ously. Another brother, Alexander,
as has been noted, had been killed in action in the fighting round
Cabul in 1842, and a third--William--was to meet with a sadder fate.
He was found dead in circumstances that gave rise to a suspicion of
foul play.

Now began for Nicholson that useful training in administrative work
which gained him such repute a few years later. Within three weeks of
his arrival at Lahore he was despatched on a mission to Umritsur, with
instructions to survey and report generally on the district. This
done, he proceeded to the Sind Sagur Doab country, where he was
stationed as political officer in command. To cultivate the
acquaintance of the two Nazims, or ruling chiefs, the Sirdars Chuttur
Singh and Lall Singh, and support their authority, at the same time
that he protected the people from oppression, was Nicholson's charge
from Lawrence, and he applied himself to the difficult task with zeal
and enthusiasm.

"Avoid as far as possible any military movement during the next three
months," wrote Lawrence; "but, should serious disturbance arise, act
energetically." By peaceful methods, if possible, did he wish to bring
the Punjaub under subjection. Still, if the

". . . new-caught, sullen peoples,
Half-devil and half-child,"

were rebellious and needed chastening, the hand that smote them was to
smite heavily.

Very soon after Nicholson reached his new district the occasion arose
for him to assert his power. Captain Abbott, then acting as Boundary
Commissioner, was having trouble with the chiefs of Simulkund. These
worthies had committed some dastardly outrages in the neighbourhood,
and refused point-blank to appear at his court to answer for their
misdeeds. In response to the other's summons, Nicholson led a small
force to Simulkund, where he acted in conjunction with Abbott. The
result of these prompt measures was to make the Simulkund rebels
abandon their position without firing a shot.

This was a peaceful termination to an overt act of rebellion. The next
piece of lawlessness that called for punishment was of a more serious
nature, and gave Nicholson more opportunity to display his mastery.
Although the country round Rawal Pindi was apparently tranquil, the
natives were, as a matter of fact, only waiting for a convenient moment
to shake off the yoke. Pathans, Rajputs, Jats, Gujars, and men of
other tribes, alike resented the check laid upon their raiding and
cattle-lifting,