I heard the Bhutteara bustling about in the interior of his house for a while, and was gratified to see that he so evidently exerted himself to please me. In a short time more the sherbet was prepared, and its grateful coolness, with the rose-water which had been mingled with it, allayed the irritation of my mouth, and enabled me to enjoy a hookah, which, if served in a less costly apparatus than that the Nuwab had offered me, was as good in flavour: its pleasing fumes composed me, and quieted the feverish excitement I had hitherto been in.
"You appear comfortable," said Bhudrinath.
"I am so," I replied; "and I doubt not you envy me, in spite of your Brahminical belief."
"Perhaps I do," said he; "yet having never tasted the luxuries of meat and other things you set such value upon, I cannot estimate them sufficiently, and I care not about them: nay more, the very idea of meat, the sight of it in its raw state, the blood, the garbage accompanying it, are loathsome to me; and I very much question, were I to become a Mahomedan, whether I could ever bring myself to eat it. Pah! the idea is horrible."
I could not help laughing heartily at his disgust, and he was not angry. "But," said I, "how are we to wake at the proper time? an hour too soon or too late, and our enterprise is ruined."
"I was thinking of the same thing," he replied; and turning to the Bhutteara,he asked him how late he remained up: "For," he continued, "my friend and I have a small matter on our hands about midnight. Can we trust to you to awaken us if we sleep?"
"Certainly," said the man; "I never shut up my shop till after midnight, for sometimes travellers drop in, and, poor hungry souls, the first place they seek is the Bhutteara's shop, and were there not something hot for them woe be to me!"
"Here is a trifle over and above the price of the kabobs," said I, throwing him a few rupees, "to keep you awake."
He picked up the money with many salams and good wishes, and my hookah being smoked out, and feeling drowsy, I laid myself down and slept, but not long. As is often the case, excitement overpowered sleep, and I awoke in alarm lest I had overslept the time; I had not however done so. Looking round me, I saw the Bhutteara busily employed in cooking cakes, while his little daughter was turning some kabobs on the fire; he observed me, and said, "You are soon awake, Sahib, it wants a good hour yet of your time; you had better go to sleep again; you see I have work in hand which will keep me up beyond that time, for some travellers have arrived, and it is as much as I can do to satisfy their hungry stomachs."
"I cannot sleep again," said I; "I am refreshed, and another hookah or two will keep me awake till it is time to go."
"I understand you," said he; "you young men are hot-blooded, and are always seeking adventures; but it is only as it ought to be: I would not give a couree for a young fellow who had not the spirit you appear to possess."
"May you prosper," said I; "but let me have another hookah, for truly the first has left a grateful flavour in my mouth."
He disappeared into the interior of his house for a short time, and returned with it. "Now," said he, "if the first pleased you, you cannot but be gratified with this; it is prepared from a choice receipt, and it is only persons of rank and taste like yourself to whom I ever give it: it would be lost on the multitude."
It was, as he said, delicious; and my pipe had been refilled several times to my great satisfaction, when he told me the time I desired was come. "Yonder star," said he, "rises over the houses a short time before midnight, so rouse your companion; you will be expected."
I did so; Bhudrinath was soon awake, and ready to accompany me. We took leave of our host, and directed our way through the now deserted streets to the place of assignation. "We are wonderfully like two thieves," said he to me; "what if the village watch should catch us? we should look very foolish."
"I see no danger of it," said I: but hardly were the words out of my mouth, when we saw the patrol coming down the street before us. There was an open gate close to us, and stepping inside, we hid ourselves behind the large doors. We had however been observed, and as the men passed, one said he was sure he had seen two men lurking there.
"Nonsense," said another fellow, "you are always seeing men in the dark. Come along! it is just midnight, and I am sleepy; we will go a little further, and then beat the duphra; if there are any thieves about they will run away."
A loud yawn was a pretty good proof of the truth of his assertion, and they passed on. Just as we emerged from our hiding-place the duphra and horns were sounded, and answered from the other sides of the town; and then all was again as still as death, save when a village dog howled his wild cry to the moon. "There is now no danger," said I; "come on, we are near the place."
A few paces further brought us to the corner where the old woman said she would await our coming, and there, to our great joy, we found her. "My blessings on ye that ye are come," said she; "I thought the night would never wear away, and I have been waiting here for some hours."
"Is all prepared?" said I: "Is she ready?"
"Ay, that she is; I warrant the hours have gone as slowly with her as with me; and listen," said the old woman, "she has hit upon a rare device, which will mislead suspicion:" and she laughed heartily.
"For the love of Alla be quiet!" said I; "were we heard or seen we are undone."
"For that matter there is not much to apprehend, for this house on one side is deserted, and inside the wall, on the other, is nothing but the nuwab's garden, where no one stays at night."
"Tell me then what her plan is; can we assist it?"
"Oh no," said the woman; "it is her own invention, and a rare one it is. I had just come to her, when she sent me out to get a bladder full of blood. I could not make out what she wanted it for, but I went and bought it, though I had to get a kid killed on the pretence that the meat was suddenly required. Well, no sooner had I returned, than she poured some of it on her bed, rumpled and daubed the sheets, tore off pieces of her dress, and scattered them about the room, also some of the beautiful hair from her head, which she also threw about, and in short made the place look as if she had been wounded, and there had been a scuffle to get her out. Ah, it was a rare device! and the best of it is, that a nuwab who lives at a distance, and who has been trying to get this one to give her up (and there has been much quarrelling between them on the subject), will be suspected, and it will never be thought that she has run off of her own accord."
"'Tis wonderful," said I; "and, proverbial as is woman's wit, yet, by Alla! this is an instance which ought to be written in a book; but we are delaying here to no purpose."
"Come, then," said the old woman; "it is but a few steps further." We stationed ourselves under the window, in which there was a strong light burning; and the old woman giving a sharp but low cough, a figure was seen at the casement; it opened; it was she!
"Is he here?" said a low, sweet voice, which thrilled through me.
"Yes, lady, the humblest of your slaves is here, and prays you to be quick, for the sake of Alla; there is no time to lose."
"I will be with you instantly," replied she.
"Do so," said I; "but be quick, or we are lost."
She withdrew from the window, and a few instants after reappeared, and let down a box and bundle. I unfastened them, and she drew up the sheet. "Now," said she, "I come; but what is to be done with the sheet? I must fasten it inside ere I descend."
"Leave that to me," said I, "only come down."
