Lost among the Affghans: being the adventures of John Campbell, otherwise Feringhee Bacha, amongst the wild tribes of Central Asia. Related by himself to Hubert Oswald Fry. With a portrait

Chapter I

Found on battle-field by the Affghans. — Adopted by the Chief. — Earliest recollections. — Affghan education. — Illness. — Change of scene. — Return to school. — We blow up our master. — Blilitary training.— Affghan high life. — A scrape. — The Kookhee tribe. — Early longings after the English. — My first visit to the town of Caubul. — Kelics of the British in the Valley of Tezeen, and at Seeasung. — Murder of Sir W. Macnaghten and Sir A. Burnes. — I resolve to escape from the Affghans. — I save money. — Description of Caubul, its climate, &c. — Winter at Caubul. — Habits of the people. — Instances of their wild, ferocious character. — Plans for escape. — My Affghan friends ; one commits suicide, another is attacked and wounded. — A wedding. — I am shot by ODe of my playmates. — I recover from the wound. — Expedition against Tagaub. — First experience of battle. — We are repulsed. — March to Caubul. — I am insulted by the King Dost Mahomed. — I become miserable. — I prepare to flee from Affghanistan. — Vague idea where I was going

Chapter II

I start on my wanderings. — Hard riding. — Safe beyond the Affghan frontier. — I resolve to visit the Prophet of Swat. — A kind friend. — I advance towards Swat. — I set up as private tutor. — Pleasant time at Bassood. — I am nearly killed by bees. — I jog on towards Swat. — Mountain robbers. — I find shelter in their village. — A storm among the hills. — I am waylaid by thieves. — The power of politeness. — Halt at Tana. — Aswinging bridge. — Arrive at Swat. — The Prophet's liberality. — His advice to me CONTENTS. VI PAQE 39

Chapter III

I turn my steps towards Badukshan. — Arrive at Dhyr. — Interview with the king. — Difficulties on the road to Badukshan. — I am warned not to attempt the journey. — Preparations for the undertaking. — Assistance from the king. — Intense fatigue. — Carried by my guides. — Arrive in Ashrate. — Lonely feelings. — I set to work to learn the Chutroree language. — Interview with the governor. — I leave Ashrate. — Arrive at Santropoor ; find a situation. — Novel employment. — I give way to my temper. — Bitter results. — Imprisoned. — Witness terrible sights. — A painful see-saw. — Escape from prison. — A midnight run.— A safe retreat ....

Chapter IV

I continue my journey with a friend. — A night among the sheep. — My friend shews himself to be a villain. — I leave him to his fate. — Badpash. — I live with a schoolmaster. — A change for the worse. — I quit Badpash. — Get a lift on my way. — Mundrawur. — I am hospitably received. — I shew off my shooting, and make a friend by my skill. — I give lessons on the use of firearms. — Introduction to the governor. — He gives me a letter of recommendation. — I continue my journey. — Chutror. — I am entertained by the governor. — His great kindness. — I proceed to Kashcar. — The Kaufirs. — I put off my Mahommedan dress. — Pleasant evening in a Kaufir cave 57

Chapter V

I wander on over the mountains of Kaufiristan. — I shoot a sheep, and alarm the Kaufirs. — Lonely travelling. — Affray with the natives. —"We make peace, and I halt in the village. — I pass for a magician. — Shugnan. — Mahommedans again. — Gilghit. — Description of the road to Badukshan, and dangers on the way. — Traffic in slaves. — Too late for the caravan. — A wretched night. — I overtake the caravan. — Affghan friends. — Detained by the snow. — Dangerous climbing. — Strange night scene. — I and my friend lose our way. — My friend kills a Kaufir. — Our dismay at discovering that we have lost the track. — "We retrace our steps. — I take the lead. — Recover the way, and rejoin the caravan . . . .70 CONTENTS. VII

