diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 18:47:05 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 18:47:05 -0700 |
| commit | a780e6f9d69d7f42939a6d6e1c9863d2191645fe (patch) | |
| tree | c9ab9d949b2e35177c46ea873e76bf873e76ae56 /44583-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '44583-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 44583-h/44583-h.htm | 7854 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44583-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 31753 bytes |
2 files changed, 7854 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/44583-h/44583-h.htm b/44583-h/44583-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..40de388 --- /dev/null +++ b/44583-h/44583-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7854 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Noble Queen: a Romance of Indian History (Volume II of III), by Philip Meadows Taylor. + </title> + +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + +<style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 65%} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + +/********** CSS taken from HTML best practices ***********/ +h1 +{ + text-align: center; + font-size: x-large; + font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.6; +} + +h1 small +{ + font-size: small; +} + +h2 +{ + text-align: center; + font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5; +} + +.spaced +{ + line-height: 1.5; +} + +.space-above +{ + margin-top: 3em; +} + +#half-title +{ + text-align: center; + font-size: large; +} + +@media print, handheld +{ + #half-title + { + page-break-before: always; + page-break-after: always; + margin: 0; + padding-top: 6em; + } +} + +#toc +{ + margin: auto; +} + +#toc th +{ + text-align: right; + font-weight: normal; +} + +#toc td +{ + padding-top: 0.75em; + vertical-align: top; +} + +#toc td.chapnum +{ + text-align: right; + padding-right: 0.5em; +} + +#toc td.right +{ + text-align: right; + padding-left: 3em; + vertical-align: bottom; +} + + +/********** CSS taken from HTML best practices ***********/ + + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44583 ***</div> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h1> +A NOBLE QUEEN:<br /> +<i>A ROMANCE OF INDIAN HISTORY</i>. +</h1> + +<p class="center space-above"> +<small>BY</small><br /> +<big>MEADOWS TAYLOR,</big><br /> +<small>C.S.I., M.R.A.S., M.R.I.A., &c.</small><br /> +<small>AUTHOR OF 'SEETA,' 'TARA,' AND OTHER TALES.</small> +</p> + +<p class="center space-above"> +<small>'O, never was there queen<br /> +So mightily betray'd!'<br /> +<i>Antony and Cleopatra</i>, act i. sc. iii.</small> +</p> + + +<p class="center space-above space">IN THREE VOLUMES.<br /> +VOL. II. +</p> + + +<p class="center space-above space">LONDON:<br /> +C. KEGAN PAUL & CO., 1 PATERNOSTER SQUARE.<br /> +1878. +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<div class="center">(<i>The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved.</i>)</div> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h2>CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.</h2> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><i>BOOK II.—continued.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">CHAPTER</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VII.</td><td align="left">FRIENDS IN COUNCIL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td><td align="left">THE NIGHT COUNCIL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IX.</td><td align="left">A DAY IN THE PALACE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><i>BOOK III.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">I.</td><td align="left">A RAPID MARCH</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">II.</td><td align="left">A SUCCESSFUL SURPRISE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">III.</td><td align="left">ZUFFOORA-BEE COOKS THE GOVERNOR'S BREAKFAST</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IV.</td><td align="left">A NEW HOME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">V.</td><td align="left">AMONG FRIENDS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VI.</td><td align="left">A DARING ATTACK</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VII.</td><td align="left">THE FIRST ALMS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_175">175</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td><td align="left">CASTING OUT DEVILS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_192">192</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IX.</td><td align="left">THE SYUD TAKES TWO DEGREES IN HIS TURREEQUT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">X.</td><td align="left">BY THE WAY</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_233">233</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XI.</td><td align="left">SAINTLY HONOURS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_242">242</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XII.</td><td align="left">DANGER</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_256">256</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIII.</td><td align="left">DELIVERANCE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_271">271</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><big><b>A NOBLE QUEEN.<br /><br /> +BOOK II.—<i>continued</i>.</b></big><br /><br /></div> + +<h2>CHAPTER VII.<br /> + +FRIENDS IN COUNCIL.</h2> + + +<p>At the loud cries of the Mirdhas and silver-stick bearers of +"Burkhast, Durbar Burkhast!" "The durbar is dissolved!" the +various masses of troops filed out of the square before the Hall of +Audience in the same gorgeous array as they had entered. Indeed, +the effect was even more gorgeous, for before the assembly the +sun had been slightly veiled with thin clouds, and had only occasionally +shone out with full brightness; but now the clouds had +cleared away, and the sun's rays descended on the glittering masses +with a power which materially enhanced their splendour. One by +one the nobles left the hall, making their humble obeisances to the +Throne, and, joined by their retinues, passed onwards through +the citadel to the gate, and thence to their respective abodes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +within and without the citadel. The prospect of immediate service +in the field, too, enhanced the spirit of the many different bodies +of men, and their party or national war cries arose from time to +time, mingled with shouts of "Victory to Abbas Khan!" which, +entirely spontaneous as they were, filled his heart with joy. The +Queen again reminding him that he was to return at the usual hour +of council, attended by the Portuguese priest, left the hall before it +was emptied; and when most of the nobles had gone on, he +mounted his horse, and rode home at a quiet pace.</p> + +<p>In truth, his wound was painful, for his shield was somewhat +heavy; and the rapidity and strength of the blows showered on +him by the Abyssinian had required his utmost skill and vigilance +to parry. He had no doubt, therefore, that the Padré's bandages +had been strained, as, indeed, they proved to have been on examination. +In the heat of the encounter, all pain had been forgotten; +and it was now great and increasing, and he longed for relief. +But his mind was full of joyous gratitude, not only for preservation +in the ordeal, but for the establishment of his innocence of +cowardice or of treachery; and the papers found on the Abyssinian +might even prove more, since it was evident, from the addresses +on them, that they had belonged to Elias Khan, and before the +night had passed all would be clear.</p> + +<p>Thus Abbas Khan rode on through the streets of the +fort which led to his uncle's house, slowly and deliberately,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +receiving the salutations of the crowds which filled them with +grateful acknowledgments. As the troops broke up from the +durbar, great numbers of them had betaken themselves to +these streets; and the real joy with which they now greeted +the young nobleman, always a favourite, was more real and +more genuine, perhaps, than that evinced before the ordeal. +Abbas Khan was the popular hero of the day: women stretched +out their arms from the housetops and blessed him, and wished +him a hundred years of life and joy; stalwart veterans would not +be kept off; and some kissed his feet, others put portions of +his garment to their lips, and with a blessing turned away. It was +almost too much to bear.</p> + +<p>At his gate he was met by the whole household, and the usual +ceremonies of welcome were performed ere he crossed the threshold. +Lighted lamps were waved over him, incense was burnt in +the name of the protecting saints, and vows of offerings at their +shrines promised by the venerable Moolla, who was present on +behalf of his aunt. As he dismounted from his horse, he caressed +it fondly. As if he had understood his warning, Sooltan had +been steady and perfectly manageable through the combat, +and nothing but his perfect temper, and the ease and certainty with +which he had followed every turn of his master's wrist or pressure +of his knee or heel, could have ensured victory. As he ascended +the steps of the hall of audience all that were present rose and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +greeted him; many came forward to embrace him, and several poets +of the city presented addresses in verse, of a very florid and laudatory +description, comparing him to Roostum and the champions +described in the "Shah Nama" with painstaking fidelity, which, +whatever the merits of the composition might be, were sufficiently +tedious. When these were finished, and suitable rewards ordered, +Abbas Khan, fairly wearied out, excused himself to the rest of the +company, and went at once to his aunt, who had already sent +several messages to him to come as quickly as he could; and truly +it was grateful to him to find himself once more encircled by the +arms of one so revered by him and so dear.</p> + +<p>"Oh! thou art safe, thou art safe, my son!" she cried, as she +clung sobbing to his neck. "I feared for thee; I wept for thee; +I prayed for thee to the Lord and His saints, and I was +heard; and as soon as the news was brought to me that thou +hadst won the combat, I sent Fatehas to all the mosques and +shrines; and to-morrow, Inshalla! I will feed a thousand poor +people in the name of the Imams. And thou art not hurt, my +son?"</p> + +<p>"Not hurt, mother; but the old wound needs looking to by the +Padré Sahib: it is sore and stiff. It is he alone that can give +me rest and ease. He is waiting within, and I must go to +him; for there are other matters on which he must be consulted. +I will come to thee at the evening prayers, after which,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +when I have eaten, I must return to the Queen for the evening +council."</p> + +<p>"So soon," she said, "so soon to leave me; and I had hoped to +sit and talk with thee a whole evening! Well, thou must do thy +duty to our Royal mistress; and why should I regret that thou +doest it? God forbid. And she was gracious unto thee, Meeah?"</p> + +<p>"Mother, she wept; she could hardly speak as I went up to +her; but I saw that she believed in me, and she was happy. +Happy, mother; and your son was proud, too, when she rose and +declared I was to lead the division that goes to the King's aid. +Ah! that was too much honour; may I be worthy of it!"</p> + +<p>"I have no fear, Meeah," replied the old lady. "Go where she +sends thee, and win honour and fame as thine uncle has done; +but go now and get relief."</p> + +<p>Abbas Khan found the priest in his own apartment, who, after +very sincere congratulations, helped him to divest himself of the +mail shirt he wore, when he fell to an examination of the wound.</p> + +<p>"No doubt, my lord, it is sore and smarting from the weight +and strain of the armour; but it is sound, and there hath been no +more bleeding. I will change all these dressings now, and put on +lighter ones, and in a few days there will be no more danger of +relapse."</p> + +<p>The new, cool dressings were a delicious relief, and left his arm +at full liberty for action of any kind. Until he reached the King's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +camp, he should have no occasion to use it in any but the most +ordinary actions.</p> + +<p>"And now, Padré Sahib," continued Abbas Khan, when the +operation was finished, "make yourself ready to come with me to +the Palace to-night. The Queen-Regent desires to see you on a +matter of much importance, and I am ordered to bring you +with me."</p> + +<p>"Do you know why?" asked d'Almeida. "Nothing in regard +to the mission at Moodgul could have given offence to Her +Majesty? I wish we had had longer notice; Maria might have +made some sweetmeats, for an offering, or some of her work. Yet +I remember, she hath an exquisite lace veil, and it could not be +presented to one more worthy."</p> + +<p>"The matter is this," replied Abbas Khan. "On the body of +the Abyssinian was found a case of letters. Some of them are in +Persian and Mahrathi, others in your language; at least the +writing is in the Frangi character. No one that she can trust can +read it, and assuredly no one among the Portuguese artisans and +gunners could translate the papers. Do you remember anything +which might give a clue to these letters?"</p> + +<p>"I do," he replied. "Was your adversary a very tall, very +powerful man, with hard, black features?"</p> + +<p>"He was, Padré; why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"Because, some months ago, soon after Dom Diego came,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +a man such as I describe, mounted on a big chestnut horse, and +with several attendants, arrived at Moodgul. They came to me +first, but the letter they brought was addressed to my colleague, +and I directed them to him. The man was so remarkable that, as +he rode away, I called Maria to look at him. There was a renegade +Portuguese with that man, who spoke to me in our language, +and interpreted what I said to him."</p> + +<p>"Ah! that is valuable, my friend; but you do not know of +what passed between him and Dom Diego?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing whatever, my lord. Once only the good Nawab, +my friend, hinted that some intrigue was in progress between my +superior and Eyn-ool-Moolk, but warned me against having any +concern in it. But what could Dom Diego do, even if he has +engaged in intrigue?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! my friend, you are too simple," returned the young Khan, +laughing; "he could get money; he could promise your nation's +troops."</p> + +<p>"Those he will never get," interrupted the priest. "Our Government +has declined from the first to mix itself up in the affairs of +kingdoms whom our nation esteems to be heretical. I have heard +there have been many offers by the Emperor Akbar, and others +before him, but the policy of our Government is consistent and +friendly to all."</p> + +<p>"And yet you are a nation of valiant soldiers. It is strange to +see such without ambition."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Which might lead to our ruin, my lord. No; wise minds have +determined and guided our course hitherto, and we only defend +ourselves when we are attacked."</p> + +<p>"As we know to our cost, Señor Padré; and as they of Ahmednugger +found to theirs in the siege of Ghoul," returned Abbas +Khan, laughing. "But enough now; be ready when I send for +you. And your sister is well, and hath all she needs?"</p> + +<p>"All, my lord, and is grateful. She is busy preparing for her +school; and our poor folks are thankful for even the few ministrations +we have afforded them."</p> + +<p>"Only be careful, Señor, lest you excite bigotry among mine. +Alas! there is bitterness between Moslim and Nazarene; but you +have only to be careful."</p> + +<p>"Yet at Moodgul no one molests us, my lord."</p> + +<p>"There are many who would do so if they dared, my friend; +but you are under protection there by order of the State, and here +it may be different. I only say be cautious, and you are as safe +here as there."</p> + +<p>The priest bowed and retired. What his young friend had said +to him he did not tell to his sister; but some of the castles they +had been building had already been shaken, and caution was at +least necessary, lest they should crumble down altogether.</p> + +<p>As the Padré left him, Abbas Khan threw a light sheet over +himself, and slept profoundly. The Lady Fatima stole in several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +times to see him, and at last seated herself near him; and, with a +light fan, drove away the flies which would have settled on his +face. How proud she was of her boy. "The Lady Queen is as +proud," she said to herself, "I know; but she could not do this +like me. Am I not the happier? for I can watch him while every +mood of his mind leaves its expression on his features. See, now, +there is a frown, and the fingers seem to clutch something; it is +his sword, and he dreams of the combat. And there! now all is +changed, and there is love on the moist lips and in the smiles. +Why dreams he of her? Ah, well! may she be worthy."</p> + +<p>So the young man slept, and so his good aunt tended him as +she had done when he was a child. And the time flew rapidly, +and the muezzin from the minaret of the garden mosque began to +chant invitation to the evening prayer, "Allah-hu-Akbar! Allah-hu-Akbar!" +and then Abbas Khan woke, and found his aunt sitting +beside him, watching.</p> + +<p>"My sleep was sweet," he said, "because thou watchedst over +me, mother. Ah, so sweet! may God reward thee. But I must +go to the prayer now."</p> + +<p>"There are many who wish to speak with thee, my son," she +said; "and one is very urgent, Runga Naik, a Beydur."</p> + +<p>"Bid him wait; he is, indeed, most needful. I will not be long +away, mother, or I will send for him."</p> + +<p>Entering the garden by the private door, Abbas Khan performed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +his ablutions at the little fountain, whose cool, sparkling +water refreshed him. The garden was refreshing also; and, as he +knelt down, a soft feeling of grateful adoration stole over him. +Many of his friends were assembled there, and their salutations, +with the warm grasp of the hand which accompanied them, were +more grateful to him than he had ever remembered before.</p> + +<p>"I will attend ye speedily, friends," he said to them, "but I +have some private affairs to see to first here, and ye must excuse +me;" and, calling to an attendant, he bade him bring in Runga +Naik, and seating himself on the rim of the fountain, awaited his +coming alone. Presently he saw the Beydur chief enter, peering +about as though he were in a thick forest, but, directly he saw his +young master, he bounded forward with a cry of joy, and threw +himself at his feet.</p> + +<p>"I was not in time, Meeah," he said, as soon as his emotion +had subsided, "to see thee slay that villain. Would I had been! +But I could not travel faster with the prisoners; and it was only +at the last stage that I heard thou hadst reached this the day +before, when the Lady Queen was hunting. What had delayed +thee?"</p> + +<p>"Only the wound again, friend," said the Khan, laughing. +"One day—it was our second march—my horse, it was one of +Osman Beg's, stumbled and fell with me, the stitches of my wound +burst open, and the Padré Sahib insisted I should not travel till I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +was well. Notwithstanding his skill, I could not move for more +than a month; but I had good lodging at Talikota."</p> + +<p>"So near to my town; and why did you not send for me, +Meeah?"</p> + +<p>"I did send; but thou wert gone, they said, to Belgaum, and +thou hadst not returned when I resumed my journey."</p> + +<p>"Then you have heard nothing, my lord, of the old Dervish +and his child? Are they with thee?"</p> + +<p>"No!" replied Abbas Khan, starting at the question. "Not +with me. I have never even heard of them. By your soul, tell +me what you know."</p> + +<p>"I had been absent from home, tracing our men who had +deserted us at Kórla, and had three hundred of my best men with +me. You were then in Juldroog, and I heard afterwards you and +the Moodgul Padré had departed. There was one of our Beydur +festivals to come on after that, and I returned home for it, when I +was suddenly sent for by the Dervish, and I delivered Zóra from +the palace of Osman Beg, where she was confined under the charge +of two procuresses from Moodgul. Yes, Burma Naik and Bheema +and I did it; and to this day I regret that I did not slay thy +profligate cousin as he slept."</p> + +<p>"But, but!" cried Abbas Khan, horrible thoughts rising in +his mind, "she was safe, she had not been dishonoured?"</p> + +<p>"Thanks be to the Gods, she was safe, Meeah. There had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +been an attempt at a marriage that afternoon; but the stout old +Moolla refused to perform it, and the ceremony was deferred till +the morrow. I saw there was time for me to do what was needed, +and we three brought her away, through the panthers' cave. Who +dared to follow us?"</p> + +<p>"And then?" cried the Khan, breathlessly and anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Only this," continued the simple fellow; "I had a boat ready, +and the old man's property was placed in it as evening fell; and +when we three brought the girl away safely, we crossed the river, +and I took them to Kukeyra, where I have a house, and where I +bestowed them safely, with six hundred of my people there to +guard them."</p> + +<p>"And they are there now, Runga?"</p> + +<p>"No," he replied, "they are not there; and that is what troubles +me. One of the Kukeyra men met me here to-day, and told me +that the old man had grown restless; and though Zóra had entreated +him to remain, yet he had left Kukeyra and gone to our +Rajah at Wakin Keyra, who was protecting him; and that Osman +Beg had sent spies across to trace them, and even attempted to +follow with his retainers: but who can cross the river mother if +the Beydurs say nay?"</p> + +<p>"Now may God be praised, Runga, for this protection of them! +Oh, think, if that child had come to harm! And it was a foul plot +and outrage of Osman Beg's, for which he shall answer to me as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +surely as the sun shines or as the Abyssinian died. But art thou +sure it was a forcible abduction of the child?"</p> + +<p>"There is no doubt of that. Jooma and another carried Zóra +from the bastion, as she sat looking at Cháya Bhugwuti; and only +that the good old Moolla refused, Zóra would have been married +by Nika, and would have now been in thy cousin's zenána. Yes, +that is true, Meeah; I heard it from Zóra, and others have told +me since."</p> + +<p>"He shall answer this before the King and his mother," said +Abbas Khan, fiercely. "Ever treacherous! who can trust him?"</p> + +<p>"He has other things to answer for besides this, Meeah," was +the reply. "Look! here are more papers, more letters;" and he +took a packet from his waistband; "and I have secured all Elias +Khan's Duftur, and his scribe. There are plenty of Osman +Beg's letters in it—and other people's too, for the matter of that—quite +enough to give him a seat under the Goruk Imlee trees, +and to find the executioner making him a last salaam."</p> + +<p>"Then he should be summoned at once, Runga."</p> + +<p>"If you were not to go to your uncle and the King he might +be; but as it is, he had better remain. He thinks he is quite +safe; and, indeed, he is safe, for it is impossible for him to stir; +but here he would intrigue while you are away. He might even +learn news of the old Dervish, and carry off Zóra in spite of us; +but now I will send word to my people, and to the twelve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +thousand, that her honour is your honour and mine; and they know +what that means. I, Meeah, go to the war with thee, for the men +here who belong to the Rajah are mad to go with us, and I will not +deny them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, true friend and brother!" exclaimed the young Khan, with +a choking sensation in his throat, and tears welling up in his eyes; +"what can I render to thee for all this aid, and thy good counsel? +Yes, come with me, Runga; we have fought before together, but +none know thee but me. Now all shall know thee, and thou shalt +be honoured and rewarded. First, let us do our duty to the King, +and then," he continued, rising, "I call the holy saints to witness, +our duty will be done to others. Hast thou eaten food, Runga?"</p> + +<p>"No," he said, "not since yesterday; but I have bathed, and +am hungry. Tell them to give me something from thy kitchen, +Meeah; and suffer me to eat here, where I can offend no one, and +put my dinner on fresh plantain leaves. Ah! that will be a luxury, +indeed!"</p> + +<p>The servants brought to him portions of the savoury food +which was ready in the kitchen, and deposited it on a huge plantain +leaf which he had gathered. They saw him eat as it seemed +to them voraciously, but in truth little food had passed his lips for +two days; and when he had finished, they saw him wrap himself in +the sheet which had before served him as upper covering and +waistband, and lying down on the bare earth fall into a deep sleep.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> + +THE NIGHT COUNCIL.</h2> + + +<p>As on the previous evening, Abbas Khan arrived at the entrance +to the council chamber at the usual hour, accompanied by Francis +d'Almeida. They had come in palanquins, for convenience sake; +and, on this occasion, Abbas Khan had dispensed with his inner +mail coat and soldier-like costume, and wore the ordinary Court +dress of his rank—simple white muslin, with a Cashmere shawl; +and carried only a light Court sword in his hand. He felt that there +was no danger now. The priest wore his best cassock and the +gown of his order; and, rejecting the advice of Maria, went in his +bare feet, and sandals which he could easily put off. His dress +formed a strange contrast with the flowing robes of his companion; +and the heavy slouched hat made it even more remarkable in comparison +with the turbans of the Palace attendants. Yet his frank, +handsome face, bright fresh colour, silky moustachios and beard, +which, as a missionary, he had allowed to grow, denoted at once +elevated birth and extreme intelligence. Abbas Khan had given +him some general instruction as to his demeanour in approaching +the throne, and the worthy priest appeared by no means flurried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +or anxious as to the result. As he knelt down on one knee, +doffed his hat gracefully, and bowed his head as he would +have done to his own King, the Royal lady was satisfied that the +priest had seen Courts, and was well born and bred; and her +surprise was not a little enhanced by the excellent Persian in +which he replied to her inquiries after the health of his sister +and himself.</p> + +<p>"And you speak Canarese also, I hear?" she said; "and thy +sister too?"</p> + +<p>"It is the tongue of our people at Moodgul and of our Church +there, which the beneficence of your Royal ancestor, Ibrahim, +established," he replied; "and it is more familiar to our lips than +Persian, which we have seldom need to use. In Canarese, my +sister is as good a scholar as I am, and we are now translating the +New Testament, or Unjeel."</p> + +<p>"May I be your sacrifice," cried the chief priest, who was in +his accustomed place; "but the Nazarenes have no correct version +of the Unjeel. Did not the Prophet (may his memory be blessed) +denounce them? In chapter——"</p> + +<p>"Nay, reverend sir," interposed the Queen, "we are not met +for a religious discussion, but for State affairs; and I pray you to +be silent. Here, in the court of the refuge of the poor, my son, +all men are equal in His and my sight, whatever may be their +faith. We leave that to God, before whom we are all equal. Be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +seated, sir," continued the Queen; "we have pressing business to +do ere we can enter upon what thou canst aid us in."</p> + +<p>It seemed as if there were no place vacant, except one close to +the chief priest, who evidently did not relish the idea of being +touched by an unbeliever; and he fidgeted in his seat, crowded +as much as possible into his neighbour's, held up his scarf to +his mouth, and in every way expressed his objection to any +proximity to the Padré, who in his turn was much embarrassed. +But the Brahmin Minister of Finance, whose heart had warmed +towards the Padré in hearing his own language spoken so fluently +and so well, offered him his own seat, and took that assigned to +Francis d'Almeida. Thus peace was for the present secure, but +when it might be broken by the chief priest's intolerance it was +impossible to declare.</p> + +<p>It was a busy scene. Orders for the pay of the troops about to +march had to be signed by the Queen and by the heads of +departments present, to be paid from the treasury next morning; +orders also to district authorities on the road to provide supplies +and forage at each stage, and to have the roads made practicable +for the artillery. Public carriage cattle out at graze had been +recalled; but more were necessary, and Hyat Khan's requisitions +were heavy on the city. These, with the usual revenue and district +papers to be signed and made up, correspondence to be written, +and drafts of letters to be read, occupied a long time, and was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>watched by the Padré with the utmost interest; while his neighbour +the Brahmin kept up with him a lively conversation in +Canarese. He had heard of the Padré's learning from other +Brahmins, who came periodically for their dues to the Royal city; +and his manner was kind and considerate. At last, as his business +was concluded, and his assistant was tying up his bundle of +papers, he whispered to the Padré—</p> + +<p>"I must depart, sir. Sit quietly where you are, and do not +stir, unless the Queen-Mother calls you or sends for you. +Above all, beware of the chief priest; for he would make no +scruple of quarrelling with you, even before the Queen. He barely +tolerates our presence, being, as he calls us, Kaffirs, and is certainly +less tolerant of you, a Nazarene. It would not be wise to +cross him."</p> + +<p>"Yet if he should revile my Church?"</p> + +<p>"I say still, answer him not," returned the other, "nor speak +at all, except the Queen herself bid thee. He is most intolerant, +perhaps dangerous."</p> + +<p>"I thank you sincerely for your warning, and I will be very +discreet, you may be sure," was Francis d'Almeida's reply; but +he was not the less determined to bear testimony in the cause of +his faith, should it be needful. Was he not a missionary of Christ, +and a soldier of the Church militant? So he sat quietly, much +amused and interested in the scene passing before him, in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +multiplicity of business, and the ease and regularity with which it +was conducted. Abbas Khan was busy with the details of the +force he was to command, giving instructions to the various +leaders of companies and divisions, and was for the present absorbed +in his work, now and then exchanging a word with the +Queen-Mother, and explaining to her what was being done. Here +also he learned more of the political state of the country than he +had ever known before, or was likely to learn elsewhere. Boorhan +Nizam Shah, King of Ahmednugger, who had supported the conspiracy +of Eyn-ool-Moolk, had been defeated by King Ibrahim of +Beejapoor and Humeed Khan. Subsequently his own son Ismail +had rebelled, but was defeated by his father, who, after the battle +of Hoomayoonpoor, being seriously ill, returned to Ahmednugger +as his successor, and died soon afterwards, having nominated as +his successor his son Ibrahim, a fractious and violent youth of sixteen. +The Beejapoor army, after repulsing the attack by King +Boorhan, had taken up positions at Sholapoor and Juldroog, otherwise +called Shahdroog, during the rainy season, and the King was +with these troops; but the express received by the Queen Dowager +contained the important news that King Ibrahim of Ahmednugger +was making immense preparations for an immediate invasion of +the Beejapoor territory; and though this might possibly be +averted by negotiations, yet, considering the violence of the young +King of Ahmednugger's character, such a result as was desired<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +did not seem probable by any means, and troops must be hurried +on without delay. The Padré saw that Abbas Khan had been the +best selection possible for the purpose, on account of his present +popularity, ability, and activity; but the prospect of being left +with his sister alone in the great city was anything but agreeable. +He had, however, acquired such entire confidence in his young +friend, that he was sure he would not be left to the issues of chance, +nor unprotected.</p> + +<p>At last the long sitting was concluded, and the Queen, rising, +excused herself for a while, and went into an inner chamber for +refreshment, while the courtiers chatted freely among themselves; +and d'Almeida now allowed his eyes to wander over the sides +and fretted ceiling of the beautiful room, to admire its rich Gothic +architecture and the elegance of its proportions and decorations; +but there was an absence of light to show all to advantage, and he +thought he might perhaps, through Abbas Khan, be allowed to see +it by day. How he wondered, too, at the immense blocks of +buildings which formed the palace, for all was new to him; and +except the Palace of the Seven Storeys, and the roofs of some of the +edifices which he could see from the roof of the mansion where +he and his sister resided, he knew nothing, all else being hidden by +the high walls and towers of the citadel.</p> + +<p>When the Queen re-entered and took her seat, all present rising +to receive her, Hyat Khan, the Kotwal, produced a list of those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +persons who had been tracked and apprehended by Runga Naik +Beydur, who, he said, was without, and could give a clear account +of them. He was, certainly, only a Beydur, but might be allowed +to stand before the daïs.</p> + +<p>"God forbid! God forbid!" cried the chief priest, putting his +hands to his ears, who was evidently brimming over with suppressed +fury. "I have been sitting in this durbar for two +reigns of illustrious and pious Kings, and I never heard of a +Beydur being admitted to the presence. Pah! thooh! an uncircumcised +dog—not even a Hindoo—who lives on pig, and +whose breath would taint the air of a whole city. God forbid! +God forbid!"</p> + +<p>"And yet he is a good and faithful soldier of the State, and +an honest, God-fearing man," said Abbas Khan, stoutly. "I, +for one, do not feel as if I should be polluted by his presence. +What say ye, noble friends?" and he looked around. "As +for our Queen-Mother, ye have already heard her sentiments; +and do we dare to dispute them? One thing is certain, we shall +know nothing of these prisoners unless he explains why they were +apprehended."</p> + +<p>"True!" said the chief Kazee; "and to hear evidence is +necessary to attain justice. I care not for pig——"</p> + +<p>If there had been any chance of a skirmish between the two +learned authorities, as some hoped who had witnessed such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +scenes, they were disappointed; for the Kotwal, at a sign from +the Queen, ordered Runga to be admitted, and as he entered was +shown where to make his obeisance. And he finally stood after +his own fashion on one leg, pressing the sole of the other foot +against the calf, and with his hands joined in supplication.</p> + +<p>"You can speak to him, Abbas Khan," said the head Kazee. +"Ask him to tell the Queen who these men are?"</p> + +<p>"I represent," humbly returned the Khan, "that I am his +commander, and am interested, beside, in what may transpire. +Can the interpretation of the Padré Sahib be accepted? else some +Brahmin might be sent for."</p> + +<p>"The Padré's evidence I could not take," returned the Kazee, +"it is not admissible by law; but his interpretation we can +accept, my Queen and my lords, if he swear on the Unjeel. Hast +thou the book, O Padré?"</p> + +<p>"It is here, my lord," returned d'Almeida, taking a small copy +from his pocket, and removing the clean white handkerchief in +which it was wrapped.</p> + +<p>"Place the holy book on thy head, or as thou wilt, and declare +that thou wilt interpret truly," was the Kazee's reply.</p> + +<p>"Holy book, indeed!" indignantly snorted the chief priest. +"Holy book! sacred to Satan! Well, times are changed; a +Nazarene priest and a pig-eating Beydur before the Queen, in the +Royal palace. What next, I wonder!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>Francis d'Almeida was burning to reply, but he remembered +the words of his Brahmin friend, and was silent. "I am ready +now," he said, simply, "and I will speak truly."</p> + +<p>"Let there be entire silence," cried one of the Court ushers by +order of the Queen, and Runga Naik began his history. We know +most of it already; but the latter portion, relating his rescue of +Zóra, his tracking of the rebel members of Elias Khan's band, the +escape of the Abyssinian after a close pursuit, gave a new interest +to the narrative. Runga himself, though dazed at first by the +beauty of the room and the presence of the Queen, of whom he +had heard so much, was now assured; and the story was told +with a simple modesty and confidence which, to every hearer +present, conveyed an assurance of truth and reality. Elias Khan +had endeavoured to tempt him into disloyalty; he had promised +him money and an estate if he would cut off all the Royal outposts +on the north bank of the Krishna. "But I did not do that, mother," +he cried to the Queen in his homely speech, and stretching forth +his hands; "my people have been faithful to Beejapoor since it +was a kingdom, and was I to turn traitor for villains like Eyn-ool-Moolk +and Elias? Meeah, there, and I were old friends, and he +was my superior. I went to him as fast as I could, and three hundred +of my people were to follow on foot, but they were too late; +for the day after I reached him was that of the fight in which he +slew Elias, and was well nigh slain himself. I have heard it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +whispered he was a coward, but who dare say that now? I could +not bear it, and hunted down most of the men who deserted him, +but some have escaped. Let the Kotwal Sahib tell what they have +said to him."</p> + +<p>"I humbly represent to the throne," said the Kotwal, "that +one and all have confessed to having been seduced by messengers +from Elias Khan, and humbly beg their lives. They have shed +no blood."</p> + +<p>"Abbas Khan," said the Queen, in reply, "if it please thee, I +give their lives into thy hands; do with them as it is good unto +thee; unless, indeed, the Kazee demands them for trial."</p> + +<p>"They have committed no murder, noble lady, that they +should come before me," returned the Kazee. "If they have +offended, it is against the State, and the State has power over +all traitors."</p> + +<p>"Then I accept them as our Queen-Mother's gift," said the +young Khan, rising and making three obeisances at the foot of the +throne; "Hyat Khan will help me to arrange about them. I have +no fear of them, and they have been with me in many a fair fight. +But we delay, lady; wilt thou not order the papers to be examined +which were found this morning?"</p> + +<p>"They are here, my lords," said the Queen, "and first we +should hear those in the Frangi character, and the Padré Sahib +can translate them for us. Approach, sir," she continued to +Francis d'Almeida, "sit at the foot of the throne."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Touba! Touba!" muttered the Peer Sahib, as the chief priest +was usually designated. "For shame! for shame! an infidel sitting +on a step of the throne! Inshalla!—--"</p> + +<p>"I advise your reverence to be silent," whispered the Kotwal; +"it is necessary he should do so, and any interruption will not be +allowed by the Queen. You know what she can do if she pleases; +and I say let her alone."</p> + +<p>The Peer Sahib made no reply; but it was clearly visible to +all, that what had been said to him had increased his previous ill-humour.</p> + +<p>By this time the leather case had been opened by one of the +Queens secretaries, and the contents counted. The letters +with the superscription in Portuguese were then separated +from the rest, which were placed at the Queen's feet. "You +will be pleased to read them and translate them afterwards to +Her Majesty. If possible in Persian; if not, in Canarese, which +she understands."</p> + +<p>"I will translate them into Persian," was the priest's reply, "for +that is known to all;" and he took up one of the letters and began +to read it. It was of no consequence, however, being from the +authorities of Goa to Elias Khan in reference to several points in +regard to transit duties, of which the secretary made a memorandum +on the back. After several others of trivial import, came one +with an elaborate refusal of the Government of Goa to assist the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +designs of Eyn-ool-Moolk and Elias Khan on behalf of Prince +Ismail, which it gave the Padré much satisfaction to expound. +He had heard of the refusal of his Government to countenance the +rebellion, but here was ample confirmation under the signature of +the Governor, Don Mathias de Albuqurque, and his councillors; +and threats of denouncing the conspirators to the King of Beejapoor +in case the correspondence was renewed.</p> + +<p>Prince Ismail's party, then, appear to have begun an intrigue +with Dom Diego, superior of the Moodgul Mission, imploring his +advocacy with the Viceroy, and offering not only increased powers to +the Mission, but large perquisites to himself; and these terms being +recapitulated from the original Persian letter, Dom Diego's own +requests followed, which the Padré read with astonishment, mingled +with terror; for he had demanded not only the large province of +Dharwar as his own perquisite, but four lakhs of hoons to maintain +it and the European troops he should need. He undertook to +obtain presently two thousand Europeans from Goa, and two +thousand more from Portugal as soon as possible, and with this +force and those of the Prince he undertook to deliver Beejapoor, +with all its treasures, into the possession of Eyn-ool-Moolk and the +Prince. It was a cunningly devised scheme, and inside the letter +was found a copy of the Persian reply from Elias Khan on behalf +of his master, Eyn-ool-Moolk, agreeing to the whole, and urging +Dom Diego not to delay, and sending him a thousand hoons as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +earnest money by the hands of Yakoob Khan, Abyssinian. +Again the correspondence was continued up to the time when the +rebels were attacked by Humeed Khan, and the death of Eyn-ool-Moolk; +and when the translator had finished, there was a general +murmur of approbation and congratulation to the Queen Dowager +on the danger which the State had escaped, and of thanks for +the important services rendered by so able an explanation of the +letters; and the Queen herself was profuse in her acknowledgments, +given with the charming yet dignified manner of which she was so +admirable a mistress.</p> + +<p>Little used to such profuse compliments from so exalted a +person, the simple Padré was at first overwhelmed with emotion; +but he gradually took courage, and, rising to his feet, excused himself +for ignorance of Court customs in not having at first presented +the only offering he and his sister had to make, of which he now +begged the Queen's acceptance; and, drawing the small packet +of lace from his breast, unfolded the veil and laid it at her feet. +It was at once evident that she was much gratified as well as surprised +at the delicacy and elegance of the beautiful fabric, and +examined the pattern with curious interest. Nor could she quite +credit the Padré's assertion that it was his sister Maria's own work +with her needle only. Having examined it, she passed it round to +those present, but the Peer Sahib would not touch it, and folded his +hands in his robe, as though he might be contaminated.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We can offer little in return for this priceless work," said the +Queen, when she received the veil; "nevertheless, if you will +accept this"—and she took from a cushion near her a costly +Cashmere shawl—"on behalf of your sister, we shall be gratified." +And as she spoke she handed it to one of the Court ushers, who, +with the usual dexterous flourish, threw it over the shoulders of the +Padré, where it formed a curious contrast with his plain black +robe. But he could not refuse the gift without offence, and again +making an obeisance to the Queen, allowed it to remain.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the secretaries had been separating the Persian +correspondence, and arranging it by names and dates, and the +Queen now desired it to be read. All that related to those who no +longer existed were put aside, but that of Osman Beg contained +painful revelations. He had offered to give up his fort to the rebel +troops; he had furnished them with information in regard to +movements of troops from Beejapoor to the westward, and had +advised Elias Khan to attack his cousin's party, which guarded +the main fords of the river, and cut it off before the floods came, +and when the road to the capital would be opened. But we need +not, perhaps, follow a detail which may have been anticipated, +while there was little doubt that the letters he had received from +the leader of the rebel faction were, possibly, still in his possession. +What should be done then? As was usual with her, the +Queen left this point to the determination of the Council, reserving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +her opinion for the present, and an animated discussion +followed. The treachery of his cousin in regard to the State, in +advising his destruction to Elias Khan, the treacherous abduction +of Zóra, had sunk deep into Abbas Khan's heart, and declining +to be a party in the discussion, he took his seat near the Padré, +who, by this time, had taken his original place; but he separated +the Padré from the irate Peer Sahib, which was, perhaps, fortunate.</p> + +<p>The question most important to be decided was, what to do with +Osman Beg? Was he to be recalled at once, or sent to some distant +fortress, or to Moodgul, for detention? or was he to be brought +to the capital, and imprisoned till the King's pleasure was known? +There was no question that he should be arrested without +delay, and his successor, Meer Kasim Ali, an officer who could be +entirely depended upon, was at once named by several in the +council as the fittest person, and Hyat Khan, the Kotwal, vouched +for his leaving the city before dawn. He knew Juldroog perfectly, +and was acquainted with the garrison. There was no +doubt of his surprising Osman Beg, and placing him under detention, +pending further orders; and he was at once sent for, and +arrived as the reading of the correspondence was concluded, and +was ushered into the presence—a fine soldier-like young man, +somewhat older than Abbas Khan, but with equally bold and +frank features. He was immediately made acquainted with the duty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +assigned to him, and a grateful smile passed over his features as +he felt that his success would involve promotion to the grade held +by Osman Beg, and he received the Royal commission, putting it +to his forehead and eyes, and making a profound reverence.</p> + +<p>"And now," said the Queen, "we give our opinion and instructions +at once. We would not have Osman Beg, whose father is +honoured among us, and honoured by the King, imprisoned in a +fortress, or sent to Dilawer Ali Khan, at Moodgul, where intrigue +may take place. We would have him kept in Juldroog, under +watchful care, till the King's return, when, in full durbar, he may +plead what he can in extenuation. You will, also, Meer Sahib, +inquire, and report to me, as soon as possible, under what circumstances +the venerable Syud, long known as the Dervish, and his +granddaughter left Juldroog, and where they are at present. +Should their place of residence be known, you are to despatch +them to the presence without delay."</p> + +<p>"And," added the Kazee, "with the Royal permission, we ask +you to ascertain from the Kazee and Moollas of the fort whether +any ceremony of marriage, Nika or otherwise, passed between +Osman Beg and Zóra-bee, the granddaughter of the Syud Dervish, +and who performed it."</p> + +<p>"The Royal orders are on my head and eyes," returned the +young man, "and I am honoured by them. Nothing shall be left +undone."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And your escort?" asked the Queen.</p> + +<p>"I have twenty good soldiers of my own, lady," he replied; +"and when one not in favour is to be displaced, a hint is +sufficient."</p> + +<p>"I would also ask you," continued the Queen, "to ascertain +whether one Dom Diego, the head priest at Moodgul, is still there."</p> + +<p>"I think I can answer that question, noble Queen," said the +Padré, joining his hands. "When Abbas Khan was ill from his +wound, at the village near Talikota, I heard that Dom Diego had +left Moodgul for Goa, being succeeded by two humble priests who +had taken charge of the mission; and this was confirmed by some +of my flock who came to the fair at Talikota, who told me they +were satisfied with the new comers until I could return to them."</p> + +<p>"And you are a physician, too, sir," cried the Queen, "as well +as a master of languages. Oh, that thou wouldst see the real +Queen, Taj-ool-Nissa, who languishes sorely, and can obtain no +relief, though we have sent even to Beeder for learned men. Will +you see her, Padré Sahib? it is not late even now, and she is still +awake."</p> + +<p>"Before I entered the Church," replied the Padré, "I studied +both medicine and surgery in my own country and in Spain, from +the Moorish physicians, who are most wise. There I learned +somewhat of Arabic also, which, perhaps, led me to the East; and +though I joined the Church as a humble servant of God, I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +not without hope, like many of its missionaries, I might use my +medical skill in its service. Yea, noble Queen, I am ready to +use any humble skill I possess in behalf of the Royal Queen, your +daughter."</p> + +<p>"There is no time like the present," returned the Queen; "our +nobles will excuse me while I conduct you to her. Rise, sir, and +follow me."</p> + +<p>The Peer Sahib could contain himself no longer—</p> + +<p>"Astagh-fur-oolla! God forbid! Touba! Touba! Shame! +Shame! that I, a humble priest of Alla and his Prophet, whose +name be honoured, should see this. Touba! Touba! that an infidel +should have honour in the palace of Beejapoor. He a servant +of God! He, an eater of pig and bibber of wine! He, an +agent of Satan, a disseminator of the abominable doctrines which +Mahomed Moostafa, Prophet of God, hath cursed! He who worships +images, who——"</p> + +<p>It was in vain that Abbas Khan, the Kazee, and others present, +strove to stop this tirade, which, as the priest raised his voice, rose +into a shriek.