A few instants more were occupied in fastening the cloth, and she then stepped out on the ledge. My heart beat audibly lest she should fall and hurt herself, and we should be observed; but I and Bhudrinath placed ourselves underneath, to catch her if she fell. It was however unnecessary, for she was on the ground in an instant, and I had pressed her to my heart! "The rest must not be left undone," said I; and ascending by the sheet, I entered the window. The room was a small one, and, by the hasty glance I threw around it, it appeared, indeed, as though there had been a scene of violence and bloodshed. Clothes were strewn about, the floor and bed were stained with blood, and pieces of torn apparel, lying here and there, gave to the whole the appearance of what was intended. I did not stay a moment, but unfastening the sheet, threw it down, and getting outside the window, dropped to the ground. The shock hurt me considerably, but it was not the time for complaint. We held a hurried consultation as to which gate we should go out by, Bhudrinath again preferring the one by which we entered. This, however, was overruled by all of us, and guided by the old woman we took our way to the other. We met not a soul in the lonely streets, and, by the blessing of Alla, on reaching the gate we found the wicket open, and the man who should have guarded it fast asleep, with his shield under his head and his sword by his side. Stealthily and slowly we passed by him, lest our footfall should awake him; and gaining the outside, we hurried along under the shadow of the walls until we gained the plain on which was our encampment.
When fairly within our guards, who were stationed round the spot, the fair being, who had hitherto clung to me, suddenly sunk down. To fetch water for her was the work of a moment, and after forcing some into her mouth she recovered. "I was overcome with joy," said she, throwing herself at my feet; "and indeed, if you knew the anxious suspense I have been in ever since last afternoon, you would believe me. At one time I was overjoyed at the prospectof deliverance from my hateful servitude, and again, as the night wore on, and I tried to count the hours, I sometimes thought that the time had passed, and that my preparations had been but a mockery. And now to find myself free and with you, ah! my lord, it is too much joy—my heart is like to burst."
I raised her up and caressed her, and seating her under a tree, put my arm around her, and we sat in the lovely moonlight in silence; she could not speak, and I would not break the current of her thoughts, whatever they might be. How long we sat there I cannot tell; we were interrupted by the old woman. "This is no time for dalliance," said she; "my lady requires rest; and methinks, sir, were you to find means of getting us on before morning breaks, we should elude pursuit, and you could follow us."
"You say truly," said I, "and it shall be cared for."
Fortunately the cart of the Sahoukar had not been sold, and though it was still laden with his effects, there was plenty of room in it for the two females. I went to Bhudrinath, whom I found fast asleep after his night's work; when he was fully awakened, he seemed to comprehend that his services were again required.
"What, more work!" said he. "Well, Meer Sahib, I am ready; what is it?"
"It is too bad for me to rouse you so soon," said I, "and to require you to go on with this matter; for Alla, who sees my heart, alone knows how grateful it is to you for your assistance this night."
"Do not say so, my young friend," cried he laughing; "I would do anything for a little fun and excitement."
"Why," I rejoined, "you must know the old woman has advised instant flight from hence; so you and some of the men must be ready to be off before daylight; and as I have prepared the old Sahoukar's cart for her, you will be easily able to get eight or ten coss from hence to-morrow, and the same the next day, when you must halt till we come up. Remember you are a Moosulman for the time, and she must be protected and screened as though she were the wife of one."
"I understand," said he, "and will do my trust faithfully."
"I believe you," I replied; "and now for the road,—which to take I am undecided. I have heard that two branch off from this to Hyderabad."
"Stay," said Bhudrinath; "I think Peer Khan knows both. I will go and bring him; you know he is one of my set."
He went, and returned with the man. "I have explained all to him," said he, "and now hear what he has to say."
"I beg to represent," said Peer Khan, "that I know both roads, but not perfectly; still I should think what the Meer Sahib counsels the best, for the other is a sad lonely one, and few travellers go by it. As to the chance of being pursued, we must trust to our good Tukdeer (destiny), which has brought us thus far without an accident, and Inshalla! will carry us on."
"Well, Peer Khan," said I, "you must be the guide; you are the only person who knows anything about the road, and I can only say that if you are steady and faithful I will make you a handsome present when I overtake you at Nirmul."
"May your condescension increase, Meer Sahib," said he; "but putting the enam out of the question, you know very well that there is not a man among us who would not give his blood to-morrow, or any time he might be called upon, for you. But come, Bhudrinath, as we are to start soon, I had better get the men together, and be ready."
I returned to the tent, where I found Zora and the old woman sitting covered up in their sheets, and warming themselves over a fire they had lighted. In a few words I told them of the necessity of flight, and added, "Alas! I do not accompany you now; we have had a consultation on the subject, and have determined that, for the sake of mutual safety, we must for the present separate. Alla, who sees my heart, knows that it will burn with anxiety and care while I am absent from you; for know, lady, that from the time I first beheld you in the durbar, my soul hath been consumed by your beauty, and as then I was plunged into despair at the thought that you never could be mine, so now is the excess of grief that I must part with you."
She was silent for some time; but at last throwing back her veil, and againdisplaying her beautiful face to me, she put her hand into mine. "I trust you," said she; "I have no fear now except for you; I will go without a murmur, for I see how necessary it is for us to separate; yet assure me, my beloved, that you will not be long away, and I am content."
"I repeat," said I, "only two days at the furthest; we shall follow you to-morrow evening, or the next morning; and once that we are in motion, I will push on till I overtake you, where we will wait for my father and the rest."
"By what road do we travel?" asked the old woman.
"By Nirmul," said I; "it is out of the way, and we have therefore chosen it; it is not probable that the Nuwab's people, if he sends any out, will take that direction."
"You are right," she replied; "they will not. But I would give much to see him to-morrow, when the flight of this pretty bird is known."
"What shall we care," said I, "except to laugh at his old beard? I will go into the town as soon as the alarm has spread, and you shall have all the news when we meet again."
"Now bid me start," said Bhudrinath, who then entered the tent, "and I am off. For the present I am Jumal Khan, by which name inquire for me on the road."
"May God protect you all! You have a precious charge, my friend," said I, "and would that I could even now take your place."
The women were soon ready, and I saw them comfortably settled in their vehicle. "Now I am off," cried Bhudrinath: "drive on the cart; and do some of you fellows keep about it, as though it were a decent man's zenana."
"Alla Hafiz!" said I, "and may the Prophet guide you safely!" They went on; I stood watching them, until a turn in the road hid them from my sight, and I betook myself to my tent, where throwing myself down, sleep soon came over me.
I was awakened by my father, who came into the tent where I was lying; he seemed angry with me for having been out all night, as he said, on some unprofitable if not unworthy business; "but," said he, "it is time for the morning prayer, and after that I will hear what you have been about." I accompanied him to the skirts of our camp, where, spreading our carpets, we watched for the blush of dawn to go through the usual forms; when they were over, he seated himself and desired to hear what I had done: "I fear me no good," said he, "but tell me." So I recounted the events of the night, and was prepared for a severe lecture, and a great deal of advice and reproof. I was for once agreeably disappointed; instead of being angry, he laughed heartily at the whole affair, and applauded our arrangements in having sent Zora out of the way.
The sun was barely risen, when there arose a noise from the town, and it was plain enough to us that the discovery had taken place. The whole place was in a ferment; people hurried out of the gates and collected into groups, and by the pointing to our camp, and their gesticulations, we were obviously the suspected persons; and, as we had anticipated, about twenty horse and some foot soldiers issued from the gate nearest to us, and came directly towards us. They surrounded our little camp, and one or two who appeared the leaders of the party rode up, and in an authoritative manner demanded to see our leader. I had previously arranged with my father that he was to continue to support his character as a merchant and to put me forward as the jemadar of the party; and as he knew that I had appeared in the character at the Nuwab's durbar, and supported it well, he had readily acceded to my request.