Chapter VI. Page

Kotalakoda mountain.— Intense cold.— Sufferings of the slaves. — We rescue a young girl from death.— Arrived at the summit of the mountain. — Glissading. —My friend and I leave the caravan. — "We part. —Five days without food. —Terrible hardships.— I arrive in a village.— Kindness of the inhabitants.— I rest in Jerm for a month. — Push on towards Fyzabad. — I find a friend at Adhanan. — Arrive at Fyzabad. — Comfortable quarters in Fyzabad. — Life of pleasure. — Another rash act. — I learn a business. — I am weary of inactivity, and resolve to go to Yarkaud. — Start with a caravan.— I find a companion, and we push ahead of the caravan. — Eobbers again. — Rejoin the caravan. — Yarkand. — Something about the Chinese ....... 87

Chapter VII

The innkeeper's story. — I visit the town of Koten. — Adventure with the slave -merchants. — Attempt to go to Constantinople. — Stray notes of four months' wanderings. — Enormous images, Subsal and Shamona. — Legends of the same. — A fearful leap. — Legend of the city of Gulguleh. — Legend of the snake at Istalif. — Journey to Kolob. — The Jiboon river. — Visit to the king. — Soldier life. — Chiob. — Disagreeable companions. — A murderous design. — Refuge with the dervish. — A deed of darkness. — Retributive punishment. — I join the king's artillery corps. — I am promoted. — Envy and hatred. — Revenge. — Bloodshed. — I baffle the officers of justice. — Detained in Chiob ..... 107

Chapter VIII

The blacksmith's dinner-party. —A friendly offer. — Horse-racing. — The winner of the race. — I covet the animal. — My horse Zangi. — On the move again. — A sharp ride to Rustak. — Hospitable dervish. — Lonely feelings again. — Journey to Talokan. — Zangi shews his power. — Alone in the desert.— A terrible night. — Endurance of my horse. — Talokan. — Halt for rest. — I punish a thief ..... 141

Chapter IX

Start for Kolm. — Stopped by a storm. — Travelling alone. — Lost in the jungle. — Luxuriant beauty of nature.— Wild forest CONTENTS. {PAGE 1C9 life. — My solitude disturbed. — A wild boar. — A lion. — The desert again.— Return to the jungle. — Bird-catching. —Long ings for society. — I fall into bad hands. — Magicians in the desert. — Commencement of a mystery which the reader may explain. — Visions. — The mysterious eggs. — Wonderful pictures. — I resolve to break the magic spell. — Vision of the laughable book.— Of the great army — More mystery. — The man-image. — I break the spell. — My senses return. — My great loss. — A scorching desert. — Even Zangi fails. — Great sufferings. — Relief. — Water. — Once more among men. — Uncivil reception. — A woman's kindness

Chapter X

Yfanderings among strange people. — My wretched condition. — Reach Koristan. — A friend in need. — The Satan-worshippers. — A religious festival. — Curious rites and customs. — Sacred temple. — Amusements. — Start for Bolagain. — My companions. — Among the mountains again. — A tiger. — A clever shot. — A night with the mountain goatherds. — Bolagain. — I become schoolmaster and make money. — I travel to Dracalan and to Bancoot. — I hear about the Russians. — I join the Kokau army. — A brush with the Russians. — Pursuit. — Triumphant return ..... 199

Chapter XI

Battle of Cheetah. — I join the Russians. — Their report of the English. — Agamusjed. — Life in the Russian army. — Discontented with the Russians. — A council of war. — Stratagem. — The Russian officers. — Success of my plan. — I depart from the Russians. — Travel in disguise. — Calay. — Shurzesubze. — Hard up. — Zangi falls ill. — Hydropathic treatment. — I write to the king. — Quarrel with an officer. — I act with decision. — I move on towards Bokhara. — Skirmish with the Turkomans. — Wounded. — Rest in Bokhara . . . 219

Chapter XII

Caracol. — I rescue an Affghan from slavery. — The man's gratitude. — He becomes my servant. — My success as a wandering musician. — Turkoman villages. — P^etum with my riches to Caracol. — Andkhoo. —Among the Affghans again. — War with the Turkomans. — I visit Tashkoorghan disguised as a CONTENTS. IX dervish.— I perform a miracle and gain celebrity.— Another stratagem.— Taking of Tashkoorghan.— The " jazailchees."— The Sirdars take counsel with me.— Advance against Shibbergan. — A fight for dear life. — Narrow escape.— The siege. — A mine.— Surrender of Shibbergan.— I continue my way to Mairnuna.— My servant's fidelity. — Takht-i-pool. — The dervish in the graveyard.— I live with him . . .236