</p> + +<p>"Be silent!" he cried; "hear the words of the Prophet," and +he made a long quotation from the Koran, which we may spare +our readers. "I forbid this! I denounce the lying Feringi! I +doom him to hell! I——"</p> + +<p>The Queen stood erect on the pile of cushions which had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +formed her throne, her slight figure appearing to dilate with excitement +and indignation as she stretched forth her arm and +pointed her finger at the insolent divine—</p> + +<p>"Peace!" she cried, "Peer Sahib. This is the first time in my +long life that the piety or the hospitality of this great house was +called in question. Peace! know thy place before the throne, and +be silent."</p> + +<p>But the Peer heeded not. "It is sorcery! It is sorcery!" he +cried. "Was not she, that woman, accused of sorcery in the time +of Kishwar Khan? Did he not denounce her when he sent her a +prisoner to Sattara?"</p> + +<p>"This is too much insolence for your Majesty to hear. Pass +in, we pray thee, and leave us to silence him," said the venerable +and blind Ekhlas Khan, who sat nearest to the throne.</p> + +<p>"Nay," returned the Queen, "I never fled from man yet, noble +Khan, and I await the Peer's homage and apology;" and she reseated +herself with dignity.</p> + +<p>"If I allowed a harsh word to escape me in the heat of argument," +said the Peer, rising and crossing his arms on his breast, "I +humbly beg pardon; but as for that——"</p> + +<p>"You have said enough," cried Abbas Khan; "be content +The Mother is not to be trifled with, as you know. See, she +speaks."</p> + +<p>"I forgive you," she said to the Peer, "because thou art a holy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +man; but beware, for thy tongue is apt to transgress the bounds +of respect. And now, my lords, I rise again and take this respectable +man of God with me. I will not long detain ye." +Nor did she. The young Queen's apartments were close to the +council chamber, and she was raised and carried to the archway +door, where a screen had been let down, and a thin pale +hand was put forth. D'Almeida feared the worst: there was a +low cough; the pulse was weak and thready, and the girl complained +of want of sleep and thirst. He could not then judge of +her case, but he could alleviate present symptoms.</p> + +<p>"Can your Majesty send anyone with me who can be trusted +to bring the medicine? I shall seal it up with my own seal, and +it will not be found disagreeable."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," replied the Queen; "I can send one of my own +eunuchs, who is known to Abbas Khan. But you have a messenger +whom I desire to see, that is thy sister Maria. Can she +come to this poor sufferer and cheer her? I will send a palanquin +and an escort to-morrow, at noon."</p> + +<p>"She shall wait on you with pleasure. Anywhere that she can +be of use, Maria will go, as a point of duty to God and to her +order. Yes, I will send her to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"And she speaks Persian?" asked the young Queen, clapping +her hands.</p> + +<p>"A little," was the reply; "but Canarese better."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then we can all speak together, and she shall be my friend. +And she is beautiful?"</p> + +<p>"I think her most beautiful, lady; but she is my sister, and it +ill befits me to speak. You will see and judge for yourselves."</p> + +<p>"We may now rejoin our companions," said the Queen Regent. +"And you love Abbas Khan?" she continued, inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"I do," replied the priest, "as I would a son."</p> + +<p>"And have seen no fault in him?"</p> + +<p>"None. He is true and gentle, as a brave soldier ought to +be. We were by chance cast together when his wound broke +out again, and I could not leave him till he was fit to travel. He +would have died alone."</p> + +<p>"And thy sister," asked the Queen, "do they know each +other?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all, except by hearsay; and she hath never seen or +spoken to him. In the village where Abbas Khan was ill for a +month or more we had a different lodging; and, if abroad, she was +always closely veiled. Since we have been here we lodge with a +painter, for whom Maria makes designs."</p> + +<p>"Now may God bless thee for this assurance! I had feared +that Maria's beauty might—might——"</p> + +<p>"Nay, lady, she is bound to God by her vow, and he is too +honourable to think of her; but I may tell you, who are as his +mother, that from snatches of his dreams when he raved and occasional<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +remarks, his heart hath gone out to the child who watched +him in his first attack at Juldroog, Zóra."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" cried the Queen, smiling, "it may be so. I saw him +start when I used her name; but keep thy secret, Padré Sahib, as +I will keep it, and we will see to this when he is gone."</p> + +<p>"I will be silent," he returned. "Had it not been that my +sister hath the same opinion, and that thou, noble lady, art as his +mother, I had not told thee; but Maria can explain all, better +than I can, and I will bid her make no concealment."</p> + +<p>The assembly rose as the Queen entered the council hall, and, +as she seated herself, again took their places. Francis d'Almeida, +being conducted by a eunuch along a side corridor, entered by a +curtained archway lower down, and took his seat as he had done +before. Abbas Khan was completing his business with the +Minister of Finance and various other officers, and the affairs of +the sitting seemed well nigh concluded.</p> + +<p>"Let all the officers of the army about to march appear at +early durbar to-morrow," said the Queen. "Inshalla! there need +be no delay."</p> + +<p>"All is ready, may it please you," returned Abbas Khan. "My +intention was to make a short march to-morrow afternoon, and +afterwards to hurry on as fast as possible to the Royal camp, which +lies somewhere between Sholapoor and Puraindah."</p> + +<p>"We shall send to thy shrine at early morning, O Peer Sahib,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +offerings to be distributed to the poor, and ask thy prayers for a +victory over the State's enemies. Alas! that they should be our +near relatives."</p> + +<p>"My prayers and blessing will not avail much, I fear, lady, +against what I have witnessed to-night," returned the Peer Sahib, +haughtily and ungraciously. "Those that ask for them should +obey the commands of Alla and his Prophet; nevertheless, I will +submit my poor supplications to the Searcher of hearts."</p> + +<p>It was well, perhaps, that the Royal lady affected not to hear +what had been said, for she merely made an inclination of acknowledgment; +and directing the usual complimentary dismissal gifts to +be brought, rose after they had been distributed, and left the +throne.</p> + +<p>"Have you been mad to-night, Peer Sahib? Was your afternoon +dose of opium too strong for thee?" asked Hyat Khan, who +feared no priest, and in particular despised the Peer. "It is well +she did not order thee to my humble dwelling."</p> + +<p>"Silence!" cried the Peer, furiously. "Begone! and let me +pass;" and gathering up the skirts of his robe, lest they should be +polluted by the touch of anyone, he struggled out of the hall, leaning +on his long staff.</p> + +<p>"His jealousy has been aroused by you, Padré Sahib, and he +is spiteful; take my advice and do not cross him again. I will +send a guard of my people to thy lodging, they can both watch +and protect."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>As d'Almeida made his acknowledgments, Runga Naik, who +had been busy writing in a corner, in a large, sprawling hand, +approached the new Governor of Juldroog, and gave the letter +to him.</p> + +<p>"Take my advice," he said, "do not attempt to cross by the +western ferry above the fall; turn off the main road at Talikota; +make for Korikul, which belongs to me; ask for one Burma Naik, +or, if he be away, for Kèsama, my wife; give either of them this +letter, and they will give thee men and boats to cross the town +ferry to the fort: this will save thee more than a day's march. +Thou wilt be landed privately, close to the village; and the rest +is in thine own hand, with three hundred of my people to help +thee."</p> + +<p>"If thou wouldst only go thyself, Runga," said Abbas Khan.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Meeah!" was the reply, the tears springing to his +eyes; "where thou goest I follow. If the Meer Sahib follows my +advice, he will secure Osman Beg ere he rises from his bed the day +after to-morrow. The people there will rejoice to be delivered +from his insolence and tyranny. By Krishna! do not send me, I +should slay him; and his life—well, it is in the Lord's hands, +worthless as it is. No, not with thee, Meeah; I must go to my +people; I shall meet thee at the early durbar."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IX.<br /> + +A DAY IN THE PALACE.</h2> + + +<p>It was late in the night before Francis d'Almeida reached his +abode, but he found his sister awaiting his arrival; and his +account of the events of the evening, after he had made up and +despatched by the Queen's messenger a sealed bottle of medicine +for the young Queen, was in the highest degree interesting to her. +Francis had not intended to tell her of the rudeness of the +Mussulman priest, but she told him that a guard of twelve men +had arrived some time before, which had alarmed the whole household +as well as herself. Nor when she had ascertained that they +had been sent for their protection, could she imagine what danger +threatened them; or if there were no danger, were they to be +prisoners in spite of Abbas Khan's assurances? A few words from +her brother soon, however, explained all; and he made light of the +Peer Sahib's rudeness, which he told his sister was only what they +must expect to endure as Christian missionaries.</p> + +<p>"We have been spoilt too much," he continued, "by the good old +Nawab of Moodgul and by our friend Abbas Khan; and in a city +like this, full of fanatics and different religious bodies of Mussulmans,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +we may hardly expect to escape notice. But we have a +good friend in the great Kotwal, and under the Queen Regent's +protection we should have no fear. You will see her and her +daughter-in-law to-morrow, at their special request, and we shall +accompany Abbas Khan to the Palace at an early hour. I think +you may be of use to that poor sufferer, the young Queen, whom +they believe to be under a malignant evil spell; but who is either +weakened by fever, or by some insidious complaint, which I humbly +trust may not be decline, and yet I fear it. I want you to watch, +since I may not see her face; and the eagerness with which she +bade me assure her that you would come proves to me you will be +heartily welcomed. Rise early, therefore, as I shall, and prepare +yourself. Take some drawings and work with you, and I can +promise you a happy and interesting day. You will not see much +of the great Queen Regent, perhaps; but after she has given +audience to the officers about to march to-day, she may have +leisure."</p> + +<p>Maria had no apprehension. Accustomed as she was to visit +the harem of the Nawab of Moodgul, and to friendly and intimate +association with his wife and children, she felt no embarrassment +in visiting another Indian lady, even though she might be a +Queen. Accordingly rising at daylight, she set aside what she +needed to take with her; and her brother having prepared the +medicines he purposed to administer, they partook of an early<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +breakfast, and were ready when the palanquins sent from the +Palace arrived for them.</p> + +<p>More than ordinarily lovely did his sister appear to Francis +d'Almeida that morning. She had selected the finest of +her lawn coifs and kerchiefs to wear, and their exquisite +whiteness enhanced the rosy colour of her complexion, and +harmonised with the purity of her fair neck and arms; while +her soft brown hair, in natural ringlets, escaped from the +coif and hung about her shoulders. To anyone who had never +seen a pure European lady, she must, in spite of the sombre robe +which concealed her graceful figure, have appeared a vision of +beauty.</p> + +<p>Old Donna Silvia, the wife of the painter, took her in her +arms as she prepared to enter the palanquin, and kissed her +affectionately and warmly, and bade her fear naught; and throwing +the Queen Regent's beautiful Cashmere shawl around her head +and shoulders, she entered the palanquin, closed the doors, and +proceeded onwards with her old servant shuffling by her side.</p> + +<p>At the gate of Abbas Khan's mansion they joined in his cavalcade, +which, as well from his own retinue as the number of officers +by whom he was accompanied, was of an imposing character. +Maria would have liked to open the doors of her palanquin and +look out at the richly dressed crowd of officers, many of them +in glittering mail—at the magnificent caparisons of their horses,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +bounding and prancing as they went, and of the huge elephants +which accompanied them, the incessant clash of whose bells +was almost deafening; but modesty forbade it, and she contented +herself with such glimpses as she could obtain through the small +jalousies of the doors which let in light and air. She could catch +passing glances of Abbas Khan, whose noble figure and spirited +charger were remarkable over all by whom he was surrounded, and +inwardly prayed for a blessing on him, and protection in the new +scenes of war into which he was about to plunge. She had not +forgotten poor Zóra, nor her apparently hopeless love. She could +discover no trace of her in the huge city; and far away as she +must be, must inevitably, she thought, be forgotten in the excitement +of the young Khan's life. She had not heard then from her +brother the story of Zóra's violent abduction by Osman Beg, and +her strange release by Runga Naik and his companions.</p> + +<p>In this order the cavalcade passed on through the gloomy gate +of the citadel, till their palanquins were put down at the private +door of the female apartments of the Palace. Then, with cries of +"Gósha! Gósha!"—privacy—by the eunuchs, a high screen of cloth +was raised, and the door of Maria's litter was opened by her brother; +and entering the deep archway, she observed the tall figure of +Abbas Khan at the entrance of a wide corridor, beckoning them to +advance. At the curtained archway in front she saw him hold a +brief colloquy with one of the men who guarded it; and the curtain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +was raised to admit them, as they entered what the Padré now +recognised as the council room of the previous evening.</p> + +<p>Involuntarily Maria started, as, looking up, she cast her eyes +around, and followed the clusters of pillars which led up to the +groined and fretted roof, covered with exquisite arabesque designs +in pure white stucco, the principal lines and rosettes of which +were of burnished gilding. Never could she have imagined so +beautiful an apartment from the plain and almost mean entrance; +and her brother, who had only seen it at night, when partially +lighted, was equally charmed and surprised.</p> + +<p>"How very beautiful!" she said, in a whisper. "Can all the +interior of the Palace be like this? How exquisitely graceful is +the tracery which covers the panels of the walls, and, mingling +with the light clustered shafts of the corners and centre, leads the +eye up to that richly ornamented ceiling. Would we could linger +here, and that I had time to sketch portions of the designs."</p> + +<p>"The Alhambra, which I once saw," returned her brother, "is +perhaps more wonderful, and even more elegant; but this has been +designed, probably, by some Spanish Moor with equal skill; and I +hope you will have many opportunities of making drawings from +it; but we must not tarry now, for the Queen-Mother awaits us;" +and, leaving the council chamber, they entered the corridor by +which the Queen had proceeded the evening before, until Abbas +Khan paused before the entrance to the private apartments, while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +one of the eunuchs gave notice to the Queen-Mother of their +arrival, and returning immediately bid them enter. It was +an antechamber to the room in which the Royal lady was +awaiting them; and directly they approached her, she rose and +greeted them with evident kindness and interest, bidding them +welcome. When Abbas Khan had made his usual reverence to her, +he said—</p> + +<p>"I may leave my friends with you, mother, there is no need of +me as interpreter; and it is time I should take my place in the +durbar, for it is filling fast. I will return when your Majesty has +dismissed it, if I am permitted to do so."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my son," she said; "but will not she take off her +veil? We are longing to see the face of one in whom we have so +strong an interest."</p> + +<p>"Not before me, mother," returned the Khan, smiling; "but I +depart, and commit them to your care;" and he left the room.</p> + +<p>With a modest confusion, Maria now removed the shawl which +she had thrown over her head, and also the embroidered veil by +which her features were concealed, the finely crimped coif of her +order, and the pure lawn handkerchief, being all that remained; +but her soft curly hair had escaped in some degree, and fell over +her neck and bosom in rich tresses, which, now the light touched +them, shone like threads of gold.</p> + +<p>"Power of God!" cried the Queen, "was there ever such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +beauty seen? Rise, child; let me embrace thee! Wilt thou be +to me as a daughter?"</p> + +<p>They both rose, and the Queen, stretching forth her arms, enfolded +Maria in a warm embrace, kissing her on the forehead and +cheeks. "Sit down beside me, and do not tremble. If I be a +Queen to all, I can be a mother and a friend to thee. How is it, +Padré Sahib, that she is so lovely? Is this rosy colour real, or is +it the custom of ladies of your country to paint their faces as we +hear the Chinese beauties do? Nay," she continued, laughing +heartily, "I see there is no need to doubt, for your fair sister's +rising colour betrays her, and she blushes."</p> + +<p>"She is like our mother," he returned, "who was perhaps more +beautiful. But she is not used to compliments, which confuse her. +Besides, she is vowed to the service of God since her husband's +death, and can take no pride in self-adornment."</p> + +<p>"And your mother lives?"</p> + +<p>"We trust so," returned the priest; "but she hath other +children near her, who follow worldly callings. We two have devoted +ourselves to the service of the Lord, and are to her as though +we were dead."</p> + +<p>"And your sister would not marry again, for she might have +done so under your law?" asked the Queen.</p> + +<p>"She might have done so to her worldly advantage," returned +the Padré, "for several, both nobles and wealthy, sought her at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +Goa; but she preferred the service of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, +and took her vows of poverty and relinquishment of the world +upon her, joining me in my humble labours at Moodgul, where we +were so happy, till Dom Diego insulted her, and Dilawer Khan +sent us to your protection."</p> + +<p>"Ye are brave people," returned the Queen, with a sigh, +as it appeared, of admiration. "And ye desire nothing, and +will accept nothing. Is it not so? Ah! where shall I find such +devotion among the priests of our faith? The higher they are in +rank and presumed holiness, the more they desire—estates, gifts, +houses, elephants, money. Have you none like these in your +Church?"</p> + +<p>"We have, indeed, lady. We have priests who live like +princes, and who rank as princes; who amass wealth and are +greedy of honours. But we poor friars, and Sisters of Charity, +have no part with these great dignitaries, and are content and +happy with what God sends us, though it be humble food and poor +raiment, for are not our souls cheered and warmed by Him; and +care we know not."</p> + +<p>"And we honour ye the more for this; and had it been seemly +to do so, we had rebuked the insolent priest who was disrespectful +last night. When my lord the King returneth he shall know of +this, and respect thee, O Padré, as I have already learned to do, +in truth. But come, Maria, I must lead thee to my little Queen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +Taj-ool-Nissa, and leave ye together, while I take my place in the +great assembly."</p> + +<p>"I was about to ask, lady, whether she felt relief from the +medicine I sent last night?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! I had forgotten, Padré Sahib; and I fear it is Maria's +fault; or is it that our poor natures too soon forget the highest +benefits? She will tell Maria more than she has told me, I dare +say; but her cough was better this morning, and she rested quietly, +and had no evil dreams, and has eaten well. But come, we must +lead thee to her, Maria; she is sitting in the balcony above the +throne, where I must take my seat presently, and thou wilt see all +that passes. Come!" and taking Maria by the hand, she led her +through another antechamber into the young Queen's presence, +bidding her make the same reverential salute to her that she had +done too herself.</p> + +<p>Taj-ool-Nissa was a slight girl, about seventeen years old; +not so fair as the Queen Regent, but with an air of good breeding +and distinction that could not be mistaken. Her seat of rich +yellow satin cushions accorded well with her full petticoat and +tunic of heavy cloth of gold, and the filmy brocade scarf of light +blue muslin, which, confined at the waist, passed over her head. +Several strings of large pearls and Venetian sequins hung round +her neck, and her wrists and ankles were ablaze with bracelets and +anklets of diamonds. Her features were decidedly pretty, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +the expression seemed vacant. Naturally so, it was possible, or +under the influence of weakness, which was indeed very visible. +The contrast between the girl and the Regent Queen was +most striking; the one loaded with ornaments, yet not remarkable; +the other wearing only pure white muslin, yet with a noble, +intellectual expression which could not be mistaken.</p> + +<p>For an instant, while the two ladies embraced each other, +Taj-ool-Nissa did not see Maria except as a black figure taller +than either of them; but when the Queen Regent took her by +the hand and presented her, the expression of wonder and admiration +in the young Queen's face was even more decided +than the elder lady's had been.</p> + +<p>Maria's expressive, soft blue eyes, her colour, the perfect +whiteness of her skin, her delicate hands and silky hair, were +so different from anything she had ever before seen, that her +astonishment was even ludicrous, for the Queen-Mother laughed +heartily, and chid her for apparent rudeness to a stranger; but +this continued only for a moment, for Maria found herself drawn +gently to the young Queen's heart, and held there.</p> + +<p>"I have no one to be a companion to me," she said, the tears +rising to her eyes. "Our beloved mother has too many cares and +too much labour to sit with a weak, ailing girl like me, and you +would be as a sister to me, Maria. And I hear you know so much, +and can teach me so much, that my heart looks to you as it would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +to a dear sister. Will you be one to me, and never leave me? See +how well I am to-day, owing to your good brother's medicine; and +I slept so pleasantly and did not cough. Oh, Maria! if he will only +make me strong and well ere my lord returns, he will be rewarded +by him gratefully."</p> + +<p>"My brother will use all his skill, lady," returned Maria; "but +it is only God who can restore you to health, and we will pray for +you, if Christians may."</p> + +<p>"Ye are both devoted to the Lord," she replied with feeling. +"Oh! pray for me, and He will hear; but be seated near me +that I may feel and caress you, and we can look out from the +balcony into the great hall while the durbar is held; for all you +will see, warriors and chiefs, are going to the aid of my lord and +King. May God bring him to me safely!"</p> + +<p>"My brother has sent some medicine for you," said Maria; +"and if you will call for the person who is to have charge of it, I +will give her directions."</p> + +<p>"It is too precious, Tajoo," which was the familiar appellation +of the young Queen, "to have any keeper but me," said Queen +Chand, "and I will ask your brother, Maria, what to do with it +when I return. Till then, sit here and see what we do, and he +can feel Tajoo's pulse, if he will, meanwhile."</p> + +<p>As she passed out they heard her speaking to Francis and a +eunuch, who a moment afterwards summoned them both to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +door. Although he could not see Taj-ool-Nissa, Maria's description +of her was sufficient, and her own assurance that she already +felt better was very encouraging.</p> + +<p>"She has narrowly escaped the decline which precedes consumption, +for they have been keeping her too low; but as she +gains appetite she will eat freely, and will do well if the Palace +doctors and old women will let her alone."</p> + +<p>"What did your brother say?" asked Taj-ool-Nissa, eagerly. +And when Maria had explained it to her, she said, "He need not +fear; I will do faithfully all he directs, and my beloved mother +will give the medicine to me, and I will take it only from her +hands. But tell him that I have always been delicate. I was so +at Golconda, of which my dear father is the King; and he hoped I +should be well here, which is a healthier place. And for a time I +was better, and have even been out hunting with my lord and +our mother; but lately I have fallen back again, and I have +mourned in my heart that I should see my dear lord no more. Oh, +Maria! he is so noble and so kind to me; he hath none else to +love but me!"</p> + +<p>And as she spoke, her large liquid eyes filled, and she laid +her head on Maria's shoulder and sobbed gently, smiling through +her tears. That place seemed to be a refuge to her already. +"Hundreds of the ladies of the city come to visit me, and +some pity me, Maria; but there is no one to whom my heart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +goes forth but thee. But, hark! the nobut is beating, and we +must take our seats in the balcony." Then, drawing a warm +Cashmere shawl about her head and body, she took her usual +place.</p> + +<p>They looked out over the wide, lofty hall of audience, which +has been described before. To Maria's perception it was a wondrous +sight, both in regard to the hall itself and its magnificent proportions, +and also as to the level space beyond, now a rich green +sward filled with troops, whose armour and weapons glinted and +flashed far more brightly in the unclouded sunlight than they had +done on the day of the ordeal. The interior of the hall, though +in shadow, was brighter by far than on that occasion; for the sunlight +through the noble entrance archway—it is ninety-two feet in +span—reached a considerable distance into the hall at that comparatively +early hour.</p> + +<p>All the commanders and officers of the army about to +march, attended by their standard-bearers, had already taken +their seats in rank down the hall, which, as there were no +pillars, arches, or other obstruction to the sight, seemed almost +to expand as the crowds of chiefs poured into it. Then the +deep kettledrums of the nobut began to beat; and as the Queen +Regent entered and took her seat upon the throne, all stood up and +bowed themselves before her with profound reverence. Abbas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +Khan, who stood near the steps of the throne, as it were, leading +the movement.</p> + +<p>"Is it not gorgeous, Maria!" exclaimed her companion, clapping +her hands in joy. "Does not your heart swell at the sight? +And they are all my lord's, and will go and fight for him. Hark to +the shouts, 'Futteh-i-Nubba!' ('Victory to the Prophet!') 'Deen! +Deen!' 'Futteh-i-Shah Ibrahim!' Oh, Maria! I feel as though I +could go and fight with them for my dear, my noble lord; and, oh, +our mother would go if she were at liberty, for when her husband +was at war she was a warrior too, and never left his side. But, ah! +I have been weak, and my king would not let me go. And I tell +you truly, Maria, my father has as many soldiers as my lord, but +he has no hall like this. Our durbar is a small place in comparison, +but the troops assemble below the black terrace, and we used to +look at them from the terrace of the palace. When the durbar is +over I will take you to the rooms I like best, for they are higher +than these; and if you open the windows you can see the whole +city at your feet. All mine! all mine, Maria! because it is my +lord's."</p> + +<p>Thus she prattled on in high spirits, though Maria feared for +the excitement, while the business of the durbar proceeded. One +by one, as the names of the commanders were called, and the +amount of their forces cried out, they presented the hilts of their +swords to the Queen Regent and received her blessing; and many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +of them, rejoining their men, marched them forth to the place of +assembly. But some remained, and Abbas Khan was the last to +offer his homage and take leave to depart. As he came up to +the steps of the throne the Queen motioned him to come to her, +and with her own hands tied round his right arm a small light +green muslin scarf bordered with silver tissue, in which a coin +had been folded in the name of the Imám Zamin, as she +whispered, "Go, my son; honour and advancement are in +thine own hands, and I know thou wilt not fail me or the King. +Go; may Alla keep thee and restore thee to me as safely as I +dismiss thee."</p> + +<p>Then, as the Queen rose, the kettledrum sounded again, and +Abbas Khan, stretching out his arm over his head, cried with a +loud, manly voice, "Victory to our Queen-Mother!" which was +taken up by those who filled the hall, and by the thousands +without; and in a short time the hall and plain beyond +were empty, except for a solitary court usher, or other attendant, +who, flitting about singly, gave to the vast edifice an appearance +almost of desertion.</p> + +<p>As Abbas Khan passed the private entrance he sent word to +the Padré to come to speak with him, and waited in the street for +him. "How is the little Queen?" he asked. "Tell me truly for my +lord the King."</p> + +<p>"She is very delicate," was the reply; "but I do not fear. If my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +directions are fulfilled, she will ultimately recover; and, though she +may never be strong, she will pass an easy, happy life. But if +she be neglected, I fear the worst. My lord, I will see to her as +much as possible myself; and for part of every day Maria will be +with her and direct her."</p> + +<p>"And now farewell, my friend," said Abbas Khan, "for I have +yet business at home, and we must assemble at Allapoor before +sunset. Be careful of yourselves, and may Alla keep you. Do +not cross the ill-natured old Peer Sahib; yet do not avoid him, or +show any fear of him, nor, indeed, of anyone, for our noble Queen-Mother +is your true friend and protector. Do not stay long to-day, +for she is excited and wearied, but go every day to her, and take +Maria with you; she can do more for Taj-ool-Nissa's happiness +and the King's than she imagines. If you are at your house soon, +come to me once more before I leave; but as the third watch +begins to strike, I must put my foot in the stirrup and can wait +for no one. Maria will often see my aunt at the Palace; let them +be loving friends, as they should be, and may God have you in his +keeping."</p> + +<p>"What can I say for your kindness, my lord?" returned the +Padré. "Our humble prayers attend you. Be not too rash if +there be war, for a good leader ought not to expose himself +to undue danger. All else I will remember, and the poor little +Queen shall be closely watched. Maria was once in a similar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +condition, and I feared for her; but you see how healthy she is +now."</p> + +<p>It was no easy matter to get away from the Palace. Taj-ool-Nissa +had taken Maria up to the set of her own private apartments +she most liked to live in. They were under the terraced roof, +and were both lofty and airy, commanding, as she had said, a view +over the whole of the citadel, including the elegant Palace of the +Seven Storeys, and the city, as far as the high ground beyond +Tórweh, a wide expanse, which was filled with noble palaces, +terraced roofs, with streets, mosques, and minarets without number. +To the north the huge mass of the mausoleum of Mahmood +Adil Shah towered over all; and beyond the wall was +the broad plain of Allapoor, dotted over with the white tents of +the army.</p> + +<p>They were interrupted by the Queen Regent, who appeared +weary and anxious, as she threw herself on a pile of soft cushions and +pressed her temples with her hands. "Alas!" she cried, "alas! and +woe that it falls to-night to despatch our army against my own +kinsfolk of Ahmednugger. Pity me, both of ye, my children! +May such necessities as mine be far from ye. But they are +factious and desperate, and would invade us if they were not +checked. Yet I pray they may return within their boundary before +there be blood shed. So grant it, O Lord most mighty!"</p> + +<p>Then she was silent for a while, and seemed to pray; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +in a few moments she looked up more brightly, and rose to a +sitting posture. "I have been taking my instructions from your +good brother, Maria, about Tajoo's medicine, and talking to him +about his life, and about the Dervish of Juldroog, and Zóra. He +says you have, or had, a drawing of her made by yourself. +Is it in your book? If it be, let me see it."</p> + +<p>Maria feared she had left it behind at her house, but found it +in the portfolio; and as she glanced at it, thought she had never +done anything more correctly. It was a faithful likeness of the +girl, with her sweet lips parted as if to speak; an earnest, glowing +face, to be loved at first sight. She put the drawing into the +Queen's hands, and observed her start visibly. "What a dear, +loving face it is!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is all that," returned Maria; "and her heart is the +same. I could show you a letter which reached me only yesterday, +which she has written as she speaks, if your Majesty would like +to see it;" and taking a small case from the pocket of her robe, +she placed it in the Queen's hand. It was that we have already +seen.</p> + +<p>"It is charming, indeed," she said; "and I think there is a clue +in my mind as to the person remembered."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" cried Maria, "I had forgotten that. I ought not——"</p> + +<p>The Queen smiled as she interrupted the fair speaker. "Have +no concealment from me, Maria; for he is my son, and I am her +truest friend if she can be found."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Found!" exclaimed Maria; "why she is at Juldroog, surely?"</p> + +<p>"Alas, daughter! man's passion has been busy there also. +Osman Beg offered her violence, but she was rescued by Runga +Naik; and her grandfather and herself are wanderers. Yet she is +safe, and we may be able to recover her. Osman Beg we have removed +from his office, pending the King's arrival and pleasure."</p> + +<p>Then Maria remembered the scene of the cataract, and the +dead panther lying beneath the bastion, and Zóra's dread of the +libertine Nawab; and was thankful for her rescue and escape. +"He ought to be rewarded, that brave Runga, for he loves that +child, and would give his life for her."</p> + +<p>"And he shall be rewarded, Maria; for he is, indeed, a noble +fellow, simple and truthful."</p> + +<p>"Who is Zóra?" asked Taj-ool-Nissa; and she looked at the +drawing, which was wonderful in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"One who is very dear to Maria, and will, I hope, be dear to +thee, Tajoo; but let Maria go now, for thou shouldst take thy +medicine, and after it thou art ordered rest. I, too, am already +weary, and would sleep awhile before the afternoon sitting."</p> + +<p>"And Maria will come to-morrow, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said the Queen, answering for Maria, who felt as +if excuse would be impossible.</p> + +<p>When Abbas Khan returned home he found his aunt cheerful +and resigned to his unavoidable absence. The family astrologer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +had predicted a favourable journey, leading to honour; and it was +Thursday when the Rujub-ool-Ghyb pointed to the north, the +way he was to go. Other homely proceedings had removed all +doubts. Yet the thought that to stay behind would have been +a disgrace, and the charge of so large a body of troops would +lead to high honour; above all, that her boy would be with his +uncle and his foster-brother, the King, comforted her.</p> + +<p>On his own part, he could only commit the Padré and his +sister to her care; and ask her if she heard of the arrival of +the Dervish of Juldroog in the city at any of the shrines to +send for him, and offer him her hospitality till he should return +himself, as he trusted shortly, and perhaps his granddaughter +might be with him.</p> + +<p>So the dear old lady embraced him, and tied a coin, dedicated +to the Imám Zamin, in a green scarf upon his arm, with a fervent +prayer. Her cheeks were wet with tears, but she had never seen +him depart with so much confidence as now. Then as the Palace +gongs sounded the third watch he mounted his horse and rode +out of the courtyard; and the large nagaras or kettledrums of +his household guards beating their hollow booming notes, they +were taken up by those of the force, some of which through the +north or Delhi gate were already in motion along the Allapoor +road.</p> + +<p>He had barely departed, when the Padré and his sister reached<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +home, and sent word to the old lady that they had to deliver +a message from the Palace, and would come, if permitted, through +the garden; and a kind answer being received in reply, they went +to her. Maria had not, as yet, seen the Lady Fatima, and found +her just the dear, kindly person she had imagined, and she +was taken to her breast with unfeigned affection. On Maria mentioning +that her brother was without, she desired a woman-servant +to bring him in to her apartment. "I am too old not to be seen +by a man of God," she said, laughing; and as Francis entered, +she rose and saluted him.</p> + +<p>"Your sister and I have already dispensed with ceremony," she +said, "and I beg you to dispense with it also Señor Padré. I am +a plain, homely woman, and desire to know one who has rendered +such inestimable service to my son. And his wound is well?"</p> + +<p>"Almost," he replied. "I have no fear about it; and he +will be careful now, for it only requires rest."</p> + +<p>Then he delivered the Queen's message, that she would bring +Maria with her the next day, which she gladly assented to do; and +gradually leading them to speak of Juldroog and their hosts there, +she said frankly, "Ah! I fear Meeah left his heart there. Can +you describe Zóra, whose name he murmured in his dreams?"</p> + +<p>"I can show you a poor likeness of her," replied Maria, taking +the drawing from her portfolio. "This is true, but it is not equal +to her beautiful, innocent face."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ya, Alla! thou art merciful," said the old lady. "Such an +one I had dreamed of for him; and I am thankful that such a face +lies at his heart. May she be his in the end. And she loves him, +Maria?"</p> + +<p>"Nay," she said, modestly, "I cannot say; but her letter, +which I may show to his mother, is, I think, true. Listen, and I +will read it. Oh! that the motherless child could obtain such a +protector." Then they conversed long upon past events, and +Francis and his sister returned late to their home, grateful but +wearied by the events of the day. And till the King's return the +intercourse between Donna Maria and the Royal inmates of the +Palace continued to afford deep gratification to all; while, under +the skilful care of the Padré, the young Queen regained health +and strength such as she had not enjoyed for a long time previously. +She had proved an apt scholar in ornamental work, had +made progress in drawing, and in reading Persian under the instruction +of the old teacher who had taught her husband the +King. Her former lassitude, weariness, and petulance had disappeared, +and, instead, her bright, simple, ingenuous nature promised +to be the foundation of a happy and useful life.</p> + + +<div class="center">END OF BOOK II.</div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><big><b>BOOK III.</b></big><br /><br /></div> + + +<h2>CHAPTER I.<br /> + +A RAPID MARCH.</h2> + + +<p>The new Governor of Juldroog was a bold, active young officer, +by no means likely to delay in assuming charge of the first considerable +office with which he had been entrusted. Taking with +him ten picked men of his own retainers, on whom he could +thoroughly depend, and relying on the effects of the Queen's commission +upon the present garrison of the fort, he left Beejapoor not +long after midnight; for, accustomed to move anywhere at the +shortest notice, he had little else to do than order his men to be +ready, to give a few simple directions in his house, and to warn +his scribe and secretary, Jewun Rao, an active young Brahmin, +skilled in writing both Persian and Mahratta. All this was soon +accomplished, and before the day broke the little party, with their +lightly-loaded baggage ponies, were some miles on their road +southwards, travelling at a steady pace, as befitted persons who +could not risk failure by too great haste. They avoided, too, +the larger villages and small towns; and, as all knew the country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +perfectly, they had no difficulty in following the nearest routes +without guides.</p> + +<p>The day was cool and overcast, with a fresh breeze blowing +from the south-west, which rendered travelling pleasant; and as +there had been no rain for some days, the roads and the country in +general were quite dry, and easy to traverse. About noon the +party halted under a grove of mango trees, by which a small +stream ran, and preparations were made for a good meal, which, +indeed, was needed, and welcome to every one, for half the journey +was already accomplished; and after taking a little rest they again +mounted and pushed on. Here and there, as they passed near +villages, the bastions were manned by matchlock men; but the +Royal flag, which the Governor used as his standard, was too well +known to be disputed, and as the evening closed in, they found +themselves on the borders of the Beydur territory, only a few +miles from their final destination, Runga Naik's town of Korikul. +Now a doubt arose as to whether it would be most advisable +to halt where they were for the night, or to proceed; but, all +things considered, and to give rest to their horses, they determined +to stay where they were.</p> + +<p>The Patell, or head officer, who chanced to be a Mussulman, +and the other authorities being summoned in the Queen's name, +came, humbly offering forage and shelter and such food as the place +afforded, while the Moolla conducted them to the humble mosque,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +and bade them welcome. The hospitality of an Indian village is +generally very sincere when those who need it belong to the ruling +Government of the country, and come in a peaceful cause; and the +new Governor of Juldroog was no bully to extort what he could +obtain by conciliatory request. Comparatively soon, therefore, a +sheep was slain, and converted into savoury kabobs, with the +accompaniment of an excellent pilao, to which our friends, we need +hardly say, did ample justice, for their first meal of the day had +only been a very light and unsubstantial one. After it was over +the Patell was summoned, and questioned as to the nearest road to +Korikul, which none of the party had seen.</p> + +<p>"Korikul!" exclaimed the Patell, in amazement; "that is +not your way to Moodgul, if you are going there! Runga +Naik's people are not used to the sight of soldiers of the +Queen, and are likely to give you a rough reception, Meer +Sahib. Of course I can give you a guide if you wish one, and my +own son shall attend you, who is well known there; but still I +advise you to avoid the place, and go by the high road, where +there are good boats at the ferry, for the river is not fordable +yet."</p> + +<p>"But we have business with Runga's people; and with this," +and he drew the chieftain's letter from his breast, "we shall, I +hope, have no trouble."</p> + +<p>"It is, indeed, Runga Naik's writing," said the Kurnum, or village<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +scribe, "and sealed by his seal, and addressed to his wife, Késama, +and to Burma Naik, who is in charge of the place; but for all that +it depends upon your business there, Sahib, what sort of a reception +you get; and the Patell's son, whom they know, will be able to +explain all you need. Or shall I come myself?"</p> + +<p>"If I can only get speech of them, I will explain my own business," +said the Governor; "and it is private, so that I have to tell it +myself. Settle among yourselves who had best accompany me, +and be ready before daylight; for as soon as the horses have had +rest we ought to proceed, and there will be plenty of light from the +moon."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you should leave this soon after the second watch of the +night," returned the Kurnum; "and while you sleep we will settle +who is to go. There will be no trouble, Meer Sahib. You do not +want any of them."</p> + +<p>"Not I," was the reply. "Runga and three hundred of his men +march to-morrow with the army, and I am to tell this, and something +else, which is, as I said, private. Now let me sleep, Rao +Sahib, for I am somewhat stiff and tired."</p> + +<p>"It is time to get up, Meer Sahib," said the Kurnum, some +hours later, shaking the shoulders of the sleeper. "I am ready +myself, and the Patell, who will not trust his son, is ready also. +He and his wife are seeing to a light meal which you had as well +eat before you start, and your men and servants are taking theirs. +So get up, sir; your horses are already saddled."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How I have slept, to be sure!" said the Meer Sahib, yawning; +"and I could have lain there till daylight; but I shall be +ready directly;" and a servant entering with a vessel, poured +water over his hands and feet, while the whole ablution was +quickly completed, and the slight breakfast was a savoury and +unexpected pleasure. Then the stout old Patell came ready +equipped for travel, apologising for his early disturbance of his +guest. "But the road is long and very stony," he said, "and I go +with you because I know Burma well, better than the Kurnum, +for he hates Brahmins in general, and, if he happens to be in a +bad humour, will open the gate to no one. If he thought you +wanted him or any of his people to account for anything, your +first welcome would be a shower of matchlock balls which would +empty some of your saddles."</p> + +<p>"I am heartily obliged to you, my friend," replied the Meer +Sahib. "By all means take the matter into your own hand. With +any one but a Syud, as you are, I should be suspicious; but I can +depend upon you. Now I am ready, Bismilla! let us proceed;" +and with an echo of the cry from his men, the party set out at as +quick a pace as the narrow path would allow.</p> + +<p>At first it led through fields; but when they ceased, a short +thorny jungle began, while so narrow was the path that only one +person could proceed at a time. This thorny tract was in fact +the frontier of the Beydur district, and was kept as unbroken as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +possible to keep out enemies or marauders, as also parties of the +clan who might be returning pursued from freebooting expeditions +in the adjacent countries. Every path that led into the open +country beyond was made or left as crooked as possible, constantly +breaking into other smaller ones, which, unless the right +one were known, led into wilder spots, or ceased altogether.</p> + +<p>They were tracks, too, that could easily be defended upon +any emergency. Sometimes small breast-works, like low walls +of rough stones, crossed the road, which could be held against +a large number by a few men; and, again, similar breast-works +occupied the crests or sides of low rocky hills, or isolated piles +of granite rock. At night the tracks, the thorny bushes, and +rude fortifications seemed more formidable than they really +were at daylight; and the dim moon, partially overcast with +clouds, made every object indistinct and mysterious after a strange +fashion.</p> + +<p>The young leader saw at once that, without a very competent +guide, he and his men might have wandered through these ever-varying +tracks and jungles, which continued for several miles, +without a hope of finding their way to their destination; and it +was fortunate, indeed, that he had chanced to find a friendly +village and a hospitable Patell of his own faith whom the Beydurs +of Korikul could trust.</p> + +<p>"We could never have found our way, Sheykhjee," said the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +Governor, "without you or without torches, and I am grateful to +you."</p> + +<p>"You would not have discovered it with them, Meer Sahib," returned +his companion. "If torches had been seen gliding about +in this jungle you would have found yourselves beset speedily and +helplessly. There would have been no parleying with you; but, +instead, you would have been in the power of my not over scrupulous +friends. It is, indeed, a mercy that you did not attempt it. +But see, the last small pass brought us out of the jungle and the +rocks; and we are now in the open country, which, as you will see, +is fertile and well cultivated; for the Naik of Wakin-Keyra is +careful of his people. Now we can push on faster, Meer Sahib; +and we shall be at the gates of Korikul by daylight, or soon +after; shall we not, Ramana?" he asked of his horn-blower, +who was walking beside his master's palfrey, holding on by the +crupper.</p> + +<p>"Sooner, perhaps," said the man; "and you need not arrive +before the gates are opened for the day."