The latest news from India is of a most encouraging nature.
It is supposed that the announcement made by the British Government thatthey mean to send a strong force to punish the rebellious tribes has hada good effect.
The Afridis are reported to have held a council of war, and have decidedto return to their homes and gather in their harvests. The head men ofthe tribe are said to be responsible for this decision, because theymade a strong stand against the continuation of the war.
It is probable that the reason of their return to their homes is notaltogether because of their harvests, but that other tribes which hadagreed to join in the uprising have become alarmed at the action of theBritish, and, fearful lest they too may come in for punishment, haverefused to take any part in the border war.
Haddah Mullah, the mad priest who is accused of having incited thetribes to rebel in the first instance, has also given in. It is saidthat he has dispersed his followers of the Swati tribe, and that theyhave returned to their homes.
The Mullah had been gathering forces together for an attack on Peshawar,a strong British fort. To make his attempt successful he needed more menthan he had under his command; he therefore ordered a tribe called theMohmands to join him, and marched toward Peshawar, expecting to meetthem on the way.
When he and his followers arrived at the meeting-place, he found to hisdismay that instead of the host of warriors he had expected, there wasonly a messenger from the chief of the Mohmands, who told him in veryplain terms that they would have nothing to do with either the revolt orthe attack on Peshawar.
On hearing this it is said that the Mullah was so discouraged that herefused to lead the Swatis anymore, and ordered his followers to go backto their homes.
If this report be indeed true, the worst of the rebellion is undoubtedlyover, for the Haddah Mullah was the most dangerous enemy the British hadto fear in the frontier war. By preying upon the superstitions of thetribe he had obtained such an influence over them that they regarded himas a prophet and obeyed his slightest word.
To make them fight bravely he distributed rice that had been coloredpink among his followers on the eve of a battle, and assured them thatall who carried it would pass through the fiercest battle without awound or scratch.
On one occasion when the rice had been handed round from man to man itwas found after the fight was over that the Mullah's hand was very badlycut. His followers began to murmur, and wonder how the giver of thischarmed rice could himself be wounded in battle. The Mullah was,however, smart enough to invent a story about having seized a bayonetand purposely cut himself. His simple followers believed him, andcontinued to use the wonderful rice.
The withdrawal of this crafty priest from active opposition will be agreat assistance to the British cause, which has also been greatlystrengthened during the last few days by the friendly attitude of theAmeer of Afghanistan.
We told you how the British suspected that this ruler had helped to stirup the rebellion: at one time it was decided to send him another letter,calling