Chapter XIII

Slave-dealers' conspiracies against me.— Night attack.— A fatal but fortunate shot.— Pursuit.— Unpleasant predicament.— Fierce dogs. — I am taken before the king. — I gain my cause. — My servant's adventures and escape.— He remains with the dervish. —I start on a dangerous journey. — Neglected warnings. — Robbers again. — A choice of evils.— A skirmish.— I am wounded. — My noble horse.— Painful travelling.— Arrive at Mairnuna.— Curious reception.— A fortunate mistake.— A Persian cannon-founder. —We drub the Persians. — My saddest loss. — Herat. — Kotala-dandan-shakan. — A short history.— The Persian interference in Herat.— Fall of Gorian.— Esau Khan's treachery. — I enter his service. —Description of Herat.— Attack by the Persians. — Shakawan — I narrowly escape death.— Siege of Shakawan.— Surrender.— Retreat to Herat ........ 257

Chapter XIV

Siege of Herat. — Sorties. — A grand assault. — Panic among the Persians. — Horrible butchery. — The pinch of famine.— Surrender.— I disguise myself. —Life in the Persian camp.— Esau Khan's death.— Esau Khan's burial. — The Persian princes. — Interview with Hassom Sultana. — A jovial Persian. — I commence my journey into Persia. — A fellow-feeling. —I am introduced to the Khan Baber Khan. — Pacha Wuzeeree. — A Persian game. — A quarrel ..... 286

Chapter XV

Attack from the Turkomans. —Plan of defence. — Clouds of trouble gather. — Disputings on religion. — I am saved by my circumcision. — Hunting in the jungle.— Designs against my life.— I outwit the murderers. — I expose the villany of Khan Baber Khan ....... 30G X CONTENTS. PAGE 316

Chapter XVI

The march to Meshed. — Another narrow escape. — I leave my persecutor. — Meshed. — The cholera. — A fearful death scene. — The plague-stricken city.— A strange funeral. — I feel symptoms of the disease. — My cure for it. — The plague leaves the town. — My persecutor again. — Start for Nishapoor.— The valiant Lookman. — A quarrel with soldier robbers. — They pursue us. — At bay. — Lookman's troubles begin. — Return to Meshed. — I release Lookman from danger

Chapter XVII

Affghan companions. — A musical party. — Affghan impudence. — We sell our donkey. — Thieving. — A housebreaking adventure. — I leave my companions. — I acknowledge myself to be a Christian. — I suffer persecution. — I am made prisoner. • — My sufferings. — Dreadful fate of my friend. — They try to tempt me. — I decide to die. — First ray of hope. — I am saved from death. — I am found by those whom I sought. — Colonel Taylor and Captain C. Clerk. — My interview with them. — They send me to Teheran. — Mr Charles Murray.- — He examines me. — His kindness to me. — Travelling by Tapaul. — Arrival in Bushire. — Captain Jones. — First sight of the sea. — Voyage to Bombay. — Lord Elphinstone examines me. — I am sent to school .....

Introduction

. Upon a field of carnage in the valley of Tezeen, when the British force was fighting its way through the snow-bound passes of Affghanistan, surrounded by thousands of Affghans, who shot them down from the heights above, and harassed their retreat at every step, there was found, amongst heaps of the slain, an infant, unhurt, which the Indian woman in charge of it said was the son of a British officer. The babe was taken by the troops of Dost Mahomed, to their leader, the Chief of the district of Konnar, in Affghanistan, by whom the little foundling was adopted as a son. This boy is the hero of the adventures related in the following pages, and which the editor wrote down from his dictation. The narrative commences from the young adven turer's earliest recollections of his childhood, ere he had learned the important fact that he was not an Affghan, but of British origin, though his father's name he never heard. The name of " John Campbell," by which he is known to his English friends, was given to him very recently at Bombay, at the sugges-

INTRODUCTION.