"You see the leader," said I, "in my poor person. And what may be the demands of the Nuwab Sahib so early? Is there anything his poor servant can do to prove how much he is impressed with the kind treatment he has received?"
"You must be content to be our prisoner," said the man, haughtily, "until your camp is searched; a strange event has happened, and you are suspected."
"Of what?" said I, appearing thunderstruck; "of what can I be suspected? But the camp is before you, sirs, by all means search it. Perhaps," said I, bitterly, "your town has been robbed, and it is not wonderful that persons of respectability should be suspected in this unmannerly country."
"Peace!" cried the man, "we must do our duty; and I for one, for the sake of appearances, should be glad to find you had not requited the Nuwab's hospitality with treachery."
"I am dumb," said I, "notwithstanding that I am in utter astonishment at your words; but by all means search the place, and afterwards perhaps you will in kindness unravel this mystery to me."
He rode with me to my tent, and, dismounting, entered it with me, followed by two or three of his men. There was nothing in it but the carpet and mattress on which I had slept, a few cooking utensils, and some of the bales of plunder piled up at the farther end. "She is not here," said Azim Khan, the leader of the Nuwab's party, "let us go to the other tent."
I accompanied them, and, making a salam to my father, told him that the Nuwab's people wished to search his tent, as they had done mine, and added, "Do not oppose them, lest the Nuwab should in truth see reason to suspect us."
"Certainly not," said my father; "here is the tent, and I am the Nuwab's slave; it is not likely that an old man like me should have women concealed here."
So his tent was searched as mine had been, and afterwards the temporary screens of the men, but nothing was found, and the party were evidently disappointed. "We are on the wrong track, and I told you so," said Azim Khan to the leader: "depend upon it, as I told the Nuwab, it is that rascal Sheffee Khan's work; we all know him to be in the employ of the Hakim of Nursee, who wanted to get the girl; and we had better be after him than wasting our time here."
"A girl!" cried I; "truly this is most wonderful. For the sake of Alla satisfy my curiosity—what is all this about? By your head," said I to the leader, "but that it seems a serious matter, I feel much tempted to laugh at the idea of my poor camp being searched for a girl,—some slave, I presume, who has run away or been carried off by her lover; say, sahib, what has happened?"
"Why, it is no laughing matter to us, whatever it may be to you," said the leader; "send your men out of hearing, and you shall have the whole story."
"Away with you!" cried I to our men, who had crowded round; "this is no tale for your ears."
"The affair is this," said the man: "Until last night, there was in the zenana of the Nuwab a dancing-girl of surpassing beauty and accomplishments; but early this morning her apartment was found empty, marks of violence everywhere about it, blood on the sheets of her bed, and some of her hair and portions of her clothes strewn about the room. There was no alarm in the night, the gates of the town were closed and guarded as usual; and it seems some work of the Shitan that this should have taken place, and that we should have had dirt thrown on our beards without knowing by whom. There is the Nuwab raving and swearing like a madman; his zenana is all in confusion; and, what is worst of all, he threatens to discharge every one of us, without we either bring back the girl or get him intelligence of her within three days."
"Protection of Alla!" cried both I and my father; "this is most extraordinary. And have you no suspicion who has insulted you in this manner?"
"Why," said the man, "you were first suspected, as being strangers and a large party, and we were desired to search your camp; but here we find nothing but bales of goods,—and, indeed, you are not likely persons to have carried her off, for I question whether you ever saw her."
"I dare say," said I, "she was one of the women who were in the durbar the other night, when I paid a visit to the Nuwab."
"Very likely," he returned; "were those you saw good-looking?"
"They were both so," said I; "one was tall and fair, the other was shorter and not so fair, but very handsome."
"That was the girl," said the man; "I have seen her myself once or twice, when I could get inside of a night. But I am wasting my time here, and must return; you may depend upon my fully exonerating you from any suspicion in the matter."
"Your favourable opinion," said I, "will no doubt, have its due weight; and I pray you to carry our condolence to the Nuwab, and say that if we have permission we will wait on him to express it."
"I will deliver your message," said he; "but I think you will not be admitted, as really he is in great grief, more on account of the insult, perhaps, than the loss of the girl. I take my leave."
He saluted us and rode off; and, not long after, a servant of the Nuwab came with a civil message and some fruit, to say that his master regretted he could not see us, and was sorry that he had been under the necessity of searching our camp. We dismissed him with a present, and reiterated our condolences, which he promised to deliver. "And now," said I to my father, "this is no place for us longer; we must be off. What say you to a march in the afternoon?"
"It is good," said he; "we will go. Tell the men to be prepared."
We were on our way towards Nirmul in the afternoon, and as we had heard no more of the Nuwab and his distress, we were relieved from our anxiety; but I was in great dread the whole time we remained at the town after the Nuwab's people had left us, lest some chance should open to them a clue to detect us. The Bhutteara might possibly reveal what he knew of our proceedings; for although he knew not our object, still our remaining with him for so short a time (as he must have formed a notion that we were after some woman), coupled with the disappearance of Zora, might have led him to suppose, and very naturally so, that we had carried her off. Fortunately, however, no ill effects did ensue, and on the third day after leaving Oomerkhér we reached Nirmul.
As I entered the town I saw Bhudrinath in a shop, sitting with his back to the street, in conversation with a decent-looking man, a Moosulman by his appearance. He did not observe me, but on my calling out his assumed name he hastily rose, and assisting me to dismount, embraced me cordially. "Is she safe?" I asked in a low tone, so as not to be overheard by his acquaintance.
"She is," he replied; "you have nothing to fear; and she is all impatience to behold you again."
Sahib, I did not lose an instant in again beholding my beloved and pressing her once more to my heart. She was more lovely than ever; and after some fond chidings for my delay, and a relation of all the anxiety she had suffered in my absence, and the fatigues of her journey, we gave ourselves up to that voluptuous feeling of joy and security, which those only know who have loved and been separated from each other under circumstances of doubt or danger. After passing some time with her I rejoined Bhudrinath. "Who was the man you were conversing with when I came up?" I asked.
"Why," said he, "from what I have picked up as yet, I suspect he has urgent reasons for getting away from hence as fast as he can; in other words he has been helping himself to more than he ought in some revenue affair, and his safety depends upon flight. I told him I expected you and your party, and that he would have a good opportunity of getting away if he chose to mix with us. You see," added Bhudrinath, "that when once I have fixed my eye upon any one, it is against my principles to let him escape me; now, as this is the case, we must have that man,—first, because of my principles, as I said, and secondly, because of the money which most assuredly he has in his possession: do you comprehend?"
"Perfectly," said I laughing; "your argument is an admirable one; therefore I will second your endeavours with all my heart. How shall we proceed?"