</p> + +<p>So they proceeded, answering challenges from village towns and +bastions by a few notes on the Patell's horn, which seemed to be +understood, for they were not molested. Gradually the chill wind +which precedes dawn blew over the face of the country, and +moaned through the trees they were just clearing. Packs of +jackals began their last howlings before they went to rest,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +and others took up their cries, which seemed to extend far +and wide. Lapwings and plovers had roused with the last watch +of the night, and piped or wailed to each other as they took their +early flights; or, roused by the travellers, flew up into the air, and, +caught by the wind, flew screaming to leeward. The moon was +fast sinking into a belt of dark grey clouds near the horizon, while +the eastern sky showed a perceptibly brighter tint which spread +gradually over that region, though, as yet, there was none of the +colour of dawn. Then, on the banks of a small stream, the Patell +called a halt, waist cloths were spread, and the early prayer said by +all the Mussulmans of the party; and, after it, hookahs went round +with many a jest and laugh of good companionship. As the +cocks began to crow and the dogs to bark in a village not far +off, they mounted again and pursued their way.</p> + +<p>As daylight increased, it would have been difficult, perhaps impossible, +for the young leader of the party to have made his way +through the country without his guide, for at every village men +armed with long Beydur matchlocks manned the bastions and +gate-towers of the villages, as well as the central place of refuge, +which, in appearance and size closely resembling a Martello tower, +commanded the village and adjacent approaches. Drums were +beaten, the village horn-blowers blew quivering blasts upon their +instruments, and men shrieked and yelled in that peculiar manner +which, when Beydurs are excited, is not pleasant to hear; but a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +few notes from the guide's horn seemed to have the invariable +effect of quieting the commotion, and in most instances parties of +the village guards ran out to hold a brief colloquy with the old +Patell and his companions, only to be assured of peaceable intentions +and the Queen's service. The Governor saw that all the +villages, neatly built of the laminar limestone of this part, and +covered with thinner portions like slate, were evidently prosperous +and thickly inhabited; and that their lands were well cultivated +and bore heavy crops of grain and pulse, while the people were +comfortably clad and cattle were abundant. If the Beydurs were +vicious and robbers without their boundaries, as they had the +reputation of being, they were, at least, quiet and industrious +within; watchful and prepared to resist any irruption of marauders +from without.</p> + +<p>The sun was just rising when the old Patell, who was leading, +stopped and pointed out smoke, which appeared above a grove of +tamarind trees at a little distance; and as they gained the summit +of a slight rising ground, the town of Korikul lay just before +them. In the centre was a castle, with walls about fifty feet high, +and towers well built of stone, from the highest of which floated +the standard of Runga Naik, being a large green field with +a white border, and a figure of Hunooman (the Monkey God) +and patron saints of the Beydurs displayed on it; while similar +flags were flying from the gate towers and bastions. Some neat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +buildings in the upper part of the castle, cleanly whitewashed, +were evidently the dwelling places of the family; and below was +a large open courtyard, which led into other yards—all surrounded +with stone walls, with bastions at intervals—and containing large +stacks of grain and forage. The entrance to the outer gate of the +castle was intricate, leading through a succession of narrow traverses +between bastion loopholes for musketry. Before modern artillery +such a place could not be held for an hour; but at the period of +this chronicle the Castle of Korikul was a strong place, and could +be defended by a thousand or more stout Beydurs, many of whom +lived in the town and others in the villages around, who held +lands for their services—all forming part of the numerous militia +of the province, which was twelve thousand strong.</p> + +<p>The space around the outer walls of the castle, and between +them and the inner wall—which was also of stone, and protected +by circular bastions—was filled with narrow irregular streets, and +stone houses roofed with slate, tiles, or thatch, as it pleased the +owners. One street—broader than any other, and leading from +the gate to the castle, or palace as it was called—was pointed out +by the Patell as the Bazar, in which there were shops of cloth +merchants, money dealers, braziers, and grain and flour dealers. +Beyond the inner walls was a large populous suburb of weavers, +each house having its yards for dressing yarn for the loom; while, +mingled with them, were dyers' yards, where white yarn was dyed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +of various colours to suit the manufacturers. A small stream ran +past the town, the bed of which was already crowded by bathers, +washers of yarn, cattle drinking before they went to graze, or +standing and lowing in the shallow pools. Altogether, with the +fine tamarind and mango trees around, the low rugged hills +covered with brushwood, stretching into the distance, the scene +was cheerful, prosperous, and peaceful; and a softened beauty +seemed to pervade all the landscape.</p> + +<p>Such was the thriving town of Korikul at the period we write +of. But it is sadly different now. The outer walls and bastions +as well as the inner ones, are broken down in many places, part +of the castle has fallen in, and the whole is in a ruinous condition. +The town is full of heaps of stones and earth which once formed +substantial houses, and the Petta, or weavers' suburb, has almost +disappeared. The chief, a descendant of Runga Naik, no longer +resides in the ancient castle, but in one of the outlying buildings, +which may have been that inhabited by Burma. He retains his +ancestral lands, and the Beydur militia on the frontier are under +his charge; but heavy oppressions and exactions drove most of +the families of weavers from the town; their places have not been +filled, and though some of the old stock remain, the amount of +manufacture is not a tithe of what it used to be. As to the +Beydurs, they have no forays now, no expeditions into more +peaceful lands to boast of, or wealth of spoil. They are reduced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +to the condition of quiet husbandmen and farmers, retaining, +however, their pride of race, kept up by recitations by their bards +of the deeds of their ancestors.</p> + +<p>From the rough character of the country beyond the town, and, +indeed, surrounding it on two sides, it was evident that the open +cultivated tract did not extend further; and this, we may observe, +resulted from the change from the trap and limestone formation to +the rugged granite hills, and strange piles of rocks, which continued +to the ravine of the cataract and to Juldroog, about eight miles +beyond, to the south.</p> + +<p>As the strange party stood for a few minutes on the summit +of the ridge, it was evident that they were observed by the watchmen +in the castle towers, for drums were beaten, horns blown, +and a general stampede of people and cattle ensued from the +river bed and fields around. Then some matchlock shots were +fired, and a ball from a heavy wall gun or field-piece which stood +upon one of the castle bastions, which went whizzing over their +heads at a high elevation.</p> + +<p>"That was not meant for us, Meer Sahib," said the Patell, +laughing, "but only as a warning. These poor Beydurs have +many enemies, and they need to look out carefully against surprises. +Blow, Krishna," he said to the horn-blower beside him; +"let us see if that satisfies them."</p> + +<p>This time the blast was much longer and more elaborate,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +and ended with a wonderful flourish, which did the performer +much credit; and almost immediately was answered by exactly the +same blast from the tower of the castle. "That is Krishnya's horn, +and his master is with him. I see the old man," said the horn-blower +"and it was a friendly blast."</p> + +<p>"Who, then, are the Mussulman soldiers with him, and what +has he to do with the King's men?" said the head watchman. +"Go and tell Burma Naik or the lady, while I go to the gate and +inquire. It seems something uncommon."</p> + +<p>The lady Keysama had been long astir. She was an active, +homely woman, with a decidedly uncertain temper, amenable to +none but her husband, whom she feared as well as respected, and +loved, in her own way, very faithfully. In her Runga Naik had +absolute confidence, for fear was unknown to her; and had there +been occasion at any time, she would have defended the castle while +one stone remained on another. The lady was a practical and +active housewife, too; and, on the churning day, when ghee was +to be made, and Brahmins feasted, and the whole house must be +absolutely pure, it was not likely that fresh plastering the floors +with liquid mud would be neglected. This was a duty which the lazy +hussies, who were her slaves, could not be trusted with; and accordingly +the town trumpeter found her overlooking the work, +with her sáré tucked in above her knees, and a chubby child +sitting astride on her hip, in the long front verandah of the entrance +to the castle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What hast thou been blowing thy horn so much for, Bheema, +disturbing everybody? If thou wantest to blow, couldst thou not +have gone into thy fields and scared away the birds?"</p> + +<p>"But, lady, some people are at the gate and demand entrance +in the name of the Queen Chand."</p> + +<p>"Tell them to go away. If they don't go, wake Burma Naik, +and tell him to fire on them. Be off, and do not interrupt me! +Ah! dost thou dare to look up at my girls, Bheema," she continued, +aiming a blow at him with the long bamboo staff on which +she was leaning. "Away with thee, impudent, and do what I tell +thee."</p> + +<p>"Unless Burma comes to her, I might as well talk to a stone," +the man muttered to himself, as he turned away; "and Burma is +asleep after the feast on wild hog he had last night. I hope +Arjóona has awoke him, for I dare not."</p> + +<p>That had apparently been effected some time, for as the horn-blower +entered the outer court of Burma's house, he saw him +sitting in his usual place. He was tying a checked handkerchief +round his head, loosely and very much awry; his face was bloated, +greasy, and swollen; his eyes red, and with evident signs that his +potations had been long and deep the night before. He was +yawning, and spluttering out Canarese oaths at every interval, and +was, indeed, by no means pleasant to behold. We have seen him +before, a stout, active soldier, assisting little Zóra to escape; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +now he was in a different mood, and of different aspect. The +vermilion marks on his forehead, nose, cheekbones, and eyebrows, +were blurred and partly rubbed off; his hair was dishevelled, and +hung about him in unkempt locks; and the scowl on his face +bespoke impatience of anything he might have to hear, and +vexation that his sleep had been broken.</p> + +<p>"The King's soldiers," he said, contemptuously, "what do they +want? What brings the King's soldiers here? What induced that +meddlesome old Patell, Sheykh Abdoolla, to show them the way? +By the Gods! he shall answer for it; let him look to his cattle +pens. What does he say? what does he want?"</p> + +<p>"He will not tell me," replied the man, "nor the Chitnees, +who is talking to him from the bastion by the gate. He says the +jemadar of the Royal troops has an order from the Queen, and a +letter from Runga Naik to our lady; but he will give up neither +except to you and to her together."</p> + +<p>"Some requisition for forage, or grain, or money, I suppose," +returned Burma, with a sneer; "for the Queen does not write to us +except to make a demand. Why did you not tell me this first, +and they would have been gone before now with a shower of balls +flying after them."</p> + +<p>"But," urged the man, putting up his hands in supplication, +"what about the master's letter? There may be some order in it."</p> + +<p>"If there were," retorted Burma, "he would have sent some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +of the men with it, not the Queen's jemadar. It is no letter of his, +but only a decoy. Go, tell the men to give them warning, and if +they don't depart, to fire on them."</p> + +<p>Thus it seemed very probable that no message would be delivered, +and the Queen's party and their guide driven away; but +the last spokesman to Burma Naik was pertinacious, and insisted +that Runga's letter should be received, even from the Mussulman +leader.</p> + +<p>"Suppose there is anything important in it, and you turned it +away. I do not think you would be very safe, master, if my lord +knew of it, though you are Burma Naik."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" grunted Burma, "there is something in that; and +what does the lady say?"</p> + +<p>"She will have nothing to do with it, and you are to act as you +please. If there is anything addressed to her, you can come and +tell her."</p> + +<p>"How many want to enter? And how many are there in all?"</p> + +<p>"Ten men and their leader, with old Sheykhjee and his Kurnum, +and some grooms and baggage ponies, and a Brahmin."</p> + +<p>"Sons of vile mothers!" exclaimed Burma, as he aimed a blow +at the horn-blower. "Could ye not have told me this before? By +your long face one would have thought there had been five +hundred of the King's horse. Go! Admit the leader, his grooms +and scribe, old Sheykhjee and the Kurnum. We shall soon get to +the bottom of all. Tell the rest to remain without."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p>All this had taken much time, and the Meer Sahib's patience +was well nigh exhausted; but the old Patell kept him quiet. +"Burma Naik was drunk last night, I suspect," he said, "and +was not easy to wake, nor in good humour when awakened. Be +patient, and we shall soon know."</p> + +<p>Nor, indeed, was it long before the horn-blower and his +companion arrived; and, speaking from the wicket of the gate, +saluted the Meer Sahib and the Patell, and informed them they +had permission to advance and present the letter. The ponderous +gate was then opened, and, the Patell leading, both entered the +outer enclosure, and rode up the Bazar.</p> + +<p>The residence of Burma formed part of the entrance to the +outer court of the castle, for he was a near relative, and entitled +to dwell in the vicinity of the lord of Korikul. So they +were ushered in. They found Burma Naik more presentable +than he had been—now washed, and with plain but decent +clothes. His usual seat had an embroidered cloth spread over it, +cushions were placed for others, and his sword and shield laid out +before him. As they approached he rose and saluted them with +an awkward but courteous gesture, and bid them be seated, apologising +for the precautions he was obliged to take against +marauding parties, which came upon all sorts of pretences. "And +where are the letters?" he asked. "They say there are some +from the Queen, and from my cousin Runga Naik, to me and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +lady Keysama. Pray deliver them. This, indeed, is from +the Queen," he continued, observing the Royal seal, and he put the +letter to his head and eyes; "and it is addressed to the lady +Keysama in Persian, which I cannot read, and in Canarese, which +I can read, by Runga Naik himself. There is no doubt now; +may I open that addressed to me?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," returned the Meer Sahib; "you will then see what +is to be done, for Runga Naik wrote it before me with his own +hand."</p> + +<p>"Sure enough, it is his own seal and superscription," said +Burma, opening the cover, while, unfolding the letter, his eyes ran +rapidly over the contents. "Will I help, O Meer Sahib!" he +cried, the whole of his face brightening with excitement. "Ah, +sirs, it is a welcome service to perform; and you, too, are my lord +now," and he rose and saluted him. "Under Runga Naik's order, +this place and all that are in it are at your disposal. I grieve +only that there was any semblance of rudeness shown to you. I +will send for your companions, and ye are all to be the lady +Keysama's guests as long as ye stay, yet ye ought not to delay."</p> + +<p>"We are ready to go on now, sir," said the Meer Sahib, "if it +be advisable."</p> + +<p>"Not yet," returned Burma; "the boats have to be prepared, +and some men who are the oarsmen summoned. We +require two more boats than are now at the ford; but they will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +all ready by the evening. Meanwhile rest yourselves and take +food; to-morrow we shall break our fast in the fort, and you, sir, +will be its Governor, instead of that false traitor and tyrant, Osman +Beg. What sayest thou to that, O Sheykhjee? Dost thou not +rejoice to hear it?"</p> + +<p>"I do, I do, with thanks to the Almighty," said the Patell, +"who has heard the prayers of his servants. If it were only for +his violence to my poor old friend's granddaughter, who should +have been sacred in his eyes, he deserves death. Would I could +go with ye."</p> + +<p>"Thou wilt soon hear," replied Burma; "and if thou wilt remain +till to-morrow, when we are quiet, come to us. Thou hast +done good service in leading my lord hither direct, for if he had +wandered to the upper ford, Osman Beg would have heard of it, +and filled the fort with loose characters, of whom there are +always enough and to spare. To do him justice, the Nawab +can fight, and we should have had much more trouble than we +shall have."</p> + +<p>"I will come down to Jumálpoor early to-morrow," was the +old Patell's reply, "and so make no delay. You had better fire +a gun at daylight, that will be enough for me; and perhaps when +my lord writes to the durbar he will mention the little service I +was able to render."</p> + +<p>"That I will, my friend," said the Meer Sahib; "but come now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +to the mosque, and you shall tell me about Osman Beg, and what +he has done."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," returned the Patell, "I have some business in +the fair to-day, but that does not fall till late; come, and take my +blessing, and prayer for the success of thy good work."</p> + +<p>The lady Keysama did not appear. She could not admit +strangers, aliens in faith, while the holy ceremonies were going on, +but she sent her thanks for her husband's letter, and garlands of +flowers with her blessings and prayers for success.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon the whole party again set out, guided now by +Burma Naik, who took with him fifty additional men, and skirting +the rugged granite hills which border the Dóne, they reached +the hamlet of Jumalpoor, about two miles from the great river's +bank, opposite to the town end of the island fort, as night closed +in. Then they heard that the boats were being dragged up from +below, and would be at the ferry before midnight.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER II.<br /> + +A SUCCESSFUL SURPRISE.</h2> + + +<p>"It is time for us to go on, Meer Sahib," said Burma, as he +reached the place where the new Governor was lying, under some +trees close to the half-ruined village. "Come."</p> + +<p>"And our horses; what is to be done with them?"</p> + +<p>"Leave them here, under charge of the grooms, and you can +send for them afterwards; if indeed you care to have them in +the fort, where you cannot ride. They will be quite safe here. At +present they would be a serious embarrassment to us; and if one +neighed, the whole fort would be alarmed, and I cannot tell what +would happen."</p> + +<p>"And can you tell now, my friend?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty well. We shall land at a spot not far from the old +Syud's house. May God have him and his child in His keeping. +I will send to the Jemadar Sheykh Baban Sahib, and tell him to +come to you with a few men on whom he can depend. He has +always disliked Osman Beg, but they have been nearly at open +feud since the night poor little Zóra was carried off, and was +almost married to the Governor. Sharp words passed between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +them on that occasion, and the act produced such indignation +among the garrison of the fort and our Beydurs who are on duty +in it, that I marvel Osman Beg escaped, or was not put to death. +I am taking thirty more of my best men with me, and, with yours +and mine together, we are more than a match for any who may +dare to oppose us. But no one will draw a sword, Meer Sahib," +continued Burma, laughing, "except it may be the four Abyssinian +slaves he has and his actual retainers, who are not more than ten +in number, if there be so many. I spared him once, the night we, +Runga and I, and Bheema, the horn-blower, who hooted like a +horned owl as our signal, rescued little Zóra, for Runga would not +let me go in and slay him as he slept; but if he crosses me now, +by all the Gods, he dies."</p> + +<p>"No, no, my friend, it must not be so," returned the Governor, +earnestly. "His life must be spared, for there are many accusations +against him, which our Royal mistress would fain have +unravelled."</p> + +<p>"Ah! about Eyn-ool-Moolk and Elias Khan, and the Padré at +Moodgul, who is gone to Goa," returned Burma, laughing; "but +we know all about that. Why did not the Nawab send that fierce +priest instead of the gentle Padré, of whom all lament the absence? +Then they would have found out everything at Beejapoor. But it +is an old story now."</p> + +<p>"Hardly, my friend. It is not three months since Abbas Khan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +slew Elias, and Eyn-ool-Moolk was then at his busiest. To me it +does not matter, but the Queen's orders must be obeyed; and +Abbas Khan could not be sent here, as he has taken a division of +the array to the King's camp; and Runga, as you know, has gone +with him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, so Runga wrote in the letter; and his wife fell to crying +about it, and would not see you. Runga, methinks, is a fool for +his pains; but he loves that boy as if he were his own son, and there +is no use in any of us trying to persuade him that he is a fool for +following him. But we loiter, Meer Sahib. Come! my people are +already departing in small groups, and your men had better divide +and follow; we shall meet them again at the river side, where the +boats are." And after a few directions to their followers, Burma +and his companion entered the narrow intricate path through the +then thick jungle which led to the water's edge.</p> + +<p>Very different now was the appearance of the Beydur Naik +from that he presented when he had been awakened that +morning. He had bathed and thoroughly purified himself +from the excess of the previous night. He had put off the +gay clothes in which he had dressed himself at Korikul, and +was now attired in the usual war dress of his clan, the conical +leather cap, with soft leather drawers, leggings, and sandals.</p> + +<p>For arms he wore in his waistband a long knife-dagger, and +a sword with a long Genoa blade, while a small shield hung<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +at his back completed his equipment. Nor, indeed, were there +many matchlock men among the party, for the place, if it resisted +at all, must be carried sword in hand. No one spoke except in a +whisper, and the Governor felt assured that the men who were +with him knew their work thoroughly, and were confident of +success.</p> + +<p>Such was the interest that this stealthy march excited in the +young Governor's mind, that they had reached the bank overhanging +the Krishna before he had thought it even near. He had not +yet seen the fort, for it had been concealed by trees; but he had +heard the dull plashing murmur of the river, and occasionally a +deeper moaning sound which mingled hoarsely with it, and for +which he could not account.</p> + +<p>Presently the path rose a little, and the broad river and +giant mass of the fort were disclosed. Not clearly, however, +for the waning moon was dimmed with clouds, and none of +the details of the rugged hill were visible. What could be seen +of it seemed to blend with the hills beyond the river, indeed, +to form a part of them. But the gloom, the strange conical +hill, and the rushing water of the river, formed altogether the most +impressive scene the young Governor had ever looked on.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" said Burma, in a hissing whisper. "Look! our friend +up yonder holds revel to-night, and the Gods favour us. O +Krishna! I vow to thee ten sheep at the Temple of Gopalswami,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +and to feed a hundred Brahmins, if thou aid us, as thou didst +Arjóona in the field of Kooroo Kshétra; and to thee, O gentle +nymph Cháya, a pooja and a feast to a hundred Brahmins at thy +shrine." And he held up his joined hands towards the river, +while, at the same time, he bowed his head in reverence. "She +lives there, Sir," he said, simply, "up in the rocks yonder, +above the pool; and we, who live here, reverence her, and propitiate +her."</p> + +<p>"Her! who?" asked his companion.</p> + +<p>"Only Cháya Bhugwuti, who dwells in the cataract, which you +will see to-morrow. Now, I know she is placable and kind, as she +was the night we crossed for Zóra; and she is always to be depended +upon when justice has to be done."</p> + +<p>"But you said he was at his revels. Who?"</p> + +<p>"Who? why Osman Beg to be sure. Don't you see the lights +in the palace up yonder, and torches flitting to and fro?" and +Burma pointed to lights which seemed high up in the sky. +"That steady light is in the palace; and hush! do you not hear +music?" The sound was music, of beating of drums, and of +fiddles, and women's voices mingled, which faintly reached them, +as a light puff of wind blew from the fort.</p> + +<p>"What fun it will be, Meer Sahib! what fun!" cried Burma, +rubbing his hands and chuckling. "What fun to catch the Nawab +Sahib and his companions altogether. But we must wait awhile<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +till they are properly drunk. They are pretty well on by this time, +and to judge from what I have seen and tasted, the Feringi wine +the Nawab gets from Moodgul is not weak. Come down to the riverside +and watch; I see my people there, though to you they appear +like so many stones," and they descended the rocky path +together.</p> + +<p>"Ye have done well, Nursinga," said Burma to a tall, powerful +man, who came forward as they reached the foot of the descent. +"How many boats have ye brought?"</p> + +<p>"There are six in all, four large and two small; and we should +have been here earlier but for people who will attend the +anniversary to-morrow, and two companies of dancing women who +have vows to perform and are singing to the Nawab. It took a +good while to take them all across and bring back the boats; but +they are all ready. Will you cross now, master? Cháya Bhugwuti +is very quiet at present; but there have been clouds in the west all +day, and if rain has fallen, who can answer for her?"</p> + +<p>"Is there any one in the house of the old Dervish?" asked +Burma.</p> + +<p>"Not a living creature near it except Zóra's pigeons. I went +through the place before sunset, for some of the dancing women +wanted to put up there; but I told them and their people that since +the old man and Zóra left, ghosts and devils had taken possession +of it, and tormented those who went there. Then some of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +the girls looked in, and something moved in a dark corner—I think +it was poor Zóra's old cat—and I cried out 'Tiger! tiger!' and +they all ran away. Yes, it is quite empty, master."</p> + +<p>"Then we will cross as soon as the lights up there are put out, +Meer Sahib; and meanwhile I will send a small boat-load of men +across. Go, thou, Nursinga, send for some of our men from the +village; and tell the Jemadar that he must meet me with a few of +his men on the King's service, for there is some work to do, and +that I will meet him in the Dervish's house; and tell him what it +is. Go at once, and, when you are ready, light a small fire on the +terrace roof of Zóra's zenána."</p> + +<p>The man made a deep reverence, and stepping into the smallest +of the basket boats, in which six men were lying, roused them, and +pushed it into the stream; and it was anxiously watched over the +rapid current till it entered the backwater beyond, and was +quickly rowed along until it reached the landing-place close to +the house we already know.</p> + +<p>Nursinga did not delay in his errand. First he ran to the +house of the head of the Beydurs who were on duty in the fort, +and roused him. "There is some work to do, brother," he said, +"and the master is waiting to cross. Take twenty men, and go to +meet him at the Syud's house."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked the other, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"How am I to know? Are we in Burma Naik's secrets?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +Enough that we obey. Is Sheykh Baban Jemadar gone up to the +palace?"</p> + +<p>"Not he, nor any of the men, except a few profligates who +would go anywhere after the women that dance. And they are +drinking much; twice have the cans come down for spirits."</p> + +<p>"Come, then; let us take the old man with us to meet the +master, and he will know what he wants."</p> + +<p>The house of the Jemadar of the garrison was close by, and +the two men went at once to it. Some persons on guard were +sitting in the outer verandah, near the door, smoking, who challenged +them; but taking the message to their master, he was soon +aroused, and understood what was required; and, having given +orders for the assembly, very silently, of his men at various points, +so as to be within call, he, with a few attendants, accompanied +Nursinga to the deserted house.</p> + +<p>"May his house become desolate who made this desolate!" +said the old soldier to one of his subordinates. "How pleasant it +used to be to hear the holy Dervish preach the word of the +Prophet, and to see Zóra, like a beauteous flower, among us! I +say, Let his house be desolate who made this desolate; for Alla +is just, my friends—just and watchful!"</p> + +<p>"Ameen! Ameen!" was the response from several as they sat +down in the verandah so well known to all, and began to smoke, +while the Beydur had proceeded to the roof of the cloister, collected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +a few dry sticks and leaves, and, striking a light with a flint +and steel, blew some tinder placed between dry leaves into a blaze, +and lighted the little fire, which flamed up for a moment and went +out.</p> + +<p>"That is enough, Meer Sahib," said Burma, who had been +watching. "Now we know that Sheykh Baban is there, my men +are there, and the lights have been out some time in the palace. +There is no need for delay now; come. 'Bismilla!' as you say; +or, as we Beydurs cry, 'Hari Ból!' Let us embark and lead, +and the boats will follow in turn, one after another. Bring +half of your people with you, the rest can follow, and with me +and some of my folk the boat will be heavy enough. Now, +friends, sit close and sit steady. Jey Cháya Bhugwuti! Jey +Krishna Mata!" he cried, throwing water into the air at each +invocation; while the boat danced down the rapid for a little, and +was soon turned into the backwater by its powerful rowers, who +worked with muffled paddles. An instant more and they had +landed, and, under cover of the thick wood, were making the best +of their way to the house, while two of the rowers pulled the boat +up the stream, and fastened it to some bushes near the back of the +old house.</p> + +<p>The movement had been so silently effected that those who +were concealed there knew nothing of the arrival of the new party; +and it was not till the burly form of Burma Naik stood among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +them that they were aware of his presence. All had started to their +feet, but their apprehension was at once relieved when the Naik, +in his hard Canarese tongue, so that all should understand, said +aloud, "Sheykhjee, I bring you your new Governor from Queen +Chand Beebee; come and kiss his feet and salute your new chief, +for he is honourable and worthy."</p> + +<p>There was not a moment's hesitation, dark as it was. While +the Jemadar Sheykh Baban offered the hilt of his sword, and +grasped the hand of the new-comer in an earnest "Salaam Aliekoom," +his example was followed by all the Mussulmans present; +while the Beydurs, after their own fashion, touched the Meer +Sahib's feet and neck, and thus swore fealty to him.</p> + +<p>"Make a torch of straw," said Burma, "and let the Governor +read his own commission and show the Queen's seal before we +advance, which will assure all that this act is done on the part of +the Government, and not as robbers or rebels." The materials were +soon found, and as the twisted grass burst into a blaze, the commission +was well read by the scribe whom the Meer Sahib had +brought with him; the Queen's seal, and the green official paper on +which the order was written, were examined by all.</p> + +<p>This brief process formed a strange scene; the figures of those +present stood out from the black darkness beyond with vivid distinctness, +while their faces, in which wonder and excitement struggled +for mastery, wild and strange as many of the Beydurs were,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +formed a sight which none who witnessed ever forgot; and a +shepherd boy who had paid an early visit to his fold declared next +day that witches and demons were holding revel like the Nawab +above, and that he had seen forms moving about in a bright flame +that was burning, which wonderful story was confirmed in the +minds of many simple folk by seeing that day the black ashes of +the fire scattered about the verandah.</p> + +<p>"Now then, Sahib, I humbly represent that I and mine are +ready," said the old Jemadar. "Any one the noble Queen sends +to us is as our father and mother; and, as your face is bright and +kind, we hope you will be good to us, your servants, and protect +instead of oppress us; and so your name shall be honoured +while in future our evening lamps will be lighted in your name. +Bismilla! Come on!" and, drawing his sword, he led the way to +the gate of the village.</p> + +<p>In the little market-place many men had gathered together, +doubtful as to the real nature of the movement; but it spread +quickly from mouth to mouth, while the three leaders pressed on +up the steep ascent without pausing, being joined by parties +stationed in various bastions and guard-houses, one after another.</p> + +<p>At the last division of the ascent, where the party must emerge +from the narrow pathway overhung with rocks, by which they had +been concealed hitherto, there was a brief colloquy among the +leaders and a division of the work made to each. Burma Naik<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +with his men were to turn in by the broken wall, near the kitchen; +the Meer Sahib and the Jemadar were to carry the front court and +verandah of the palace, while a third party of Beydurs were to +prevent all chance of escape on the north side.</p> + +<p>As yet no one had given an alarm; but a man posted on the +highest look-out tower fancied he smelt the smoke of match-rope +and heard low whispers, and looking over the edge of the +parapet saw the forms of men gathered together in groups. His +vision was not very clear, for he had been drinking hard; but there +was evidently no doubt, for the men below him were moving, and +he fired his matchlock. Happily the ball hit no one, or the consequences +would have entailed bloodshed; as it was, and in the +condition in which those in the palace were, the report had +little effect in arousing anyone, and the approach of a hostile party +was of all events least expected.</p> + +<p>As Burma turned into the rear entrance, the Governor and his +men were in front, and with a sudden rush they leaped upon the +basement of the palace and burst open a door of the audience +hall. Johur and another of the Abyssinian slaves tried to oppose +those who entered, but it was only for a moment, when they were +bound and passed outside to be guarded. The hall itself was a +strange sight. As the latter part of the night had been chilly, the +dancing women—when the dancing ceased—and the musicians and +followers lay down where they were, wrapped in sheets, and had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +fallen into profound sleep; and now one and then another of those +sleeping figures awoke, rubbed its eyes, and, in the case of the +women, rent the air with piercing shrieks and cries for mercy. First +it appeared as if a band of dacoits or robbers had surprised them, +and the loss of their jewels and ornaments was the least they expected. +There was a dim lamp burning in a niche which partly +revealed the scene, and the agitation of some thirty helpless women +now huddling together on the ground, and imploring mercy. It +was well that the entrance doors were guarded by the Meer Sahib's +retainers, for the Beydurs would have had little scruple in tearing +off all the women's ornaments as their spoil.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Osman Beg lay in his private chamber. He had +sat in the audience hall as long as he could, but the strong European +liqueur and its pleasant flavour had beguiled him, and at last +he had rolled over in his seat insensible, and was carried by his slaves +to his bed. Then it was that the music had ceased, the torches +had been put out, and all, rolling themselves in their sheets, lay +down where they were, like swathed corpses; and it was thus +the Meer Sahib had found them. When the shot was fired from the +high tower, the two servants who had remained by their master, +conscious of some imminent alarm or danger, tried to arouse him, +and even raised him up, but with a muttered curse he fell back +again. In this condition—entering from the back passage—Burma +Naik found him. As he entered the chamber, the Nawab's servants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +fled, and, conscious of a strange presence, Osman Beg tried +to rise, but with a drunken hiccup fell back on his bed.</p> + +<p>"It would be easy to end thy vile life, Osman Beg," said Burma +to himself, "but I leave thee to the Lord. God forbid that my +hand should slay one who cannot help himself. Look here, Sahib," +he said, as the Governor entered the chamber; "there lies this +disgrace to his faith and to his office; do as thou wilt with him, he +is in thy hand."</p> + +<p>"Let him lie, my friend, his fate is not in my hand; but he is +helpless now. All I want are his papers, and the accounts and +moneys of the fort; and these, especially the papers, must be +found. Had he no servants?"</p> + +<p>"My lord," said a man who emerged from a bathing room, "I +am one; and if my life be spared will tell you all."</p> + +<p>"Fear not," replied Burma Naik, "I know thee; and your new +lord will not hurt any one who is faithful; but beware if thou +attempt deceit."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," replied the man, humbly, "the private papers +are all in a leathern case on the floor under my master's head; he +would allow them to be nowhere else. See, here it is;" and +kneeling down, he drew a small leather travelling box from its +hiding place. "The key of that box is round my master's neck, +and the key of the treasury is tied to the string of his drawers; +they can easily be removed; and the moonshee has the accounts.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +I have charge of all his valuables, and can give an account of +them, or show them if it is ordered."</p> + +<p>"We will have an inventory made of them before your master, +and they will be sent with him to Beejapoor when the King's order +comes. Meanwhile they will be under attachment," said the +Governor. "I will leave thee with thy master, and some men of +mine to guard him when he wakes."</p> + +<p>"We have done all we can do at present, Burma Naik," said +the Governor; "even to getting the papers, which can be examined +presently. Meanwhile the day is breaking, should not we give the +signal?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my lord; I will see to it immediately. One of the +fort gunners ought to be without, and," continued Burma Naik, +"I have sent word to the authorities of the fort, those who have +to recognise all new governors, and they also will be here before +sunrise, or soon after it. Meanwhile this hall may be swept out, +for everyone has departed. Ho! without, bring the Furashes, and +let them lay down the cloths for a durbar."</p> + +<p>While this was being effected, the heavy gun on the highest +bastion was fired with a tremendous report, which rattled from +side to side of the ravine in a thousand echoes, and at last died +out among the hills far away.</p> + +<p>"You do not know where you are, my lord, as yet," said Burma +Naik; "come and see;" and he took the Governor down the steps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +of the verandah to another short flight that led to a small but +elegant pavilion perched upon a rock, from whence the glen could +be well seen in the daytime. Now, however, it seemed as though +they looked into unfathomable darkness, and the effect was +almost painful; but as the dawn rapidly advanced, the agitated +river, the rocks, the rugged sides of the glen, and the cataract at +its head, gradually grew into form, and the Governor stood gazing +at them in a silence which partook of awe.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER III.<br /> + +ZUFFOORA-BEE COOKS THE GOVERNOR'S BREAKFAST.</h2> + +<p>Osman Beg's cook, whom he had brought with him when he +came, an old slave of his father's house, was a practical woman, +well used to camp life, sudden alarms, and long marches, and in +any emergency was ready to prepare food for considerable numbers. +She and several helpers, boys and women, had betaken +themselves to the shelter of the kitchen, which, being situated in a +yard adjoining the "Palace," had beyond it another yard, where +was a small dwelling house, in which, as her own peculiar property, +the old lady lived. We call her lady, because she was invariably +styled so by all. No one dared, except her master, call her +Zuffoora, which, having been born on a Thursday, had been chosen +as her name—but "Bee," as short for Beebee, or "Lady," was +always added; and those who did not know her well, or were afraid +of taking liberties with her, called her Beebee Zuffoora, which, no +doubt, was most pleasing to her of all.</p> + +<p>Zuffoora-bee had been seriously exercised in her mind the +day before. Her master, in one of his wild fits, had, without any +previous notice, taken into his head to invite all the dancing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +girls who came to the Saint's festival, with their musicians and +attendants, to dinner that evening; after which the women +were to sing all night, relieving each other. Now the dancing +and singing did not concern the old dame at all, but the dinner +did, for her master had sent word by Johur that some of the +dishes were to be of her very best style of cooking, for himself +and the chief singers; and for the rest, pilao and hot kabobs +would suffice.</p> + +<p>To do her justice, Zuffoora-bee had done her best. Sundry +dishes that we could name were delicate and delicious, whether +fish, flesh, or fowl; and her master had sent her a present of +two rupees as a token of his satisfaction, an unusual occurrence, +which Johur explained by several of the dancing women having +declared they had never tasted such food before, and insisting +that Osman Beg should then and there send his cook a liberal +present, on their behalf, which was accordingly done. I say, +then, if this had been all, Zuffoora-bee would have been highly +delighted, and might even have invited one or two of the girls to +come and eat pán with her in her own house.</p> + +<p>But the proceedings of the evening had disgusted her. She +was very strict in the observances of her faith, also regular in +the performance of stated prayers five times a-day. And no +Moolla could have possessed a more perfect knowledge of the +details to be observed at festivals, the ablutions and purifications<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +of women at such seasons, and also of the needful fasts; +or, on the other hand, the cooking necessary on such occasions. +As to strong liquors or palm wine, she held them in +the utmost abhorrence, and would as soon have cooked and +eaten a piece of the abhorred animal as taken a drop of spirit +into her mouth.</p> + +<p>Her person was always scrupulously clean and neat; her almost +white hair braided so that not a straggling lock appeared, and +the rest neatly tied up in a simple knot behind her head. She had +two satin petticoats for grand occasions, one green, the Prophet's +colour, the other red, and both were striped with white. But for +every day wear she used petticoats of soosi, a common kind of +cotton cloth, which was made everywhere by village weavers, and +could be bought in any village fair or market. This stuff was +very neat and durable, and was worn, in various colours and +degrees of fineness, by all Mussulman women of the lower classes. +Zuffoora-bee was rich in possessing four of these petticoats, three +of which were always put by nicely washed and ironed.</p> + +<p>On the upper portion of her person she wore, first, a boddice, +and over that a shirt of stout muslin, which descended a little +below her waist, covering the band of her petticoat; and over all +a doputta, or scarf, of tolerably fine muslin, which, tucked in at +her waist, was passed round her head, falling gracefully over +her back and hanging down over her right arm.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>Zuffoora was a widow, and therefore wore few ornaments; +and what she did wear were chiefly of silver, such as bracelets +for her wrists, a silver ring round her neck, and silver rings +on some of her fingers and her toes. She had also one very +precious massive silver ring, which she wore over her right +ankle. This had been given her by the King Ali Adil Shah of +blessed memory, when, on one occasion, she had cooked a delicious +meal for him after a battle, when his own servants had +lost their way. The old lady was always eloquent on the subject +of this ring of honour as she called it. "To men," she +said, "the King gave estates, and lands, and jewels, and why +should he not give them to good cooks? because if there were +nothing to eat, who could fight? and there was nothing so valour-sustaining +as a good pilao and well-spiced kabob."</p> + +<p>The proceedings and mode of life and temper of her master +had long been distressing to Zuffoora-bee; and if, by any possibility, +she could have escaped from him and returned to Beejapoor, +she would have done so; but she felt she was virtually a prisoner. +When Abbas Khan had arrived sick and wounded, she had not +only nursed him through his illness, but cooked the most delicate +and nutritious food for him; and when the young man was about +to depart, she begged permission to return to the great city and +the old family house; but her master was cruel to her, abused her +in vile language, and called her slave, and had told Johur to beat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +her with a shoe. Johur dared not do that, and besides loved and +respected the good dame; but one of the vile eunuchs had done it, +and the insult had rankled deep in Zuffoora's heart, as an act +which years of protection could not atone for.</p> + +<p>We have not mentioned Zuffoora-bee sooner in this history, because +when Abbas Khan came to the fort she was incessantly +occupied by his needs. She had a perfect knowledge of his family, +and respected it, and most particularly his aunt, the Lady Fatima, +so that she did not go to the old Syud's house as usual; indeed, +perhaps had some misgiving in her mind as to the presence of +Christians there; but, like all others, she had a great reverence for +the old Dervish, and especial love for little Zóra, to whom she +had taught numbers of savoury dishes, such as it delighted the +old man to eat, and which could be made out of very simple +materials.</p> + +<p>When the two women we know of came from Moodgul, she did +not like them. She thought Máma Luteefa had more the air of a +common procuress than of a decent God-fearing agent for matrimonial +arrangements. Her clothes were too gaudy, her look too bold, +her conversation too free. She never said her prayers, not even +once a-day. She ate too much pán; the bells on her anklets were +too loud, even louder than those of a dancing-girl; in short, she +was offensive to her in many ways; and finding Zuffoora-bee independent, +and by no means inclined to be dictated to or to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +schooled in the manner of cooking her dishes, sent her orders +to the women under the cook, and was gratified in having +garlic and red-pepper enough in her kabobs to suit a labouring +woman; and Zuffoora-bee was obliged to complain to her +master that the marriage agent was insolent and overbearing. +But when poor little Zóra was brought up to the palace by force, +the grief and indignation of the worthy dame knew no bounds. +Her master was well aware what she would think of the act, and +set eunuchs and some of his garrison to guard the kitchen and +Zuffoora's house, and not allow her egress, lest she should come +and upbraid him—for we take upon ourselves to say that Zuffoora-bee's +remonstrance would have been neither weak nor timid, but, on +the contrary, unflinchingly bold and defiant.</p> + +<p>During the whole of the day Zóra had been confined to the palace +Zuffoora-bee had prayed and wept by turns, but that she knew was +useless; but, when the pán-seller's wife came to her in the evening, +she gave Zuffoora-bee a hint, though others were by, that Zóra was +not without friends; and when the alarm that she had escaped was +given, Zuffoora fell on her knees and thanked God that it had been +so, and that her master's wicked designs had been foiled. She +was not afraid of him. He loved her good food too much to deprive +himself of it, either by putting her in confinement or sending +her away.</p> + +<p>In either case, who would supply her place? But she had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +not spared him; she had appealed to his honour, to that of +his noble father, entreating him to reform his evil ways, and to +abandon the vicious courses into which he had fallen. She who +had nursed him as a child, who had attended on his mother, to see +her son degenerating into a drunken profligate! "Better he were +dead, far better that he were dead," murmured the good old dame. +"I could say the last salutation to the dead as they covered up his +body, and wish the peace of God to attend him, rather than I could +join in the adulation which these miserable men and women pay to +him. Touba! Touba! for shame, for shame!"</p> + +<p>When the party under the new Governor and Burma Naik, +with the Jemadar of the fort, was passing the wall which bounded +her own court, she was already awake, preparing to rise and perform +her ablutions previous to the early morning prayer, and the +shuffling tramp of the men sounded ominous to her. What can it +all mean she thought! Then the shot from above followed, but +there was no response, and in a few moments more the shrieks of +the dancing-women came loud and fast. She was not afraid, and +got up, went through the high-arched kitchen to the door, unbarred +it, and looked out into the yard, where several Beydurs +whom she knew, and Mussulmans of the Governor, were standing, +the latter of whom saluted her civilly as she asked them what +had happened.