. tion of Lord Elphinstone, and is not to be regarded as affording any clue to the youth's parentage. The accounts which this remarkable youth gave of many of his adventures were so striking, that it occurred to the editor, and to several friends whose judgment was consulted, that a narrative of his travels and adventures among the tribes inhabiting the remote districts of Central Asia, would be acceptable to the public ; especially as the personal history of the nar rator was itself so full of interest. Hence the present volume, which contains a simple record of facts as taken down by the editor from Campbell's own lips. The narrator's knowledge of English being at this time very imperfect, the style is necessarily crude, but the editor has thought it preferable to give Campbell's own words, in order that the simplicity of the narrative may be preserved, as nearly as possible.

The narrative closes with the hero's arrival at Bom bay in the year 1857. After a residence of two years in that city, John Campbell was sent over to England under the charge of Captain Baverty, and by direction of the India Board, he was placed under the care of the Rev. George Small, who had for several years been a Baptist missionary in India. This gentleman's knowledge of the Persian and other Oriental lansuaoes, qualified him especially to take charge of the young Anglo- Affghan, who on his arrival in this country had made very little progress in the English tongue. He remained with Mr Small some months, pursuing a

INTRODUCTION.

. XIII regular course of English studies ; and was then placed by Mr Small in a school at Brighton, conducted by Mrs Edmund Fry and her sons. Upon one of the latter (the editor of the present volume) principally devolved the superintendence of Campbell's studies ; and the result has been a friendship which has been peculiarly gratifying to the editor. On his first introduction to this family, John Camp bell appeared to be a young man of somewhat foreign aspect, though with decidedly European features ; his complexion was sallow, from exposure to the extremes of heat and cold ; his eyelids appeared swollen, and his lips a little blotched with black, which he ascribed to the effects of intense cold in crossing the Kotalakoda mountain. His stature is below the middle height, and he stoops considerably ; this last being the natural result of much riding on horseback in the Aflghan fashion, leaning forward.

His hands and feet are remarkably small and well formed. Mrs Fry writes thus respecting him : — " In February 1861 I was requested to receive into my family a youth of remarkable appearance, appa rently about twenty years of age. He was introduced to me as the son of a British officer slain in India. The name John Campbell had been given him by his earliest English friend, and he acknowledged no other. His countenance was grave and watchful, his manners gentle and subdued; he spoke English very imper fectly, but he was so anxious to gain information on

INTRODUCTION.

. various subjects, that he endeavoured to converse with every one around him. There was a singular mixture of independence and suspicion in his demeanour, that betokened habits of self-reliance and observation sharpened by necessity. At first he was cautious and reserved ; but he soon attached himself to one of my sons about his own age, and in whose study he passed the greater part of his time. He soon became sociable and lively, and of an evening delighted to bring out his books of Persian songs, and to sing or chant them for our amusement. Sometimes he translated the poems into English, relating the legends attached to each song; and now and then he astonished us with an Affghan war-song, which he would shout with strange, wild energy. "In his usual pursuits he evinced a quiet perse verance, which is the probable secret of much that is remarkable in his story.

A simple instance will suffice : on one occasion my son being unable to attend to Campbell's usual studies, I proposed to him to make an effort to improve his handwriting; as soon as he had convinced himself that the thing was desirable, he obtained a pile of copy-books, and taking his seat amongst my little pupils (children under twelve,) he compelled himself to hold the pen as directed, and wrote steadily on, hour after hour, without change of occupation for several days ; now and then he stopped for a moment to ' punish his hand,' saying, ' hand, much, much paining ; punish much,— go on.'

INTRODUCTION.

. XV " As our intimacy increased, I found much to interest in our strange guest : he evinced a reverence for religion in whatever form worship might be offered ; but his ideas of truth were decidedly Jesuitical : he argued that a lie was justifiable if it were to accomplish a right end ; which is the theory maintained by Madame de Genlis and other French writers. He often re quested me to read and explain the Gospels to him ; and, on one occasion, when we were reading the 6th chapter of Luke, as I came to the words, ' / say unto you, Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you ; bless them that curse you,' he exclaimed, ' Bible must be God's book : only God could say that. Man's heart say, Kill enemy; God say love; only God can love enemy : true, true ; Bible God's book.' " During the ten weeks that John Campbell was in our family he gained the confidence of all; his fail ings were those arising from circumstances, not from wilful wickedness : he appeared to be naturally gentle, trusting, and affectionate ; but his strange destiny had thrown him early on his own resources, sharpened his suspicion, and made him wary, keen, self-reliant, and determined.

