The remainder of the twenty-one were promised later, and have
since all been surrendered. But the rifles as they lay on the ground were
a bitter comment on the economic aspect of the "Forward Policy." These
tribes have nothing to surrender but their arms. To extort these few,
had taken a month, had cost many lives, and thousands of pounds. It had
been as bad a bargain as was ever made. People talk glibly of "the total
disarmament of the frontier tribes" as being the obvious policy. No
doubt such a result would be most desirable. But to obtain it would be
as painful and as tedious an undertaking, as to extract the stings of a
swarm of hornets, with naked fingers.
After the surrender of the rifles, the discussion of terms proceeded
with smoothness. Full jirgahs were sent to the camp from the tribe, and
gradually a definite understanding was reached. The tribesmen bewailed
the losses they had sustained. Why, they asked, had the Sirkar visited
them so heavily? Why, replied Major Deane, had they broken the peace and
attacked the camp? The elders of the tribe, following the practice of
all communities, threw the blame on their "young men.
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