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," said one of the men in reply; "nothing, but that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +the new Governor is come, and we have a new master. The new +Nawab came from Beejapoor, and has taken possession, and the +old Nawab is a prisoner—that's all."</p> + +<p>"And who is the new Nawab?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, mother, we know not yet, for we have not seen him. +But they say he is a God-fearing man; and so he appears to be, for +when the Azàn was proclaimed, he spread his waistband, and knelt +down and said his prayers in the little pavilion on the rock before +the palace. And his men love him, and declare he is a true, kind +man and a brave soldier, and that is the reason he was sent here."</p> + +<p>"It is a lonely place to come to," returned the old dame; "but +he is married, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, mother! and has two children; and he will send for +them by-and-by."</p> + +<p>"From Beejapoor?"</p> + +<p>"No, mother, from Juldroog, where he has been serving."</p> + +<p>"I know it well, friend. My lord, that is his father"—and she +pointed with her thumb to the palace—"commanded the troops +there, and I was with him and the Begum Sahiba. Ah! times are +changed since then. Well, such is the will of God. And Osman +Beg?"</p> + +<p>"He was found asleep, mother, and they did not harm him."</p> + +<p>"Asleep! Not drunk, I hope?"</p> + +<p>"I fear he was, mother; quite without sense."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Fie upon him! fie! How can he waken and show his face +to pious men? It were better that he died; but he must fulfil his +destiny, good or evil as it may be. I must, however, see to breakfast +for the new lord and his people. Some things are left from +last night; they will do for his men, but he shall have everything +fresh, and as good, too, as Zuffoora can make it."</p> + +<p>The old dame had gathered all the information she needed, +and now retired to her own private room, where she dressed +herself in an entirely choice suit of clothes, braided her hair, +and put on her small stock of ornaments; and, thus prepared, +crossed the court, and entered the women's apartments of the +palace. They were quite empty, but littered with faded garlands +of flowers, broken pán leaves, and jars which had held palm wine, +the stale smell of which was very offensive. Then she rolled up +the curtains of one or two of the open arches to let in the wind, +and called to the eunuchs to come to her. No one, however, +replied, and she went on through the passage. The door of +Osman Beg's chamber was open, and she looked in. He was +still on his bed, snoring loudly, and two strange men were +guarding him, and his two personal attendants were by him. +They had thrown a warm coverlet over him, but she could see +his face, which was flushed and bloated, and in Zuffoora's sight +he was disgusting.</p> + +<p>"Come to me, Boodun," she said to one of the servants,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +"when he wakes, and I will send him some kicheri." Then +she peeped into the hall of audience, which was a busy scene; +and as it was quite light, though the sun had not risen, she +could see everything. The new Governor was sitting in Osman +Beg's seat, and the Moolla, the physician of the fort, the old +Jemadar of the garrison, and some of the inferior officers, were +sitting near him in their usual places. Others were coming in +and presenting their nuzzurs, or offerings; some seating themselves, +and others, retiring after having made their reverence, +went out. There were two moonshees present looking over papers, +of which one recorded the dates and addresses, and the other read +them out to him; and beside these, there were the agents of the +Zemindars who chanced to be in the fort, the Hindoo Patell and +Patwari, and many others; so that the hall presented a busy aspect. +Zuffoora-bee did not very well know what to do. Who was to tell +the new Nawab that the cook was there, asking for orders; and +the question would sound so odd amidst all the grave business +going on, that she hesitated, but not for long. She was no coward, +and she would at least show that she had the means of sending +him food of which he must be in need, of ordering him a bath, and +generally providing for his comfort. She therefore slipped forward +confidently, yet modestly, and watched her opportunity till the +Governor should look up, for he was reading a Persian letter, with +a shade of anxiety upon his handsome face.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who art thou?" he said, with a pleasant smile, when he put +the paper down, and looking up saw a neat, respectable-looking +woman saluting him with due reverence. "Who art thou? Thou +art not such an one as I looked to find here!"</p> + +<p>"Your slave, Zuffoora-bee, is the cook, my lord, and offers her +services. My lord must be hungry, and she wishes to know what +he prefers, what his usual dishes are, and she will do her best to +please him."</p> + +<p>"Thou art thoughtful and kind, Zuffoora-bee," he replied. "Any +other woman would have run away, but thou art here and doing +thy duty. Why dost thou trust me?"</p> + +<p>"I can trust one who is kind and gentle, as I hear my lord is. +I can trust one who greets a poor slave with a smile instead of a +curse, and who accepts her homage instead of having her pushed +out of the durbar."</p> + +<p>"You are a flatterer, Zuffoora-bee," said the Governor, laughing; +"but go now, we are busy; send me anything you like; I am +a plain soldier, and can eat anything God sends me; and if you will +show my people where I can bathe now and sleep to-night, I shall +be thankful. When my food is ready, you can send it."</p> + +<p>"I will bring it myself, my lord, and see to the chamber and +bath for you directly, for you must bathe ere you can eat comfortably," +and making another respectful salutation, Zuffoora-bee walked +proudly out. Inshalla! she, at least, had done her duty, and had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +been kindly treated, and now she would have her proper place in +the new household, for she held her allegiance to the fallen Osman +Beg to be already dissolved.</p> + +<p>The Furashes, who had been witnesses of her reception, +were again her obsequious servants; the women's chambers +were washed out and purified by pastiles; one of the spare beds +was set out, carpets were spread, and the bath prepared; and +when the Governor had bathed, put on clean light clothes, and +sat down on the soft cushions prepared for him, he felt invigorated +and refreshed; while in regard to his assumption of his +charge of the fort and its dependencies, there was nothing to +be desired: all had been perfectly successful and satisfactory.</p> + +<p>Then when Zuffoora-bee brought what she had prepared with her +own skilful hands, some delicate kicheri, fresh fish from the river, +some savoury kabobs, and an omelette, and spreading a neat dusturkhan, +or dining-cloth, set the viands before him, and encouraged +him to eat, he felt as though his lines had fallen in pleasant places, +and that even among those rugged rocks he could be perfectly +happy. He might, too, hear something of the old physician and +his granddaughter, whom he had been directed to trace if possible, +and in regard to whom his first report to the Queen must contain +intelligence. Whether, however, he could obtain any from +Zuffoora-bee or not was doubtful; and if it were given, it might not +be true. Women of her standing were but too often ministers to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +their master's worst vices; and though the Moollas and all respectable +persons in the morning durbar gave Zuffoora-bee the +highest character, yet who could speak to her inner life? There +was, however, no time to be lost; and after the excellent breakfast +had been fully extolled, the Governor opened at once the subject +of Zóra and her grandfather.</p> + +<p>Now, if there had been one subject more than another on +which Zuffoora-bee desired to open her heart fully to one in power, +it was that of poor little Zóra and the old man, her grandfather; +and if her account were prolix, it was interesting to her +hearer, and the details were given with tears and sobs which +attested their sincerity and truth. Yes, often and often Osman +Beg had endeavoured to persuade her to entice the girl to the +palace, and become the means of her forced marriage and ruin; +but since the old Dervish had—in consequence of his great +astrological science and Osman Beg's character—declined to +receive him as a husband for the girl, and as Zóra herself feared +and detested him, nothing was done till the women came from +Moodgul, and Johur and Yacoot carried her up to the palace.</p> + +<p>"Then," continued the old dame, "the Nawab confined me to +my own apartments, and the entrance to the kitchen was guarded. +Zóra and the two women lay in this room, and I was near. Oh! +to hear her! Yet what could I do? If she had even sent me a +message, I might have helped; and perhaps she did, for I heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +the pán-seller's wife insisting on being allowed to pass to me, but +she was turned out. I warrant, however, that she it was who sent +word to Runga Naik, and then at night Zóra fled with them. At +least some say so, though others believe she fell into one of the +deep holes between the rocks, and will never appear till the Day of +Judgment. But I think she fled; and I, old as I am, would travel +to Delhi if I thought there was any chance of finding her."</p> + +<p>"Yes, she fled, Beebee," said the Nawab, with a sigh; "but +she cannot be traced now. Runga Naik has been absent. Burma +Naik, who has also been absent, did not find her on his return; +and now no one knows where she is gone."</p> + +<p>"Send me, my lord; send me; I will find her wherever she +may be hidden away. God knows," she continued, sobbing, "she +was so beautiful and so helpless that anyone might have seized +her; and as to the old man, he is not only blind but hopelessly +simple, and yet very obstinate. Ah, my lord! the more I think +the more I fear."</p> + +<p>"And was Zóra so beautiful?"</p> + +<p>"I never saw anyone like her," returned the dame. "I don't +know what it was, but there was a sort of witchery about her ever +since she was much younger than she is now, which no one could +resist; and Osman Beg always said she was his fate, and he would +have her even if he went to hell after her, for that was the wild +way in which he talked to me."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And she escaped free and unhurt, and with her honour?"</p> + +<p>"She did, my lord. Osman Beg made a wild attempt to marry +her the night Johur brought her up, but the Moolla protested +against it; and though the buffoon Pundree, who is a Hindoo, my +lord, made some pretence to be a Moolla, and to say the blessing, +it was of no use, and Osman Beg waited till he could get the Kazee +from Nalutwar. But send for Johur, if he likes he will tell you +the truth; but you might cut him to pieces before he would say a +word if he did not please."</p> + +<p>"I will examine him before you, Zuffoora-bee;" and, calling to +an attendant, he bid Johur, the Abyssinian, be brought in.</p> + +<p>The slave's arms had been tied behind his back, because he +had made some resistance, and bound so tightly, that he was in +pain; and he piteously besought relief by loosening of the bonds. +Two of the eunuchs who had charge of him, on being directed to +do so, at once loosed the rope; and the Governor could see the +tears spring to the slave's eyes as he knelt down, rubbed his forehead +in the earth, and rising, stood before him, with his chest +heaving and his cheeks wet.</p> + +<p>"Why are you kind to me, my lord? Do I not deserve death? +Bid some of thy people behead me, then I shall not see Zóra as I +do now."</p> + +<p>"It is of her we would speak to thee, Johur; fear not, and tell +the truth."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My lord," he replied, "your slave will tell everything truly. +Often had I been asked to entrap the child, often to bring her +here, but I would not. I was flogged for that, but never mind, I +could bear it; see, here are the marks of the whip. Then Jooma +was ordered to go; and he, too, refused, and was instantly beheaded +before Osman Beg himself; and I can show you the hole +between the rocks where his bones lie, where the stain of his +blood is upon the rocks; even the rains have not washed it away, +nor the sun bleached it. Then, again, when the two women +came from Moodgul, he sent for me, and said, 'Go and bring +Zóra; if not, yours will be Jooma's fate before nightfall.' I was a +coward, my lord; I ought to have slain him; but I trembled and I +went; and Yacoot and I brought Zóra and put her here, with the +two women. But I watched. If he had attempted violence I would +have slain him, for I never quitted his side. When the Moolla +refused to marry him, my dagger was loose in its sheath. I +watched him all that day, without taking food. I lay down at the +head of his bed at night, only when all were asleep stealing out +into the court here to see if the child slept. I was here when the +owls hooted, and I watched her steal out silently, step over the +eunuchs, cross the court, and pass on through the broken +wall. I saw her last when she paused once on the top of +the gap, and looked around her, and the moonbeams rested +on her sweet face, and it shone like that of an angel. Oh,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +my lord, I am only a poor Abyssinian, and have no proper +speech to tell thee all; but that is the truth, and I would +have followed her then, only that one owl hooted again, +and I knew she had friends to help her, and was safe. +Harm! no harm came to her, my lord. Osman Beg was afraid of +what the Moollas, the old jemadars of the fort, and the worthy +men who sate in the hall said to him; and he knew there would be +a mutiny if he dared to dishonour the girl. Indeed, had she not +escaped, there would have been one when the second attempt +at marriage was tried. And now, my lord, bid them give me +water, for my throat is dry; and do not have me bound, for I can +be true to thee, my lord, and can help thee to find Zóra, my pearl, +my lily, my Peri. Oh, my lord! how I love her! I, the poor slave, +and would give my life for her. Will you not answer for me, +Máma Zuffoora?"</p> + +<p>"I will," said the old dame, earnestly. "Let my lord send us +both to find the child and the old man, and we will go. Inshalla! +we will bring them back, and the old house shall be desolate no +longer."</p> + +<p>"I will think about it, Zuffoora-bee; and when all means here +are exhausted, I will send ye on their track, well believing your +faith and love for the child. But, hark! they are calling me into +the audience, and I must go. Come with me, Johur, and I will +make thee over to my people."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>As the Governor entered the hall, he saw that a violent struggle +was going on. Osman Beg had awakened from his drunken +sleep with confused intellects, and seeing strange faces beside his +bed and none of his own attendants, had risen, suddenly pushed +away his guards, and rushed, half naked as he was, towards his +usual seat in the hall; but he was held fast by many of the +new and old garrison, and the new Governor advancing, bade +him sternly return to his apartment. Osman Beg, who was +a very powerful man, still resisted violently, and could he +but have possessed himself of any weapon, would have done +serious injury. It was in vain that the new Governor explained +who he was, and even showed him the Queen's +warrant. Osman Beg was in no humour to hear or to understand, +and the struggle was renewed. After several warnings, +therefore, and being obliged to listen to all the vile abuse +poured out against him, to being called a coward, and a Kafir, +a traitor, and a slave, the Governor directed the attendants +to tie Osman Beg's arms behind him easily with a soft turban, +and to take him back to the room whence he had come. +It was the act of being tied, perhaps, which first really awakened +him to a clear sense of his position, and after a time he began to +weep. No one came to him, none of his slaves or servants, and +he was parched with thirst, with a craving for food. Now, therefore, +the services of Zuffoora-bee were called into requisition; she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +had food and some cool sherbet ready for him, and when he became +more reasonable the Governor went to him. They had been +old acquaintances, and knew each other perfectly well; and Osman +Beg, promising to be quiet, was relieved from his bonds, which +had only been loosened when he ate.</p> + +<p>"So long as it is not my virtuous cousin, Abbas Khan, who has +been sent to relieve me, I do not care," he said. "The Queen has +a right to appoint whom she will, and to recall whom she will, and +you, sir, are welcome, though you have come in a rough fashion. +I think you will find all the records correct, and I now give you +the key of the treasury;" and he felt in his waistband for it, but +neither was it there nor that of his private papers, and his +countenance fell.</p> + +<p>"I have possession of all your private papers also, my lord," +said the Governor. "It was for them that the surprise was made, +and I already see that they are important. Nay," he continued, +"may even imperil your life, my lord, and tally sadly with those +which were read before the Queen in council the night that +Abbas Khan slew Yacoot, the champion of Elias Khan, in the +combat of ordeal. Hyat Khan, the Kotwal, found them, and I +was present at their examination."</p> + +<p>"When did this happen?" asked Osman Beg.</p> + +<p>"Three days ago, my lord; I was present on duty at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +palace that night, and I left the city before daylight next morning."</p> + +<p>"Then give me my papers, Meer Sahib, and let me depart to +justify myself, and seek my wife, whom Abbas Khan has spirited +away."</p> + +<p>"Your wife, my lord; who is she?"</p> + +<p>"She is Zóra," he replied, "who lived here. Oh, Zóra!" he +cried in bitter pain, "this comes of thy sorcery. Let me go, sir!" +he shouted fiercely. "Let me go! by what right do you detain +me?"</p> + +<p>"By this, the Queen's warrant," replied the Governor, "which +my secretary will read to you. You will see that your person is to +be kept securely; your papers sealed up and sent to Court, where +you will be summoned when the King's pleasure is known. I +am not in the habit of exceeding my orders, or of using hardly +men of rank superior to my own. Your papers are even now +being fastened up, and two of my own men, with a party of the +garrison and some Beydurs, will escort them to the city."</p> + +<p>From that time Osman Beg gave up hope, and fell back on his +bed with a groan, covering his face. Had he possessed a dagger +he might, perhaps, in his despair have stabbed himself; but as the +first excitement was blunted, he grew sullen, would speak to no +one, and refused for several days the food which Zuffoora brought +herself, and vainly tried to persuade him to eat.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Zuffoora and Johur were impatient to be gone. +Johur had discovered that Zóra and the old man had left Korikul, +and Burma Naik had even traced them beyond Kukéra, on the +way to Sugger. It was most likely that they were there; and the +old dame, provided with a comfortable litter, a strong pony for an +attendant, and her little baggage, and Johur, and ten stout fellows of +the garrison, were despatched one day to their great joy with the +almost certainty of recovering the child and her grandfather. They +followed them easily for several days by slow marches. They heard +of them at the shrine of Sofee Surmurt at Sugger, but beyond that +there was no trace. A worthy weaver's wife told Zuffoora that a +good matron of Gulburgah, when on her pilgrimage to the shrine, +had taken charge of Zóra and her grandfather; but as she +belonged to a city beyond Gulburgah, who could tell where she +might be? And thus it was that Zuffoora-bee and the Abyssinian +returned to Juldroog weary and disappointed.</p> + +<p>Had Abbas Khan spirited away the girl on any pretence? +The Governor could not believe what Osman Beg repeatedly +asserted; but still it might be so, and he doubted. Otherwise the +affairs of the fort went on regularly and comfortably. The +Governor received deputations from the Nawab of Moodgul and +the Beydur Naik of Wakin Kéra, and all respectable neighbours +round; but the only thing in which he had failed was not being +able to trace Zóra. We, however, who have much interest in the +child and her old grandfather must endeavour to do so.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IV.<br /> + +A NEW HOME.</h2> + + +<p>I need hardly take the reader back to the day when, rescued from +Osman Beg's vile designs, Zóra and her grandfather abandoned +their peaceful home. All the incidents relating to that event will, +I think, not have been forgotten, and need not be recalled. It was +a piteous sacrifice, but it was well for the girl that it had been, as +it were, forced on her grandfather and herself, and that no compromise +was made with, or trust reposed in, the unscrupulous tyrant +of the fort.</p> + +<p>I say it was well that they had abandoned all, and fled. +They were indeed passive instruments in the hands of a more experienced +and powerful person who long before had taken a just +measure of the Nawab's violent and treacherous character, and +most especially dreaded his designs against the orphan girl who, +as all knew, had no friends among her own people, except the +poor inhabitants of the village in which she had lived all her life, +and they were helpless to protect her. The result justified Runga +Naik's extreme measure. No sooner was the escape of Zóra +known to the two women who had charge of her, than their shrill<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +cries aroused the eunuchs, who were supposed to be keeping +watch outside, and instant search was made for her among the +rocks in the vicinity of the palace, but in vain. They then in +turn raised an alarm, and Osman Beg himself, it being now daylight, +was roused by his attendant, and a new search was begun, +which, as we know, ended in disappointment. The two eunuchs +who had already been pinioned, and were expecting no less punishment +than death, were put into heavy chains, and flogged till they +could bear no more, and thrust into a dungeon. There one of +them had died of his wounds and of neglect; the other, worn to a +skeleton, being released by the new Governor as soon as his place +of confinement and condition were known.</p> + +<p>After the two eunuchs had been disposed of, Osman +Beg, attended by his Abyssinian slaves and some of his +retainers, descended from the palace to the village, where +every one with whom Zóra or her grandfather was known +to have associated was flogged, or otherwise tortured, to disclose +the place of their concealment. The old house was ransacked +in vain, and every hiding place among the rocks that was +in any way accessible searched for the fugitives. It was soon +known, however, that they had crossed the river, and that Runga +Naik and Burma had carried them off; and the Nawab would +willingly have seized the Beydurs of the fort if he had dared; but +they set him at defiance, and he was too weak to attempt interference<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +with more than a hundred stout, well-armed men. Nor, +indeed, was the proper garrison of the fort in at all a placable +mood. They were, for the most part, Mussulmans, and were +disciples of the old Syud, and had Osman Beg meddled with them +in any way, he might not have escaped with his life; and he wisely +retired to the palace, while Zóra's friends contented themselves with +drawing up an account of the whole transaction, and transmitting +it to Beejapoor, but not at once; for in Indian subjects of this +kind there are always discussions as to the expediency or otherwise +of complaint.</p> + +<p>If successful, remedy is obtained; if otherwise, the complainants +fall into an infinitely worse plight than before. In +this case the formal petition of the garrison, the village people, +the Moollas of the mosque, the acting Kazee, and all other respectable +persons, had reached Beejapoor the day after the new +Governor had left; and the Queen Chand Beebee, already in +possession of the facts, had given a very gracious reply to the +petitioners, promising them justice as soon as the officer whom +the Government had despatched should make his report.</p> + +<p>From all this it may be inferred that had poor Zóra and her +helpless grandfather not been taken away, very serious consequences +might have ensued. If there had been an attempt to +conceal the girl in the island, and she had been discovered, there +can be no doubt that the last indignity would have been inflicted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +upon her. If, again, she had been openly protected by the +garrison, much bloodshed might have taken place; and though +Runga was sure of his own Beydurs, he was by no means so sure +of the Mussulman portion of the garrison who might adhere to +their Governor.</p> + +<p>For himself and Burma he was quite regardless of consequences. +He was too strong at Korikul and Kukeyra, as well +as in every village of the frontier, to be meddled with. He had +no fear of Beejapoor, to which he was rendering important services +every day; and he knew that Osman Beg dare not complain +against him, because of the forcible abduction of a holy Syud's +granddaughter, and the connection with Eyn-ool-Moolk's conspiracy, +the threads of which Runga held in his hands. Osman +Beg, though he would have given all he possessed to be revenged +upon Runga Naik, knew him to be beyond his reach; and perhaps +the most unbearable indignity he suffered on his deposition from +power, was the hearing from Burma's own lips in the public +cucherry the story of the rescue of Zóra, and the means by which +it had been accomplished, which was corroborated in every point, +and which, delivered with infinite zest and humour, caused roars +of laughter.</p> + +<p>There was, however, one point on which Osman Beg seemed to +be inflexible. He declared that though the Moolla and Kazee of the +fort had refused their offices in regard to Zóra's marriage to him—and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +those present on the occasion gave equally clear and convincing +testimony as to the non-performance of the ceremony, +and the indignity put upon all by being asked to partake in such +a mockery—in spite of all this, Osman Beg steadily persisted in +asserting that Zóra was his wedded wife; that he had had means +in private of having the ceremony performed, to which Zóra had +consented; and that wherever, and howsoever, he might meet her +or find her, he would claim her as his wife before the King, the +Queen, and all the ecclesiastical or other courts of law in Beejapoor.</p> + +<p>The Governor could not account for this, and he could not +obtain the evidence of the two women from Moodgul. Osman +Beg, in his blind fury, had, without reflection, had the hair of both +cut off, their faces blackened, and mounted them barebacked upon +asses; they, with the money he had given them, which he was too +proud to take back, were sent across the river towards Moodgul. +There they had complained to the Nawab, who declined to interfere; +and all that was known of Máma Luteefa and her confidential +servant was, that they had gone to Golconda, to pursue their +avocations in a place where they were unknown, or at least were not +remembered. It is possible, I think, if Osman Beg had retained +them in his service, or had not ill-treated them, he might have instructed +them how to support his unvarying assertion that Zóra was +his wife, though she had escaped from him, as he believed, to join<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +his cousin Abbas Khan, with whom she had had communication +while he was confined to the fort by his wound. Day after day +did the Governor return to the case, and had gradually accumulated +all the evidence procurable, which was attested by the Moollas, +Khadims of the mosque, and Sheykh Baban, the Jemadar, all of +whom expressed not only their willingness, but their desire, to be +sent to Beejapoor should the case go to trial in the head Mufti's +court. Of this, however, there will be more to say hereafter; and +in this seeming divergence our only wish is that the reader should +lose no point of importance in the thread of this history.</p> + +<p>On the night, or rather the morning, of Zóra's escape, she and +her grandfather had been taken from the bank of the river direct +first to Jumalpoor, and afterwards to Korikul. The old Dervish +had been a passive instrument in Runga's hands. He had heard +with the utmost terror of Zóra's abduction; he had cried to the +Lord in an almost perpetual moan for the child's protection, and +he had wandered from the house to the mosque to pray, and, +finding no comfort, had returned to the house and moaned there. +He had searched all the women's apartments, and called her +name repeatedly, almost to the weariness of old Mamoolla, who +had chidden him for not putting better faith in God and in the +child's friends. Had not the pán-seller's wife twice come and +declared that as yet the child was safe, and would be rescued +before any harm could reach her. But all in vain. The old man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +could not be brought to understand how the Nawab, with all the +forces of the fort at his disposal, could be outwitted by at most two +or three men; how his darling could be brought to him openly +through the fort, even though it might be by secret paths. The +poor old man's mind was a chaos of utter misery and despair, +which found no rest or hope in any assurance. He suffered +Runga's men to remove all his property, which they did carefully +and honestly; and, as even Mamoolla said afterwards—for she, +also, was too much excited in her mind to be capable of any +thought—without losing an end of a thread or a bit of string. All +the old Syud's books, his drugs, his medicines, his charms and +amulets—in short, everything that he prized on earth—had been +carried away.</p> + +<p>And so it was with Zóra, her two cows and the goats, her +books and simple clothes, and the strong box which contained +some gold and ornaments which had belonged to her mother. +And when they reached Korikul, which they did the next day, +Runga Naik had all opened in her presence, and his Brahmin +scribe made inventories of what belonged to both, as also did +Zóra at the same time. So far, therefore, all was well; they had +lost nothing, but the change was very sad and very hard to bear. +From the first glance at her, the Lady Keysama had taken a +prejudice against poor Zóra, who appeared to her like a young +dancing girl; and although her clothes were poor, not to say mean,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +and she had no ornaments, indeed, presented only the appearance +of an ordinary Mussulman's daughter, yet, with all, there was a +look of intelligence and of superiority in her glorious eyes, in the +carriage of her head, and her figure in general, which at once +separated her from anyone of inferior grade to herself.</p> + +<p>The Lady Keysama did not like this. She even felt jealous of +poor Zóra when she arrived and was led in by Runga Naik, +preceded by two Beydur slave girls. Keysama had, indeed, risen +to salute her, bade her be seated, asked a few questions, to which +Zóra had replied timidly, for the fame of the lady's fiery temper +was notorious through the country, and was not unknown to her, +and almost immediately dismissed her with the gift of a new +sari, a muslin scarf, and a piece of soosi cloth, with some pán, +hoping that she would find comfortable lodgings and live happily. +In truth, the dame had already entertained a violent +jealousy against Zóra, and, in the course of a day or so, told her +husband that she doubted the whole story of the abduction, +and that it was evident he had brought her for his own purposes.</p> + +<p>The Lady Keysama was not, ordinarily speaking, a jealous +wife, but she was suspicious, and mistrustful of anything out of +the ordinary course, such as the rescue of Zóra; and as she said +to herself, if the Nawab had carried off any one from Korikul, +would not her lord resent it; and what did it matter to Runga +whether the Nawab married the pale-faced girl or not, it was no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +business of his, and his bringing her to Korikul was, in her estimation, +entirely unnecessary and unjustifiable. I do not mean to say +that she openly accused her kind lord of infidelity to his face, or +that he had to endure lectures upon the subject, but what has +been recorded was in her thoughts; and it is not extraordinary, if +the tempers of Eastern women be considered, that she set herself +to watch, and that her ears were open to any reports and conjectures +which her humble friends might bring to her.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile for some days Zóra and her grandfather were very +comfortably established by their friend in an empty house which +had belonged to a weaver, who, for reasons of his own, had left +the town and established himself at Sugger; and as the house he +had lived in was the property of the lord of the town, it was now +at Runga Naik's disposal. True, it was not so commodious as +that at Juldroog, but it was more than sufficient for them. It was +close to the mosque, and a door from a spacious yard behind +opened into the ground which surrounded the mosque, part of +which was a cemetery overshadowed by some fine trees. The +Moolla lived hard by on the other side, and his wife was a kind, +motherly woman, and paid them frequent visits. As usual with +most mosques, there was a large colony of pigeons attached to it; +there were parroquets and mynas, with other birds in the trees, so +that Zóra and her grandfather were soon at their ease, and rested +thankfully under the shelter of their protector's hospitality, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +old man soon began to find his way to the mosque at prayer-time; +and as Mussulman weavers are for the most part pious persons, +there was always a good attendance, especially at afternoon prayer, +when the day's work was done.</p> + +<p>The fame of the sanctity of the aged recluse of Juldroog had +for years past been spread throughout the country even to a +distance; and though he had not assumed the title of saint, or +made any pretensions to be one, yet had he died in Juldroog, +there is little doubt he would have received all the honours of +one after that event. Miracles would have been asserted as proceeding +from the worship of his last resting-place, and there is no +doubt it would have risen in popular esteem. Indeed, it was +evident that, even in this strange place, the veneration for the old +Syud was increasing.</p> + +<p>As he sat daily in the mosque, and discoursed eloquently +upon the sublime subject of "Turreequt," or path to Heaven, +he charmed and delighted his hearers; and the rank of the +old recluse as a Syud, his eloquence and kindly manner of teaching, +had a wonderful effect on his audience, who had never listened +to words like his before—unless, indeed, they went on some +pilgrimage to any celebrated shrine, where holy and learned men +assembled and instructed the people in sermons. Then the Syud's +fame as a physician was perhaps among the lower orders even +greater than that of his learning, and was not confined to Mussulmans<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +but extended to Hindoos, to whom, although they were +unbelievers, he was as charitable and attentive as to his own +people.</p> + +<p>Thus between morning prayers and noon, and frequently afterwards, +he was asked for advice; and he wrote charms, amulets, +exorcisms, and the like, with the help of Zóra, who, except when +he was expounding doctrines in the mosque, never left him. Every +day at the hours of prayer, when the muezzin had cried the +Azán, or invitation, Zóra used to lead him forth by the door in the +yard-wall; and some considerate poor folk had made a smooth +path from thence to the steps of the mosque, where there was +always someone present to help him up; and Zóra would either return +to old Mamoolla, or, folding her scarf over her face, say her +prayers in some corner of the building where men did not look +at her.</p> + +<p>Runga Naik did not come to them very often, he had many +things to look after—his people, and their caste, and other disputes, +such as shares of land and produce—and for this purpose +he sat daily on a chubootra, or platform of earth, which had been +made hundreds of years before, around the trunk of a venerable +neem-tree, and where his father and grandfather, and ancestors +long ago, had sat before him. This, indeed, was his public +court, open to all comers; and was simple and effective, because +he was patient and listened to everyone, either giving a summary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +decision himself or referring cases to arbitration. It was a +patriarchal mode of proceeding, which was the custom of his +clan; and if there were no lawyers, no agents, no pleaders, nor +indeed anyone but plaintiff and defendant and their witnesses, +perhaps the justice meted out was none the less efficient, and, at +all events, the people desired nothing more. Sometimes Runga +was absent for a few days on business with his chief at Wakin-Keyra; +sometimes he went with a large escort to collect his dues +or blackmail in the district west of his own territory; and whenever +he did go, he provided liberally for his guests during his +absence, and they had rations of flour, pulse, ghee, and vegetables +direct from the house, with which the Lady Keysama did not +interfere. She only, and that perpetually, threw out hints to her +husband that "that great girl Zóra ought to be married; that +she was ashamed of seeing her come to the house (for Zóra did +pay a visit sometimes to the Beydur lady, though her castle was +an unclean place to her), and that he ought to insist upon her +grandfather's settling her in life; and no doubt some worthy man +might be found who would gladly marry one so learned and so +beautiful."</p> + +<p>But Runga Naik had no such intention. I think he remembered +that first night at Juldroog, and that Abbas Khan desired +no better blessing in life than to gain Zóra for his own. Before he +attempted to bring that about, it was necessary to follow up the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +scattered parties of Eyn-ool-Moolk's rebellion, especially the members +of Abbas Khan's troop who had deserted him; and, as he +thought, allowing ample time for his young friend to reach Beejapoor, +he set out for the western districts in the direction of +Belgaum; and yet at that very time, within a distance of thirty +miles, Abbas Khan was lying in a small village grievously ill with +the return of his fever and the reopening of his wound, of which +the reader has already been informed. But so it is in life, when a +blessing, above all things precious, lies at our very doors, we often +fail to know of it, or even of its very existence. Runga had no +time to lose, he thought, and his desire was to hasten to Beejapoor +direct, should he have any success in his expedition. Should he +have none, he could return and take on Zóra and her grandfather +to Beejapoor, that the old man might lay his complaint of ill-usage +before the Queen, or the King if he had returned. Runga had no +idea of who the old Syud was—that was known only to Abbas +Khan, whose intention was, as we know, to have him sent for; but +the gracious message of the Queen had gone too late, and when +all attempts to discover Zóra and the old man were fruitless.</p> + +<p>Before he left Korikul, however, Runga Naik and his wife had +come to extremities about poor little Zóra. We need not detail +the gradual increase of acerbity and jealousy on the part of the +Lady Keysama. Now he was going away (she put the matter in +that light), who would be responsible for the girl? She herself—and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +she put her hands to her ears, and called all the gods to witness—would +not, and could not. She had enough to do in attending +to her own poor folk, about whom she knew, or could find out +everything, whereas about these strangers she knew nothing. He +might be very fond of the girl, there was no doubt of that; but +an unmarried girl of her age and appearance, with nobody near +her but a feeble old servant—well, she would say nothing herself, +but let him ask the neighbours, let him ask the Choudhree of the +Momins, and hear what they said about Zóra, who, she thought, +was only fit now to become a public dancing girl, and if she took +to that profession she would be welcome. Had she not been +heard singing words that no one understood to unknown tunes? +Where did she learn them? As to the defamatory part of the +Lady Keysama's tirade, we decline positively to enter into it. +When a woman of the Lady Keysama's temper, whatever be her +station in India, or whatever her caste or sect, condescends +to be abusive, her words cannot be translated, or even paraphrased; +and such was the excitement the lady worked herself +up into, that Runga, who had never been subjected to the +like before from his wife, got fairly alarmed. "They must go," he +said; "but how to tell the old man and Zóra!"</p> + +<p>Yet it must be done. With Zóra and his old friend he must +part; but with his wife, the mother of his children, the admirable +mistress of his house, the respected and beloved of all, he could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +not part; and she had distinctly said that if the girl were not sent +away, she herself would go to her father's house at Wakin-Keyra, +and tell the story so that all should hear. Her father was the +brother of the Rajah of the clan, whose enmity Runga Naik dare +neither risk nor provoke; and he knew enough of his wife's determined +spirit to believe she would do exactly as she threatened if +he did not do as she requested. No; on those hard conditions +he could not afford to protect Zóra; her grandfather, whom all, +even his wife, loved and honoured, could not be separated from +her, and, therefore, they must go.</p> + +<p>So several days before the Brahmin astrologer had predicted +one favourable for the departure of his little expedition, he went +privately to the old man, knelt down reverently at the threshold of +his door, and confided to him what has been recorded, and +besought pardon for the apparent rudeness he was obliged to +commit. The tender-minded fellow's heart, as he said, was broken +by his wife, who, without cause, had put this shame on him +privately, and was ready, to her own shame, to make it public. +Now it was known to his friend only, and he might offer counsel +in his extremity.</p> + +<p>The old Syud was inexpressibly shocked and grieved. The +very last thing he had thought possible had come to pass. Was, +then, Zóra, his little Zóra, so much advanced in girlhood that it +was immodest or dangerous to allow her to go about unveiled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +and untended, as she had used to do? Was she, indeed, of marriageable +age, and in permitting her to go abroad was there even +a suspicion of immodesty? He could not see, and his experience +of worldly matters had faded out. Still Runga Naik, and +above all his wife, could not be mistaken. Else why should +suspicion and jealousy have arisen? And now a horrible thought +flashed into the old man's mind. Could Runga have carried off +Zóra for his own purposes? It might be so; otherwise, why did +his wife suspect him? "Ya, Alla Kureem, protect us!" he cried +in his misery. "We are but two helpless creatures, a girl and a +blind man, trying to serve Thee! Oh! suffer us not to fall into +misery, which Thou alone canst avert!"</p> + +<p>Zóra was visiting the family of the Choudhree, or head of the +weavers, that day; and she was fond of doing so, as his wife was +in reality kind and motherly, and much interested in her helpless +condition. That day she and her children had insisted on bathing +Zóra, dressing her hair, and putting on her a suit of new clothes, +for which her husband and his men had woven the materials, and +his wife had made them up. And when Zóra, duly dressed and +anointed, was placed in the seat of honour, and the children were +decking her with garlands of jessamine, and calling her bride, +their mother said gravely to Zóra, "And it is time thou shouldst +be so in reality, darling, to be able to live a decent, respectable +life, and bear children. I was not thy age, Zóra, when I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +married; and what has thy grandfather been doing that he has +not arranged this long ago? It is time thou, child, shouldst no +longer have the mantle of reproach cast over thee."</p> + +<p>"Of reproach, mother?" said Zóra, her lips quivering and +tears starting from her eyes. "No one has ever reproached me; +no one wants me; no one has ever asked me in marriage; and +many have told me, that one of the noble Syud race would have +honour in putting on the green dress, and renouncing the world, +living a humble and devout life, doing good works. Oh, mother! +speak no more to me about marriage, for I cannot bear it."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the dame, "I will tell my husband what you say; +but of late both he and I have been distressed by hearing things +that ought not to be spoken."</p> + +<p>"God help me!" said the girl, "for I trust in Him. I will +speak to Abba when I go home, and pray him to take me away +from this. No, mother, wherever we go we are Fakeers, and the +world is open to us, and the ears of the Hearer of prayer are never +shut. Yes, I see it all, mother, now, and we must go."</p> + +<p>"And have you any means of support, my child?" asked the +dame.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," returned Zóra, "God feeds Fakeers as He feeds the +ravens and the wild birds, who cannot work. True, I can +embroider, and do many things for myself if there be need; but +Abba can be rich if he pleases. The offerings he receives every day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +amount to many, many rupees, and yet he refuses almost all; +and those he keeps are only what I take up from his carpet, +when people leave them. No, mother, there is no fear of want; +only to beg for our daily bread is painful, and we take only what +the merciful Alla sends us." The dame could say no more; and +the children were awed into silence at seeing their mother and Zóra +so grave; and though Zóra tried to be merry, and did what she +could to amuse her little companions, even to singing Maria's songs, +her heart was heavy and sad, and the children instinctively clung +to her and tried to cheer her, when they saw the tears welling from +her eyes and coursing each other down her cheek. Zóra did not +rally, and went home.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Mamoolla had come from the Bazar, and her +master called her to him, and questioned her in regard to Zóra, +and as to whether any remarks about the child had come to her +ears. Of course they had. Who could keep a great girl like that +in the house, and allow her to go about without restraint, and not +hear reproach. At Juldroog everyone was accustomed to see Zóra +abroad, but here, in a populous place like Korikul, it was quite +another matter, and people would talk; who could stop their +mouths? As to the child herself, there was not a suspicion of +immodesty about her. She was as pure as an infant, but still that +would not help her if the world were uncharitable.</p> + +<p>Mamoolla was talking to her grandfather when Zóra returned,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +escorted by two stout journeymen of the weaver's; and as she +threw off the sheet that had covered her, she hastened to her +grandfather, and laying her head in his lap, burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"I know, I know, my darling," he said, putting his trembling +hands upon her head, "thou, too, hast heard the foul reports, and +may God forgive those who set them on foot. Ameen, and +Ameen."</p> + +<p>"Let us go, Abba," she cried, sobbing. "The world will not +have us as we are, but the merciful Lord is our refuge. Let us +go, Abba; whither He guides us we cannot fail or perish."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER V.<br /> + +AMONG FRIENDS.</h2> + + +<p>The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger +attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and +some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated +prayers. After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the +old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity +to take leave of them. Accordingly, after begging all +to be seated, he addressed them much as follows :—</p> + +<p>"You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much +broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all +events, I would have remained with you till I died. But man's will +is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, +by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what +is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the +holy calling of a true Syud. Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and +some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained +even the rank of a Fakeer. Thou hast never been elected; thou, +old as thou art, hast never chosen a leader in the way of +heavenly life (Turreequt), and that above all things is needful for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +thy acceptance before God. Thou hast led an easy life, never +undergoing privation, and it is only in relation to thy charity and +good works that thou hast been protected so far; and thy removal +here was an act of divine mercy, and thy first step in the Turreequt, +which thou must fulfil. Seek, therefore, some godly saint +of great knowledge and experience in holy mysteries, and tarry +not till thou hast found him.' 'Tarry not! tarry not,' my heart +cries to me day and night. 'Thou art old and growing feeble, and +if thou delayest, a blessed portion may not be thy lot. Death may +claim thee, and after this warning what answer canst thou make to +Moonkir and Nukeer, the angels of death, who will examine +thee in the tomb? and how wilt thou be enabled to cross the bridge +Al Sirat, sharper than a sword?' Therefore, O beloved friends +and brothers, my soul trembles as it dwells on these divine truths. +I cannot rest under them; I must seek rest; I must follow the path +of eternal life which has been opened to me. I must not fear to +meet the angels of death.</p> + +<p>"I have been spared nearly eighty years, and have been idle +and slothful. True, I can plead that I was a prisoner and had no +free will of my own; but I am a prisoner no longer, and must go +forth and speed on ere it be too late; and therefore I go as I am, +guided by the Lord, and must not tarry, lest I be too late and fail."