His powers of endurance are marvellous, and his perseverance deserved a happier fate. May we not hope that one so tutored by misfortune, so wonderfully preserved, must be designed to accomplish some great end ? " Should any question be raised as to the truth of

INTRODUCTION.

. XVI the narrative itself, the editor, whilst assumin^.only the responsibility of a faithful transcription of Camp bell's statements, desires to add that, after close obser vation and investigation, he himself entertains no doubt of the substantial correctness of what is here related ; and he begs to call the reader's attention to a few of the most important points which have influenced the editor and many others in placing faith in what John Campbell related of himself. First, there is the significant fact that the Indian Government, after careful investigation into the case, considered this young wanderer to have a claim upon them for maintenance. The British Ambassador in Persia, Mr Charles Murray, to whom our hero applied, sent him to Bombay. There Lord Elphinstone ex amined him, and finding his story agree with all the authorities which could be brought to bear upon it, took the youth under his protection and kept him at school for two years ; after which he sent him to England.

Here Campbell was again examined before Sir John Lawrence and other gentlemen, whose acquaintance with Oriental character and languages renders them most unlikely to be imposed upon ; and so satisfied were they with the account their proUge gave of himself, that after placing him for a year under tuition in England, they have sent him back to Bombay where he remains under the care of the Government, continuing his studies in his native language and the various branches of an English education.

INTRODUCTION.

. XVII Tnd following are Campbell's recollections of what the Affghans told him concerning the expulsion of the British army from Caubul : — ■ "When the English first came into Affghanistan, the Affghans called them angels, and imagined their trumpets were the trumpet of Gabriel, and the roar of their cannon they thought to be thunder : but when they saw them eating and drinking, especially when they saw them eat pork, they rose up against them, fought with them and drove them out of Affghanistan. The English army was encamped outside Caubul at a place called Seeasung, about three miles from the capital. The soldiers (chiefly Sepoys) were tired with fighting and privation ; so the English asked Akhbar Khan to allow them to return to Hindustan unmolested, and to this the Affghan leader agreed.

The English left Caubul in parties : in three days the whole of their army was on the march ; but they were obliged to abandon their larger tents and their heavy artillery and baggage. Before they started, the English officer called for all the men in his army who had money, to bring it and have it buried, in order that the enemy should not find it ; and many obeyed. A stone was raised over the spot, with an account of what had been hidden, and how much belonged to each man, so that if the English should at any future time return to Seeasung, the men might receive again their treasure. (These facts were communicated to the Affghans by some Sepoy deserters.) After the departure of the b

INTRODUCTION.

. XVIII English, the Affghans took possession of the tents and baggao-e which were left behind at Seeasung. In three days the British army arrived at Tezeen, which is beautifully situated among the mountains : here they encamped on the banks of a river. The Affghans pursued the English with 8,000 men, and overtook them at night. They turned the course of the stream upon the English camp, and overwhelmed the wearied army with water and ice. The poor Sepoys wished to offer resistance, but the night was too dark for them to perceive their enemies ; in the morning they did give battle to the Affghans, but they were so benumbed by the cold that they were soon vanquished. The English officer was killed and the whole army perished, either by the sword of their treacherous enemies, or by cold and hunger."

It is at this point that Campbell begins to speak of himself. It may be regarded as corroborating the veracity of Campbell's narrative, that he records some incidents which present his character in an unfavourable light. Judged by the Christian standard, there can be no doubt that he is open to the gravest censure ; but it should be remembered that at that period he knew nothing of Christianity; his teaching and training, from earliest childhood, had been that of an Affghan, and his habits of life were those of a people proverbially cunning, treacherous, and cruel; to whom the idea of the sacredness of human life was unknown. Com-

INTRODUCTION.

