In Incident in the Khyyber Pass.

Ashburton Guardian, 25 October 1879, Page 3

In Incident in the Khyyber Pass.

A correspondent of the “ Pioneer ” gives the following account of an incident on the recent return of some British officers from Afghanistan : —“ Scene ; the wildest part of the Khyber, with barren rocks towering on all sides, an English officer riding along, escorted by a motley company of maliks and tribesmen all armed to the teeth ; more armed Afredees in the middle distance ; a weary, lonely figure toiling on the dusty road in huge black boots, face burned a brick red and fringed by a scanty sandv beard. The figure is clad in a thick wadded garment, and lias a bundle on its back. ‘ Halt! Who are you ? ’ ‘A Turkestani.' ‘ Where are you going V ‘To Mecca ’ ‘ How will you got there ? ’ ‘ God will help.’ ‘ Peace be with you.’ ‘And with you.’ The figure moves off, and the armed circle breaks up. This poor devotee had tramped* hundraJp" ofmiles ijj through hills and valleys, swarming with cut-throats, secure in his simple faith ,! which had led him to leave distant Turkes- ' tan in quest of the still more distant Mecca. !