</p> + +<p>Then the whole congregation burst into passionate weeping, +and many cries arose of "Stay, stay with us, and fear not, for thou<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +art holy and aged, and the Lord will have mercy on thy infirmity! +Thou art leading us as no one ever led us before. May the Lord +reward thee!"</p> + +<p>But the old recluse had prepared himself for all this. If it +were necessary for him to leave the town on Zóra's account, and +that seemed to him imperative, he had for some years past meditated +the assumption of the order of a Fakeer leading to that of a +Musháekh. He had applied for permission to visit some holy +shrine and make his public profession, but in vain; no one had +had the authority in Juldroog to grant such permission to a State +prisoner, even though his name and rank were unknown; and +the Nawab Osman Beg's denial, on his application, had been +peculiarly offensive and discourteous. Now, however, he was +free; and, although that might have been a matter of accident, the +old man had come to the conclusion in his own mind that it +had been appointed by the Lord, and he reproached himself +bitterly that he had ever murmured against the seeming violence, +and, indeed, dishonour, which he had had to undergo on his sweet +child's account.</p> + +<p>The people saw it was no use to urge the old man further. He +had determined upon his own course, as most believed, by divine +influence, and who dared to oppose that? He told them finally +that his friend, Runga Naik, their lord, had provided him with a +residence at the quiet village of Kukeyra, where he should rest for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +a while in solitude, and that any of his friends who desired ghostly +council, or medicine, or amulets could visit him there. Then he +got up, and placing his hands upon the heads of the children who +were brought to him, and on those who surrounded him, he departed +amidst the prayers, blessings, and good wishes of all.</p> + +<p>On his return home he found Runga and Burma without, sitting +under the tree in the court-yard, who came forward and touched +his feet with a lowly reverence.</p> + +<p>"I have taken leave of them all," said the Syud, with emotion; +"but it is well, it is as God wills, and whatever our destiny +may be, it must be fulfilled. The Lord has vouchsafed to me a +much clearer view of my duty than I had at Juldroog, and +that, whatever betide, I must follow. My only anxiety is about +Zóra; and I have no fear, for the Almighty will raise up friends +to her; the orphan will not be deserted. To Abbas Khan I +have confided who I am, which even you must not know yet; +and, I think, he will help her, wherever she may be, when I have +passed away."</p> + +<p>They could only weep, for the old recluse was dear to them +both, notwithstanding their difference of faith. And the old man +continued—</p> + +<p>"To you, Runga Naik, I commit what worldly property I +possess, which is all in the box we have sealed up; and I pray you +to keep it, to be reclaimed by Zóra if ever she is in a condition to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +do so. Keep it in your own treasury. There is not much in it; +some ornaments of her mother's, some gold that belonged to her, +and such jewels as I was presented with when I was at the King's +court in honour. If I die, my child's rank would be known by +them. Now she shares my condition of a Fakeer, and we can live +on the alms the faithful may bestow upon me. And you spoke of +a temporary resting-place at Kukeyra, is it ready for us?"</p> + +<p>"Burma has been arranging it, and it is now ready for you, +Huzrut; but it is a poor place, only a thatched dwelling, in which +an old Fakeer lived for many years, and died lately. It is in a +little garden by itself, just outside the village gate; but my men +there have orders to watch it day and night, and no harm can +come to you. You will be nearly alone, for except the Moolla, who +is very ignorant, there are but few Mussulmans, and they are only +poor weavers and cultivators. Ha! who are these? Some visitors +to ask your blessing, Huzrut; are they to be admitted? By the +Gods! I see men from Juldroog, and one of the Nawab's slaves, +what can it mean?"</p> + +<p>"Has Zóra returned?" asked her grandfather. "Mamoolla, +is the child there?"</p> + +<p>"I am here, Abba," she replied, coming to the door of the +house. "What need you?"</p> + +<p>"Runga tells me that some persons have come from Juldroog, +thou hadst better keep thyself close;" but, as he spoke, the women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +entered by the outside door; and as she slunk back into a dim +corner, she saw that the arrivals were Máma Luteefa and Shireen-bee, +her servant, who saluted the old man with respect.</p> + +<p>"We have a letter from the Nawab," said Máma Luteefa, "and +he has sent us to deliver it and to plead for him."</p> + +<p>"As-tagh-fur-oola! God forbid!" cried the Syud, putting his +hands to his ears, "that any message should reach me from that +bold, bad man. Leave me; I will not hear you."</p> + +<p>"He is penitent now," returned the Máma, wiping her eyes. +"He will do whatever you please."</p> + +<p>"He is worn to a shadow," said Shireen-bee, sniffling and +blowing her nose. "He will die of grief, Huzrut, for Zóra-bee. +Will she not relent? Osman Beg will have the grandest marriage +performed."</p> + +<p>"Here," interrupted Máma Luteefa, "if Zóra wishes, in the +midst of her friends. He will come without a following, and place +himself—he—he—in voluntary captivity to the beauteous Zóra. +He will settle on her a dower of fifty thousand rupees, and an +elephant could not carry the clothes he has provided. If my lord +will read his letter he will see that I tell the truth."</p> + +<p>"Let Zóra open and read it," said the old man, gently. "She +can choose for herself. I will say nothing, for rank and wealth +may have favour in her sight, though they have none in mine. +Zóra! Zóra!" and she came forth, veiling her face, and sat down +beside him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Read this," he said; "it is from Osman Beg; and I would +that these his emissaries heard thy decision from thine own lips. +Open the letter and read it to me."</p> + +<p>The epistle was from Osman Beg himself, whose orthography +and spelling were none of the best. He had evidently not trusted +his moonshee to copy it. It contained all that Máma Luteefa and +Shireen had enumerated, and much more in a fulsome style of +flattery; and he would come to Korikul, with his body servants +only, to celebrate the marriage at any time, or by any person, that +might be approved of.</p> + +<p>It was as much as she could do to read the letter. Zóra's face +flushed, and her eyes glowed at the remembrance of the insult and +indignity which had been put upon her; and when she had read it +and put it down, she burst into a violent flood of tears. "He +might have spared thee this last indignity, Abba," she sobbed, +"knowing, as he does, that we have been obliged to fly from his +tyranny and become wanderers. And these women, who failed +to persuade me once when I was in their power, might have +guessed what the result of their mission would be when I was free. +Yet you are not to blame, Máma Luteefa. You were following your +trade, and he was giving you gold. He has even bribed you again. +Enough that you think it honourable and good. Now hear the +last words I will speak to either of you. Go! tell your master that +I am now, even as I was then. No wealth can tempt me, no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +threat can terrify me; I go whither he cannot find me, and am +henceforth a Fakeer with my grandfather, whose lot I share, +whatever it may be, till he passes away. Go! and trouble us +no more."</p> + +<p>"And that is your answer, Zóra-bee?" said Máma Luteefa, +somewhat scornfully. "You refuse, child, all that I had contrived +for you."</p> + +<p>"I have spoken," returned the girl; and she sat still, idly +picking up pebbles from the sand.</p> + +<p>"And how didst thou cross the river, Mámajee?" asked Runga, +in his rough Dekhan dialect.</p> + +<p>"What business is that of yours?" said Shireen-bee. "My +mistress does not speak with Beydurs."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she would speak; perhaps she would be made to +speak if I had her head shaved and she were set on an ass. I am +master here, and can do justice after my own rough fashion. Will +ye answer the question?"</p> + +<p>If it had not been painful to witness, the terror of the two +women would have been ludicrous. They looked hither and +thither without seeing the possibility of aid, and at last fell down +before the old Syud in an agony of alarm. "Mercy! mercy!" +they cried frantically. "Spare us; we are only poor women +earning our bread. There in the fort he threatened us; here we +are also terrified. Mercy! mercy! let us go, and we will hasten +away."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ye have not answered my question, Mámajee," rejoined +Runga. "How did ye cross the river?"</p> + +<p>"The Nawab sent us by the lower ferry, and we said we were +on a pilgrimage from Moodgul. We went round a long way before +we could reach the place. They would not let us cross from the +fort."</p> + +<p>"Good," said Runga, with a smile of content. "Then our people +are not to be tempted; and we must secure the boats below, +Burma. As ye did not come by the upper ferry, ye shall return +by it," he continued to the women; "and when ye get back +offer fatehas that your hair is on your head. Take them, Burma, +and despatch them by Jumálpoor; and if ever I see you again +here, or hear of any of the Nawab's people being on this side +the river again, I will have their ears cut off and tied about their +necks."</p> + +<p>"And there is no answer to our master's letter?" said Shireen, +somewhat impudently. "And what shall I say to him from thee, +my fairy?"</p> + +<p>"Begone!" shouted Runga. "Up, and begone! Else beware! +I am not used to have my will disputed;" and seizing them +by the shoulders, he pushed them out of the door into the street; +and in a few minutes more, with fresh bearers for Máma +Luteefa's litter, they had passed the gates under an escort of +Beydurs, and were on their way. We need not detail their reception<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +in the fort; suffice it to say that two days after Osman Beg +directed their hair to be shorn, and, riding on asses, as we have +already mentioned, they were expelled the fort.</p> + +<p>"Shookr! Shookr! Thanks, a thousand times, that they are +gone. Runga, I owe this to thee; else they had persecuted me, +and Zóra, too, poor child. Do not weep; you are safe now. +Blessed be the Lord! Safe from persecution! Hast thou the +letter, Zóra?"</p> + +<p>"It is here, Abba. What shall I do with it?"</p> + +<p>"Keep it for me," he replied; "I would fain have it shown to +Abbas Khan. Wilt thou take it, Runga?"</p> + +<p>"Nay," he replied, "I should but lose it; let Zóra keep it +safely. And now, Huzrut, be led by my advice. Meeah must have +reached Beejapoor before this, and some of my people are going +for their yearly State services. As I have told thee, I am +obliged to go westwards; but they will escort thee safely, and +make ye both over to Meeah if he be there; and if not, get ye a +lodging near the Chishtee Saint, in the quarter of the Dervishes."</p> + +<p>The old Syud shook his head. "No," he said; "the path of +my salvation lies to the east, and the Murdan-ool-Ghyb points +thither on Monday, when we must depart. I cannot, under the +revelations made to me, change my direction or my purpose; and +after what has happened to-day, I feel as if there were additional +pressure put upon me to depart speedily."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"As you will, Huzrut, as you will," said Runga, kindly; "only +I wish it were otherwise. I wish you would go direct to Beejapoor, +and sit down at the palace gate till you are recognised and +relieved. This travelling is a sore trial both to you and the child; +and who have you to help you?"</p> + +<p>"Do not care for me, Abba," said Zóra, with a sweet smile. +"Now they are gone I have no fear—none. And you know we shall +have Ahmed with us, Runga Naik; he refuses to leave us, and +says he will become a Fakeer with Abba. So we shall not be alone. +And perhaps I shall become one also, if Mamoolla does; but I +have not felt the call yet, and shall wait awhile."</p> + +<p>"Take my advice, my child," said Runga. "If I am not +wrong, and my Brahmin astrologer is not wrong, there are better +things in store for thee than the skirt of a Fakeer, even if there be +some pain in attaining them; and Vishnu Punt is a strangely +wise man, who can tell everything. Shall I bring him to thee?"</p> + +<p>"No," she said, quietly. "That might not be lawful for me. +Nothing can possibly turn Abba from his purpose, and I should +only be perplexed and terrified if your Brahmin's directions were +different from his. No; let me be. I do but follow my fate, +Runga Naik; and be the way rough or smooth, it must be travelled +in faith and trust."</p> + +<p>No more remained to be done. All Saturday and Sunday +there were other sad services in the mosque, and during both days<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +visitors were constant, begging for charms, amulets, and medicines; +and by many small gifts of money, vermicelli and other simple +necessaries were provided. Finally, early on Monday they left +Korikul, soon after daylight, after partaking of an early meal +which the Moolla and his wife had prepared. Burma Naik, +with an escort, accompanied them, the old Syud and Zóra +riding easy ponies with saddle-bags, which Runga had procured +for them, with Mamoolla mounted on another, which carried +their small amount of cooking utensils, while the simple Ahmed +drove another pony laden with their worldly goods. So the +little procession was formed, which went out of the gate of the +town eastwards to Kukeyra, and which was followed with dim, +tearful eyes by Runga. "When shall I see them again?" he +murmured. "Whither may not the old man's new projects lead +him? Free, after years of seclusion, he will not now readily +settle down, even for Zóra's sake, and in respect to her is as +simple as a child. May the Gods protect them, and lead them +safely."</p> + +<p>It was a fresh pleasant morning when the little party left +Korikul, and the strange, novel motion was delightful to Zóra. All +her life she had been confined to the gloomy fortress and its rocks, +with the roaring or murmuring river ever in her ears. Now there +were green fields and luxuriant waving grain; cotton with its +bright yellow blossoms, and wayside plants and flowers all new to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +her. In place of the frowning rocks of the ravine of Juldroog, +there was an open fertile country, with some low hills on the left +hand, and a level plain to the right which sloped gradually down to +the great river, which could be seen at intervals gleaming in the +sun, while the rugged peak of the fortress seemed to rise out +of the basin of hills and rocks; and Zóra could even see the small +white pavilion on the high rock before the palace, where, in days +gone by, she had often sat to watch the cataract and the boiling +foaming river beneath it. Should she ever see them again? Even +her grandfather, generally so silent, was stirred by a new sense of +freedom which he had not known for years. Ah, so many now! +Aged as he was, he felt a new strength and power as the stout beast +he bestrode with the air of a cavalier walked on firmly and +speedily. "This is delicious, Zóra!" he cried. "No longer the few +steps between the house and the mosque, no longer the close +stifling air of the narrow ravine of Juldroog, but the free fresh air +of the country and the fields. I cannot see them, child, but their +perfume refreshes me, and I feel new life and vigour. Surely it is +a blessed beginning of the path we have chosen; and thou, be +thankful then in thy heart, child, as I am."</p> + +<p>"I am thankful, Abba," she replied, urging her pony up to his +side. "And I am free, too, from the danger that threatened me. I +could never have been at peace in Korikul after those women had +found us out; and Burma tells me there is no danger now, for there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +are Beydurs in every village, and there will be orders given to pass +us on from stage to stage, and to guard us always. So we can go +miles and miles, further and further; and he will take care of the +cows and the goats while we are away, and send them to us when +we return, or wherever we may be."</p> + +<p>And thus they travelled on their first stage of a few miles, +chatting with each other, while the old man every now and then +recited portions of the Koran, or from Persian poets that he remembered, +and even passages in Arabic of the Turreequt, which +at last he had undertaken. Presently Burma Naik, who had been +riding in advance, stopped and said to them, "Yonder is the +village, and my horn-blower will sound a signal that we approach. +It is my own village, the Beydurs there belong to my +division, and my wife and family live here, but when Runga is away +on his duty I reside at Korikul. Is not my home pretty? I think +it the most beautiful of all our villages, and there is not one empty +house in it. But you will see it better when we get nearer."</p> + +<p>Even from the distance they were, the appearance of Kukeyra +was very inviting. It seemed like a large cluster of houses rising +towards the centre, and was embosomed in trees and gardens. To +the left the low range of hills rose considerably, and were covered +with wood, part of which extended along the road by which they +were travelling, and being without underwood or jungle, looked like +a park. Cattle were grazing in large numbers on the short green<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +sward, or lying under the shade of large trees. "This is our hunting +ground, lady," said Burma to Zóra, "and there are plenty of +wild hogs in the small ravines up there; and when they are +driven from thence they take to the islands in the river, so we +always know where to get them when we have a hunt. And look! +yonder are antelopes grazing in a herd, and there are hares and +pea-fowl among the grass, and my people protect them all. You +have never seen these things before."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," replied Zóra; "how could I in the fort? But +I have seen panthers and bears climbing about, and pea-fowl +sometimes came down to the river side to drink, and I and other +girls used to look at them."</p> + +<p>"Well, you shall see all here, if you like—that is, if Abba does +not object. But here no one is veiled, for we are all Beydurs, +except a few farmers and weavers, and but seven families of +Mussulmans, one of whom is the Moolla; but he is not like Abba; +he cannot read or write, and, indeed, is not very different from a +Beydur, and he is a capital shot."</p> + +<p>Zóra's eyes opened wide at the idea of a Moolla who could only +shoot well. "And there is no mosque, then?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"No, lady, not even one; there is only a thatched shed which +is used for the Mohurrum, which the Beydurs keep as well as the +Mussulmans; but you will see all yourself. Now blow thy horn, +Bheema," he said to the trumpeter, when they had reached the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +summit of a slight elevation, which gave them a better view of the +village. "Blow stoutly, that they may hear;" and the blast was +long and varied, with a peculiarly strange cadence at the close. +It was evidently heard, for after a short interval, during which they +remained where they were, a similar blast was blown from one of +the towers of the gate, on which there was a red flag with a figure +of Hunooman, the monkey-god, on its field in white. "Well +blown, Krishna," said Burma, laughing; "'tis a hearty welcome to +you, Huzrut. If the Rajah himself had been approaching it could +not have been more complete; and hark! there are the pipes."</p> + +<p>As they neared the village, Zóra saw how prosperous it +looked. All the houses to be seen were perfect, and the wall +itself was perfect too, and its bastions firmly built of stone. +Gardens filled the space up to the wall, among which were some +graceful clumps of bamboos, with mango and tamarind trees, +with gardens of lemon trees for supplying the dyers at Korikul +with the juice of the fruit, as well as the population for domestic +use. Here and there, too, a solitary cocoa-nut tree waved its +graceful foliage in the air; and as to date palms, they were numerous +in groves to the south. Zóra expected to see their new home +at every turn, but there were only solitary huts in the gardens, for +watchers and labourers.</p> + +<p>At last, near a large bright green sugar-cane field, they met +the village procession and the musicians, who kept up a spirited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +but shrill piece of music intended for a welcome, accompanied +by their own drummers; and four Beydurs, with their large +tambourine drums, leaped, strutted, circled round and round, and +performed their most elaborate exercises. The din of the music +prevented Zóra from asking questions, and the party could only +follow the lord of the place, who rode first. At the gate of the +village, however, was the real reception. Pointing out the venerable +Syud to all, the authorities, that is, the head man, or Patell, +who was not a Beydur, the Kurnum or accountant, a Brahmin, +the blacksmith, the carpenter, and many others, touched the old +man's feet and Zóra's, and bid them welcome; and they waved +trays with lighted lamps in them, and flowers over their heads; and +when this was all done, the little procession formed once more, +and proceeded through the main street of the village, which was +cleanly swept, and the houses ornamented with bright cloths which +hung over the parapets of their roofs.</p> + +<p>The street was lined with men and women, holding up their +children to see the holy man; and Zóra already saw several faces +among the women that she knew, who had come to Juldroog for +medicine for their children or their husbands; and it was evident +she was not forgotten. Every one was dressed in their best, and +the whole place seemed what it might be at a festival. Thus they +passed out of the eastern gate of the village, and almost close to +it, a little withdrawn, was the Tukeea, or "Pillow of residence," +which was to be their abode.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was a low, long thatched cabin, whitewashed without, standing +in a small piece of ground by itself, and shaded by a +noble banyan tree and others about its precincts. A cloud of +parroquets, green pigeons, mynas, and other birds, rose from the +giant branches, and flew screaming into the air as the music passed +from under the gateway, and gladdened Zóra's heart. When +had she not had birds about her? Then Abba was lifted from +his pony, and a carpet spread in the shade, and everyone came +and bowed before him, and bade him welcome. Even little children +were held out by their mothers, that the old man might lay +his hands on them. And the Moolla was there, who looked like a +Beydur soldier more than a priest, and besought Abba to teach +him something. Then the time came at which they might enter the +house, which, it must be told in secret, had been fixed by the +Brahmin astrologer, as there was none other; but he was present +also, as were others belonging to the temple, to welcome one for +whom all the country round had respect and affection. Indeed, it +was a moving sight to see all these people, strangers in faith and +previously unknown, receive the venerable Syud as they did, +and pay him honour; and Zóra's heart was stirred within her, and +she wept tears of joy as she sat behind part of the trunk of the +giant tree and heard women calling to her, "We bless you because +you helped the sick and denied no one."</p> + +<p>Then her grandfather was led into the house by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +Moolla and the Patell, as accepted by the whole community; +and Zóra and old Mamoolla followed, and found the place +neat and clean and very commodious, for there were three +comfortable rooms, that in the centre being the largest. There +was a kitchen behind, a shed for the two cows and the goats, +and a verandah along part of the front, in which her father could +sit. There was a well near the house, where many people +from the village came to draw water. Above all, it was very +quiet, fitted for religious meditation, and, as Zóra thought, the +very place for her grandfather in his present frame of mind. And +when all had retired, and the beds they had found ready for +them were covered with their thin mattresses and quilts, and the +old man lay down to take rest after his unaccustomed exercise, +he called Zóra to him, and she went and put her head into his lap, +and he said, with a quivering voice, "The Lord has been good to +us, my child, forget not this in thy thoughts;" and he lay down, +and slept peacefully. Without were the songs of birds; the +cooing of ringdoves and pigeons in the great tree; the fresh +breath of the sweet air came through the doorway, and the murmur +of voices in the village seemed assuring. Without, a bed of purple +amaranths and marigolds glowed in the sun, and pretty lizards +basked in it, and chirped, or sometimes looked towards the house +as if to say, Who have come to disturb us? Yet it was a pleasant +place, and full of rest and peace; and she was thankful, very +thankful.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VI.<br /> + +A DARING ATTACK.</h2> + + +<p>It is very probable that the readers of this tale have never even +heard of the Beydurs who have some part in it; but their history +and position are interesting, and at the risk of a short digression +we will endeavour to explain enough of both to help to assure the +reader that they are real people, and not mere invention.</p> + +<p>The Beydurs, under the name of Veddur, still used by the +wilder part of the tribes who inhabit the mountains and forests +of south-western India, are what is termed ordinarily one of +the aboriginal races, as seen in their native condition in the +forests of Travancore and Mysore. They are savages, wearing +little or no clothing, cultivating no land, except in isolated instances, +and subsisting upon fruits, roots, and the like, and +collecting honey, bees-wax, and other forest produce, which they +exchange for such articles of clothing and such necessaries as +are indispensable. These portions of the tribe are now comparatively +few in number, and altogether unimportant. They have +been driven at some ancient period from the plains into the mountains +of the west, and have not emerged from their original barbarism.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> + +<p>Other portions of the tribe which remained, in the plains +of southern India and in Mysore became, in some respects, +civilised, and at one time attained a considerable degree of power, +which, however, was shattered by the great Hindoo dynasties that +gradually arose long before the Christian era, and the Veddurs, +now adopting the appellation of Beydur, became soldiers and +tillers of the soil, but never artisans, or reaching any degree of +education. Under chiefs of their own, some small principalities +were formed westward of Madras, some of which still exist, but +most have disappeared in wars with the first Mussulman invaders +and with ourselves. In North-Western Mysore, also, the Beydurs +attained considerable power. They held many strongholds, and +were feudal vassals of several Hindoo dynasties before the arrival +of the Mussulman invaders in the twelfth century; and although +the last of these dynasties, that of Beejanugger, fell to the Mussulman +arms after the battle of Talikote in <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1564, yet the +chiefs of the Beydur tribes submitted to them, and became +powerful feudal vassals.</p> + +<p>The wars between the Hindoo kingdom of Beejapoor and the +Mussulman kingdoms of the Dekban had continued for several +centuries, and their great field of battle and object of contention +was the province which lies between the rivers Krishna to the +north and Tamboodra to the south, the capitals of which are +Moodgul and Raichore. It was sometimes in possession of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +Hindoos and sometimes in the Mussulmans'; thus the allegiance +of the Beydur clans became divided; and as the Mussulmans confirmed +their hereditary rights and privileges, many of the Beydur +chiefs entered their service; and, as the tribe at large were the +best infantry soldiers of the period, their service was always +valuable.</p> + +<p>This portion of them were the allies and servants of the great +Bahmuny Mussulman dynasty of Gulburgah and Beedur, and +rendered essential service in guarding these southern frontiers, as +well as in many general actions; and from having in the early +period been confined to the frontier of the Tamboodra river, they +gradually extended themselves over the Raichore Dooab, and their +chiefs formed small principalities which originally must have +been independent, or held in feudal service, but which how exist +only in name. In northern Mysore, the chieftainships of Chittledroog, +Hurpunhully, once powerful minor states, were overwhelmed +by Hyder Ali and Tippoo Sultan, and the present representatives +are now pensioners under the British Government; and the last +Beydur state, Shorapoor, situated in the Dooab, which lies between +the Bheema to the north and the Krishna to the south, having +rebelled in 1858, was attached, and is now the property of the +Government of His Highness the Nizam.</p> + +<p>At the close of the sixteenth century, however, the period of +our tale, this Beydur principality held a high position. A portion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +of the tribe had at first, probably about the fourteenth century, +crossed the Krishna, and their earliest settlements were at Korikul, +Kukeyra, and the villages on the left or northern bank of the +river; thence they spread all over the province, their chief or +naik selecting Wakin-Keyra, a village at the extreme end of a +rugged chain of hills, where there was a strong position, as his +capital, which he fortified. The tribe then could muster twelve +thousand well-armed infantry militia; and beside these the Rajah +had a force of other soldiers, horse and foot, amounting to about +four thousand more. His revenues were not derived from the +land only, but from dues in various provinces, being a percentage +on the revenues—this, in most instances, being literally the Beydur's +black mail; and as the militia not only assisted the reigning King +of Beejapoor, but protected the whole of his eastern frontier +against aggression by the King of Golconaa, the tribe was held in +high estimation, and certainly fought bravely wherever they were +employed.</p> + +<p>Thus, in this history, we find them not only at Juldroog but +at Beejapoor, and marching under Runga Naik to the King's +camp, which was in the field north of the Bheema. These intimate +relations between the Beydurs and the kingdom of Beejapoor +continued till its fall before Aurung Zeeb; and almost the last +resistance the great Emperor encountered in the Dekhan was at +Wakin-Keyra, which, after a noble defence, through several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +separate sieges, fell at last under the attack of a very large army +which had been summoned from the south of India for the purpose; +and the Rajah, finding Wakin-Keyra too weak and too +confined for a permanent residence, took up a new position in a +secluded basin of the range, and founded the town of Shorapoor, +which is the present capital of the district. Shorapoor had held +its own against the Nizam, the Mahrattas, and Tippoo Sultan. +It had avoided collision with any one, and had increased in +wealth; but of late years it had been misgoverned and oppressed, +and the name only of its former power remained, and it at last +fell to rise no more, under the effect of a foolish attempt on the +part of its Rajah to attack a British force, in which he suffered +a disgraceful defeat.</p> + +<p>The Beydurs as a people are essentially different from ordinary +Hindoos. Some of them attend Hindoo services and conform to +the ministrations of Brahmins, but for the most part they are +followers of the Lingayet doctrine, or hold to their ancient +aboriginal worship of natural objects, glens, water-falls, rocks, trees, +and the like. They do not accept or desire education in any +form, and are of a freer, bolder type—both in manner and customs—than +ordinary Hindoos. They are great sportsmen in all +respects; bold in following tigers, panthers, and bears on foot; +and ordinarily they live upon whatever game they can shoot or +snare. In person both men and women are remarkably neat and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +clean, and their homes and villages well kept. They are also industrious +cultivators and farmers, and own a great quantity of land +in their province. They are likewise public carriers of cotton +and salt to and from the coast; and, in short, are rarely idle, and +by no means dissipated. Formerly they were dreaded for raids +on their neighbours, and in cattle-lifting especially were most +daring and expert; but those times and deeds have passed away, +though their memory lives in many a song and legend.</p> + +<p>Beydurs hold themselves to have no caste, and they eat everything +except carrion, and such birds or beasts as feed upon it. +They also object to beef, because the slaughter of kine is offensive +to Hindoos, and especially to Brahmins. They marry exclusively +into their own tribe, and rarely have more than one wife, though +their chiefs take as many as they can support.</p> + +<p>Perhaps we need not follow the Beydur clans further, and +we have recorded enough to explain the position they occupied at +the period of our tale in the country in which its action is laid, and +where the clan still exists, not in its former rude splendour and +strength, but as peaceful and industrious inhabitants. I may mention +that I had intimate experience of them for eleven years, +when, during the minority of the late and last Rajah, I ruled over +them and their province alone. But to resume.</p> + +<p>The time passed pleasantly and quietly in the new home, and +there was no jealous wife to disturb it. Burma's wife was his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +second, a fine young woman of hardly twenty as yet. His first +wife had died while yet very young, and had born him no children. +The present, Enkama, had two, and her home was a happy one. +She managed her great good-natured husband admirably; and so +long as she did not interfere with his office as part guardian of the +frontier and head of the Kukeyra portion of the tribe, she had full +liberty to do as she pleased with household and farming affairs. +She had many buffaloes and cows, and her dairy produce was +large. She was fond of her gardens, in which all kinds of vegetables +abounded, which she sent regularly to the market at Korikul; +and when the river was fordable, even across the river to Goorgoonta +and other towns. She superintended the ploughing of the +land, sowing, weeding, and gathering in of the crops, with a +delight she did not conceal; and while ready to punish lazy +labourers, men or women, was kind and considerate to those who +served her well. Most charitable was she, too, and kind to all; +and, as the people said, there was ever a blessing following her, +and increasing her store. In the house or out of the house she +was never idle. When the morning meal had been served to all, +consisting of piles of jowarree bread, pots full of boiled pulse, and +vegetables, of which she and her husband partook also, and the +floors were plastered with liquid clay, she sat down to her +spinning wheel with her servant, and so worked till it was cool +enough to go out again. Sometimes she rode a strong pony; at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +others, with a long staff in her hand, trudged over ploughed fields, +or watched the weeding of crops which, without her supervision, +would be carelessly done by the lazy hussies who were hired to +do it. A clever cotton picker, too; not ashamed to work all day +in the field, and carry home a bundle on her head bigger than any +one else's. Withal a pleasant, cheery woman, of no particular +beauty, truly, but of an upright graceful figure, whose lines were +like those of a Grecian statue, with a pleasant good-natured expression +of face, and the whitest teeth. Not fair in colour, but a +rich ruddy brown, which had strong healthy blood coursing under +her skin.</p> + +<p>Here was a new friend for Zóra, for whom she took a great +liking, and whom she constantly came to see, bringing with her whole +baskets full of household sweetmeats, vermicelli, fruits, vegetables, +and whatever she thought would be liked; and she always enjoyed a +short chat with the girl under the verandah, or most generally, +when the ground was dry, under the great banian tree. Enkama +knew nothing, so to speak, except tales of the deeds of the Gods, +especially of Krishna, and scraps of the Mahabharut and Ramayun, +as she had heard Brahmins and bards recite them; but she +was a great authority upon the subject of the old wars between +the Hindoos and the Toorks, as she called the Mussulmans, and +could recite the ballad legend of King Firoze Shah and the Goldsmith's +Daughter of Moodgul, and the death of King Majahid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +Shah, who had broken the image of Hunooman at Humpee. She +was thus a pleasant companion to Zóra, and Zóra in turn appreciated +the good dame's sound practical sense, industry, and kindness. +They could not be intimate friends, because Enkama saw how +much she was below Zóra in knowledge, and how different were +the courtly manners of the girl from those of her own Beydur +class; indeed, Zóra's language in ordinary conversation was so +refined in comparison with her own, that she felt birth and intelligence +had separated them very far. Very often she sent her children +with the servant to play under the great tree, and would find +Zóra with other girls, making dolls'-houses or dressing up dolls, +and making dolls' feasts to amuse the little ones. Reader! there +is the same common humanity everywhere, and a Beydur child +with a rag or wooden doll and a pennyworth of sugar to feed her +companions is as proud and happy as the aristocratic child whose +doll has cost, we will not say how much, and whose cradle is +trimmed with lace and covered with eider down.</p> + +<p>Then there were a few Mussulman girls in the village who, +though young, could learn something; and their mothers, who +knew nothing, gladly brought them to Zóra, who could teach them +sewing, to mend their father's clothes, how to knit his drawers-strings, +and to begin embroidery. Zóra had sold all her stock of +embroidered caps and boddices, and had gained a good many +rupees by them, and she was working others as fast as she could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +to get more. So these were pleasant occupations, and she had +pleasant, innocent company; and, besides all this, she had to help +Abba in his "Turreequt, or path to Heaven;" and, as he could not +read, and the books he had were Arabic, she had to follow his +recitation, and when he missed a passage or a word, to spell it +for him as well as she could, when he would give her the +proper pronunciation and explain the meaning, and thus +she felt, if he persevered, that she should gain some +superficial knowledge of that language which might be of +use to her hereafter. And was Maria forgotten? Ah, no! +but was the more preciously remembered; and when Zóra was +tired of reading or working, and lay back on the little carpet she +had spread under the giant tree, she could look up among its +interlacing branches and watch the doves and wild pigeons, the +flocks of paroquets, flying in play from branch to branch; the old +horned owls come out of the holes in the tree and peer about, the +little grey owls twitting and constantly on the move, and the +beautiful lizards chasing each other from hole to hole along the +deep furrows of the bark; and listen, too, to the pleasant singing +birds, who, though seldom to be seen among the deep foliage, yet +twitter songs of their own which were pleasant and soothing +to listen to. Yes, those were happy days, and they passed +smoothly and uneventfully for some weeks, and as if they were +never to come to an end. But Zóra knew better than this. She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +knew that her grandfather's restlessness would again come on +him, and that the Turreequt could not be fulfilled in Kukeyra. +Meanwhile, her dreamy life continued; nor will we say how much +the night scene with the wounded and delirious Abbas Khan +mingled with it. Had he forgotten her? Ah, no! she hoped not, +for he seemed ever present with her; but their lives had drifted so +far asunder. And Maria had not replied to her simple little letter, +to which an answer might have arrived by one of the messengers +who constantly brought letters from Beejapoor before she left the +fort. Yet still she trusted and hoped, and the faith of the girl was +not shaken.</p> + +<p>Nor was her grandfather idle; and though he was evidently +becoming more and more absorbed in his religious meditations, he +had not given up the concerns of the world. There were only a +few families of ignorant Mussulmans in the village, most of the +members of which could not even repeat the Belief; but these +were gathered together on Friday (the Sabbath) for instruction +such as they could comprehend; and as Friday was the weekly +market-day of the little town, many Mussulmans came with +their field and garden produce, and weavers with their manufactures; +and then the old man had larger gatherings and regular +prayer services, and preached to them on simple subjects, most +especially against drinking palm wine, which, not being wine or +spirits, was held to be excusable and allowable. So the residence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +of the Syud and his granddaughter at Kukeyra was not devoid +of usefulness; and, in spite of its being a Beydur town, and therefore +held to be generally unclean, their lives were peaceful and +undisturbed. But this was not to be of long continuance.</p> + +<p>Huleema, the eldest daughter of the Moolla, a handsome and +intelligent girl, and Zóra's most advanced pupil, had long been +betrothed to the son of the Moolla of a town some miles to the +north, where resided the only Kazee of the province, and where a +number of Mussulman weavers lived. Now, the period of +marriage was fixed, the Kazee had consented to perform the ceremony, +and had appointed the day. Invitations had been issued to +all friends, but that to the old Syud was brought by the girl's father +and mother, who besought of him to come to their house and pronounce +the final blessing. There would be such amusement in +the course of the evening as poor folks could provide, and there +was an empty room at his service, while Zóra could remain with +the women of the family.</p> + +<p>The old man demurred at first, but Zóra pleaded that he should +go. She had promised the girl to be with her at her marriage +if her grandfather remained at Kukeyra, and as yet he had not +signified his intention of travelling onwards.</p> + +<p>The day arrived, and in the afternoon Zóra, casting a sheet +about her, led her grandfather through the village gate and small +Bazar up to the Moolla's house, which was in one of the principal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +streets, and from the high roof of which there was an extensive +view to the south, west, and east. A screen of bamboos, +covered thickly with date palm leaves, had been erected as a +sunshade, and here most of the women guests were assembled, +who received Zóra with homely courtesy and welcome; but +Huleema could not spare her friend, and Zóra was soon engaged +in the preliminary ceremonies of bathing, anointing with ground +turmeric and sandal wood paste, similar offices being performed +by men for the bridegroom, and these ceremonies, of which we +spare the reader the detail, necessarily occupied some hours.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the old Syud was very happy. The men, and especially +the Kazee of Kembavee, had received him with affectionate +courtesy, and they had placed him in the seat of honour, and +offered him sherbet to drink. Of course there was no one so +learned as himself, but the Kazee was a man of some education, +both in Arabic and Persian, and had read some religious books +of an easy character. He had also a knowledge of law and logic, +and a slight acquaintance with ordinary works on medicine. He +had studied in the colleges of Beeder and Beejapoor, and from the +high court of the latter held his diploma as Kazee. The appointment +he occupied was a lucrative one, as his dues extended all over +the province. Some other intelligent guests were present, and the +evening passed pleasantly enough. Then the Shubgusht, or +marriage procession, formed before the house, and the bride being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +seated in a palanquin, her husband followed on a stout pony, both +being dressed in red muslin garments as gaily as possible. It was +a public procession, the gates of the village were open, and +strangers from other localities mixed freely with the crowd that +thronged the streets. Burma Naik, who, being a Beydur, could +not take a part in the ceremony, nor sit among the chief guests in +the house, had nevertheless held a court of his own in the outer +portion of it, now headed the procession on his fine horse, and was +accompanied by a number of his men, who fired their matchlocks +and cheered the bride with those strange shrieks and yells in +which the Beydur youth delight. Thus, what with these, the +blasts of many horn-blowers, the pipes and drums of several +villages, and the general noise and clatter, nothing could be +distinctly heard, and all was merry confusion.</p> + +<p>The procession was to pass along part of the Bazar, then +traverse the main street to the west gate, and, returning by the +only other wide street to the Bazar again, proceed as far as +the east gate, whence a deputation would convey an offering to the +old saint's tomb, which was under the Banian tree. Such had +been the programme, which was rudely interrupted. As the procession +had reached the western gate, a sudden shouting of +"Thieves! Thieves! Dacoits!" was heard, and several shots were +fired. There had been strong guards posted at both entrances, and +some of the armed men ran up the Bazar to reinforce the eastern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +gate, while Burma and about fifty of his men dashed through the +western gate, and guided by the shots and shouts, passed down a +lane which ran round the south side of the village among the +gardens. Here was a point at which several roads separated, and +here he stationed some of the men, posting himself opposite, +so that no one could escape. It was evidently an attack by +Dacoits, under cover of the noise and merry-making of the +marriage procession, but against whom? And he set his teeth, +drew his sword, and awaited the approach of the fugitives and +their prisoners, and in a few moments they had arrived, some +twenty men, a strong band, who might have overpowered by their +sudden rush any weaker persons than those who now met them +face to face. Crying to his men to spare none, he attacked the +strange party, and in a few moments several were wounded, two +killed outright, and six taken prisoners. The rest, many or few +they knew not, escaped through the hedges which lined the road +into the thick gardens and sugar-cane fields, and were beyond +pursuit. But Burma had as many as he wanted, and the men's +hands being tied with turbans, they were escorted to the village +gate, where the Chaoree, or town hall, was situated. This was +common ground, and Beydurs, as well as others of all castes, +crowded into it. Among those who had come down from the +Moolla's house were the Kazee of Kembavee, some respectable +Moollas and weavers, with Brahmins, and generally most of those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +who had not joined the procession. A few, however, remained +with the old Syud.</p> + +<p>"I was about to send for you, Kazee Sahib," said Burma Naik, +"and you must help me to inquire into this. And do ye all, sirs," +he continued to others, "assist me to do justice. One of my men, +a fine young fellow, first in the pursuit, has been speared by one of +the Dacoits, and is already dead; another, I fear, is dying. This +is murder, and justice must be done. Were I alone, indeed, I +should dispose of them at once without mercy; but as the representative +of the King is present, I shall do nothing till he has +spoken. Bring up the prisoners. Ha!" he continued, as one +was led forward, "thou, Kalloo! Methought thou wouldst not +have tried thy hand here."</p> + +<p>"Be quick," said the man, a tall, powerful fellow, who still held +a spear shaft in his hand, from which the blade had been removed, +"be quick; hear what I have to say, for I am dying. Give me a +drink of water;" and someone handed a vessel full to him, from +whence he drank greedily. "Enough!" he said, as he gave it +back. "Listen, Burma Naik, you know me, Kalloo Jutt, and I +deny it not. I have done my last deed. There, read that, and +you will see why I did it, and what it was to have been. Ah! I +was a fool to disobey the omens, but there was no time to delay. +I can speak no more."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then the Kazee opened the paper in which a letter was wrapped, +and which the robber had taken from his waistbelt. It was in the +Mahrathi character, and the village accountant was called upon to +read it. Twice he cast his eyes over it, and seemed as if afraid to +do so, when Burma Naik snatched it from him, and said, "Now +come and read it, while I look over it with thee. But, Kazee +Sahib, it bears the seal and the signature of Osman Beg, the +Governor of Juldroog, and I can guess what its purport may be." +And the document ran thus:—</p> + +<p>"To Kalloo Naik Jutt, from Nawab Osman Beg, Bahadoor, +greeting, and health and grace from Alla attend you.</p> + +<p>"Whereas Zóra, the granddaughter of the Syud Dervish who +lived here, has escaped, and is now at Kukeyra, under the protection +of the rebel Burma Naik, and lives in a house outside the +entrance gate of the village, you are therefore to go there with +your men and take her up and bring her to me, without hurting +even a hair of her head. I do not want the old man, he is useless +to me; but if he resist he can be slain. These are my orders; and +if this service is well done, and without hurt to Zóra-bee, who will +belong to my harem, I will hold you free from all question by the +Government in case any trouble shall arise; and I will give you, on +receiving Zóra-bee aforesaid from your hands, the sum of five +hundred hoons of gold.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are to believe this fully, and act on it fully, and without +fear.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p> +"The seal and signature of Osman Beg,<br /> +son of Heidur Beg, Toorcoman."