"Why," said Bhudrinath, "that is a somewhat difficult matter to determine, for I do not know where the fellow lives; but he promised to be with me soon, and I dare say he will not be long away."
"We must spread the carpet of patience," said I, "and sit on it, I suppose,till he makes his appearance; meanwhile I see no reason why I should not eat."
Well, Sahib I went inside the purda, where my well-dressed meal awaited me, and Zora and I had our fingers very soon buried in a smoking dish of kicheree and a very good currie. While I was thus employed, I heard the usual salutation pass between Bhudrinath and his acquaintance, and when I had satisfied the cravings within me, which had been grievous to bear, I joined them.
"This is my brother, of whom I have spoken to you," said Bhudrinath, presenting me to him; "he has now, as you see, overtaken me, and we shall journey on together. All his men are encamped outside the town, but as he is more comfortable with me, you see him here."
We exchanged salutations, and, by way of drawing him to the subject, I asked Bhudrinath when we should start. "I cannot delay," said I; "that detention at Nursee was most inconvenient, and but for that we should have been far on the road by this time."
The man stared at me, and at last said to Bhudrinath, "Surely you must be joking when you say this gentleman is your brother; why, you are much older, and your features do not resemble in the least."
"We are not real brothers," he replied, "but cousins; you know that cousins usually call themselves brothers."
"But how comes it," said he, "that he is the jemadar of your men, and not you, who are the eldest?"
"Why it is a long story, and would not interest you," said Bhudrinath; "suffice it to say, that he is the son of the elder branch, who married long after my father, having lost his first wife; so, by the consent of the family and my own, he was declared leader, though he must confess I am his adviser."
I pretended to be ashamed of my dignity, and allowed, though I was nominally superior, yet that I could not get on at all without mycousin. "Well," said the man, "you have curious customs in your country, but in every one they differ. Here your relative situations would be reversed; and so I suppose I must treat with you, Jemadar Sahib; I dare say your cousin has told you all about me?"
"He has," said I, "at least as much as you have told him; but we are both present, and what you say to one equally concerns the other; so I pray you speak on without reservation."
"I will not then recur to the past," said the man; "suffice it to say, that I have every reason to wish to get out of this place, as far as Hyderabad; there I shall be secure from my enemies. I therefore propose to accompany you, if you will guarantee me protection and concealment on the road."
"We are ready to do that," said I; "but you will allow we shall run some risk; for, besides protection and concealment upon the road, we must defend you if necessary; and all this requires some recompense."
"True, and I am in no condition to drive a bargain, therefore you must name your own terms."
"You are liberal, I see," I rejoined, "and you shall find us to be so also. Perhaps one hundred and fifty rupees will not be thought by you exorbitant?"
"It is not; half I will pay you now, and the other half when we arrive."
"Agreed," said I, "it is satisfactory; and now say how you intend to travel. If I have permission, I would advise a mode which would be certain to escape detection."
"What is it?" cried he, eagerly.
"That you should hire or buy a cart, and travel in it, at any rate, for a few marches; my brother has his zenana with him, and you could not be discovered; no one would dare to search a cart which held females."
"By Alla, it is a rare plan!" said the man; "I wonder it never entered into my head. Yet, cart I have none; and how to get one without giving a clue to my flight——"
"Do not distress yourself about it," said Bhudrinath; "furnish us with the money—about one hundred rupees will be enough—and I will go and purchase one, and account to you for whatever may be over."
"And my camels, and horses, and servants," said the man, "what can be done with them?"
"How many of them are there?" I asked.
"There are two camels and two horses; and I have three or four servants, whom I wish to accompany me."
"Then send them all to our camp at night," said I; "they will not be seen, and if necessary they can be sent on a march."
"You are a ready-witted people," cried he, "and what has cost me days and nights of anxiety, you have settled satisfactorily in a few moments. Now I clearly see there is no time to be lost; and I go to bring the money, and give directions to my people." So he left us.
"Well done," cried Bhudrinath to me, "you fairly took the words out of my mouth, and I think the fish has taken the bait."
"I think so, too," said I; "the fellow may be a very sharp revenue collector, but he is no match for you and me; and you see he is a greater man than we thought for, as he speaks of his horses, camels, and servants: no doubt we shall have a good round sum from him."
I hurried to my father, leaving Bhudrinath to manage everything his own way, if I should not return in time to meet the man we expected. He was surprised to see me, and exclaimed, "I did not think you would have left your adored so soon—to what am I indebted for this early visit?"
"Nay," said I, "father, do not mention her—it sounds like banter; and I have other work in hand just now than attending even to Zora."
"Ay, indeed! and now tell me my son, what thou hast in view."
"Why," said I, "Bhudrinath and I have secured a man in the town, who promises to be almost as good a prize as either we have had before; and when you see two horses, some camels, and servants, come into your camp this evening, do you allow them to remain, and start them off as early as may be to-morrow morning towards Hyderabad."
"I will do as you wish," said my father; "but tell me, Ameer Ali, what is this you are about? Are you sure there is no risk—no danger?"
"As far as I can see there is not; but hear what has been done already, and then judge whether the matter ought to be persevered in or not. If you do not like it, we will drop it at once." So I told him all.
"You are both of you doing your work well, and I approve of it greatly," said the old man; "I will on my part receive the camels, &c., and will send on a party of gravediggers this very night. We will set off to-morrow night or early the next morning."
Bhudrinath was absent when I reached the house in the town, and I had to wait a long time for his return, which was not till near evening; however, I had the society I best loved, and the hours fled quickly. I was, nevertheless, overjoyed to see him return with a cart and two fine bullocks. He had purchased the whole from a set of dancing-girls, and the cart was fitted with curtains, in the manner of those used to carry women. When it was brought up to the house, he dismissed the driver with a small present.
"There," said Bhudrinath, "is ninety-five rupees' worth, and the concern is cheap enough; our only care is now for the person who is to ride in it."
"Where is he?" said I. "Are you sure of him?"
"As sure," said Bhudrinath, "as I ever was of any one; he is now gone to take leave of the Hakim of the place, and will pretend he has done all his business. He has sent his camels and people to the camp, with strict orders to obey whoever there may be there in authority, and I myself directed them to go to your father and receive instructions from him. The man himself will be here at nightfall."
"Inshalla!" cried I, "truly may we say we are fortunate; nothing has gone wrong."
Just as we had completed all our preparations, our friend came, and by this time it had become quite dark, so that he joined us unobserved; and as we had sent word to him that the cart had been purchased, he brought with him what we supposed to be his valuables; one of his servants carried the bundle, which appeared carefully tied up in waxed cloths, and his hookah and his bedding. "Are you sure you have omitted nothing?" he asked.
"Certain," said I; "everything is ready. I have been to the gate, and have told the guard that we have a long march before us, and will pass out a little after midnight, with two carts and our people."
"Well," said he, "then here is your money;" and he counted out seventy-five rupees to me.
"Now we have nothing to desire," said I, "but to be informed of your name, which hitherto you have not told us."