. XIX mencing his perilous and adventurous journeyings whilst yet a mere boy, the one constant thought and necessity, ever uppermost in his mind, was self-preser vation ; and he relied upon the cunning of a naturally quick and observant nature to extricate him from dangers which might well have appalled the boldest and most experienced travellers. His life continually threatened by cruel and unscrupulous enemies, it can hardly be wondered at that his heart should be prone to avenge injury, and his hand quick to strike in self defence. But that he was not wholly unworthy of his English lineage may be inferred from his early loyalty to the race to which he was taught that he belonged, as well as from the heroic constancy with which, when he learned that he was the son of a British soldier, he persevered in his efforts to discover and rejoin his own countrymen.

His lofty spirit and reckless daring, the impetuous courage and patient endurance with which he faced danger and overcame every obstacle in his path, are innate characteristics, which his wild life fos tered. When at length the light of Christianity first broke in upon his darkened mind, it found in the young outcast a ready and cordial recipient ; he became a courageous champion of the truth, and shewed that in the hour of trial he would have become a martyr to his faith. During his short stay with his English friends John Campbell endeared himself to them by many evidences of a grateful and affectionate heart. He was, XX

INTRODUCTION.

. as may be easily supposed, peculiar and quick in tem per, and required patient and judicious guidance ; but the editor and his family felt amply rewarded for the care bestowed upon their interesting charge. He made rapid and satisfactory progress in acquiring the English language, and received with intelligent appreciation such general instruction as could be imparted during so short a period. In the month of May 1861, by desire of the India Board, John Campbell was fitted out for his return to India. He sailed in the Ellora from Southampton on the 12th of that month, and arrived at Bombay about the middle of June. What may be the deter mination of the Government with regard to his future career is not known. It may, however, reasonably be hoped that energies and resources so remarkably de veloped in early life will find ample and honourable scope for their employment in the public service of his country. H. 0. FRY. Brighton, October 1862. LOST AMONG THE AFFGHANS.

Chapter I

Found on battle-field by the Affghans. — Adopted by the Chief. — Earliest recollections. — Affghan education. — Illness. — Change of scene. — Return to school. — We blow up our master. — Military training. — Affghan high life. — A scrape. —The Kookhee tribe. — Early longings after the English. —My first visit to the town of Caubul. — Relics of the British in the Valley of Tezeen, and at Seeasung. — Murder of Sir "W". Macnaghten and Sir A. Burnes. — I resolve to escape from the Affghans. — I save money. — Description of Caubul, its climate, &c— Winter at Caubul. — Habits of the people. — Instances of their wild, ferocious character. — Plans for escape. — My Affghan friends ; one commits suicide, another is attacked and wounded. — A wedding. — I am shot by one of my playmates. — I recover from the wound. — Expedition against Tagaub. — First experience of battle. — We are repulsed. — March to Caubul. — I am insulted by the King Dost Mahomed. — I become miserable. — I prepare to flee from Affghanistan. — Vague idea where I was going.

I MUST have been about two years old when, having been left with my nurse on the battle-field at Tezeen, I was discovered by the Affghans, who spared my life and took me to their chief. Among the trophies taken by the victors to the capital, were the heads of a number of the English stuck upon bayonets. My life was spared because I was so A MY FOSTER-MOTHER. young. They asked my nurse who I was, and she told them that I was the son of an English officer who was killed in the battle. They asked her what religion she was, and she said she was Mahommedan, and pleaded earnestly for her life ; but they said that she had been unfaithful to her religion by taking charge of a Christian child, and they made this the excuse for putting her to death. The chief kept me as part of his share of the spoil, and ordered two of his horse soldiers to take me to his residence at Islampoor, in Konnar, which was about eight days' journey from Caubul.

The chief proceeded in trumph to the capital, where he received the honours paid to a great con queror. The soldiers carried me in their arms, and rested at Jugdaluk, where they fed me with sheep's milk and cake. On arriving at Islampoor, they left me at the chief's house. The people flocked around me, and some laughed at me, and called me " Feringhee," (European.) Some time elapsed before the arrival of the chief, by whom I was named " Feringhee Bacha," and by this name I was always afterwards called. (The literal meaning of Feringhee Bacha, is European child.) This chief had nine wives, one of whom was childless. I was presented to her, and she loved me as if I had been her own son. When I was five years old, I was sent to school. Here I first began to understand that I was of a different race to my companions; this I EARLY ATTAINMENTS. 3 learnt from the explanations given to me by my school fellows of the literal meaning of my name.