<br /> +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>"How strange!" cried the Kazee; "I received a letter from him +only yesterday, asking me to come to Juldroog to-morrow, and +having rested here to-night, should have gone to him."</p> + +<p>"Yes!" said the dying man, faintly, "Mother Bheemee, from +Raichore, was to have received her; and I sent my aunt Chimee +to find out about the marriage here."</p> + +<p>"I thought I had seen the old witch once in the Bazar, and +only that it is not safe to cross her, would have had her head +shaved."</p> + +<p>"It was a narrow escape," said the Kazee; "the Lord be praised +for it, and that I am delivered from seeming connection with this +sin."</p> + +<p>"And I say," continued the robber, who sat up, with staring +eyes, as if making a supreme effort, "I say, and bear ye all witness, +that the Nawab told me to get the child to him before +morning, and he would dishonour her. That the Kazee was only a +sham, and would not be allowed to cross the river;" and then, with +a violent effort, he tore away the bandage which had for the time +restrained the bleeding from the wound in his neck; the blood +rushed forth, and with a shrill scream he fell back and died.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A sad event for a merry marriage," said the Kazee; "but it +is evident to us that the innocent are protected by the Almighty. +Let no one tell the lady or her grandfather; let them sleep in +peace. As to the rest of the prisoners, deal with them according +to border custom. There is no law in the case."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Burma, grimly, "I will deal with them; and see, +this has been brought from beneath the banian tree."</p> + +<p>It was a common rough bedstead, with bamboos at each corner +tied together. Underneath the place where they joined one large +thick pole had been introduced to carry it by, and over all a thick +black blanket was cast, which would have at once concealed +and secured the inmate; and had anything occurred to prevent +Zóra going to the marriage, the expedition of the Jutts might have +been successful.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VII.<br /> + +THE FIRST ALMS.</h2> + + +<p>The old Syud had heard nothing of the alarm of the previous +night, which had been carefully concealed from him and also from +Zóra; and after early morning prayer, they took their leave and +returned home with Ahmed and their old servant, Mamoolla; +but as soon as they arrived, Mamoolla's tongue was at once +loosened when she saw that the chain and padlock of the door had +been cut in two, and two of the Beydur guard at the gate followed +them to ask if anything were missing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Zóra-bee!" cried the old woman, who seldom spoke except +on small domestic matters, "only to think that robbers attacked +the house last night, and have carried off my two best cooking pots +that were tinned newly last Bazar day, and were as bright as silver. +How shall I cook your breakfasts? Where shall we get others? +Alla! Alla! And the master's quilt and mattress are gone, and +your petticoat and scarf that I had washed and hung up to dry! +Oh, Zóra-bee! And they have taken everything, perhaps, and we +are Fakeers in earnest. Oh, child! ask Abba to return thanks for +our deliverance, for had we been here we should all have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +murdered. What would have become of thee, my child?" And the +old dame flung her arms about Zóra and wept plentifully; nor +was Zóra herself less affected. She saw at a glance that violence +had been done; but the door of her own chamber, which had +been locked also, had not been disturbed, and all her grandfather's +books, papers, and medicines were safe.</p> + +<p>"Why are ye both wailing?" cried the old man, petulantly. +"What is there to cry about? Where are my quilt and mattress, +and my prayer carpet?" he continued, feeling for them in their +accustomed places. "Who has taken them? Cannot that +meddling old dame let them alone? Bring them to me quickly, +I need them."</p> + +<p>Then Zóra went to him, and put her arms round his neck, and +sobbing as she was, said to him, "Abba! why have we enemies? +We have been robbed while we were away last night. Let us +return thanks to God that we were not here when they came, or +we might have perished."</p> + +<p>The Syud was soothed at once. "In the path to Heaven," he +said, reverently, "there are many dangers to be encountered, +child; pitfalls everywhere to the soul and to the body; weary +rocks and stones to travel over; and whatever happens must be +endured. O Alla Kureem! I thank thee," he continued, raising +his joined hands, "for this thy deliverance. The enemy truly +came, but thou hadst provided us with help, and in thy name we +will distribute Fatehas."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What enemy, Abba?" asked Zóra, trembling, as her heart +suggested only one.</p> + +<p>"I may be wrong," replied the old man; "but my heart tells +me plainly, nay, as if that bad man had said it to us, that none +other can have done it but Osman Beg and his men; or perhaps +he himself came, under cover of the noise, and shouting and firing +of guns last night."</p> + +<p>"Let us go, Abba; let us go wherever God leads us; we are +ever safe with Him; but not so near our persecutor. Let us go +now, to-day. Oh, Abba, do not stay!"</p> + +<p>Just then there was a sound of many footsteps near the door, +and Burma Naik cried in a cheery voice, "Is all well with thee, +Huzrut?" and the Kazee of Kembavee and others cried out, +"Is all well with thee, Huzrut, and the child? Arise, and come +to us, for we have much to say to thee." And the old man, +led by Zóra to the door, went and sat down in his accustomed +seat, while all present crowded round him with congratulations. +"And see," said Burma, "here are thy mattress and pillow, +and quilt, and two cooking vessels, and some other things which +the robbers dropped in their flight. Here, Ahmed, carry them +inside."</p> + +<p>They were, indeed, all that had been taken; and old Mamoolla +hugged the vessels to her heart, kissed them, and cried over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +them like one distraught. No, they had lost nothing but Zóra's +muslin scarf, and that was an old one.</p> + +<p>"Now shut the door, Zóra-bee," cried Burma, "for we have that +to say to thy grandfather to which thou must not listen. He can +tell thee afterwards if he lists." Then Burma proceeded to relate +how, when the bridal procession had passed out by the west gate, +some men had been observed by the guard on the east gate bastion +moving about the trunks of the great banian tree, but were +not noticed at first; but when the door of the house was broken +in, and a torch lighted, it was certain they were Dacoits, and the +whole of the guard rushed upon the robbers, firing their matchlocks +at them to give an alarm. Then one Beydur related how +the gang had fled, and were pursued and overtaken, on which a +combat, hand to hand, took place, and one of the Beydurs had +been speared to death and another badly wounded, and several +of the robbers were wounded and two killed. How, then, the +gang, which consisted of about thirty men, again fled, and was met +by the Naik himself, and all was soon over.</p> + +<p>"My men at the gate were watchful and brave," said Burma; +"and when any man of mine does a gallant act I reward him +after our simple fashion. Is it your pleasure, Huzrut, that they +should receive what I have prepared for them? and will you +honour the poor fellows by giving it to them with your own +hands?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Surely, surely," said the old man, much affected. "Where +are they, that I may bless them?"</p> + +<p>"Here are four silver armlets for those who fought best, and +here are the men; put your hands on their heads, and give each +one." When this was done, a bundle of new turbans and scarves +was brought, and one of each being laid together, some twelve or +fourteen sets were distributed as the armlets had been.</p> + +<p>"I have to feed them, too, Huzrut," said the Naik, laughing, +"and give them plenty of séndhee (palm wine) to drink; and they +will all be happy after the poor lad who died has been burnt. +Now, away with ye all!" he cried to the crowd of Beydurs +assembled. "Away!" And the pipes and drums struck up a +wild march, and played them into the town.</p> + +<p>"We are now alone, Huzrut; and the Kazee and I would tell +thee what we have discovered. The duróra was one planned by +Osman Beg."</p> + +<p>"Ah! if that could only be proved," interrupted the old man, +sadly, "I could take it before the Queen, and pray for justice."</p> + +<p>"We have proof enough," said the Kazee; "proof that I, a +humble servant of God and the State, can testify to, if needs be. +But it is hardly required, for we have a document, signed and +sealed by Osman Beg himself, addressed to Kalloo Naik, who +died before us last night, and which he gave up of his own free +will, else we had not, perhaps, discovered it. I have appended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +a Persian translation to it, and a certificate as to the manner in +which it was found; and before the King or the Queen, or the +Mufti at the court, that testimony cannot be shaken."</p> + +<p>"Ajáib! wonderful!" exclaimed the old Syud. "When we see +the finger of the Lord following us and directing us, O Kazee +Sahib, can we doubt?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed no, father," returned the Kazee, simply; "but there is +still more. Here is a letter from Osman Beg to myself in his +own handwriting, bearing his seal, which is exactly similar to +that on the other paper, and the writing, too, of the Persian +letters agrees perfectly. This is an invitation for me to come to +Juldroog to-day, and perform the ceremony of marriage with one +Zóra-bee. But how was I to understand who that might be? So +it is clear, if the Nika was to be performed, Zóra-bee must have +gone from hence, for there is no other Zóra-bee that I know of, +and it is not a common name in these parts. But if I had even +gone," continued the Kazee, "as we all heard from the man +who died, it would have been too late, for the last dishonour that +woman could suffer would have been inflicted upon her. Nay, +even a litter had been provided to carry the child away."</p> + +<p>"And it shall be hung up in the Chaoree as witness against +him," said Burma, "just as it is."</p> + +<p>The old Syud turned from one to another of his informants +with wonder and thankfulness expressed in his aged features, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +the tears were coursing down his cheeks as he listened to the +details of the affair as given to him by the speakers. "Alla, the +merciful and ever-present, protected the child before, and will ever +protect the helpless and the orphan; and we owe our lives and +honour to Him, and, next to Him, to thee, O Burma Naik. +Wouldst thou belonged to Islam, as we do!"</p> + +<p>"My ancestors were Beydurs, Huzrut, before Islam existed," returned +the Naik, proudly. "No, Huzrut, we are better as we are. +But now, what shall we do for thee and Zóra, whom all love here, +as she is loved everywhere? What dost thou think, O Kazee?"</p> + +<p>"If I may speak, and advise one so superior to me in wisdom +and learning, I should counsel thee, O Syud, to proceed at once to +Beejapoor; lay thy complaint, and Zóra-bee herself, at the foot of +the throne, and cry for justice. Our noble Queen Chand Beebee +would not, could not deny justice to an old man, and a holy +Musháekh like thyself, O Syud! Consider this, and go. To remain +here is only to run a fearful risk; and worse than that, to +endanger strife between the Juldroog troops and the Beydurs, and +so lead to reprisals and blood feuds. It would be well to prevent +any chance of bloodshed, Huzrut."</p> + +<p>Had not the worthy Kazee used the title Musháekh it is most +probable perhaps that the Syud, thoroughly alarmed, might have +proceeded at once to Beejapoor, where he knew Zóra desired +to go—if only to meet Maria once again; and he felt sure of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +justice whenever he might appeal for it. But the mention of the +title sent his thoughts on their old errand.</p> + +<p>"Sir," he said, "for many years I have been preparing myself +for the Turreequt, and without that I can be neither a poor Fakeer +or rise to the dignity of one of God's divines, a Musháekh. The +Lord has directed my path hitherto by wonderful events, and I +follow the Eastern way; but I see the need of changing it; and +you, Kazee Sahib, to whom such mysteries are known, can direct +me to the proper course."</p> + +<p>"I see but one," he replied. "There is no saint in all these +provinces, but the descendant of Syud Geesoo Duráz of Gulburgah, +to whom thou couldst go for reception into the Divine order. All +other shrines are inaccessible to thee, Huzrut, on account of their +distance and thy venerable age. Within a short time is the oorus +(anniversary) of the holy saint, Syud Sofee Surmust, at Sugger; +and there thousands of Fakeers assemble, of whom many go on to +Gulburgah. I can direct thee to Sugger, where I have many friends +and some humble disciples; and they will guide thee, and further +thee on thy way. Let me see! Thy route is changed to the +north, therefore—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +Kunujgin Bamshin, Kunujgin Bisma,<br /> +Kunujgin Bamshin, Kunujgin Bimash.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a><br /> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And then"—and he counted rapidly on his fingers—"Wednesday +will be your day for proceeding on your journey, and the +Rujub-ool-Gyb will be in the northern quarter, which is good for +thee, at the first watch of the day, which is convenient. And if ye +all eat a little sour curds for your breakfast, the journey will lead +to a happy result. But there is no other good position of the +Rujub-ool-Gyb for many days after that, and in a strait like this +ye should risk nothing."</p> + +<p>The Kazee was an experienced director of journeys and well +versed in casting nativities, selecting proper days for marriages +and betrothals; and in these respects there was no one who could +compete with him; and as the old Syud saw that he was not a +pretender, he put the more confidence in his directions.</p> + +<p>"I would you could see my granddaughter's horoscope which I +cast at her birth myself, or perhaps you have not leisure?"</p> + +<p>"I have leisure before me ere it is time to depart, and +you will do me a favour if you will show it to me, Huzrut. I +will return after I have broken my fast; and the food is even +now ready in the worthy Moolla's house, and I must not disappoint +his hospitality."</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking," said Burma, "how we can best convey +the holy Syud to Sugger; and I have a plan in my mind which, if +it is approved of, I will put in execution. Syud Moostafa, the +Persian secretary of the Rajah, is my friend, and Daood Khan +Bhylmee, the leader of the Bhylmee division of horse, is a chief<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +to whom my force is attached. I will write to them now, if I +may, and beg that an escort of horse may be sent to meet Huzrut +at Hoonsigee, where he should sleep, and, rising early, go on to +Wakin-Keyra; and this could be done without any fatigue. +From hence I can send my own palkee, and a litter for the child, +and my people as escort."</p> + +<p>"A good thought," said the Kazee; "I do not think Huzrut +will make any objection."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, no," returned the old man; "ye are only too kind to +one who has been a trouble to you both. But before we proceed +to make other arrangements, may I inquire whether any of the +Dacoits are here, I should like to ask them some questions. Who +were they?"</p> + +<p>"Jutts and Káikarees," replied Burma; "the boldest of all +Dacoits and robbers; and who would not be tempted by the sum +assured? The leader was Kalloo Naik, a bold, reckless fellow, +whom I wounded last night in the scuffle; and, as the Kazee Sahib +knows, when he had thrown that paper to us, he tore the bandages +from his wound, and died at once. The rest the Kazee Sahib gave +over to me, and as one of my people had been slain, they were all +hanged but one. It will be a lesson to the tribe not to attempt +dacoity here, and recently there has been more than we liked +I only sent away one, a boy, who was, perhaps, a spy; and I +wrote a letter to the clans that for every duróra they committed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +inside our boundaries, I would hang two men, one Jutt and one +Káikaree; and this will keep them quiet for some time, for they +know that Runga and I always do exactly as we say. If we did +not, none of us could sleep safely in our beds. Care for nothing, +Huzrut, all shall be prepared for ye, and my wife will come to +Zóra presently, and comfort her."</p> + +<p>After a while, therefore, the good lady came, bringing with her +bags of rice and vermicelli, baskets of sweetmeats, and provisions +enough to have lasted them for months. She told Zóra all that +had happened, and other women dropping in, related every event +of the night with wonderful increase of incidents at each narrative. +The Kazee, too, returned, and Zóra's horoscope was produced +and discussed. We will not trouble the reader with +particulars of astrological predictions in regard to her, but no +doubt certain dangers, as well as strokes of good fortune, troubles, +and joys, were set forth, which, as they will have their places in +this history, need not be anticipated. On taking his leave to +depart, the worthy Kazee gave the Marathi letter of Osman Beg +to the robber, and that to himself in Persian, to Zóra, bidding +her keep them about her person, for the time might come when +they would be of use.</p> + +<p>Although they had been in Kukeyra less than two months, yet +they left the place with regret. Zóra and her grandfather had both +established separate interests in the place. It was one in which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +Zóra could go about at all times of the day as she had done in the +island fortress, and all her old vocations found ample scope for +exercise; for in attendance on the sick, and in distribution of +medicines, her charitable heart knew no difference between Beydur +and Hindoo, or Mussulman. Then it was pleasant to stroll with +Burma's wife to her pretty garden, and sit among the cool plantain +groves, and under the shade of great mango trees, and hold her +little school there, when Abba could spare her; or, when at home, +to dream in her seat by the old saint's tomb, under the great +banian tree, and watch the lizards and grey squirrels at play, and +the shy and pretty tree birds hop silently from branch to branch. +But Zóra would not have remained after the incidents of Friday +night; she dared not. The unscrupulous attempts of her enemy +to possess himself of her, the narrow escape she had had of capture—perhaps +death, or worse—caused her to shudder as she +thought of them; and all she wished for was to be at rest, far +away; where she cared not, so she and Abba were safe.</p> + +<p>Even Beejapoor, Burma said, was dangerous, so long as her +position was unassured; and he explained to her how lawless bands +of men existed there who were ready to undertake any villainy for +money, and who, in any number, might be hired by Osman Beg, +and prove more successful than the robbers had been where +she was. It had been a weary thought, this wandering of her +grandfather's, but under the terror that possessed her it had even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +become welcome now, and Zóra accepted it as part of her fate +which could not be averted, and must be endured. Every hour, +as the day of departure drew nigh, her grandfather grew more +and more petulant and doubtful. They must walk, he said, for +they were Fakeers, and had no right to ride. They must beg +their daily bread, for they had no need to care for food, and the +good Alla would send them what they wanted. At every village +they should sing an invocation or a hymn, and he had by heart +a great number of these; or they should go about villages and +towns with a wallet collecting handfuls of meal, or rice, or pulse. +And the old man's determination on this subject seemed unalterable. +He even one day sat down at his gate, and spread +a sheet, and blessed the passers by, and some threw pice and +others cowries, and in the evening Zóra came and took them +up; but there was hardly a rupee's worth in all. That, however, +was only a trial, the old man said, in a place where they were +known to be well provided, and they would do better elsewhere. +Still it was a dreary prospect.</p> + +<p>They had not to walk, however. During the night before the +day of proposed departure, a small party of horse arrived from +Wakin-Keyra, and informed Burma that two litters with bearers +would meet them at Hoonsigee. So Burma provided his own palanquin +for the old man, and a light litter for Zóra, and the ponies +were driven on by Ahmed, and the little baggage was distributed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +as before; but Zóra gave the two pet cows and the goats to +Burma's wife, with many tears, and that good lady kissed her feet, +and the children wept aloud at parting with their kind friend. +Finally, before noon of Wednesday they set out, and travelled to +the end of their stage comfortably; nay, so luxuriously, that the +old Syud declared it was more like a nobleman's journey than +a poor Fakeer's, and would have no more such after he reached +Wakin-Keyra.</p> + +<p>So, passing low hills and rocky ground, but with many pretty +villages surrounded by green fields and gardens, they reached +their destination; and the old Syud, who had been thinking about +it all the way, as soon as they arrived at the gate of the little +town, desired his litter to be set down. Zóra spread a sheet +before him, and seated herself on one side, but rather behind him; +and Ahmed, giving up charge of the ponies to Mamoolla, bid her +go into the mosque, where they were to put up, and unload +the animals, with the help of some of the horsemen's grooms. +Then, to the astonishment of the horsemen, one of the little +invocations was sung every now and then by all; and, as +people began to collect, small contributions were thrown upon +the cloth till it was fairly covered; and after her grandfather +sung a thanksgiving, though his voice was thin and quavering, +Zóra gathered the ends of the cloth together, and, leading him, +she carried it to the mosque, where he first took the cloth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +as it was, and, kneeling down before the pulpit steps, offered +the whole to God, and then sat down to count it. There were +more than seven rupees in all, and he gave two to the Moolla and +Patell of the town to distribute in charity. "We can live on less +than five rupees a day," he said, chuckling, "and we can save two +for the expenses of the Turreequt. Oh, blessed day that I departed +from slothfulness and idleness; and blessed be Alla, the gracious, +who thus leads me, a poor sinner, to his salvation."</p> + +<p>It was pleasant, too, in the evening to find people gather about +him in the mosque. Zóra and Mamoolla, with Ahmed's help, +had nailed up a carpet across a corner as a screen, and sat behind +it close to him, and warned off those who would have disturbed +his meditations by idle questions; but after he had gone through +his daily exercise on the points of salvation and the means of its +attainment, people came in, and the conversation became general, +and to the Syud delightful, for several of the horsemen belonged to +Beejapoor, and some had family or clannish surnames which were +familiar, and it was difficult to preserve the entire <i>incognito</i> which +he had assumed. Presently the call to evening prayer was well +sung by the muezzin, and after a plentiful meal they lay down and +slept. Not for years past had Zóra remembered her grandfather +so cheerful or so full of hope. He woke early, for the azàn was +proclaimed; and they prayed together, for none else had arisen. +Then he said to Zóra, "Come, child! we must do our duty;" and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +taking a long piece of strong cloth, used to make a bundle, she +held it by the four corners, and they went their way through the +streets, with the simple cry of "Alla diláya to leónga"—"if God +gives I will take." Now and then they stopped to sing an invocation, +and the clear voice of Zóra sounded sweetly in the fresh +morning air. Good housewives were grinding at their mills with +many a rough unmelodious song, but none refused to put a handful +of meal, or pulse, or rice, into the extemporised basket, which soon +became so heavy that Zóra could scarcely carry it, and they returned. +When it was all poured out, it formed a goodly heap, +and the Syud patted it with his hand and was thankful for it. +"We could not eat it all in two days, child," he said; "and we have +the money besides. Why need we fear, so long as we put our trust +in the granter of prayer?"</p> + +<p>After they had all eaten they proceeded as they had done the +day before, and the road was less stony and rugged; and when +they had passed through a small range of rocky hills and over the +embankment of the pretty irrigation lake of Bohnal, with the widespread +waters to the west sparkling in the sun and the green rice +fields to the east, the fortifications of Wakin-Keyra at the termination +of a high and rugged mass of mountains fell on Zóra's sight; +and one of the horsemen, dashing up to the Syud's palanquin, told +him that he was going on, and that if he would remain for about +an hour under the shade of one of the great banian trees of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +embankment, and then follow, he would find all prepared to receive +him. So the litters being placed together, they got out of +them and sat down, while the waves of the lake dashed among +the stones which formed the facing of the earthen bank, with a +pleasant refreshing murmur.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> +<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Letters which denote points of the compass.</p> +</div> +</div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> + +CASTING OUT DEVILS.</h2> + + +<p>It was but a short distance, barely more than a mile, to the entrance +to the strange fortress in which Pám Naik, the Beydur +Prince, held his Court. All that could be seen from a distance +were two separate forts on each side of what might be called the +gate, well built of granite, and picturesquely and commandingly +situated on the summits of high rocks, much after the fashion of +the bastions of Juldroog. From these forts, and from bastions +below them, two lines of fortification had been carried along the +face of the hill to the top, where they were lost in woods that +crowned the summit. Flags were flying on all these towers and +bastions, which gave the grim-looking works a cheerful expression; +and the great standard of the Beydur flew out from the highest +tower, fluttering in the western breeze. At the barrier itself the +friend of Burma Naik, Syud Moostafa, the Naik's Persian secretary, +with others, were in attendance, who received the old man +with profound salutations, while some respectable-looking mamas +in like manner saluted Zóra, and bid both welcome. They were +to remain in the Syud's house, where apartments had been prepared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +for them; and while her grandfather was carried off, much +against his wish, to visit the great Naik himself, Zóra was conducted +to the house in which they were to stay.</p> + +<p>Wakin-Keyra was a strong place. Inside the second barrier of +huge natural rocks the valley extended into a considerable bay or +basin, filled by a small artificial lake formed by damming up a +stream which descended from the hills. This lake was nearly circular, +or perhaps more of an oval shape, and was surrounded by a +short sward, always green, except where rocks jutted out from the +mountain side, and dipped into the water. All round the sides of +this natural basin were the houses of the inhabitants, of all castes, +built of stone, cemented with clay or mortar, according to the +ability of the builder, and with terraced roofs of lime or clay. +The houses seemed to end with a level piece of ground at the +eastern end, but from its height, the houses that covered it, and +extended to some distance among the woods, could not be seen. +The Naik's house, or palace, occupied the greater part of the south +side of the amphitheatre, and, though it consisted of a great +number of separate buildings and courts, could hardly be distinguished +from other private houses that adjoined it, being built +in the same manner, in very homely fashion.</p> + +<p>The old Syud's account of his reception by the Beydur Rajah +Pám Naik was amusing. He had accompanied the Persian secretary +to the palace, as it was called, and had been ushered into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +presence of the Prince, to whom he made his salutation. "I would +have given much to see him, as he spoke kindly to me in Canarese—his +own language—but that was impossible; so I had to +listen only, and the secretary and a Brahmin Moonshi, who spoke +good Persian, interpreted for me. The Rajah had a number of +wants, which I must try to satisfy. In the first place, the new +part of his palace, where he wishes to live, is at present haunted +by sprites and demons, who must be exorcised and sent away. +He has tried many Hindoo exorcists, Brahmins and Bairagees, +and some Mussulmans, of whom a saint, who is called the Kala +Peer, or Black Saint, was partly successful in one building; but in +the others the spirits answered that they would not depart, as they +were very comfortable, and they remained. Then the youngest +Ranee is troubled with bad visions and dreams at nights, and has +become thin and weak, and several children in the house are ailing +and the Prince himself has low spirits; and I found his pulse very +irregular. So all these things have to be looked after; and thou +wilt have many amulets, charms, puleetas, and exorcisms for the +house to copy for me, Zóra, and I shall be several days at the +work. I have told the Rajah that I cannot begin so arduous and +delicate a task without purification and some fasting for three +days; and our host, who knows a little of the science, will afford +me every facility. And besides, Zóra, he is rich, this Prince, and +will give me a great donation, and that will help me in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +Turreequt. Ah, child! we shall win that, by the blessing of Alla, +and live happily till death."</p> + +<p>"If you will show me which figures you wish for," replied +Zóra, "I will get the book, and copy them for you."</p> + +<p>"Not yet, not yet," replied her grandfather. "I have to ascertain +what sort of spirits they are who have taken possession of +these poor people, who are but low caste infidels; and they must +be questioned in order that they may declare themselves. And +thou wilt have to come too, Zóra, to help me with the women, for +they are in private, it seems, and cannot see a man, though +I am old and blind; which is foolishness. But they are very +ignorant, I fear. And how hast thou been received and cared for, +my child?"</p> + +<p>"Very kindly, Abba," replied Zóra; "and we have several +rooms, and this open verandah to sit in, from which we can see +over the whole of the strange city which lies before us—the +strangest I ever saw or heard of. There are not so much as ten +ells of level ground in it, and the streets are mere paths up the +mountain side, and they rise from the pretty tank which fills the +bottom. All appears to be a mass of houses, tier above tier; and +there is no level ground except at the top, where I see more houses +and trees, and green grass. But they are all Beydur houses, they +tell me."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then where can we go for our evening and morning begging, +child? Once we have begun that, we must not abandon it."</p> + +<p>"I know not, Abba; but why beg now? More food has been +sent from the palace than would last us a week; and the Brahmin +clerk who came with it said the same quantity would come every +day."</p> + +<p>"I tell thee, child, it must be, even if we sat at the door in the +street. Once a vow is vowed to the Lord, can it be recalled? +God forbid! Our host is too pious a person to object to it, and +I will explain all. Now I must bathe. Tell Mamoolla and +Ahmed to prepare the hot water while I lie down for a while to +meditate, or perchance sleep. At the time of evening prayer the +secretary will return home, and we can go together, for it is but a +step from hence. Perhaps letters may be sent for us."</p> + +<p>On her own part Zóra was curious to see the ladies of the +Beydur Prince's family, and the deportment of a perhaps barbarous +Court; and as she arrived at the palace in a closed litter, +several women servants took charge of her, and she was conducted +up a flight of stairs which led to an open gallery, fitted with transparent +screens of fine bamboo work, about the middle of which +sat the Ranee of the family and several children, who rose courteously +to receive Zóra, and—owing to her perfect knowledge of +Canarese—put the girl at her ease at once. Never had she met +with any persons so loquacious and inquisitive.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> + +<p>They had heard of Juldroog; and an elderly woman present +had even paid a visit to Cháya Bhugwuti in fulfilment of +a vow, and seen the river mother in her fury. And Zóra +had lived within sight and sound of it all her life. Was +she married? Was she even in seclusion? And why not? She +was too old and too beautiful to be allowed to go abroad into +the world. Had she no jewels, no fine clothes? nothing but the +coarse soosi she wore, and coarse muslin over it? No, Zóra +had replied, they were Fakeers, and every day they begged for +alms in the name of Ali, the commander of the faithful. Long +they had talked thus, and in the evening lamps were lighted, +and Zóra could see how homely everything around her was, +except the ladies' persons, for they were covered with valuable +jewels and diamonds, which flashed in the lamplight, while +they wore magnificent saris of silk, with rich gold borders and +ends, very valuable.</p> + +<p>Then, after a while, her grandfather's approach was announced, +and the ladies rose and retired into an inner room, and the Rajah +entered, followed by the old man, led by the secretary and some +Brahmins and Beydurs. He did not notice Zóra, who had retreated +into a corner with some of the women servants or slaves, +and was awaiting the result of her grandfather's visit with some +anxiety as to what would happen. Presently he sent for her, +and bade her sit by him, and observe for him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Rajah, a short, stout man, of fair complexion for a Beydur, +seated himself, after a proclamation of his titles by his silver mace-bearers, +who then withdrew; and the girl who was possessed by +the evil spirit was sent for, Zóra having been cautioned to observe +exactly what happened. As he had seated himself, her grandfather +had called for a censer and some incense powder; and as Zóra +told him the girl was entering the room he threw it on the live +charcoal with a paper charm, and a great smoke arose; during +which time he was muttering Arabic to himself. Zóra noticed +that the girl, who might be about her own age, now trembled +violently, and seemed slightly convulsed. She had made efforts +with her arms and hands as if to put away the censer, and +even to cry out and escape; but she was held firmly by her +attendants.</p> + +<p>"Bring her to me, that I may breathe upon her," said the old +man. "I will not hurt her, but that evil spirit must come out of +her, else she will suffer and die. At present it is living in her +life."</p> + +<p>But the girl would not move; and though they raised her to her +feet, she sank down again, shivering and screaming; but the +women took her up, and laid her on the carpet before the old +man, so that he could place his right hand on her head. Then he +said to her in a gentle voice, after repeating another charm, and +casting more incense into the censer,—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who art thou that possesseth this girl? Speak!" But there +was no reply.</p> + +<p>"I adjure thee, in the name of Solomon, son of David, of +Jibbreel and Azraeel, and of ye, O Abd-ool-Zadir, Zadir Jillaneo, +Bhytab, Hunmuntoo, Nursimha, and Bhyraon; speak, and give me +thy name!"</p> + +<p>Then the girl foamed at the mouth and cried with an exceeding +bitter cry, "I am Bassuppa! let me dwell in peace. I love this +body, and will remain." The voice was hoarse and deep, like that +of a man, and contrasted fearfully with the slight girlish form from +which it proceeded.</p> + +<p>"Who was Bassuppa?" asked the Syud, but the girl did not +answer; she only groaned and sighed bitterly, "Let me alone, +let me alone, lest I kill her."</p> + +<p>"Who was Bassuppa?" asked the Syud of the Rajah.</p> + +<p>"He was her attendant bearer when she was young, and he +loved her much, as she did him. He died, and they carried him +on a bier down from his home to the burning place, and she saw +his body from this balcony over the gate, where the nobat plays. +She was immediately attacked by convulsions; and when again she +became sensible, declared that Bassuppa had turned his head, +opened his eyes, and looked at her, and had remained in her ever +since."</p> + +<p>"Enough! I understand now what is to be done," said the old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +man to the Rajah. "It is a powerful spirit, but one over whom I +have command. Fear not, thy child shall be well in three days, +and restored to thee."</p> + +<p>"She is my pet, my darling," replied the Rajah, with emotion, +"and her mother's too. If thou drivest this spirit from the child +thou shalt know that a Beydur Prince can be grateful."</p> + +<p>"Speak not, my lord, lest you break the spell; it is already +working, as I see the child's lips moving. Listen!"</p> + +<p>"I must have time to think," she said. "Let me alone till the +third day, then I will answer thee."</p> + +<p>"Keep her very quiet," said the old man; "let her be amused; +make a doll's feast for her, or take her to some garden where she +can play, and I will send my granddaughter with some powders +that must be given to her as she goes to sleep at night, and as she +rises in the morning. And now, Rajah Sahib, may we depart?"</p> + +<p>Then pán and uttar were brought, and garlands of flowers; and +on a silver tray, covered with brocade, were a few pán leaves with +five large gold coins on them; and the old man, when Zóra whispered +to him, took them up and tied them in the end of his scarf. +But in regard to his vow of begging he would not relax, and when +they reached their house her grandfather called to Zóra and said, +"We must go, my child," and she led him into the street, along +which he walked with difficulty nearly to the palace gate, where +they stopped to sing one of the invocations; and Zóra's voice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +was so sweet, that many of those who came to the evening +Court dropped money into her bag; and after a while they +returned, and she found that there was more in it than had +ever been before.</p> + +<p>Zóra saw little of her hostess, who was a proud woman of a +high Syud family, relations of the Wallee, or saint, of the city, and +she had by no means approved of her husband inviting the old +Dervish to her house. "Thank the Lord we are people of +family," she said to him, "and in my father's house. I never +heard of a Fakeer being invited to reside in it, or to be attended +by our servants as if he were a Nawab. They used to live +without, and take what was left of our meals, and that was +good enough for them. But this old Syud has very fine +notions; his servant and grandchild must cook for him all +sorts of dainty dishes, which, I own, they do very well; but +they are Fakeers all the same; and though they earn riches, +ay, riches every day, they go out at night when that great girl +ought to be shut up, and go and sing and bring back a bag of +money. I saw them count what they had gained, and there were +many rupees, and even some hoons among the coppers. Can this +be right?"</p> + +<p>"Peace!" said her husband; "thy mouth is bitter, Sitara-bee. +Thou shouldst not complain, for all that comes from the palace +goes to thee. I tell thee, learned as I am esteemed to be, I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +never met his equal yet, whether in medicine or exorcism. Peace, +therefore! the time will come that thou wilt esteem it an honour +to have had such a guest beneath thy roof."</p> + +<p>"And the girl embroiders caps and knits drawers-strings," +cried the dame, with a sneer, "and sells them; and bodices too. +Is that a holy occupation?"</p> + +<p>"Peace, I say again, Beebee! Thy mouth is bitter and thy +tongue long, and it is not good to speak evil of a holy Syud;" +and he went out before his wife could reply, as he saw she was +determined to have the last word; but she sat down to her +spinning-wheel and grumbled notwithstanding. "Shall I ask +the girl to get me an amulet against barrenness?" she said to +herself, after a while. "I am yet young enough. I wonder what it +would cost, or whether the Dervish would give it in exchange for +his lodging. I must see about this, for such things are." And +she stopped her wheel and sat meditating, with her forefinger +between her teeth; while, by the smile that spread over her face, +her thoughts were apparently pleasant ones.</p> + +<p>The Ranee and the children had departed to the garden at +Bohnal, where they were always glad to go to escape the confinement +of the palace. There they played about, sat under the +shade of the fine trees, went to fish in the lake, and had a play +performed by some strolling weavers and stone-cutters, who had +joined together for the occasion. They represented scenes in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +life of Krishna, the tutelary divinity of the Rajah's family, and +their performance always afforded a great treat. The girl who +had been affected by demoniacal influences was now the merriest +of the party, and her mother, with a thankful heart, recognised +the improvement with gratitude. But what would be the final +result? Would the science of the Dervish prevail over, as she +believed, the Satanic influence? Well, the third day had arrived, +and they returned early in the morning; and soon after a message +was brought to the Dervish that the child had fallen down in +a fit, and was talking and raving incoherently. A palanquin had +been sent for him, accompanied by the secretary, and he was to +come directly. But he did not go. He sent word that he had to +keep himself pure during the day, and must remain in prayer till +evening, when he would come. Meanwhile the child was to be +kept quiet, and would most likely sleep.</p> + +<p>Zóra heard him during most part of the day repeating incantations, +or verses from the Koran, but he would eat nothing. Altogether +Zóra was anxious; and though she continued at her +embroidery all day she was not the less disturbed, for how many +stories had not her grandfather told her of failures in exorcism +when the demon had, in spite, entered into the body of the +exorcist. "What charm would her grandfather use?" and she had +the book on the science, written by His Excellency Mahomed +Ghous, upon her knee, when her grandfather called to her.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Child," he said, "my soul is troubled, for I do not remember +a passage in the holy book that I need to recollect. Refer to it, +and follow me while I repeat the exorcism entirely. If I fail anywhere, +stop me. The puleeta to be used is one where the demon +is strange and unknown, and begins, 'Whoever ye are.' It is a +square, with a smaller square at the right hand upper corner, +which is divided into sixteen even portions."</p> + +<p>"I have it here, Abba; say on."</p> + +<p>We need not quote the incantation, but the old man repeated it +correctly, and was pleased. "Inshalla, child!" he said, "we shall +gain the victory. I ought to wield the charm myself, but there is +no help for that, blind as I am; thou must do it for me, and as I +shall recite the incantation very slowly, thou canst copy the figures, +which must be burned while the ink is wet. Meanwhile study it +well, that thou make no mistake."</p> + +<p>In the evening they proceeded to the palace, where the girl +was still moaning in her heavy sleep. All those around her could +distinguish, were the words, "He must not come! I will not depart!" +The old man had prepared an earthen pot with a cover, +which contained some fruits and seeds, and placed some silver +pieces of money in it, and smeared the inside with ground sandalwood +paste. Then he passed his hand over the child several times +from head to foot; and as the earthen lamp placed on the top +of this vessel was lighted, three kinds of oil being used,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +those sitting around observed the girl become restless, flinging +about her arms and sighing deeply. Her mattress, which had +been laid on the floor, was now removed, and the place +washed with liquid red clay and cow-dung, and she was taken +up and laid upon it; then the exorcist passed his hands over her +again, and incense and perfumes were lighted, which cast up +volumes of smoke, so that the old man's face as he sat at the +girl's feet could hardly be seen. When this had subsided a +little he told Zóra to be ready; and she, taking up the pen +that had been provided, rapidly drew the outline of the charm +large enough to admit of her writing the incantation. The group +formed a strange and solemn picture. The girl, lying restless and +insensible, extended on the floor, with the venerable old Syud, with +his anxious yet benevolent face and long white beard, sitting at her +feet, with Zóra by his side. At the patient's head were her mother +and several other ladies and servants, weeping bitterly, while the +Rajah himself, with the secretary, who was a privileged person, +watched the result with intense interest. The room was dark; except +where the lamp cast a dim yellow light upon the group, and +wreaths of smoke still eddied about the ceiling and walls, seeking +egress. The only sounds were the sobs of the women, the +occasional low moans of the patient, and the grating sound of +Zóra's pen as it passed over the paper. At last the old man, with +the usual invocation, "In the name of God most clement and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +merciful," began the incantation, "Whoever ye are;" while Zóra +plied her pen as fast as she could, copying from the book before +her. Every name pronounced was cried with a loud voice, and +a considerable pause made, so that Zóra was not hurried, and +the whole ceremony being repeated three times, her grandfather +took the pen, and Zóra directing his hand to the place, he wrote +the concluding words and breathed over the whole. Then the +paper was sprinkled with some scented powder, and rolled up +tightly, a thread of fine cotton being passed round it; then it was +lighted, and as the old man recited passages from the Koran, green +and red-coloured flames issued from the burning roll, which all +could see; but the girl opened her large eyes, shuddered, and tried +to hide her face in the floor. As the paper burned out, she was +convulsed for a short time, and then lay still; finally she sat up, +opened and rubbed her eyes, and stretching out her arms, said +quietly to them all, "Where am I? What has been done to me? +There was something sitting on my chest," she continued, innocently, +"and it is gone!"</p> + +<p>"Shookr! Hazar shookr! Thanks, a thousand thanks!" exclaimed +the Dervish. "Lord, thou hast heard my prayer. Friends, +he that possessed the child is gone, but he is here among us!"</p> + +<p>At this announcement every one shuddered, and the old exorcist +called to the spirit to reply; but there was no answer. He then +asked the girl whether anything had been said or whispered to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +her, and she replied innocently, "Yes. Bassuppa told me he was +going away for ever, and would never return; he could not remain, +because some one was too powerful, and he cried very much, and I +saw him no more. Then I awoke and saw you all;" and she arose, +went to the Dervish, and prostrating herself, kissed his feet, and +laid her head against them, and then kissed Zóra's feet, and then +her father's and mother's, and sisters' all round; and all of them +wept tears of joy, while her mother became so excited and +hysterical that she was led away for awhile, and the old man gave +directions as to where a strong charm was to be pasted up over +every door and window; and, calling the girl, he placed another +amulet in a handkerchief, and bound it round her arm, till a +proper silver case could be made for it; also one to be worn +round her neck, attached to her necklace. And he put his hands +on her head, and wished her joy and peace in her life, and children +to cheer it.</p> + +<p>(Perhaps some of my readers will say, Why was this piece of +superstitious observance introduced? To which we reply, that it is +only as one instance of the many strange beliefs in supernatural +effects which exist among Mussulmans and other classes of the +people now, and have done so from the earliest times. Many +curious and interesting episodes of lives turn upon them, and the +belief in them is universal, with exorcisms of evil, mischievous +and malignant demons and spirits. There are charms supplied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +against every mischance of man or womanhood, youth or age, +against haunted houses and the evil eye. On the other hand, there +are charms for evil purposes, which are believed and practised as +much as the others. The incidents of the exorcism described here +took place in presence of the writer of this tale when in India, and +he could adduce many equally strange and affecting, or, in some +instances, detestable.)</p> + +<p>"We can ill repay this kindness, Huzrut," said the Rajah, as +they adjourned into the hall of audience, and sat down; "but if +you will accept of what I offer, and keep it in remembrance of me, +I shall be thankful."</p> + +<p>"I would rather, my lord, wait till I am assured that what I +have done is effectual," replied the old man, respectfully; "and I +must see your daughter every day."</p> + +<p>"As you please," returned the Rajah. "I will have my +gifts sealed up, and the day you have to depart they shall be +given to you. As to your granddaughter, I must leave her to +the Lady Ranee, and you must promise me not to interfere with +her."