"Call me Kumal Khan for the present," he replied; "you shall know my real name at Hyderabad."
"As you will," said I; "doubtless you have good reasons for not discovering yourself to us. Meanwhile, as you say, Kumal Khan will do as well as any other name; therefore, Khan Sahib, I think the sooner we take some rest, the more we shall be refreshed for our journey to-morrow."
"I can lie down anywhere," said he; "I dare say I shall sleep, moreover, which my care and anxiety have prevented my doing for some nights past."
He spread his carpet and covered himself up. Bhudrinath followed his example, and in a short time they were both asleep, as their deep breathing testified. Strange destiny, I thought; there lies the man who has but a few hours to live, side by side in peaceful slumber with one who will be actively employed in his destruction. A few hours and their situations will be changed—oh, how changed! one to lie senseless in the earth, the other to live and breathe, and to tax his wits to gain fresh victims. "Ya, Alla!" I exclaimed involuntarily, "thy purposes are inscrutable!"
We were roused at the time appointed by the men, and our preparations for departure quickly completed. I saw Zora safely deposited in her cart, as also her old attendant, next Kumal Khan in his; and putting myself at the head of the party, we were soon beyond the gates of the town, and at the encampment. Here I sent on Zora's cart, and desired one of the men to come back and give us due notice should he meet the Tillaees, or scouts, on the road. I then sought out my father, and inquired whether he had allotted Bhuttotes and Shumsheas (persons to hold the hands) to the servants and grooms.
"I have settled everything," he replied, "and given every man his instructions: there will be no difficulty if all is ready before us. But are you sure that Kumal Khan, as you call him, is not armed?"
"He has a sword," said I, "but what of that? Bhudrinath and I will easily manage him, and he will not be on his guard."
"Then keep well behind," said my father; "if there is any scuffle he will not hear it, and I will send a man back to you when we meet the first of the scouts. You can then do as you please; either bring him on, or deal with him there as you like."
"Very good," said I; "we will be guided by circumstances." I saw with secret exultation how beautifully everything had been arranged, as our men and our acquaintance's servants passed me. To every one of them was attached one of the most expert Bhuttotes, with two others to assist if necessary: yet they disposed themselves so carelessly that suspicion was out of the question. Each one as he passed threw a look of intelligence towards me, as much as to say, "Here is work we delight in;" and I felt truly excited as the whole band was before me, their arms glancing brightly in the moonbeams.
This, thought I, is the joy my father told me of; and what could raise such feelings within me in the common plodding pursuits of life? When these fellows are but my own, then shall the name of Ameer Ali be dreaded and feared; men shall wonder at it: many a timid woman's heart shall beat as she listens to stories of me, and allows her fancy to picture to her him of whom she hears such deeds of daring bravery. "Yes," cried I, aloud, for I could not control myself, "the time will come, ay, and soon: the present is poor work to what I have thought of and will put into execution!"
The voice of Bhudrinath recalled my ideas. "In the name of Narayun and all the gods," said he, "what are you talking about? Come, we wait for you."
I urged my horse down the bank, and was with him in an instant. Kumal Khan put his head out of the curtains, and asked if we had assembled our men. "Yes," said I, "they are all before us, except my cousin, myself, and a few of our attendants, who will stay round you."
"That is right," said he; "I shall sleep, if this vile jolting will let me. Oh that I were on my horse, instead of being cooped up in this cart!"
"Patience," said Bhudrinath; "I dare say you will soon be out of it again."
"That I shall, my friend," said he, "when I dare show myself," and so saying he shut the curtains.
Bhudrinath and I rode on some time in silence: at last we reached a rising ground, which apparently led down to the bed of a river, for I thought I saw the water glistening in the moon's rays. The jungle was thicker than before, and I involuntarily turned to Bhudrinath. "Surely this is the spot," cried I; "we must wait for the cart," for we had preceded it a long way.
"We had better do so," he replied; "it will soon be up."
We had just heard the rumbling sound of the wheels, when the man I had sent on with it came up to us. "What news?" I asked; "is all prepared?"
"By this time it is," said the man; "when I met the first scout I returned to tell you: they have fixed on a beautiful spot, and I doubt not that the band are waiting for you, having done their share of the night's adventure."
"Well," said I, "we don't want you here, so go on again." But he begged hard to remain, and I allowed him. As Kumal Khan passed us, Bhudrinath gave the driver the signal; he nodded his head in compliance: and telling the men who were to hold our horses to be near and in readiness, we got behind the cart, and followed it down the descent. About half-way down, the bank of the road sloped into it, and rose into a small eminence. I marked the place, and saw that the driver had done the same: the cart gradually diverged from the track; one wheel went up the bank; it leaned fearfully over, and at last came down with a terrible crash.
We were off our horses in an instant, and ran up: Kumal Khan was groaning beneath it. We lifted it up and got him out; but he was either so frightened or hurt he could not speak. At last he recovered; and the first words he uttered were a volley of abuse at the driver.
"Look!" cried he; "a smooth road, not a stone or a pebble, and yet that son of a base mother must needs drive up yonder bank, and has nearly killed me."
"He shall be well punished for his carelessness," said I; "but are you hurt, Khan?"
"My right arm is very painful," said he, holding it; "and I wish to Alla I had a horse to ride, instead of going further in that concern."
"It cannot now be helped," said Bhudrinath; "and it is well none of your bones were broken. We will keep nearer you in future, and see that the fellow drives more carefully."
The cart had been by this time set fairly in the road again, and Kumal Khan's mattress and pillow arranged. As he turned away from us, and laid hold of one of the posts of the curtains, and had his foot on the wheel to get in, I threw the handkerchief round his neck. "What—what is this?" was all that escaped him; the rest was an indistinct gurgling in his throat for an instant. The wrench I gave to his neck must have extinguished life, for he relaxed his hold of the post, and fell to the ground without sense or motion.
"Neatly and cleverly done," cried Bhudrinath; "I could not have managed it better myself; you see he does not stir—he is dead enough. Now, Meer Sahib, believe that a man can be killed before he touches the ground."
"I must see you do it," said I; "this fellow held on by the cart for some moments. But come," I added to the men, "lift the body into the cart, we have no time to lose." They bundled it in, and we set off as rapidly as the bullocks could trot.
"What if he should revive with this jolting?" said I to Bhudrinath.
"Never fear," he replied; "if he does, he will only have to be killed over again; but depend upon it he is dead enough: no man ever survived the wrench you gave him—his neck is broken. The old Gooroo has taught you well, I see plainly."
"I own I feel more confidence every time I do it," said I; "and I should not care if even now I had one or two more fellows to try my hand upon."
"Nay," said Bhudrinath, laughing, "rest you content with what we have done. See, we are at the bhil, and yonder is the whole band collected." Werode up to the spot, and the first inquiry was from my father: "Have you brought him?"
"Yes," said I; "the earth that held him is in the cart."
"Didhedo it?" he eagerly asked of Bhudrinath, and pointed to me.
"Ay, did he," he replied, "and most properly too: he had him all to himself; I did not interfere."
