Then came the Kabulis, who wrestled stripped except for a cincture round the waist. Theirs was a more complicated style than that of the Turkomans: they seemed in excellent training.
One Kabuli, a well-built fellow, threw man after man who came forward, though each was a practised wrestler. He had wonderful powers of endurance. The last man but one who came against him was a strong young fellow. He heaved the champion off the ground, carried him a step or two and tried to fling him down. He might as well have tried to fling a tiger down. How it came about I could not tell, they were so locked and writhing, but in a second or two the champion was on his feet and the young man down. These men belonged to the artillery regiment that had danced.
During the wrestling, when the spectators became excited, and a popular champion was in the ring, they shouted for success or groaned for failure nearly as much as Englishmen would have done.
Then came the distribution of prizes. To the successful wrestlers the Prince gave Turkoman coats of brilliant colours—such as the Oriental loves.
While the sports were going on the Commander-in-Chief and some Officers arrived. They saluted the Princes and bowed to me; but they would not sit on the ground while I had a chair. In the presence of the Amîr they had, at first, been greatly offended at sitting lower than I, and had made some remark on the subject after I had left: they received, however, such a severe reprimand from His Highness that they never repeated it.
When the sun began to set the air became cool, and the Princes rose and took their departure. I accompanied their Highnesses, leaving the Commander-in-Chief and the Officers in the Park.
CHAPTER XIX.
The Young Princes.
Infant Prince as the Sultana’s Deputy. Reception by the Prince: the pavilion: the procession: the guard: costume: presents. Visit to Prince Hafiz Ullah: his house: conversation: presents. The wrestling again. Her Majesty’s photograph. Lunch with the Prince in the Palace Gardens. The “Royal manner.” The third day’s wrestling. The mother of Prince Hafiz Ullah. A drawing of the Prince. Adventure with the fat General: his officiousness: the after effect on certain patients: his bullying: the after effect on himself. The power of the Amîr’s name. The Amîr as a Consulting Surgeon. The Fast of Ramazàn: effect of the Fast. Overdose of tobacco: wailing. The Evening Durbar: His Highness’s remarks: danger if a King fasts: “Marazàn.” The Durbar as a picture. The “Pig” incident and the explanation. The surgical operation: attempted vendetta: the result: the old lady’s sympathy. Flowers in the Palace. The Usbàk’s artistic design: the Amîr’s criticism. The Amîr’s diary. The present of sugar. Official notice of return march to Kabul. The “Cracker.” End of Ramazàn. Preparations for the Exodus. The guard of Amazons.
On the following day, after I had finished my work, I heard that the infant Prince, Mahomed Omer, was leaving the Harem Serai, where he had been living since his recovery from the vaccination, to take possession of a house that had been freshly prepared for him. I sent to enquire if he would receive me that afternoon. This may seem a great deal of ceremony when a baby is the principal personage, but as a matter of fact it was really paying a ceremonial visit to the Sultana. She being a Mussulman, of course did not give audience to anyone: her son received for her. At the time of which I write the baby Prince certainly took precedence of his brothers, the Princes Hafiz Ullah and Amin Ullah, who were in Turkestan; but whether he now takes precedence of his two eldest brothers, Habibullah and Nasrullah, I cannot say.