</p> + +<p>"But at least you cannot refuse this to shield you from the +chill night wind," he continued; and he threw a delicate white +Cashmere shawl of some value over the old man's shoulders. +As to Zóra, she was newly dressed by the good Ranee; and +when she emerged from her palanquin at the secretary's house,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +she appeared in a gorgeous green silk sari, delicately shot with +crimson. She had a valuable gold ring round her neck, and a +gold pair of bracelets, and the whole formed a very costly gift. +"Would that I could see thee, Zóra," said her grandfather, as he +felt the soft rich silk and its heavy gold borders, and touched +the ornaments; "but they befit thee, and some day——" and here +he broke off suddenly, and was silent. As to Zóra herself, perhaps, +there was a touch of vanity as well as gratification in +her mind, for she did not take off the grand clothes immediately; +and old Mamoolla came and peered at her all over, and went +and lit another lamp; and the secretary's wife came and looked +also, and cried aloud her congratulations in wonder; but she +was jealous and envious in her heart, and I am afraid her husband +had much to bear in her accusations of idleness, in that he +was not so good an exorcist as the venerable old Dervish. +"Those people get money by their work," said the dame, with a +sneer. "The girl has presents worth hundreds of rupees; when +wilt thou give me a gold neck ring and bracelet, or a sari like +hers? And who knows what the old Syud has got besides. Touba! +Touba! Thou a Syud, and a man of letters, shouldst be able to do +as much as he."</p> + +<p>The secretary did not vouchsafe a reply. He had been looking +at Zóra's glorious eyes and expressive face all the evening, as +they sat around the ailing child, and I think that more beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +visions than his wife's shrewish face excluded thought of her +more than she would have liked.</p> + +<p>The fame of the old Dervish's cure, or, as some now called him, +the Hukeems, or Physician, spread not only through the town +but through the country, and applicants for relief thronged upon +him, making offerings which were sometimes considerable; but +from most people he would take nothing; yet to Zóra's perception +they were growing rich, and, as Abba said, with a look of satisfaction, +there was enough to make the Turreequt easy; and, after +that, to settle in some pleasant place and to become a Wallee, or +saint, at whose tomb people should come and pray.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.<br /> + +THE SYUD TAKES TWO DEGREES IN HIS TURREEQUT.</h2> + + +<p>For a few days there was nothing more to be done. The Rajah's +child was well, and her complexion was already changed from +the grey, livid colour which had before existed to a healthy ruddy +tint, and she slept without waking. Every day the old Dervish +visited her; and the child, now fearless, nestled in his lap. What +if she were a Beydur! The haunted rooms had been freed of evil +spirits; and by way of giving assurance to all, especially to the +servants, the family went and slept there without being disturbed. +A packet of medicines was made up for the Rajah by the old man +and Zóra, and the use of them explained. Finally, the day arrived +on which they must depart. The oorus or anniversary, of the +Saint Syud Sofy Surmust would take place on the third day; +and among the crowds present, it would be difficult to find +lodgings. Finally, the Rajah proposed that his secretary should +attend the old man, and see him safely through the festival. +"And," added that worthy person, "if your friend the Kazee of +Kembavee is there, so much the better." Then the presents to the +old Syud were brought from the treasury; and the seals, as they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +had been made on them, were inspected by the Rajah and +broken, and the list that had been placed inside read out. It was, +indeed, a princely gift, suited to the age and holy profession of the +recipient; and with a bag of five hundred rupees the list closed.</p> + +<p>"Nay, but I protest against this," said the old man, earnestly. +"I exercise my art not for gain; but for the love of God and His +name."</p> + +<p>"Well," replied the Rajah, "if thou wilt, give it away in +charity. A gift cannot be recalled; and so I pray thee take it for +the remembrance of one who, though he is only a Beydur, can at +least prove grateful."</p> + +<p>And after this no more objection was made; it would have +been an insult. Then, as the Syud rose, the Rajah rose also, +and went and touched the dear old man's feet; and the Ranees +were called and did the same; and the child, with many tears, +hung about his neck, and her hands wandered over his face; +and it was with difficulty that he and Zóra got away, under +the blessings showered upon them. But all was finished, and +the secretary's wife had obtained the dearest wish of her life, and +drank a charm, which was washed from the paper on which it had +been written into a silver cup filled with water, in entire faith in +its efficacy. And now the Turreequt awaited them at Sugger, +and they must go. The money that had been given them was +converted into the small gold coin called hoons, which were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +then in circulation, and could easily be carried; and Wednesday +being the proper day for proceeding northwards, according +to the Rujub-ool-Ghyb, and a fortunate conjunction of +planets to boot, they took leave of their hostess and departed. +The day before, when they had gone to pay their respects to the +Rajah, he said he had provided two palanquins for the old Dervish +and Zóra; and though this interfered with the vow to walk the +whole distance, yet it had become evident to Zóra that her grandfather's +life would be endangered by fatigue; and, after much +remonstrance, she agreed to a compromise, that on approaching +Sugger or any other town he should alight from his conveyance, +spread a sheet on the ground before him, sing the invocation, +and await the alms of the passers by. So with Ahmed and +Mamoolla mounted on their ponies, the baggage animals loaded +and led behind, a guard sent by the Rajah, and the secretary +mounted on a palfrey of his own, the little procession passed out of +the gate of Wakin-Keyra amid the blessings and prayers of a +crowd which had assembled there.</p> + +<p>The road to Sugger lay through some low rocky hills for a +while, and, passing through a natural gap in them, the valley and +town of Sugger came in sight, at the distance of a few miles; a +pretty scene, for the town seemed embosomed in trees; several +considerable tanks for irrigation lay blue and still in the hollow, +and the bright green rice-fields below them formed a pleasant and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +remarkable feature in the landscape; while the newly-erected +mausoleum of Ankoos Khan, a late Minister of Beejapoor, rose in +an imposing mass above all. To the right were high, rocky hills, +which seemed to increase in height till they broke suddenly into +the plain a few miles to the east, and were composed of rocks like +those so vividly remembered by Zóra at Juldroog, piled on each +other in huge masses. On the north side of the valley was a still +higher and more massive range, which the secretary pointed out to +her as he rode by the side of her palanquin, and told her that the +great fortress of Shahpoor occupied a portion of it. All over the +valley between the two ranges the land was well cultivated, and +the early crops were now ripening, while others were still green. +To Zóra, who had never seen such a sight before, the whole valley +appeared a perfect paradise; and, indeed, under the glowing sunlight, +it was no doubt very beautiful.</p> + +<p>A strange feature in the latter portion of their journey was the +number of touters who now met them, crying the praises of the +rooms they had to let; and these soon increased to a crowd. The +occurrence of the annual festival was a source of profit to all in +the town, and everyone who had even a vacant cowshed to offer, +cleaned it out and proclaimed it a palace. Lodgings had, however, +already been provided; and the Moolla of the great mosque +hearing from his friend, the Kazee of Kembavee, of the proposed +visit of the old Dervish and Zóra, had kindly offered such accommodation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +as his house afforded. Now, as they approached the +town the procession halted, and the arrangement Zóra had proposed +was carried out. Near the great mausoleum of Ankoos +Khan was a grassy bank shaded by a large tree, and they sat +down and sang the invocation, while on the sheet spread out +cowries and copper coins soon began to rattle as they fell; +and the result, as the old Dervish declared, as he stroked his long +beard, was evidence of the goodness of the Almighty. "There +will be many poor folks at the evening prayer, child," he said to +Zóra, "and thou art to distribute all there is to them." Then, +after a while, he rose, and led by Zóra, for he would allow no one +else to perform this office, he walked slowly on.</p> + +<p>The Bazar, and indeed the whole of the town, was full of +people; and the sight of the venerable old man, led by his +beautiful grandchild, created no little excitement. "Who is the +holy Dervish?" cried some. "We welcome your holiness to our +town in the name of His Highness the Prophet and Sofy +Surmust, on whom be peace!" cried a body of Mussulman +weavers, all with long beards as though they were Dervishes. +"That is the holy saint who cast out devils at Wakin-Keyra," +cried others; "may he live a hundred years! And that is +his grandchild, who leads him everywhere, bless her sweet +face!" And it was, indeed, sweet to look upon.</p> + +<p>Zóra had had a green dress made for herself at Wakin-Keyra,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +and this she wore that day. It was a tunic like that of a man, +with loose skirts. She wore a turban of green muslin, into +which her beautiful hair was gathered and bound up. Her loose +trousers were also green, and the scarf which was tied round her +waist, crossed over her head; so that, if needful, she could at any +time conceal her face. Women, as she passed them, held out +their children to her, and, stretching out their own hands, kissed +the tips of their fingers, or cracked their knuckles against their +temples. "God defend thee from evil glances, holy one," cried +some. "Ah! she has taken the vows of a Syudanee," said others, +"and is not ashamed." Ashamed! no, indeed. Zóra seemed +triumphant. She, too, had her humble place in the Turreequt, +and, God willing, would go on with it, leading her beloved grandfather +to the last. No wonder she was admired, nay, almost +reverenced, as, with a firm, confident step, and a look of modest +reliance in her great brown eyes, she passed through the thronged +street. Even the soldiers who were lounging about respected +her, rose at her approach, and saluted her humbly. Thus they +passed on till they were near the mosque, where their friend the +Kazee awaited them, attended by their host the Moolla; and they +were led into the great court of the mosque, and then through a +door into a private enclosure, which was always kept, as the +Moolla told them, for visitors of distinction; and Zóra at once saw +that there was ample room and privacy for all. While behind was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +a yard which would contain their ponies, Ahmed, and the men +they had hired to accompany them.</p> + +<p>Presently the call to afternoon prayer was sung from the roof of +the mosque, and crowds began to assemble—Fakeers, weavers, +soldiers, and many strangers. The Kazee had requested the old +Dervish to give a discourse, such as might suit the people assembled, +and he had consented; and after prayer was ended, he +recited a verse of the Koran, and began his sermon on the +Turreequt, or path of salvation. Never had such a discourse been +heard in that mosque. It seemed as if, translated by his enthusiasm +above the ordinary life and occupations of men, as indeed +by his blindness and reverential spirit he had been for so many +years, the Dervish was like one inspired, and his eloquence, so +pathetic, so practical, and so truly fitting his subject, powerfully +affected his audience, and many groaned, many wept; and at the +close of the address all his hearers crowded round him to interchange +the salutation of peace which is exchanged among Mussulman +worshippers.</p> + +<p>Thenceforward the afternoon services at the mosque were +attended by crowds; and when she led her grandfather to +his apartment, to take rest, Zóra could not help exclaiming, +in ardent tones of love and admiration, "Oh, Abba! I never +heard thee speak as thou hast done to-day. May the Lord +bless and sustain thee to make the people like thyself." But he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +could not reply; his own heart appeared too full for words. That +evening, too, he performed his vow of begging, and people said, +"That is the Dervish who preached to-day, and his child; they +have a vow to beg." And so no one molested them as they sang +their invocations; and Zóra carried her wallet on her arm, receiving +alms from those who heard her sweet thrilling voice, whether they +were Mussulmans or Hindoos.</p> + +<p>But it was necessary to choose which association of Fakeers +the old man should belong to. What had he to hope for in the +world? What had Zóra? Her religious enthusiasm had been +aroused, and she, too, would fain have made an open profession of +her faith, but her grandfather objected. "It is not in thy horoscope, +child," he said, as she urged him to consent with sobs and +tears. "In that are children, and the rank thou art entitled to. +These cannot come through profession as a Fakeer; and shall we, +who have given ourselves up to the guidance of the Lord, dare to +misinterpret His will? Be patient, then, my child, and fear not, for +I believe that what will come to thee will come out of thy faith +and thy endurance." So she was silent, and wept no more; but, +instead, dwelt upon his form whom she had once watched, and +which seemed to rise to her mental vision more vividly than ever.</p> + +<p>It was, however, necessary to decide this serious question of +election. Our old Dervish, by his first and subsequent discourses, +had given proof of his fitness for any grade, even the highest one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +of Musháekh, beyond which only remained that of Wallee, or saint, +and, in concert with his friends, a whole day was spent in deliberation +on the subject. At Sugger were assembled representatives of +all the hundreds of sects of Fakeers existing in the country, of +which we spare the reader the enumeration of, to him or her, +unpronounceable names. There were some who sung odes and +hymns, some who danced, some who played instruments; many +who led lewd, riotous lives, and pretended to do miracles; others +who walked through thorns and danced on hot embers, or took +red-hot chains or ploughshares in their hands, and, dipping them +in powdered resin, wiped off the blaze with naked hands. Some +kept bears, or tigers, or monkeys, which they had tamed and +taught to perform ingenious tricks; others had tame snakes +living in their sleeves or in the breasts of their tunics. Again, +there were others who seared their tongues with hot wires, or +scored their arms or breasts till the blood flowed, or put live +scorpions into their mouths.</p> + +<p>In short, if I, the writer of this chronicle, enumerated all +the sects and their particular professions and means of getting +their livelihood, my readers would see plainly, as the old Dervish +did, that these were but contrivances to get money, or to lead +dissolute lives under the pretence of a godly vow. "And what," +he said, "could a quilted cap and an iron rod like the Kullundurs, +or black turbans and clothes like the devotees of Shah<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +Zinda Mudar, signify as aids to the Turreequt?" He therefore +said to his friends,—</p> + +<p>"All these divisions of Fakeers are delusions, my brothers, +and many of them are delusions of Satan, and work for the ruin +of souls. My own faith is simple, and my course of life is also +simple. Whatever I have been able to do, either in the relief +of the sick or the casting out of evil spirits, I have effected under +the invocation of the noble Saint Peer-i-Dustugeer, the Prince +Syud Abd-ool-Qadir, on whom be peace! Should there be any +professors of his doctrine or ceremonies in this great assemblage, +I pray ye, friends, bring him or them to me, that I may make a +public profession, and be received into the sect as a Moorsheed +(scholar, or novice). I shall henceforward be a Fakeer, and fight +for the faith under the banners of my chosen Lord."</p> + +<p>The Moolla of the mosque, the secretary, and the Kazee, who +had each become devotees of other sects, would fain have had the +old man join that which they themselves had professed; but after +much earnest and learned discussion they could not succeed in +weakening their guest's resolution, and they let him have his way. +A professor of the Qadirea doctrines was soon found, who was a +respectable and learned man from Golconda, who had taken +the degree already, and, in conjunction with our old friend, a +fitting day was soon named and fixed. What a pleasure, too, +it was to receive visits from the officers of the troops stationed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +at Sugger, who were mostly Dekhanies! How pleasant to hear the +old surnames, which he had not heard for years! For here were +Bylmees, Alla-ool-Moolks, Siah-poshas—white standards, black +sunshades—and many others, whose familiar war cries he had +heard in the field. And the commander had the Akhbars, or news-letters +of Beejapoor, and left them for Zóra to read to her grandfather.</p> + +<p>How pleasant it was to hear of old names, and of the +King's progress against the armies of Ahmednugger; watching +every movement of the enemy, yet not striking a blow; but +striving to bring them to reason. Then in one of the latest, the +arrival of Abbas Khan was mentioned, and the accusation against +him and the trial by ordeal, and the praises of the young man +and description of his noble bearing before the Queen, a stripling +as he appeared before a giant, were, you may be sure, dear +reader, read by Zóra with feelings of exultation she could not +repress. She even set to work and copied the whole passage. +Then also Meeah's appointment to command the reinforcement +for the King, and his march out of the city; and that Runga +Naik accompanied him. So he was well, Zóra thought, with glistening +eyes and beating heart, and has cleared himself before all, +even his Queen. I think her grandfather was too much bound up in +his Turreequt to care much about the Beejapoor news, though he +appeared to rejoice at Abbas Khan's victory; but in the Akhbar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +of the next day, in which the discovery of Osman Beg's treason +was detailed, and read by Zóra with emotion, and that he +would be tried before the Queen, the old man suddenly burst +out into an unexpected display of feeling. Hitherto he had +not complained of the outrage to Zóra, except at first, but now +he was passionately excited. "Spare me, O Lord!" he cried, +raising his hands to heaven. "Spare me to help thy justice +before men; then Thou wilt give me tongue to speak his shame +who purposed shame to my child—yea, shame and insult. Ameen! +Ameen!" and again he relapsed into silence. "Thou dost not +say Ameen, girl," he said at length.</p> + +<p>"The Lord, who forgives our sins, can do as He wills, Abba, in +this matter, and forgive if it be good," replied Zóra, gravely. +"Yet I can say in truth Ameen and Ameen to whatever He +willeth. Doubt not, Abba, that truth will be declared, for so my +heart tells me daily, and that this our journey is the way to its +attainment."</p> + +<p>He was again silent for awhile, and then said, "And hast thou +forgiven him, Zóra?"</p> + +<p>"I have forgiven him," she replied, humbly. "He can do me +no harm; and, under the protection of the Lord, he did me none. +For what he purposed to do, Alla will judge."</p> + +<p>"And where didst thou learn this, child?"</p> + +<p>"From your own lips, Abba," she said, humbly; and going to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +him, bent down and kissed his hands and his feet. "From your +own lips, Abba. Dost thou think I forget thy teaching, when all +who hear remember it?"</p> + +<p>"I am rebuked, Zóra, and justly so. If I do not what I bid +others do, of what use is this Turreequt? Let him be mentioned, +no more between us. No, he cannot harm thee now; and let the +Lord deal with him as He pleaseth;" and the old man lay down +and fell asleep.</p> + +<p>Everything had been arranged as to the initiation. The +Musháekh from Golconda, who was a learned and wealthy man, +who lived in an ancient saint's garden and shrine near that fort, and +was much respected by the King, had been one of the audience +when the first of the Dervish's sermons was preached, and he +had continued his visits to the mosque every day, and after the +last he was brought into the old man's apartments, and introduced +to him. He had believed that the venerable preacher was already +a Musháekh of high degree, and was considerably surprised by +his request to be now allowed to enter the order, and fixed the +second day afterwards for the ceremony, giving a detail of what +would be needful. And we will not say what culinary preparations +were made under old Mamoolla and a staff of cooks, who were +hired and put under her orders; but there were sundry pilaos, +birianees, kabobs, and other savoury and delicate viands.</p> + +<p>The cooking, which was for over a hundred Fakeers of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +denominations, had begun early in the morning, and before +noon the Musháekh arrived, accompanied by his friends, and +took his seat in the mosque. Then our old Dervish came +forth, and many wild-looking Fakeers, who had assembled, +were led by the Kazee and the secretary, and being presented +to the holy man, they placed their hands on his head and +bade him welcome. Being asked whether his choice of the Saint +Peer-i-Dustugeer was a true one, the old man produced a diploma +he had received in Tunis, where he had become a disciple, and +which had been sealed with the seals of eminent men. This the +Musháekh put to his forehead and eyes, and kissed it; and it +was handed round for the edification of all who were present; and +no other certificate of the performance of the first ceremony being +needful, the admission to the second was proceeded with.</p> + +<p>Strictly speaking it would have been advisable to have had all +the hair shaved from the old man's head, beard, eyebrows, and +chest; but because of his age this was dispensed with, and a few +hairs were cut from each with a pair of scissors, and his nails pared. +Then he was bathed carefully, and his new garments, carried before +him, accompanied by chaunts from the Fakeers, were given to him +one by one, and certain texts of the Koran repeated. Lastly, his +crown, or cap, which had been beautifully embroidered by Zóra, +was placed on his head. It was of green velvet, and his new tunic +was of green muslin, with a green scarf over all. After that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +had to recite the four forms of belief. He was asked three times +whether he acknowledged the Musháekh his spiritual leader and +guide, and the whole of the assembly as brethren, and he +replied he did. Whereupon a loud shout arose that he was +welcome in the name of all the saints, each man calling out that of +his own.</p> + +<p>After that the crown, which had been removed, was +solemnly put on his head again; his grave cloth was hung +about his neck with spices and perfumes; a new loongee, or +waist cloth, was put on, and a round piece of mother of +pearl tied round his neck. When all this was completed, the +Musháekh took several sips out of a cup of sherbet, handing +it to the old man, who drank it all, while the Musháekh +at the same time bestowed the new name which he was to +bear hereafter. This was Luteef Shah, or King, every properly +elected Fakeer bearing that title; and when the new name +was pronounced, every one greeted it with a joyous shout. +Then the feast began, which had been so liberally provided, that +hundreds of the poor of the town were satisfied as well as the +Fakeers, and the installation of Luteef Shah was long remembered.</p> + +<p>"When you have remained three days in your present grade," +said the Musháekh, "we will raise you to our own, for we are +more in number here than is needed by the order; but it will be a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +simple matter in comparison with this, and confined to our degree +alone." We may, however, spare the reader the detail of these +ceremonies, which were, in truth, simple enough. They all paid +a quiet visit to the tomb of Sofy Surmust, which is a short distance +to the north of Sugger, and is a most unpretending earthen +mound, whitewashed; and a carpet being spread, the head Musháekh +delivered a short address to the old man, requiring him +not only to repeat the confession of faith, but confess all the sins +of his life to be known to God, and to declare in the presence of +the Almighty and that assembly that they would never again be +repeated.</p> + +<p>After this had been done, the instructor repeated all the names +of the chiefs of the sect as they had descended from the founder +and inherited; and a copy of this, which is called "Shujra," was +given to the novice, who was asked whether he acknowledged. A +few gold pieces, as part of the ceremony, were presented to the +Moorsheed, for the old Dervish was still rich; and the sale of +Zóra's pretty caps, drawers-strings, bodices, and other articles, +had produced much more than she anticipated, and the evening +collection more than sufficed for their maintenance. In any case +they had still enough to bear the heavier expenses at Gulburgah, +for the highest order of all, which the old Dervish, under his new +title of Luteef Shah, was determined to attain from the descendant +of the most celebrated saint in the Dekhan, Syud Geesoo Duráz,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +the lineal descendant of the original Wallee, who had come from +Northern India years ago, and become the spiritual leader of the +Moslems' Bahmuny Kings.</p> + +<p>"I am going there myself," said his new friend, "for the Syud +is a great man, and what is more, a truly devout man, which some +of his race have not been. He will welcome you warmly, I know, +for he is, besides being my superior in a religious sense, my truly +loved and intimate friend. I think he will not object, and I have +met with none so worthy of the highest honour as yourself. The +representatives of the Saint Syud Abd-ool-Qadir, of Oodgeer, and +of Sheykh Fureed, of Gooty, and perhaps others, will be present, +who knows? The anniversary at Gulburgah is a very world of +religious zeal, where, if I mistake not, your daily discourses in the +mosque will be attended with the best results; you had better +therefore come with me, for my hareem is with me, and your child +may need both society and protection. We are well guarded, too, +for your kind Sovereign sent soldiers with me, who are enough to +protect us both."</p> + +<p>The proposal was a welcome one, and, after explaining the vow +he had made to beg his way to his destination, wherever that +might chance to be, our old friend finally agreed. It was impossible +for him to walk long stages day after day, but he could at +least do as he had done when he and Zóra entered Sugger. +"Yes," he said, "the Lord carries us on, and finds new friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +and protectors as we go; we desire He will lead us to some +resting-place, where, like our friends from Golconda, we may +find peace."</p> + +<p>As to Zóra, she was supremely happy. The wife of the +Musháekh who had performed the ceremonies was a comparatively +young woman, related to the Saint of Kullianee, a man of the +highest temporal and religious distinction. She had heard of Zóra +through her own women, and welcomed the girl kindly. Zóra had +gone to her in her Syud's dress at first, and was shy, as she always +was; but when her Abba was in the mosque, and when she could +gain time, she ran across the street to the Musháekh's lodgings, +and soon became intimate with her; nor was it the less pleasure +to the lady that during the journey onwards she should have so +pleasant a companion.</p> + +<p>Gulburgah lay to the north, and, therefore, the day of the +Rujub-ool-Ghyb was again Wednesday. Before that, however, a +curious scene occurred between the secretary and her grandfather, +which Zóra, who was seated in the inner chamber of the house, +working diligently to complete an order for some new caps, which +she had to finish before she left, overheard involuntarily. The +worthy secretary was speaking with her grandfather on the subject +of the Turreequt generally, and, indeed, as was his wont, +using gross flattery, which the old man always detested, and +checked sometimes in not very mild language.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If I were the blessed messenger of the Lord Himself you +could not flatter me more," said the old man, roused out of his +ordinary submission to such inflictions. "I pray you cease, and +be silent, as it behoves a modest man like you to do, Meer Sahib. +If you want to pray, why not step into the mosque, and offer your +prayers to the Most High?"</p> + +<p>"But your holiness can assist me in my desire. You can intercede +for me, and without you my prayers will gain no favour."</p> + +<p>"I object to two things in your speech, Meer Sahib. First, that +I should be called your holiness, which is a title for Wallees and +Owleas only; and secondly, to knowing aught of your prayers and +desires, which I cannot assist."</p> + +<p>"But you can assist them," persisted the secretary. "Huzrut, +Huzrut, I am beside myself; unless you help me I shall go +mad."</p> + +<p>"Now, God help thee, poor man," returned our friend. "Why +shouldst thou go mad? Art thou poor, I cannot help thee; art +thou rich, pray Alla to send thee grace to spend it. Thou hast +no children! Well, I have given thy wife a powerful charm, and +I pray it may be efficacious; but still, once more, if any fair one +hath captivated thee, go to the gipsies, and others who sell charms, +and they will take thy riches for them; but come not to me, my +friend, for in that case thou wilt become my enemy."</p> + +<p>"Oh! say not so Huzrut; say not so," said the man, prostrating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +himself. "We are alone, and I fear, yet I would conceal +nothing. I love Zóra-bee, your grandchild, and I cannot live without +her. Pity me, and grant my prayer. See, I eat dust, I cast it +on my head; I am your supplicant, and our friend the Kazee is +here, and we could at least be betrothed, and I would follow you +till——"</p> + +<p>Now, while Zóra within was bursting with suppressed laughter +at seeing the little fat secretary sprawling on the ground before her +grandfather, she saw too, through the screen, ominous signs of a +storm gathering upon the dear old man's face; nor was it long +before it broke.</p> + +<p>"Thou, Meer Sahib, thou, to ask for the only child of one who +is vowed to God. Hast thou considered her birth, her position, and +thine own? Hast thou no perception of thine own meanness? Oh, +good man, verily thou hast eaten dirt, much dirt, and I feel the +helplessness of age and blindness to be a bar against thy chastisement +for the insult. Hast thou said aught to her? Get up and +speak!"</p> + +<p>"I—I—I. No—no. I could not be so rude; but if thou wilt +permit me, I will send a vakeel to her to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Thou shalt do no such thing; she can tell thee herself. She +hath seen thee often, and is not afraid of thee. And thou hast +another wife, O mean blockhead! Zóra! Zóra!" he shouted, +"come hither. God forgive me if I have been rough with him,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +he continued, as Zóra approached the screen hanging across the +door, and said, "I am here, Abba, but I must stay within."</p> + +<p>"Nay, I cannot tell thee," said the old man; "it is too ludicrous. +Let the Meer Sahib speak for himself." And without further ado, +the secretary got up, adjusted his turban, which had become awry, +pressed his waistbelt down on his hips, twisted up his moustachios, +and, in short, improved his appearance as much as was possible, +and began to address the girl in the most high-flown language he +could command. He quoted line upon line of Persian poetry, +comparing her to the rose and himself to a nightingale. He +discoursed on the loves of Joseph and Zuleeka, Potiphar's wife, of +Abraham and Zuppoora, and would have proceeded after the +same fashion, but the old man burst into a peal of laughter so +hearty that the tears rolled down his cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Enough, enough!" he cried, "O Meer Sahib; I am not used +to laughter, and thy speech is irresistible. What sayest thou, +Zóra, wilt thou have this jewel among secretaries, whose tongue is +sweet as honey, to be thy husband, and share his love with the +lady we have left?"</p> + +<p>"He is very kind to me," said Zóra, with a mischievous tone of +raillery in her voice. "Very kind, and I am utterly unworthy of +him. Should so great a man as a Rajah's secretary stoop to a +Fakeer's granddaughter? Touba! Touba! Fie! Fie! And what +would his wife say?" And Zóra could hold out no longer, but +laughed in her turn.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come, Meer Sahib," said the old man, "let us be friends +again, and forget this folly. Return to thine own wife and comfort +her. Thou knowest thy life would not be pleasant if she heard +of this. Go, now, lest others tell her. Go, and God's peace be +with thee, and my blessing, though it is little worth. Go."</p> + +<p>So the poor man departed not a little chagrined. But there is +an old proverb, that men with small round heads, and thin, long +beards, do foolish things, and in this case, at all events, there +was no error.</p> + +<p>Zóra was coming in to speak to her grandfather when the Kazee +entered the court. "What have you been saying to the Meer +Sahib, Huzrut? I met him in the street crying. I think I can +guess; but no matter."</p> + +<p>"What did he tell you?" asked the old man.</p> + +<p>"Well, that my services might be required, and I was not to +return home."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! It is a strange conceit," returned the other, and the +conversation passed into other subjects. They were to set out on +the morrow, and it had been arranged to travel by Shahpoor and +Gogi; for when the old Syud had heard that that town was so near, +he could not resist the opportunity of paying his devotions at the +tombs of the Kings he had served; and in the morning the whole +party mustered by the mosque and set out on their way northwards. +Next day he would be at Almella. Would anyone be alive +who could recognise their once prosperous master?</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER X.<br /> + +BY THE WAY.</h2> + + +<p>At the gate of the thriving town of Shahpoor, a few miles distant, +they were met by the Governor of the fort, an officer of the +Beejapoor Government, and pressed to stay to dinner and such +entertainment as he could provide in the evening; and they +consented, and an excellent house was placed at their disposal. +The town lay at the north-east corner of the great mass +of hills which Zóra had seen from the pass by which they had +entered the valley of Sugger; and the curious fort, surmounting +enormous bare masses of granite rock, stood out with wonderful +effect against the sky. Groups of soldiers appeared on the bastions; +the Royal flag of Beejapoor waved from the citadel, +which contained the excellent house of the Killadar, or commander, +and it was evident the place held a numerous garrison. +Shahpoor had been originally built by the Bahmuny Kings of +Gulburgah, and contains many of their inscriptions; and being a +natural position of great strength, in fact, impregnable, it served +at once as a frontier fort and to keep the Beydur population in +check. There was a nautch in the evening, at which our friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +excused themselves on account of their religious duties; and the +long wide streets of the town being level and well kept, Zóra and +her grandfather had no difficulty in following their hitherto +practised vocation; and, as before, the invocations were sung, +and the wallet, now a consecrated one, carried from one end of +the town to the other.</p> + +<p>The day following, they all went on together to Gogi, where +the mausoleum of the earlier Beejapoor Kings was situated. +They found it a thriving place, full of weavers, and the station of a +large body of cavalry, on account of the excellent forage with which +the neighbourhood abounded; and though by far the greater part +were absent, there were enough to form an imposing force, which +received the holy men as they arrived. Very interesting to them +was the cemetery of the great Kings, and the college attached to +it, which was in daily use.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> It consists of one large interior, with +chapels at the junction of the sides of the octagon; and the architecture +of this, as well as the gateway and front of the building, +is, perhaps, the finest specimen of florid Gothic in the Dekhan, +built entirely of black basalt, exquisitely ornamented and finished. +One by one the graves of the Kings behind were shown to them by +the attendant priests, and these, with the tombs of their wives and +some dependants, occupy a considerable area enclosed by a wall. +When they came to that of Ibrahim Adil Shah, under whom our +old friend had served, he kneeled down beside it and began to sob +and beat his breast. Zóra tried to soothe him, for not, even as yet, +knowing his history, she feared he had been taken suddenly ill, +and would fain have run for medicine; but he put his hand on +her arm, and said—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have not forgotten what you said to me when I called for +vengeance upon Osman Beg. Here lies one who did me injury +more than thou knowest, Zóra; at the remembrance of which all +my worst passions rise into active being. And yet I thank Thee, +O hearer of prayer," he continued, reverently raising his turban, +"that Thou enablest me to say here I do forgive thee, O King and +Royal master, and pray thou mayest have been accepted through +His grace for all the good works thou didst to thousands. Peace +be with thee, and the blessings of the Most High!"</p> + +<p>"What was he to thee, Abba?" asked Zóra, in wonder. +"The attendant tells me that there have been many Kings since +he died."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What he was to me, child, thou wilt know hereafter, perhaps +soon now; but no matter! In the great King Ibrahim I had a +friend who loved me. Since him there have been two Kings, and +the present one, whom I may be spared to see, bears his name. +And yet, O once beloved master, my heart is even now with +thee in the grave, where I must follow thee; and I bless Thee, +O my Lord, that I have learned to forgive even through my +child."</p> + +<p>On the western side of the cemetery was the embankment of +an irrigation lake of some considerable area, and the rain having +fallen plentifully, it was full of water. Then they went and sat by +it, and the soft south-west wind brought the tiny waves to their +feet, and sighed in the noble trees which shaded the cemetery and +the college. They had brought a slight refection with them, and +ate it together, while the old Dervish discoursed on the mysteries +of holiness, or told many a tale of the past, when he, in King +Ibrahim's suite, had halted for the day and performed ceremonies +at the tombs of his ancestors, while the ground for the college was +being measured and the architect explained the work he proposed +to undertake. They attended the afternoon prayer in the college, +which was filled to overflowing with the people and soldiers from +the town; and our old friend addressed them in one of his loving, +persuasive sermons, in which, perhaps from the unlooked-for +occurrences of the day, he was even more eloquent than ever.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Fatehas at the Kings' tombs could not be made ready +that day, and as their companions had no objection, but, indeed, +the contrary, they remained and formed a little procession to the +cemetery, spending a day of quiet peace, such as Zóra thoroughly +enjoyed. She used to say long afterwards, when she was an old +woman, that her second day at Gogi was one of the happiest of +her life, because one of the most thoughtful and impressive; and +how sweet it had been to her to find her beloved grandfather's +mind softening to an habitual cheerfulness and submission. +"Truly," as he said constantly to her, "truly, child, I feel as if the +Lord were leading me in this Turreequt, and that, too, by means +of thee, O beloved! from the first."</p> + +<p>The country from Gogi to Gulburgah is uninteresting, but very +fertile and well cultivated, and for some portion of their first march +many of the Royal cavalry and townspeople escorted them; for the +fame of our old friend had gone before him, and all were desirous +of paying him honour and receiving his blessing. Crossing the +Bheema river by the ferry at Ferozabad, Zóra saw the palace fort +of the famous King Feroze Shah, situated on a high bank of the +river above one of its long deep reaches. But it is now only a ruin, +and was even then in poor condition; and towards the close of +the following day the minarets and domes of the holy city of +Gulburgah were in sight, and it was quickly reached.</p> + +<p>Nothing could persuade our old friend that it should be treated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +like an ordinary town. His heart was full of reverence and thankfulness +at having reached the end of his pilgrimage in safety and +honour, and his new friend was equally reverential. So within +a mile of the entrance gate they dismounted from their litters and +performed a prostration ceremony by the wayside, and walked +on together, Zóra, as was her wont, dressed in her pilgrim's dress, +leading her grandfather. Near the gate the old man had his +sheet spread for alms, and it was not till the time for evening +prayer was nigh that he arose and, guided by one of the +Musháekh's servants, followed his friend to the final place of +destination, which was in a suburb which belonged to the +spiritual Prince of the place, the descendant of the Geesoo Duráz +family, who reigned. The noise and bustle of the crowded Bazar +was therefore avoided.</p> + +<p>Zóra, whose ideas of a city were of the most limited practical +nature, and to whom Sugger, Shahpoor, and Gogi had appeared +immense, was fairly confounded when, in company with her new +friend, they ascended to the terrace of the house which had been +assigned to them by the Prince. Before them were the fine +mausoleums and domes of the original Geesoo Duráz, and the +cemeteries attached to them, the Prince's palace and pretty +gardens, with their fine rows of cyprus trees. In the middle distance +the massive group of the mausoleums of the Bahmuny +Kings, standing apart on an elevated piece of ground, and forming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +a picturesque group, with the still populous city lying at their feet; +while to the left was the strong fort, with its regular fortifications, +and beyond a considerable artificial lake, which the King Feroze, +the merry Monarch of Dekhan history, had had constructed for +his aquatic amusements.</p> + +<p>Gulburgah was, however, an ancient city, for when Zuffir +Khan, the Viceroy of the then Emperor of Dehly, Mahomed +Toghluk, founded the Bahmuny dynasty in A.D. 1347, the +old Hindoo city was selected by him as his capital in the +Dekhan, and continued to be so until, in 1435, nearly a century +afterwards, a new city was built at Beeder, which was finally +adopted as the seat of the Royal Government. During a +hundred years of prosperity, however, under the early portion of +the dynasty, Gulburgah had become a rich and thriving city. It +was the mart for local produce and importations from the coast. +Merchants of Arabia and Persia, nay, of Turkey and the Levant, +resided there, and the courts of the early Bahmunies were magnificent +and wealthy. Thus the city was ornamented with many +public buildings, caravanseras, and mosques, almshouses, hospitals, +and the like, and the fort constructed there was by +far the strongest and most regular in the Dekhan; and within it +the great mosque, which was to have been the exact counterpart +of that at Cordova, in Spain, was begun, and roofed in; +but never completed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + +<p>All these principal edifices are still extant, but much decayed +and ruined. King Feroze's once superb palaces in the fort are +masses of shapeless ruins; but the mosque is as it was left +by the masons and architect, and could be finished were there +anyone to undertake it, and the fort is perfect. The mosques +and other buildings in the city are tolerably preserved; but the +mausoleums of the once haughty Kings are deserted, except by +grazing cattle and goats, which shelter there from the noon-day +heat; and no one lives who bestows a lamp and its oil to light +at night the interior of these noble edifices.</p> + +<p>At the period of the visit of our friends, the city belonged +to the kingdom of Beeder, which, after the extinction of the +Bahmunies, remained in possession of the capital. Gulburgah +was one of the chief cities of the kingdom, and was garrisoned +by a large body of its troops to guard the frontier of the +Bheema river against the armies of Beejapoor. If not, therefore, +equal to its former prosperity, the city was yet in good condition, +and the religious and other edifices were in perfect preservation +and in constant use.</p> + +<p>Nearly three hundred years have elapsed since the time we +write of, and Time, the spoiler, has been busy. The city has +dwindled to a provincial town; the buildings are extant, but many +of them in decay. The tombs of the Kings, so solidly built, are, +perhaps, with the fine old fort, the least changed of all, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +lake below the palace of King Feroze sparkles as brightly as ever +in the sun. The only building and premises as perfect now as +they were three hundred years ago are the mausoleums of the +Geesoo Duráz family, for their possessions have been continued to +them, and they live in their old prosperity and religious honour, and +the attendance of pilgrims at their shrine is as large now as perhaps +it ever was—as devout and as full of faith. But Gulburgah +has a new honour never dreamed of, truly, in the dim past. It is +now a station of the railway line from Bombay, and from it +diverges one branch to Madras and one to Hyderabad—the old +capital of the Golconda kingdom.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The college and cemetery are still perfect, but the former is used no +longer, and is forsaken except at the anniversaries of the several deaths, +when prayers are said in it. The tombs of the Kings are covered by +printed cotton cloths, which are renewed annually. Certain families of +weavers and printers in the town, descendants of the original executers of +these articles, still contribute them, and are paid by the proceeds of certain +lands and rice fields with which the tombs were endowed at first, and +certain payments from the Customs dues; and to the last the Rajahs of +Shorapoor were the hereditary almoners of this bounty, and disbursed it +regularly on every anniversary either in person or by deputy. Gogi now +belongs to the Government of His Highness the Nizam, and it may be +hoped that the ancient custom has not been discontinued, and that the +interesting and beautiful remains have been kept in repair.</p> +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XI.<br /> + +SAINTLY HONOURS.</h2> + + +<p>The sun was just rising as Zóra and her companion, the +Musháekh's wife, looked forth on the splendid scene spread out +before them. Thin blue smoke was hanging over the distant +portion of the city, veiling the details of terraced houses, minarets, +and mosques, and other pretentious buildings, and then passing +into the grey distance which melted into blue and violet lines +up to the horizon. Nearer objects were more defined, and the +mausoleums of the Kings, the fort, and the blue lake, were clear +and beautiful as the sun's rays touched the white and glistening +surface of the massive domes, the slender spires of the minarets, +and the tops of the noble trees which stood around in almost +every direction. From a higher elevation the view might have +been more complete and extensive, but it would have lost the +charm of that lovely combination of objects of all descriptions +which their present situation afforded.</p> + +<p>Zóra's face was flushed and excited, and her large brown eyes +were half filled with tears as she looked around. "Abba cannot +see it," she murmured to herself; "but he may have seen it before,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +when he was young, and I will ask him; but, oh! it is so +beautiful."</p> + +<p>"I used, lady," she continued to her new companion, "to think +our old grim fort and its rocks beautiful; and the deep ravine, +with the cataract, was beautiful, too, only so wild, that they used +to make me tremble very often; but this is more soft and loving, +and one seems to be wrapped in all around, and to feel it in +one's heart. I shall be sorry when we can stay no longer."</p> + +<p>"So shall I," returned the lady. "When I was a barren +woman, with no hope, my husband brought me here, and the saint +blessed me, and my firstborn followed. He is now four years old, +and we have come, as we vowed, to return our humble thanks for +him, and to pray for his welfare always in the future. When +thou hast one like him, Zóra, the only thing thou wilt ever care to +look at will be his eyes; and thy time will come, too. If thou +hadst a mother, she would have arranged this long ago."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," said Zóra, timidly, a manly face she well remembered +rising to her thoughts. "Perhaps; and what is written in +my fate will come to pass."</p> + +<p>"True, child," returned the lady, "but fate needs help sometimes, +though truly before fate contrivance can do but little; still +it may be tried. Now, my husband and I have a little plot against +you both, and that is to take you with us to Golconda, where our +lord the King is, a devout and learned man, who hath great veneration<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +for holy Musháekhs and Dervishes; and he would be charmed +with your grandfather, and would never let him depart; he would +give him estates, and he would take the rank that is due to him. +What think you? As to yourself, I have the noblest husband for +you. He is commander of ever so many horsemen, and holds +estates and lands for their maintenance; and so he is very rich, +and has a beautiful palace in the fort, and gardens. When I +parted with him, he said, laughingly, 'Oh, aunt, bring me the +most beautiful woman you can see, for I have had every girl in +Golconda inspected, and I love not what I hear of any of them.' +I said, 'You are laughing at me, Shere Khan;' but his face +changed, and he said, 'I am not; I swear to thee, by Ayesha, +that I am entirely in earnest.' And who do I know, or ever saw, +but thee, Zóra, who would be worthy of him? Dost thou know +how lovely thou art, with that soft curly hair of thine hanging +about thy neck, and the ruddy glow in thy fair, sweet face? Did +no one ever tell thee how beautiful thou art? Hast thou had no +friend in thy young life?"