"Alhumd-ul-illa!" cried my father; "he is a worthy son. Come," continued he to all the men, "do not loiter here, but make the best of your way to the river-side; we will follow, and, I dare say, overtake you." Seeing there was no more to be done, I pushed on to the river, the Godavery, and finding that all had been ferried over, I urged on my horse to overtake Zora's cart; for I knew not what she would think of my absence, nor how I could well account to her for it satisfactorily; but I trusted to chance to frame some excuse. I passed the men, who were straggling along in parties of ten or twelve; but still I did not see the cart, though I had desired those who were in charge of it not to drive fast. I became anxious, and urged my horse into a gallop.
Well it was that I did so, for when I had proceeded some distance, I heard a confused clamour before me. Could she have been attacked by thieves? was my instant thought. It was probable; for the road was narrow and the jungle thick on both sides, and seeing the few men with the cart, thieves might have surprised them. I drew my sword, to be prepared, as the noise and screams seemed to increase, and a few moments more arrived at the spot. There indeed was a scene of violence! the moon was still shining brightly, and I could see all before me.
The cart was surrounded by the five or six men I had sent on with it, and who were defending their charge bravely: two of the robbers, as I supposed, were stretched on the ground; the rest were aiming cuts at my men, which they parried; but just as I got up, one of my men fell, and the rest looked exhausted. I suspect neither party observed my arrival, so intent were they on their own proceedings, and I could see that my cry of "Bismilla!" accompanied by a cut which struck down one of the robbers was as startling to them as unexpected; while my faithful men, who now saw me plainly, set up a shout, and attacked their opposers with renewed spirit. The scuffle lasted only a few moments longer: throwing myself from my horse, I drew my pistol from my girdle, and discharged it at a thief who was coming up to me with his sword uplifted: the ball passed through his body, and he fell. On this the rest of the band turned and fled. We pursued them for a short distance, and secured a youth who was one of them; the rest got clear off.
When we returned to the cart, my first business was to soothe my poor Zora, whose screams, added to those of the old attendant, and the oaths, execrations, and shouts of the contending parties, had made a din which defies description. I found her terribly alarmed, of course, but the rascals had not been suffered to approach her; and when she was assured by me that I should not again quit her side, she was calm, and gave me a history of the attack; which was, that as they were going along, the thieves began to pelt them with stones from the bushes on the sides of the road; and at last, perhaps not thinking them armed, rushed from their concealment, and the fight began.
The wounded thief was unable to walk, so he was put into the cart with the dead body: the boy's arms were tied behind his back, and a cord passed round his neck I tied to my own saddle. Leaving twenty men to guard the wounded, we then quickly proceeded. We arrived at a large village before the sun rose; but the villagers were up, and the herds of cattle were pouring out of the gates on their way to the pastures. We desired the men to take up the encampment under some tamarind trees, and my father, myself, and Bhudrinath went to the gates, and desired to see the Patail, or whoever might be the chief authority. After waiting a long time we were told that the Aumil expectedus, and were ushered into his house, where he sat in a verandah, apparently used by him generally to transact business in. He was a Hindoo, a Khayet by caste, and, as those persons usually are, was polite and courteous in his manners. My father was spokesman on this occasion, and after introducing himself as a merchant, and us as leaders of the men who escorted him,—the old Oomerkhér story,—he told him of the attack which had been made on us, of which, however, he seemed for a time to be perfectly incredulous.
"Impossible!" said he; "there has not been a highway robbery, or an attempt at one, for years, ever since some notorious thieves were caught and beheaded here; you must be under some mistake."
"You have not mentioned our wounded men, and that several of the thieves have been killed by us," said I to my father: "perhaps this worthy gentleman will believe us when he sees them, or finds the bodies of the rascals; and again, you forget that two of them are in our custody."
"Indeed!" cried the Aumil, that alters the case; "but the truth of the matter is, that so many travellers beg for escorts from village to village, and set forth their having been threatened between here and Nirmul, that I am become difficult to satisfy, or to be persuaded that any danger has existed."
"We require no escort," said my father; "we are strong enough to take care of ourselves, having, as you have heard, beaten off these thieves; all we want is a few men to bring up our wounded, and justice done on the rascals we have caught."
"It would be well for us," said Mohun Lall, "if all travellers were to defend themselves like you; we should have but few thieves in the country, for they would find theirs a losing trade. But I think you said you had one of them unhurt; where is he; we may perhaps get something out of him."
I sent for the lad, and he was questioned for some time about the gang, and where it was probable they had gone; but he would not answer a word, and the man who was interpreting for us gave up questioning him in despair. "He will not say a word in this manner," said Bhudrinath; "give him the lash. I dare say that will make him speak."
"True," said Mohun Lall; "I was going to send for a korla;" and he called to one of his men to bring one. The thief shuddered as he saw it, and was again asked if he would confess; but he remained silent.
"Throw him down," cried Mohun Lall, "and cut the skin from his back." In an instant he was thrown with his face to the ground, and the lash, wielded by a stout fellow, brought blood at almost every stroke: but in vain; he would not speak a word—not even a cry for mercy.
"This is of no use either," said one of the men who held him; "get a bag full of ashes. I'll warrant he speaks fast enough when that is put over his face." A leather bag, such as is used to give grain to horses, was filled with burning-hot ashes, and brought. It was tied over his mouth, and at the same time he received some hard thumps on his back to force him to breathe. This apparently had the desired effect; for after a short time, during which the torture must have been great, he muttered something, and the bag was withdrawn.
"You think to make me confess," said the rascal as soon as he could speak, "but it is in vain. I know well where my people are gone, and I curse the authors of their discomfiture;" and he poured a torrent of abuse on me. "Yes," continued he, pointing to me, "it was you who struck down my father, and as he is dead, I want no more than to die also; you may hang me as soon as you please."
"Ha," said Mohun Lall, "I had forgotten him; let him be brought."
I had left the fellow badly wounded, but did not think there was any danger of his life. When he arrived, however, carried on a bed, it was evident he was dying; he scarcely breathed, and the rattle was in his throat: we did not therefore trouble ourselves further about him, but endeavoured to make the son confess; the whip and hot ashes were both resorted to again without effect, and all our endeavours only produced fresh execrations and abuse.
"There is no bearing this any longer," cried Mohun Lall; "the fellow must be hanged. I know these rascals, and were we to keep him for a year we should never get a word of intelligence out of him, so there is no use in delay."
"As you will," said my father; "perhaps he will confess when the rope is round his neck."
"We shall see," replied Mohun Lall; "but I do not think it. Send for the Mangs." These wretches, everywhere the vilest of mankind, were soon present, and the thief was made over to them.
"You see," said Mohun Lall to him, "you have no chance of escape; will you now confess and take service with me? I will protect you." The fellow hesitated, looked at his father, and appeared irresolute; but a second glance at his expiring parent again rallied him.
