this case they certain
ly seem to be acting on the penny wise
principle. 1t is just part and parcel of
their usual blundering" Then he turned
abruptly to the Major: IF the native
element should
But it won't" returned the Major,
with some asperity.
| Wont? Why not?"
Never does, somehow
Even Plaistow seemed struck with the
Majors conviction.
I could cite instances" he said,
doubtfully.
Instances may go to the deuce. Look
at the thing broadly. We always do it,
and it always turns out all right, ex-
lcept-''
"Ah, except"
Except it may cost a life or two"
Still, it is hardly logical, you will
allow"
mo, it's not logical; it's better It's
positively diplomatic-though it is pos
sible that the powers that be don't
know that. 1t makes quite a nice lit
tie mathematical problem for the ma
tive mind. If the young and inexperi-
enced sahib with twenty men can do
certain piece of work in a day, how long
would it take the older and more expert
enced sahib with fifty men? See?"
But" objected Plaistow, you have
admitted that the young and inexperi-
enced sahib sometimes fails"
Seldom fails, corrected the Major;
| though L admit he occasionally loses
his life" He paused a moment before
he went on. Then 1 believe there are
other influences at work"
What influences?" exclaimed Plais-
tow, hot on the scent of new inforrna-
ton.
The Major paused again. 'Tt is hard
to explain" he said at last. "Given the
occasion, we invariably get the man.
could tell you a story"
by all MEANS" said Plaistow
| But, on the whole, l think the story
had better not be told. 1t won't do you
any good" continued the Major in
tone of which Plaistow failed to ap-
prehend the full meaning
Fire away, Major" interjected Ven
nering.
The Major changed his position to
rekindle his cheroot, and between the
puffs began:
Very we'll, though it is quite an Or
dinary story-no exception at all, only
to prove the rule, you know 1t all
happened up there" he continued, wav-
| ing his hand in the direction of the
Hindu Kush, land the principal char
| acters We're an ugly native drum,
most Misunderstanding priest, and a
very young subaltern.
| Il needn't tell you his name. The
fellows said he'd have forgotten it him
self but for the saving influence of his
aunt's letters-their addresses, l mean;
he never got any further with them
than the address. We called him the
| Bum forget why. He had a round,
| wholesome, sunburnt face and was a
careless, Hght-hearted youngster with
light eyelashes emphasized by a blink.
Just tine last sort of chap for an in
dependent command among a newly
annexed and turbulent tribe, one would
have thought-that is, one who knew
him at that date. Later, at Childazai,
/ began to think differently; but that's
premature.
The Bun was, in fact, the sort of
| fellow you meet by the dozen at any
public school. Afterwards these rough
drafts are elaborated in various ways
with various results, and are liked or
disliked accordingly. Here along the
frontier we go the right way about
bringing out any good the boys may
have in them by making them stand on
~