* * * * *

Some of the tribesmen have come to the conclusion that the British
soldier is a hard foe to beat.

The Orakzais have therefore sent a deputation to Gen. Sir William
Lockhart, the British commander-in-chief, asking for peace.

Sir William was willing to talk to them, but the terms he offered were
so much harder than they expected that the Orakzais do not seem
inclined to accept them.

The English general told the tribesmen that the only terms on which
England would treat with them were that they should first give back all
the rifles they had captured since the outbreak, then that they should
forfeit five hundred extra rifles and thirty thousand rupees as a fine,
and lastly, that they must offer submission to the Queen's rule within a
fortnight,--the submission to be given at a full durbar, which is a
native Indian term for a levee or reception held by a native prince or
officer of rank in British India.

As we have said, the Orakzais think these terms too severe, and are
inclined to refuse them.

The Afridis have as yet shown no signs of weakening. On the contrary,
they have sent fresh messengers to the Ameer of Afghanistan, asking his
aid. The English are confident that he will refuse, and advise them to
submit, and hope that there may soon be an end of the Indian troubles.

In the mean while the Afridis are making all the trouble they can. Every