"Not for all the wealth you could give me," cried he, drawing himself up and looking at us proudly. "Hadhebeen alive, and in your power, I might have taken your service; but you could not protect me now, and I would rather die by the hands of your people than by those of my associates, from whom I could not escape."
"Away with him!" cried Mohun Lall to the Mangs; "see that you do your work properly."
"And our mamool (customary present), Maharaj, you must not forgot that."
"No, no," cried he; "but away with ye; I am polluted by your presence; go to the Kotwal after you have done, and he will have received orders to give you a sheep and as much liquor as will make you all drunk."
The fellows made many most profound salams, and went off with their wretched companion. "Where will they hang him?" said I; "I should like to see him again, and try if I can't persuade him to live to become a decent fellow."
"Somewhere beyond the gate," said Mohun Lall: "I do not know the place myself, but my people will show you. You will do little good, however, I am afraid; and after all, why should you trouble yourself about him?"
"It is no trouble," I replied; "I have simply a curiosity upon the subject, and will see the last of him."
"I will accompany you," said Bhudrinath; and we took our leave and followed the executioners. About an arrow's flight from the gate were two scraggy, gnarled, and almost leafless neem-trees, beneath which stood the group we sought, and round them all the urchins and idle men of the village. We hastened up to them, and found that everything was prepared: a rope with a noose in it hung over a branch, and one of the Mangs was coolly sharpening a knife upon an old stone idol, which lay beneath the tree—for what purpose I could not make out; however, my business was not with them, but with the wretch who was so near his death. He had seen us approach, and I thought was urging the Mangs to despatch him before we came up; but they did not do so, as they imagined we brought some other orders to them. I addressed myself to the robber: "Will you not live?" said I; "so young as you are, have you no love of life? I now again promise you protection if you will confess, as you have been asked to do before."
"Let the cords be somewhat loosened which bind my arms," said the robber, "and I will speak to you; at present, I am in too much pain to talk."
"Loosen them," said I to the Mangs; "and one of you hold the rope in case he attempts to escape."
The robber smiled faintly at what I said, and continued:—"You have taken an interest in me, and although I owe my present condition to you, yet sooner or later I should have come to the same end, or fallen by some shot, or cut of a sword; therefore I forgive you my death. But, again I repeat, I have no wish to live; nor, miserable as I am, can you suppose I would purchase my life by an act of treachery to my companions. Had my father lived, and remained in Mohun Lall's power, I would have promised anything; but he is dead: my uncle, too, fell by the hands of one of your men in the attack on your cart; and whom have I left in this world to care for, that I should live? One day has seen the end of my family; and it was our fate. Yet bear to Mohun Lall my hate, and the curses of a dying man. It is he who has killed me, and for this he will have to pay a fearful retribution. And now," said he, turning to the Mangs, "do your horrible office; I have no more to say."
I was going to speak again, but Bhudrinath stopped me. "What is the use?" said he; "the fellow is obstinate, and, depend upon it, if he were spared, it would only be to lead good men into danger, if not into destruction: let him die, he deserves it."
The Mangs looked to me for orders, and I told them to proceed; it was clearly of no use to delay. The robber was again tightly pinioned and thrown on the ground, and the Mang who held the knife he had been sharpening, dexterously cut both sinews of his legs close above the heel; he was then raised up, the noose put round his neck, and in another instant he was pulled up to the branch, and struggling in his death agony. "Pah!" said Bhudrinath, turning away, "it makes me sick; what a contrast this is to our work, where he who is to die scarcely knows that the handkerchief is about his neck before he is a dead man."
"You say truly," said I; "we have the advantage; but these Mangs are miserable, outcast wretches. What else could you expect from them? Now let us go to the camp; my father will be there, and we will see what this Kumal Khan had with him." When we arrived, we found that all his baggage had been examined. There were two boxes, the contents of which we looked to see with some impatience. One was nearly filled with papers relating to his business as a revenue-collector, and these were burned as fast as they could be looked over by me. In the bottom, however, was a bag filled with gold, which Bhudrinath held up in triumph.
"This is something better than musty paper," said he, putting it on one side; "now for the other box."
It was broken open, and proved a rich prize, indeed. After the clothes with which the top was covered had been removed, a number of bars of silver met our expecting eyes. The box was not, however, emptied, and under another layer of clothes were ten bars of gold, of the same size as the silver ones.
"Here is the cream of the matter," cried Bhudrinath, as he took up the first; "Alla knows how much there is! but it is clear the man was worth killing; and finely, indeed, must he have plundered the unfortunate cultivators."
The bars of gold and silver were made over to my father, to be placed among the other plunder we had got; and all that now remained to be seen were the clothes he had worn and his waist-bag. There was not, however, much in it. "Stay," said Bhudrinath, "here is another bundle, which was in the humeanah."
I took it from him, and unrolled fold after fold of clean paper. "Why, there is nothing here," said I; "I suppose he kept this to write on."
"Go on to the end, nevertheless," said my father; "let us see all."
After removing three more folds I came to another small packet, which was tied up with thread. "Here is something at last," said I, breaking it open: "bills of exchange, in the name of the blessed Prophet! and, I doubt not, of value, too. Have we any one who can make them out?"
"I cannot read the writing," said Bhudrinath, "but I can make out the figures if they are not written in Persian."
"Ah, no," said I, "they are Nagree or Guzerattee; so try your skill."
"This," said Bhudrinath, after examining one, "is for two thousand rupees: see, these are the figures."
"I dare say you are right," said I, handing the rest to him; "what are these for?"
"Here is a second for four hundred."
"Not much," said my father; "but go on."
"The third is for—let me see again," said Bhudrinath; "ah, I am right, it is for two thousand two hundred; and the last is for two hundred and forty."
"That is, let me see," said I, "four thousand eight hundred and forty. Well, we have got a good prize."
"Yes!" cried my father, "we should be well off if they were worth anything to us; but they are no better than the waste paper we have burned."
"How?" said I; "we should get the money if we presented them, surely?"
"You do not reflect," said my father, "that if we did so, it would lead to our detection in this matter: so destroy them."
"Indeed," said I, "I will not, but will keep them for stolen money; and I dare say were we to affect to be this Kumal Khan's agents, we might get the amount."
"As you will," said my father; "but remember you take no steps about them without consulting me." So I kept them, and had afterwards reason to be glad that I had done so.
As we were to leave the village the next morning, I thought I might as well go and take leave of Mohun Lall, and accordingly went to his house in the evening.
"So you could make nothing of that rascal who was hung up," said he, when we were seated; "these thieves are hardened vagabonds, and though I have hung several in this way, I have never been able to get anything out of them."
"I could not," said I; "the fellow was, as he called it, faithful, and died worthy of a better cause."
"It is no use of speaking of him," said Mohun Lall; "the fellow is dead, and I would that all his brethren were hanging as high as he is; but I have heard a strange piece of news since you left me, Meer Sahib, which I do not care telling you, and you may perhaps be able to give me some assistance."
"Command me," said I; "anything that I can do will be but a poor return for your attention."
