THE STATE OF THINGS IN CHITRAL. 479 lately disturbed district of Chitral. But though Swat, its threshold, was in a blaze,the valley of Chitral remained in absolute peace. This was the more satisfactory because the Amir of Afghanistan's general, Gholam Hyder Khan, as if to increase the elements of disturbance, concentrated a large army on the border. This Afghan gathering gave a direct encouragement to the hostile tribes, suggested that if the worst came they would find refuge in the Amir's dominions, and held out a tacit promise of support in case the anti-British movement became sufficiently pronounced for the ruler of Cabul to venture oninterference.

ist Battalion Gordon Highlanders,2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 21st Punjaub Infantry, and 2nd Battalion of 1st Goorkhas.

As the tribesmen still held together in large bodies inthe Upper Swat Valley it wasresolved to commence activeoperations against them,and after preliminary reconnaissances Sir Bindon Blood began his advance from Thana, opposite Chakdara, on August 17th. He had with him Meiklejohn's brigade, a battery of the Royal Artillery, two mountain batteries, and six squadrons of cavalry. X Duringall this time there was naturally some inxiety about the condition of affairs in the VIEW ON THE RIVER SWAT.