"The matter is this," said he; "a person by name Syud Mahomed Ali, who is very respectably connected at Hyderabad, came from the city with letters to the governor of Nirmul, two or three years ago, directing him to be employed as a collector of any small district which might become vacant. He lived some time with him, and when an opportunity offered, was appointed by him his naib, or deputy, in a district not far from Nirmul. Latterly, the governor has had a good deal of difficulty in getting him to remit the revenue collections, and one or two complaints which reached him privately made him suspicious. This feeling was increased by hearing that he had sent off his baggage in a clandestine manner,—whither, no one knew, and this morning both he and his people have suddenly disappeared."
"It is most extraordinary," said I; "but as I never heard of this person before, I do not see exactly how I am to be of any use to you or your friend."
"It is only a chance that you may be so," said Mohun Lall; "and my request is, that you keep a look out for him during your journey, and should you meet him, that you will arrest him instantly, and send him to me under an escort of your people, to whom I promise a handsome reward for their delay and trouble. One thing I must tell you, that on many occasions he has assumed the name of Kumal Khan,—the name I believe of a relative of his who adopted him, and perhaps he may have taken this name in travelling."
"I will not forget it," said I, "and you may depend upon my doing my utmost to secure him, should I fall in with him; and could you give me a paper relating his delinquencies, under your own seal, to serve me as a kind of authority for arresting him?"
"Certainly," said Mohun Lall; "your thought is a good one: I will forthwith write one myself." So saying he drew up the document, and handed it to me.
"I am an indifferent scholar," said I, "but I dare say I can make it out;" and taking the paper I read what he had written, which was in substance what he had told me.
"And now I pray you to give me my dismissal, for I have business among my people, and the day is nigh closed."
"I will not detain you," said Mohun Lall; "and if there is anything you or your people want which my poor village can afford, you have only to send for it. I shall write too to my friend to tell him of the arrangement I have made, and the confidence I have in you."
"I thank you for your kindness," said I, "and should I want anything more I will not scruple to send for it. Salam, Sahib!"
"Salam!" he returned; "I wish you a safe journey and a successful one."
"Thanks again to you, good Aumil, for your last words," said I to myself as I went away: "Inshalla! it will be as successful as it has hitherto been. Well indeed Mahomed Ali has met his deserts; and it is better perhaps for him that he lies cold and dead as he is, than that he should have lived to be haunted by an evil conscience, and to fall into the hands of those he has cheated and deceived, who would have tortured him to death, if they had not immured him in a miserable prison to pine out the remainder of his days.
"Verily a good deal has been done, and my old father will laugh heartily when he hears how I have behaved, and how I have baffled suspicion by the commission I have brought with me, of which these papers are good proof. I have got his true name too, and it is hard if with this clue I do not get hold of the money for the bills of exchange which my sagacious parent would have destroyed. Shabash! Ameer Ali, do thou go on in this way, and whose dog is he who shall compete with thee, either in cunning or in daring!"
As I thought he would, my father laughed heartily at the business I had undertaken. "It would be a good joke," he said, "to send for Kumal Khan's head, and put it at the gate of the village; they would then be at rest about him, and Mohun Lall's friend would be obliged to disgorge a little of the coin I have no doubt he has helped himself to out of the revenue."
"By Alla," said I, "it is an excellent thought, and I will send a couple of Lughaees to bring it."
"No, no," said my father; "I did but jest; it is now nearly evening, and it would not do to risk them on that lonely road at nightfall; besides, they could not well be back before we start."
"As you will," said I; but at the same time I made an inward determination to mention it to one or two of them. When I reached my tent, I sent for three Lughaees, enterprising fellows. "Now," said I, "my lads, I have got an adventure for you, and here are five rupees apiece if you will do it."
"Your commands are on our heads and eyes," said they; "you have only to order us, and we will perform your wishes."
"Well then," said I, "what I want is the head of Kumal Khan: do you know the place you put him in? and is the grave deep?"
"We know the spot exactly," said one of them, a Hindoo, by name Motee-ram; "what Lugha ever forgot a spot where he had buried any one! the grave is not deep, and he is at the top of all. But what are we to do with the head? and why is it wanted?"
I detailed to them what Mohun Lall had said, and repeated what a good joke it would be to get the head and place it in some conspicuous place. "Then," said Motee-ram, "if I may offer advice, I recommend its being put under the tree whereon the thief was hung this morning: the worthy Aumil will think Kumal Khan has fallen by the hands of some of his gang."
"A capital idea," said I: "and therefore, if you find no one about when you return, place it there, for I have no wish to look at it."
"It shall be done to your satisfaction," said all three; "and we will start immediately." So they left me. Yet I was in dread all the time they were absent lest anything should befall them, and I often wished I had not sent them on such an errand; but it was too late, and I could not recall them. Anxiously and sleeplessly did the hours pass till near midnight; and poor Zora could not imagine what was the matter with me. I excused myself to her, however, on the plea of having a headache and feeling unwell, and suffered her and the old woman to put quicklime on my temples, and use other remedies which she said were infallible in such cases: and at last pretending I was going to sleep, she lay down and was soon really so. It was about midnight that I was relieved from my suspense, and gladly did I hear the voice of Motee-ram at my tent door calling to me. I arose and went out. "Is all safe?" I eagerly asked.
"All is safe," said he; "and we have brought the head and put it where you told us. It was well we went, for we found a troop of jackals busily scratching at the grave; and they would have got to the bodies before morning, for they had made a large hole when we arrived; however we scared them away, and put a quantity of dry thorns just under the earth on the top: they will nottry it again, and if they do it does not matter, as no one will ever find that spot—it was too well chosen."
"You have done your work well and bravely," said I, "and you shall have your money to-morrow morning." They left me, and the excitement past, I lay down and slept soundly. The next morning we rose before day: the omens were consulted, and proved favourable, and all prepared for prosecuting our march. We were soon ready, and finding that Zora was comfortable in her cart, and that she needed nothing, I could not resist the temptation of going as far as the tree where the thief had been hung, to see whether in reality the head of Kumal Khan had been brought. Accordingly I separated from the party, and ran as fast as I could to the spot, which was not far distant. I know not why, but an involuntary shudder crept over me as I reached the tree, and looked about for the object of my search.
The wind, which had been still all night, suddenly rose with the breaking day, and its first sigh through the withered branches of the neem almost seemed to have a voice in it—a deprecation of the deed we had done the night before, and of which so foul an evidence as that before me was present; for at that instant my eyes fell on the head, which had been placed on a projecting knot of the trunk to protect it from the jackals. I recoiled from it with loathing, for the eyes were protruding from the sockets and the mouth open, and the expression of the features was hideous in the extreme. I gazed at it for a moment. "This must not be," said I; "those eyes will betray us:" so taking the cold head down, I forced them into their sockets, and shut the eyelids, which I was able to do, as the stillness of death was past. I then placed the head on a large stone close to the tree, on which some rude idol was sculptured, and quitting the place, ran as fast as I could to a small puddle I had passed as I came, in which I cleansed my hands from the blood which had adhered to them.