</p> + +<p>"Maria used to tell me so," replied Zóra, shyly, "and I used +to chide her."</p> + +<p>"Maria! Who is Maria? That is a Nazarene name, surely."</p> + +<p>"She is a Christian lady, one of God's servants, whom chance +sent to us at Juldroog, and she and her brother lived with us."</p> + +<p>"And she wanted thee for him, and made thee a Christian?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," said Zóra, gravely, "she did not make me a Christian; +and for her to think of me for her brother would have been foolish. +He, too, has a vow to God, and could not marry even among his +own people. No, she was only a dear friend, and I owe to her all +that I know, and all that I can do."</p> + +<p>"And where is she now, child?"</p> + +<p>"I know not, lady; alas! I know not. She went from us +with her brother to Beejapoor, and perhaps has gone on to Goa."</p> + +<p>"Thank God!" said the lady; "then there is the better +chance of my plan succeeding, and I will ask my husband to apply +to your grandfather."</p> + +<p>"I know he hath urgent business in Beejapoor, lady, and +hath urgent need to see the King; but what it is he never told +me, and I know nothing of his life."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, as God wills," said the lady; "but if I told Shere +Khan of thee, he would follow thee, I know, as long as he could +trace thee through the Dekhan."</p> + +<p>I will not describe the ceremonies as the travellers paid their +devotions at the mausoleum of the departed saints, or their +respects to the present reigning incumbent. These were no places +for our old friend to display his genius, his eloquence, and his +learning. These and the doctrines of his teaching only shone +forth in addressing crowds in mosques, and on special occasions, +when, as it seemed, inspiration came on him; but one day,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +when he was in the large mosque for prayer—it was some minor +festival day—and there was a crowd of worshippers, and the +Prince was present, he asked leave to deliver the sermon, and the +service was thankfully accepted.</p> + +<p>As the old man took his place on the upper step of the +pulpit, clad in his green dress, and, leaning on his staff, +stretched out his arms, a murmur came from the assembly +which cheered and excited him; and with a short text on the +love of God, his words poured forth in a stream, not in the +soft Persian he had adopted of late, but in the rugged Dekhan +tongue—which had little of ornament or hyperbole in it—which +became a torrent of alternate entreaty, reproach, and assurance, +the like of which had never been heard before then by any. There +were no sophisms, no mysteries, no display of profound erudition, +incomprehensible except to a few; but there was instead instruction +on the true Turreequt, the true path of salvation. He pleaded +humility before God; charity, pity, and love to God and man; +absence of any spiritual arrogance, which was but too prevalent, +and of self-conceit and display. He spoke of the softer graces of +habitual piety, of truth to man and to God, and of sobriety, +patience, and endurance; tenderness in home duties and abroad; +in short, attention to all the godly precepts of the book of God's +messenger, who had inspired it, as he believed, and enjoined constant +thought of the day of judgment, and the trial then of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +profession. Be not offended with me, O Christian reader, for such +things can be taught out of the book you have been told to hold +in scorn, apart from the mystery and sensual doctrines which are +so strangely mingled with them.</p> + +<p>When he concluded, and the blessing was delivered, those +present did not form into knots, to shake hands and give the +salutation of blessing one to another as usual, but, as if by +inspiration, shouted, "A saint! a saint! a miracle hath been +done, for such words were never heard!" and the Prince was +as much excited as any one else, and joined with the rest. Then +he called for his own conveyance, which was a nalkee, or sedan +chair, with two poles and eight bearers, and our old friend was +put into it, and accompanied by the multitude, with torches and +blue lights, and firing of guns, for it was now dark, the procession +passed on to the palace of the Prince, with cries of "A +saint! a Wallee! A miracle, a miracle! Deen, Deen!" burning +clouds of incense, throwing handfuls of perfume powder over +him, and in every way possible testifying their respect and admiration. +Then the Prince took his seat, and called up the +dear old man, and in a voice full of emotion said to him, "Come +hither, for I salute you in the title of Wallee. Thou hast done +a miracle, and the people have seen and acknowledge it, and the +Lord accepts it. Listen while I repeat the sacred words of the +order. And now drink of this cup of sherbet, which, sipped and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +breathed on by me, becomes to thee the sherbet of salvation. +Verily, the Lord hath brought thee to the end of the Turreequt, +and all ye who are present are witness to this. Ameen! Ameen! +It is the Lord's will."</p> + +<p>And all cried aloud, with a hoarse shout, "Ameen! Ameen! +So be it!"</p> + +<p>During this time our old friend had been in a state of which +he remembered very little. He recollected, and afterwards +repeated, the last words of his sermon, and he remembered his +being carried out of the mosque and seated in the nalkee; but of +the wild procession, the shouts, the torches and blue lights, and the +Prince's address, he recalled very little until he received the cup +of cool sherbet, which tasted as if from Paradise itself. Now +he was weary of the excitement; and after attempting to utter his +thanks he seemed to waver to and fro as he sat, and while the +Musháekh and others supported him he stooped heavily forward +and fell to the ground. Then a palanquin was brought, and they +carried him to the house where he lodged; and, revived by the +fresh air, he was able to alight and walk slowly to his chamber, +where Zóra, already made anxious by the sudden rumour that her +grandfather had fainted in the great assembly, received him in her +arms and laid him down on his cushions. As he had been +carried out of the assembly the Prince rose, and cried with up-lifted +hands before all—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Pray God that He do not take the saint from us in this his +present ecstasy!" And all present cried "Ameen!"</p> + +<p>"Pray God that he may live to lead and instruct many." And +again they cried "Ameen!"</p> + +<p>Then the Prince gave the blessing to all, and they departed; +and the precincts of the palace and cemetery soon resumed their +quiet, peaceful character, as the stars shone out in the calm and +fresh atmosphere of night. And Zóra sat and watched.</p> + +<p>For a time her grandfather seemed to sleep calmly; but he +became gradually restless and feverish; and from time to time she +gave him sips of a sherbet of pomegranates, which he took +eagerly. Still he did not appear to recognise her, which +much distressed her. It was evident that the events of the +evening had been too exciting; and his impassioned sermon, +followed by the procession from the mosque, the glare of torchlights +and noise of guns, the clouds of incense smoke, and the final +acceptance as a Wallee, had been altogether more than he could +bear. From time to time he muttered sentences of the Koran, and +seemed to pray. Again he cried aloud, "Karamat! Karamat! +A miracle! a miracle!" and tried to lift himself up from his +pillow, and wave his arm.</p> + +<p>Zóra could not weep, her eyes were dry and burning with +anxiety; all she held most dear on earth lay helpless before +her, and if he passed away in this ecstasy what would she do,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +whither could she go? Who would care for the obscure, friendless +girl who did not even know her own origin? But she could +not wish they had never come. If Alla pleased to take him, it +would be at the crowning point of his earthly life; that which it +seemed his only desire to reach, and which had been attained. +Her new friend, the Musháekh's kind wife, came to her and sat +with her, and told her freely and compassionately that she must be +prepared even for the last; and taking her in her arms, laid her +head upon her breast, and told her she would be a mother to her, +and she was not to fear; and her husband, who also came, bade +her not to fear, for if the Lord took her Abba she would be his and +his wife's child thenceforth. But all these alarms of that strange +night disappeared by the early morning. For the latter part of it +the old man had slept peacefully, like a child; and as the muezzin +was crying the invocation to early prayer, and the sentence, +"Prayer is better than sleep! Prayer is better than sleep! God is +victorious!" he woke, and, to Zóra's infinite joy, sat up with a +gentle, smiling face, such as she had not seen for a long time, +reminding her of earlier days. Then she assisted him to rise and +to perform his devotions; and as he again sat down, she crept to +him, and very timidly congratulated him on his new dignity, and +the honour he had received.</p> + +<p>"Then it was not a dream, child?" he said.</p> + +<p>"No, Abba; it was a blessed reality. Zeenat-bee (that was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +name of the Musháekh's wife) and I were sitting on the terrace +above, after evening prayer. The air was so cool and fresh, and +the city looked so quiet and peaceful; and suddenly we heard a +great hoarse cry arise, and we looked, and blue lights were burned, +and the tombs of the Kings flashed out of the dusk brighter than +day. Then gradually the crowd appeared, and the tumult was +fearful—men struggling with each other to approach the nalkee; +and other palanquins and open litters were in front and behind, +and we thought it was only the customary honour done to the +Prince. But as the procession passed beneath us, and I saw it +was thee, O Abba, to whom they were doing honour, I cried with +all the rest, and Zeenat and I embraced each other. But when +they brought thee, and I looked at thee, and laid thee down, I +feared, yea, I feared thy time had come; yet the Lord hath +spared thee, and thou art a saint now, one that men may worship +without sin."</p> + +<p>There was, indeed, no doubt on that score. All the day, the +highest in holy rank, the Wallees, the Owleas, the Musháekhs, +doctors learned in the law, and private persons in crowds thronged +about the house and its courtyards, and would be content only by +the assurance that the new saint would once more preach to them +in the mosque, and return thanks to Alla the Most High. And on +the third day the old man went in company of the Prince, and +took his place, after prayers, on the upper step of the pulpit. To<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +those present it appeared that he was taller and more dignified +than before; but the Wallee's sermon was not the less passionate +that day. It affected him less, though it seemed to affect his +hearers more; and after it was over, his friend, the Musháekh, led +him about, and he shook hands with many and gave them the +blessing. Then the great procession of the Prince's anniversary +followed; and though on the grandest scale, accompanied by the +troops, and midst the firing of cannon and matchlocks, and blare +of sonorous trumpets and horns, with rockets and blue lights +continually discharged, yet it had not the excitement of the sudden +frenzied rush of the Wallee's recognition, nor the spontaneous enthusiasm +of the crowds that had accompanied him; and their +journey to the mosque, and subsequent return, were of the same +majestic but monotonous character.</p> + +<p>As they were all sitting together quietly after they had returned +home, Ahmed entered somewhat abruptly, and cried out, "I have +heard news. Our King has won a victory, and the King of Ahmednugger +was killed." And on being further interrogated, he said he +had heard it from some soldiers of Beejapoor, who had a vow to +be present at the Prince's procession, and had obtained leave to +come the day after the battle, and the dead were being buried.</p> + +<p>"Go early," said the old man; "see those men, and bring any +that will come to me;" and before mid-day several men came and +gave a circumstantial account of the whole action. Abbas Khan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +and some Beydurs had been foremost in carrying the guns. The +young King of Ahmednugger had charged madly to recover them, +but had been shot dead, and the whole army fled to Puraindah and +sent ambassadors for peace; and when all was completed, the +King would return to Beejapoor—he might even now be on the way.</p> + +<p>"This decides me at once, Zóra," said her grandfather. "The +Musháekh's intentions were truly kind, and I will acknowledge +them; but thy proper home is with Queen Chand, and till I give +thee to her my mind will not rest. After that let it be with us as +God willeth. Let us prepare to go."</p> + +<p>There was yet one ceremony to perform, which was a solemn +leave-taking of the Geesoo Duráz and his fellow spiritual princes +who were at the festival, and many others; and Zeenat-bee had to +present Zóra to the Prince's wife and other great ladies who would +be with her. But poor Zóra's wardrobe, if plentiful for her wants, +was not that of a fine lady. The valuable clothes given to her +by the Ranee of Wakin-Keyra were of Hindoo form, and, therefore, +for the present useless. Her best petticoat was of fine soosi, +her best scarf only plain muslin, not over fine; and the new friend +looked over the clothes in despair. "None of these will answer," +she said; "thou shouldst have satin at least, but it should be +cloth of gold."</p> + +<p>"I have no better," Zóra said; "I have never known better. +What is cloth of gold (kumkhab)?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And thou hast never seen it, O simple child? Stay, I see it +all now." And she went to her apartments, and her servants returned +with her, bringing a bundle. "That is kumkhab," she said +to Zóra, shaking out a gorgeous petticoat of the material, "and thou +shalt wear that, my child; the grandchild of Luteef Shah Wallee is +a princess, and should be clad as one." It was in vain that Zóra +protested she ought not to go at all; but there was no escape.</p> + +<p>How beautiful she looked when Zeenat-bee came and dressed +her. The cloth of gold, the delicate scarf of brocaded muslin, and +all beside seemed, indeed, as the natural costume of the sweet girl; +and as she entered the assembly of ladies with a modest yet dignified +grace, there was not one present who was not struck with her +beauty more than they cared to acknowledge. Nor would her +kind friend receive the clothes back from her. "If my Shere Khan +cannot see thee in them," she said, "you will need them for your +Queen, and they will remind thee of me, Zóra. I see thou canst +not come with us, for thy grandfather's business with the King is +urgent, so I will send thee away, though my heart aches as I +do so."</p> + +<p>And when the time came, for the day of the Rujub-ool-Ghyb +was Thursday, for the march southwards, they took leave of all +with much emotion; and, after paying for what they had used, +the balance was invested in an order by a local banker on +Beejapoor, for they had been warned of robbers, gangs of whom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +frequented large assemblies like that at Gulburgah, and dogged the +footsteps of the returning pilgrims.</p> + +<p>Nothing was wanting on the part of the local authorities to do +honour to "Luteef Shah Wallee," the humble Syud and Dervish of +Juldroog, now the new and accepted saint of the faithful, to be +worshipped whenever he might give up his spirit to the angels of +death, and henceforth to live in Dekhan history, as many as +humble as he had done before. With all his yearning for Beejapoor, +he had yet longings after Golconda, and should his petition +be rejected, there was at least that refuge to be looked to for Zóra +as well as himself. Well! they would soon see, and it could not be +many days before he knew his fate. As before, the four baggage +ponies were laden by Ahmed; and as the "Geesoo Duráz" insisted +on supplying one palanquin and the Governor of the town another, +besides a few horse and foot soldiers as far as Almella, where there +was a station of Beejapoor troops, they were to travel in comfort +and security. But the old man said to Zóra, as she was making +her last preparations to depart, "Child, we have been dazzled by +our prosperity; may Alla forgive us for having neglected our duty +as Fakeers. This we must resume, and therefore keep our old +dresses ready for us."</p> + +<p>"I have already prepared them," she said; "and whenever +thou wilt we will sing the invocation again." Then they set out +for Afzulpoor, near the river Bheema.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XII.<br /> + +DANGER.</h2> + + +<p>The journey from Gulburgah to Afzulpoor was altogether a +pleasant one to the travellers. The morning they left the city was +cloudy and cool, and the soft south-west wind blew refreshingly +in their faces as they proceeded. The plain, after the +stony environs of the city was passed, was rich and fertile, lying +on a gentle slope towards the river Bheema, which ran through its +broad valley in a tortuous course; but unseen, as the floods had +declined, on account of its high, steep banks. The soil was rich +and fertile, and luxuriant crops of jowaree, bajree, and other +cereals, with pulse, oil seeds, and mustard, now in bright yellow +flower, were pleasant to behold, while the air resounded with +songs of the cultivators, who were ploughing and otherwise preparing +their fields for the autumn sowing of cotton, the larger +jowaree, and other products. With the husbandmen it was the +busiest time of the year, and to travellers almost the pleasantest, +for the rains had given place to occasional light showery weather, +which did not affect the roads, while the fleecy clouds tempered the +sun's rays, and the climate was hardly warmer than that of an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +English summer day. Larks were singing in the air, birds were +chirping in every tree, flocks of mynas and paroquets flew +cheerily about, and the whole face of nature was joyful. Our old +friend was very happy. His excitement was gradually subsiding, +and his thoughts were assuming the serenity of his ordinary life. +Though he had been raised to the highest spiritual dignity he +could receive, yet there was nothing of the zealot or bigot in his +nature. If it pleased God, he prayed mentally, to let him remain +at Beejapoor, he might by his teaching temper some of the fierce +intolerance which he knew used to exist there, and might still +continue. He could select some quiet place in which he might +make a garden and build a dwelling sufficient for his small +requirements; and by services at the great mosque, by public +alms, and the donations of the King and nobles of the city, +he hoped even to build a small mosque, and establish a +school and college, in which he could teach himself, and thus +employ his spare time pleasantly and profitably to others. +Possibly, also, some quiet, respectable family might propose +marriage with Zóra. "They tell me," he murmured to himself, +"that she is growing up and is beautiful; but when I asked +her whether I should accept the Musháekh's offer on behalf of +his nephew at Golconda, which, indeed, appeared to be an offer +in every way worthy of her and of me, she wept, and said, +'No! no! no! Abba. Not away from you; I could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +leave you. But if it be the will of the Lord that thou stay not +at Beejapoor, then do with me as thou wilt.' No, she hath no +tie to Beejapoor, no expectation there; so let the issue be as the +Lord willeth!"</p> + +<p>Perhaps, however, the fair Zóra's thoughts were of a different +character. Beejapoor had to her always seemed the goal of her +desires. Every one around her, even at the old fort, had always +spoken of the city as though they belonged to it. She knew +that her father had been an officer in its army, and she had +gathered enough from her grandfather to believe that he had +once served there, though in what capacity she knew not, +and she dare not risk the chance of vexing him by asking. +He had promised that one day he would tell her all, and +she had left the time to his own inclination; now, however, +that they were going there, he might break, perhaps, the long +and painful silence. But this was not all. Despite of apparent +hopelessness, and no knowledge whatever of Abbas Khan's +circumstances, her heart was with him always; and from the +news of him she had heard at Gulburgah, she appeared to have +gained new hope. He was evidently a man of rank; he was +near the King, and if her grandfather went to the King, Meeah +would hear of her and inquire about her. She had no idea that he +could have forgotten her; that the excitement of war, possibly +of some other attachment, might have driven her from his thoughts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +altogether; or that he might already have been betrothed in his +youth. Any or all of such contingencies never occurred to her, and +she still believed that she was not forgotten. If it were so, indeed, +she would continue as she was, and in the vow of the green dress +would be her refuge. Had she not seen others take it at Gulburgah? +And Maria, too, she might be there, and be able to +direct her. In short, more than ever her goal appeared to be +Beejapoor; and though anxious and excited, Zóra was full of +hope; which, if it was vague and undefined, still was hope at +her heart, that had of late grown more vivid than before.</p> + +<p>Mid-day was past, and near a small village there was a garden +field, and a well, overshadowed by a huge peepul tree, where the +party halted for rest and refreshment. Zóra and Ahmed drew +the Syud's small mattress and carpet from the palanquin, and +spread them in the shade; and from her stores old Mamoolla +produced a cold refection she had prepared at Gulburgah over +night. The cool, fresh air and the easy journey had made the +old man hungry, and he enjoyed what had been provided very +heartily. Zóra had not seen him so cheerful for a long time past, +not, indeed, since they had left Juldroog; and it was evident to +her that as he neared Beejapoor his hopes grew brighter and +clearer; but of what?</p> + +<p>"They say, Huzrut," said the leader of the little party of +horsemen, "that the ferry-boat at Afzulpoor makes only two trips<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +across the river on each day; one from this side, when travellers +arrive about the third watch, and the other from the further +side before noon. Now as we cannot reach the town in time +to-day, I have, therefore, sent on two of the horsemen to arrange +that the boat should wait till you arrive to-morrow, and to send +word by the first basket boat crossing that you are coming, and +that lodgings are to be prepared for you in Sinnoor, a considerable +village, where you will be very comfortable."</p> + +<p>"Then we had better move on, perhaps, sir," returned the old +Syud. "I am grateful for your thought of me, and the mid-way +stage cannot be far distant now."</p> + +<p>"It is only a few miles; there is no need to hurry, my +lord," was the reply. "It will be only my infinite regret that +I shall not be able to take the whole of my party with you to +Beejapoor; but it is difficult for horsemen to cross the river when +it is full, and we belong to a different Government; the foot +soldiers will, however, accompany you. You can get them relieved +at Almella, which is customary."</p> + +<p>"Once I am there, sir, I think I can send your men back, for +I am known, or—or—used to be."</p> + +<p>At Almella, thought Zóra; who can remember him there?</p> + +<p>"Zóra," said her grandfather, when they were alone, as Ahmed +and the old woman were packing up what had been used, "Zóra, +listen to me, child, for it will relieve me to tell you. We have not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +preserved our faith with the Lord; we have been exalted by +spiritual pride; we seem to be no longer humble Fakeers, but to +have changed into princes. Though I cannot see, yet I feel that +everyone salutes me. I am called 'Your Holiness,' or 'My +Prince,' or 'My Lord,' and this I regret. We have not begged +alms as we should have done, and as I vowed to do; and I fear +that the Lord will punish me for this great omission."</p> + +<p>"True, Abba," said Zóra, laughing, "we have not begged every +day, for at Gulburgah you said you could not take me among the +crowds, it was not safe; but did I not spread the sheet for +you at the gate of the Prince's palace, when the worshippers +were entering, and in the cemetery, near the grave of the old +saint? And when Ahmed spread it for you in the mosque, was it +not always full? and when people came to the house to get charms +or amulets, and ask for your blessing, did they not leave alms? +Then, grandfather, we have much money, much more than we +need, besides the order on Beejapoor. Why should we beg for +more? Is it not avaricious to do so? Thou hast only to say +Luteef Shah Wallee wants, and riches would be bestowed upon +thee. But, O Abba, we do not want them; we were quite happy +when we were poor."</p> + +<p>"Nay, I am not avaricious," returned the old man, humbly; +"but for my breach of vow I fear. Let us resume our wonted +habit, Zóra, from this evening where we rest for the night, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +give all we get in the wallet to the poor; and to-morrow, as we +wait for the boat, we may as well sing an invocation, and spread +the sheet, and we can make a distribution there also."</p> + +<p>So it was arranged, and they went out to beg that night, and +proceeded next day to Afzulpoor. The people came out in +crowds to see the new saint, whose fame had preceded him, for +there were many Mussulman weavers and husbandmen at the little +town, and some of them had heard the Syud preach, and been +witness to the wondrous excitement when he was taken up and +carried in procession. They would fain have had him stay with +them and preach, for the next day was Friday, the Sabbath; but +he could not be persuaded to break his journey, and must go on +as had been arranged. When he came to the river side, and +his sheet was spread on the green turfy bank, he addressed the +people for awhile in his own homely way, and the sheet was +rapidly covered with small contributions. Then he took a kind +leave of all, and delivered the amount of the collection to the +Patell and authorities of the village to be distributed in charity +to all the poor, and applied to the expenses of the festival which +he knew was at hand. Thus his mind was assured that he had +at last done right, and he would continue the custom; and when +he landed on the other side, it was with a silent prayer that +thenceforth to his destination nothing might interfere with the +tenor of his vow.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p> + +<p>The men who had been sent forward had been able to make +arrangements for our friends, and they were soon comfortable. +They had arrived before the time for evening prayer, and their +dwelling-place adjoined the mosque, where most of the men and +some women of the village had assembled; and now, too, came an +opportunity of saying a few kind words to them all, and the lights +were being lighted in the village before they got up, and Zóra led +her grandfather back to their apartments. He was quite cheerful +then and quite satisfied with what had been done. Zóra and old +Mamoolla pressed him to take his dinner, but he laughingly +said he had eaten so much of the old woman's good kabobs at the +well that he needed no more, and as soon as the cattle had all +come in he would go with Zóra, as the streets would be quiet.</p> + +<p>Gulburgah during the festival had been full of thieves of every +description; indeed, the place had an evil reputation for robbers +at all times. There were not only the ordinary cut-purses and +pick-pockets, pilchers, and night prowlers of such gatherings; but +there were Thugs from the neighbouring counties of Allund, +Gunjooty, and Kullianee, as well as those who lived in the city +itself, carrying on apparently honest trades and occupations, who +marked parties for plunder, joined with them as they departed +homewards, and slew them when they had gone a little distance +with them. For miles, indeed, in every direction were the unhallowed +graves of hundreds, and thousands, perhaps, of those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +who had been thus decoyed and destroyed. There were, too, +Dacoits who attacked the lodgings of pilgrims, or waylaid them on +the high roads, and plundered with little regard to consequences. +Among the latter were many Jutts and Kaikárees, peaceful-looking +people by day, but terrible by night.</p> + +<p>Our readers will not have forgotten, perhaps, the attack on the +old Syud's house at Kukeyra, with the intent to carry away Zóra; +and some of that gang who had escaped, and who lived in small +villages somewhat to the south of Almella, were pursuing their +usual avocations in the festival; by day selling small prayer-mats +to pious Mussulmans, or their women worked bodices, new +and old, or made winnowing fans for cleaning rice and other +grain; but both by night and by day pursuing their hereditary +avocation of thieving. Among these was the boy who had been +released by Burma Naik and sent back to his people with the +grim notice already recorded. He had seen the old Syud at the +public mosque on several occasions; also at the gate of the +Prince's palace, when Zóra and her grandfather spread the sheet +at night, and had dogged them to their lodging. There nothing +could be done, for they were well guarded; but the determination +to exact a heavy revenge for their leader's death and the execution +of their comrades had not lessened; the only point undecided being +how it was to be carried out. Some of the gang were in favour +of a sudden attack in a village where the Syud should rest for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +the night; but when they found out that the old man was proceeding +to Beejapoor, their plan was formed rapidly. They would +not rob the holy man; that would be a sin, and bring misfortune +on them; but they could carry off Zóra, and give her up to +Osman Beg, whom they believed still to be at Juldroog, and +demand from him the reward he had promised. Some of the +gang had crossed the river by a basket boat early in the morning, +with a small litter they had prepared, and which could be easily +carried. Several actually crossed in the great ferry-boat (who +could have suspected them?), and watched our travellers to their +resting-place. Their habit of begging through villages on their +journey in the evening was the best opportunity afforded to the +robbers' plans, and they were determined to follow them up, even +to the gates of Beejapoor, rather than forego their chance. The +village had one large gate to the south, that which opened on the +Almella road, and was in a direct line with the centre street. +Two men had usually charge of this gate, who could be easily +overpowered. It would be impossible to make a rush through it +so long as the village cattle were coming home; but, after that, +there would be no obstacle, and it was with secret satisfaction +that the scouts watched the old man and Zóra, dressed in the +Fakeers' garb, leave their lodging alone, and wander about +the streets, singing their appeals for alms, receiving such as they +were given, and so passing on. At first they had walked through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +side streets, Zóra always leading her grandfather, and warning +him of stones and other obstacles; and at last they emerged +into the broad way, not far from the gate, where there was a +space without houses, which appeared to Zóra very lonely and +desolate, and there were no persons moving about as in other parts +of the village.</p> + +<p>"I do not like this, Abba," said Zóra; "it is so lonely, and you +would not let me bring Ahmed with us. Let us turn back towards +our home. The wallet is already heavy with meal and rice."</p> + +<p>"Why fear, child?" returned the old man, gaily. "Who ever +molests the Fakeer?"</p> + +<p>The words were scarcely out of his mouth when about twenty +men, some of them carrying a small litter, emerged from behind a +wall which concealed a narrow lane, and came running towards +them, crying out, "Clear the way for the bride!" Zóra thought +they were part of a village marriage procession, especially as +there were two torches lighted; and drew her grandfather aside to +let the people pass; but almost before she could think, she found +herself seized, a gag thrust into her mouth, and her grandfather +prostrated by a severe blow from a staff. She was then swathed +in a saree and lifted into the litter, the bearers of which hurried +on at their utmost speed. No noise had been heard of the +slight scuffle; no alarm was given. The two door-keepers were +in the act of shutting to the ponderous gates, which required<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +their utmost strength, and were taken completely unawares. One +of them tried in vain to stop the foremost of the robbers, and +was pierced by a spear before he could cry out; the other, +who attempted to gain the bastion, was struck down on the first +step, and there died. Then the whole gang extinguished their +torches, rushed on down the main road till they came to a side +path which turned more to the east, among the tall fields of +jowaree, pursuing their way in utter silence for the most part, only +interrupted by occasional whispers among the gang.</p> + +<p>Poor Zóra was utterly helpless. The gag which had been +stuffed into her mouth nearly choked her; the cloth by which she +had been swathed up to her throat prevented her moving her +hands. She remembered when the slaves of Osman Beg took her +up at Juldroog they had done it gently, and she could at least +breathe freely and scream for help; but this attack on her had been +more savage, more determined—was this also her enemy's contrivance? +She could not but think so; and his emissaries must have +followed her even from Kukeyra. Whither were they taking her? +She could see nothing, for the cover of the litter was of black coarse +blankets, and was tightly fastened down. Without, too, the night +was dark, and a drizzling rain had set in. She felt stupefied by +her position, and her thoughts could take no coherent form whatever. +For several hours the gang pursued their first rapid +pace, not halting to relieve each other under the pole of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +litter, but one displacing another, as necessary. The men were not +professional bearers, with their regular step; but persons unaccustomed +to carry loads, and, in consequence, the poor girl +was sorely shaken and bruised against the sides of the narrow crib. +She could breathe, but that was all; and any chance of making +herself heard was impossible. At last they stopped and set down +the litter. Zóra could hear the gentle rushing of water, and supposed +the gang had halted to drink, as one of them, slightly +opening the side of the litter, felt about until he found her face, +and, to her infinite relief, drew the gag out of her mouth. To her +surprise the man was civil, and said in good Canarese,—</p> + +<p>"You will be thirsty, lady, and here is water; drink. But if +you attempt to call out, I cannot answer for your life; you must +die. Do you understand?"</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" she asked, faintly; "and what have you done +with my grandfather?"</p> + +<p>"Make yourself easy about him," said the voice; "he is safe +where you left him. Ask me no questions, for I cannot answer +you; and you will know the rest in time. No harm will come to +you, and we dare not injure a hair of your head; but you must +save yourself by being perfectly passive. If you cried out so as to +cause alarm, my brothers would spear you, and leave you as you +are."</p> + +<p>Zóra drank eagerly of the water, and felt refreshed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +strengthened. The gag was not renewed, and with her teeth she +contrived to bite a small hole in the blanket covering. She saw +the gang at a short distance sitting together, and their hookah +passing round among them. It was too dark to distinguish individual +figures, but the sound of the gurgle of the hookah, and its +bright light when drawn, showed her their position, and occasionally +flashed upon the water which flowed by. Again the man who had +before spoken said, "Wait till daylight, and I will bring you some +roasted corn. The grain is full and sweet now. You are likely to +get little else for two or three days, and if you are quiet you may +be let out for a few minutes."</p> + +<p>Zóra could not reply. With the drink of water her senses had +revived, and the agony of her position became more and more +clearly realised. She did not lose her presence of mind; but the +impossibility of escaping from so many active and unencumbered +men was not to be thought of for a moment. All she could do +was to commend herself to the merciful Alla, who alone could +effect her deliverance. Strange to say, she had still hope, which +her faith served to increase; and if she sobbed and wept almost +unceasingly, there yet seemed to be something whispering at her +heart, "Fear not, for I, the Lord, am with thee!"</p> + +<p>Presently the men took up the litter and moved on, but more +slowly than before. They were unaccustomed to carry such a +burthen, and already some were complaining of chafed shoulders.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +Would they put her down and disperse? Then daylight broke; +but the rain did not cease, and the fields of corn and cotton, +through which they held their way, grew muddy and soft, and the +men could proceed with difficulty.</p> + +<p>"We must seek for some shelter," said a voice, which appeared +to have authority among the gang. "We are now on the lands of +Kohutnoor, and we may find a shepherd's hut somewhere; and two +of you run to Hippurgah and see if some of our people will come, +for we must go on again at nightfall."</p> + +<p>After this speech Zóra found her litter put down, and the +opening of the covering was untied; then she was taken out, and +carried into a rude field hut and laid on the ground, but the +bandages were not loosened. There we must leave her for the +present, and relate what had befallen her grandfather.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> + +Deliverance.</h2> + + +<p>As we have already stated, there was no alarm at the gate of +the village when the Syud was struck down. Of the two watchmen, +one was dead, the other senseless from loss of blood. +Ahmed and old Mamoolla were, however, now anxious about their +master and Zóra, and Ahmed went to the village Chaoree to ask if +they had passed that way. "Yes," said the watchmen on duty for +the night; "we heard them singing a long time ago, and supposed +they had gone home, as the singing ceased all at once; but we will +come and look—some one has doubtless asked them to remain." +But they could not be found or heard of, and all were in much fear +and perplexity. Could Zóra have stepped incautiously into a well, +and drawn her grandfather after her? But no, there were only two +wells in the village, and though lights were lowered into them +nothing was seen. At last a cry was heard near the gate, and +then someone, who had wished to go out to his field, gave the +alarm that murder had been done; and Ahmed and the rest ran +with lighted torches, saw the two bodies of the watchers, and +looking about, found the old Syud, lying where they supposed he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> +had fallen, near the wall. At first, as blood had issued from his +head, they all thought he had died, and they took him up reverently +and carried him to his lodgings, where they discovered signs of +life; still he had no perception of anything, and was not able to +speak. The barber, who had been summoned, said the wound was +slight, but that the blow had caused insensibility, and fomentation +must be continued.</p> + +<p>So the night passed, and the whole of the village was disquieted +and alarmed. The idea of so holy a person as Luteef Shah Wallee, +the new saint, being killed in the place, and his granddaughter +carried off, was almost beyond belief. Several parties of the +villagers, accompanied by the Gulburgah escort, went out to search +in the fields, but returned. What could be done in the darkness +and rain among the tall heavy crops? They must wait till +morning; and in the morning consciousness came to the old man, +though it seemed to those around him that it would have been +more merciful if he had died. Who could console him? Who +could satisfy him about Zóra? Who had taken her, and why? Not +for her ornaments, for she had put on only those she usually wore, +of small value, all the rest were packed up. When the day dawned +some light was thrown on the affair by the tracks of a number of +men in the corn-fields, and by broken stems of the corn, and they +continued as far as the boundary of the next village, through which +they evidently went; but it was no concern of the watchmen of that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +village to trace the thieves unless they were well rewarded; and +who was to pay them?</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the old man raved, and called on Zóra without +intermission. At times he even became frantic, and with difficulty +could be restrained from attempting to proceed on foot. +"Take me to Zóra! Take me to the child! Take me to Almella! +Lay me at the feet of Chand Beebee, she will give me justice for +my child. Oh, Abbas Khan! she watched by thy side; go to her, +save her, and give her into my arms. Am I not Luteef Shah Wallee +now? and my blessing or my curse are at least powerful. Yea, I +will bless thee!"</p> + +<p>"It is no use keeping him here," said the barber; "his case is +beyond my skill. They have a surgeon and a doctor with the +soldiers at Almella, take him thither;" and the litter was soon +made ready, and the sad procession departed. It was nearly +evening when it reached Almella, where it was met by a +crowd of people who had heard of the outrage; and a +comfortable lodging had been prepared, where the old man +was reverently deposited. He was now calmer, but grief +lay heavy on him, very heavy; and what could console +him? When he could think coherently, he accused himself +of neglect of his vows; he accused himself of incautiousness; +and if she returned not, he prayed for death, +Here, whence the Lord had taken him in his prosperity to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +blindness and poverty, would be the fitting place for him to die. +Towards evening he became calmer, and asked if any of the +people of Almella were present, and the Patell, and the Putwari, +and the Moolla of the mosque came to him.</p> + +<p>"Are any of ye old?" he asked; "as old as I am?"</p> + +<p>"No!" replied the Moolla; "but my grandfather, who is very +old, can be sent for."</p> + +<p>"Ay, that will be Sheykh Oomur, perhaps; yes, send for +him." They wondered why the name should be remembered, but +sent for him. When he arrived, the Syud, taking his hand, said, +"If thou art Sheyhk Oomur, thou wilt not have forgotten Syud +Ahmed Ali."</p> + +<p>"Syud Ahmed Ali, the physician!" cried the Moolla, peering +into the other's face, for he was nearly blind himself. "Yes, it is +he! it is he! Oh, master! I, thy pupil, have not forgotten; and to +see thee here, and in this sore plight. Ah! it is the Lord's will."</p> + +<p>"Tell them all—all," cried the old Syud, with fresh vigour, +"that I am here once more. God, the Highest, hath brought me +to recover my child and my honour. Go! arouse all to bring +Zóra back to me or I shall die."</p> + +<p>"It is the Syud, surely," said many old people who looked on +the aged features with compassion, and well remembered them; +and the authorities of the little town and of the detachment of +soldiers sent out parties in search, one of which found the track,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +many hours old, as they knew from the state of the broken +herbage and corn, and returned unsuccessful. And the old +Syud, becoming hopeless in his grief, though relieved of much of +his pain by the doctor who had been summoned, was, they +thought, going to turn his face to the wall and die. But still he +had not asked for the prayers for the dying to be recited, and was +constantly crying out, "He will not take her to shame or death; +he will restore her to me. Zóra! Zóra! come soon, else I die; +and I have told thee nothing." Once he said to the Moolla and +others who sat nigh him, "Oh, friends, if I die, bury me here; but +take my child to the Court, lay her at the feet of Queen Chand, +and say I, Luteef Shah Wallee, sent her for justice." Then, as if +he had no more to say, he turned on his side and appeared to sleep.</p> + +<p>Just as day was breaking he sat up suddenly, but with vigour, +and putting his hands to his ear, said, in a strong voice, "I hear +a Beydur's horn; I hear the Beydurs' drums; and they bring me +my Zóra! Oh, my child, come quickly, lest I die of joy!" At first +those who heard him—the kind doctor, Ahmed, old Mamoolla, +and others—thought what he had said was part of his delirium; +but Ahmed rushed out, ran to the top of the house, and looking +southwards, saw the blaze of torches and about fifty dusky forms +approaching at a rapid pace, while the creaking of the gate of +the town showed that it was being opened. As the procession +approached nearer, the sonorous drums of the Beydurs beat a joyful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +march, their horns blew a victorious blast; and Ahmed ran down +again to the apartment, and cried out, "It is true! it is true! +Rejoice!" and fled forth to meet the lost girl, weeping like a child. +And onwards came the body of men encircling a good palanquin, +and the town musicians had mingled with the Beydurs, and the +din and clamour were deafening. Then, as they put down the litter +at the steps of the house, Zóra stepped from it, and standing erect +on the highest, cried out, "The Lord bless ye all, friends, for I am +safe. By your aid ye have saved me from dishonour and from +death." But she could hardly speak, and her cheeks were wet with +tears, which glistened in the torchlight. In an instant more she +had crossed the little courtyard, reached her grandfather's bed, +and exclaiming, "Abba! Abba! God has saved me, and brought +me to you again when I had no hope left!" But the old man could +not speak coherently; indeed, the revulsion from a dim hope +to a blessed reality had almost cost him his life.</p> + +<p>They sat together the whole day, Zóra scarcely stirring from +his side, and only urged by pressing hunger to leave him at +all; for Mamoolla had said, "Poor dove, they only fed it with +green corn and milk, and that was not food fitted for her; and the +best I can cook shall be hers and the master's, who, after all, has +only a broken head; but then he is not a wrestler or a sword-player." +Zóra's story was not a long one. When she was put into +the hut with only two men to guard her, the rest of the gang<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +dispersed into the corn-fields to hide themselves, as the husbandmen +would soon be abroad. Now the hut was nearer to Kokutnoor +than Hippurgah, and a shepherd boy who had been watching +sheep all night had seen the procession, and saw where something, +he could not tell what, had been deposited. Over night a +large body of Beydurs, on their road from the King's camp by +Sholapoor to their homes, had put up at Kokutnoor; and the lad, +well knowing their habits, went to the leader and told him that Dacoits +had halted in the fields and hidden their booty in a solitary hut. +"They are Káikarees and Jutts," said the lad, "and the brother +of Kulloo Naik, who was killed at Kukeyra, is their leader."</p> + +<p>The Beydur chief who was in command of the party was soon +aroused, and among his men were some of Runga's and some of +Burma Naik's people; and it was at once determined that the +Dacoits should be surprised and their booty captured. So, +through the cover of the tall grain fields, they were guided by the +lad until they came close to the hut. The two men who guarded +it were speared without mercy, and, said Zóra, "I expected no +less than death, when several of the men who had served at Juldroog +found me, bound as I was, and were distraught with joy. They +took me into the air, unbound me, and chafed my arms and my legs. +They carried me into Kokutnoor; then bearers were sent for from +Hippurgah, and I was fed, and had milk to drink, and I am quite +well, and it is like a new birth to see your dear face once more."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> + +<p>What could he reply? What more could Zóra say? And so +they sat without speaking much till the day waned, and the +fatehas they had ordered were ready, when Zóra arose to distribute +the money offerings to the poor, and the alms that had been +in the wallet were part of her liberal donation.</p> + +<p>The next day, the Beydurs having remained as their guests, +and enjoyed a great feast, all those that belonged to Runga +and Burma's divisions declared they would attend the Syud +to Beejapoor. Runga would never forgive them if they did +not; and there was no hurry about moving, as the King +was yet detained north of the river. In the evenings, then, as the +old Syud sat in the porch of the house, under pretence of begging, +for he was weak still, and could not walk, the Beydurs came and +told him tales of the war, and how Abbas Khan, Runga Naik, +and his men had carried by storm the great battery of Ahmednugger +guns, and Runga had been made a noble on the spot, while +the blood was yet wet upon his sword. Poor Zóra! how her heart +swelled at the narration, and how hope was revived, which for a +time had appeared dead.</p> + +<p>When the time came they moved from Almella, and reached +Allapoor the day before the King was to enter the city. Thousands +were passing on horseback, thousands were going to meet friends +long absent, and no one noticed the blind old man and a +girl, dressed in pilgrims' clothes, who, as they entered the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> +gate of the great city, kneeled down, and gave thanks to God. +The old Syud's face beamed with gratitude and joy. As to +Zóra, the splendour of what she saw almost overpowered +her; but she led her grandfather forward in the direction +of the citadel, and on a piece of close green sward, near +the open road by which the King would pass, they spread +their sheet, and began at intervals to sing the best of their +holy chants; and passers-by threw alms to them liberally and +freely, begging the old man's blessing. Gradually the booming +sound of the King's kettledrums, and the huge pair which were +carried by the standard elephant, were heard, and the old man +remembered them, and said to Zóra, "They are near now; let +Ahmed keep the sheet, dear, and you will see the King." Not long +afterwards the people on the towers of the gates, the bastions, and +in every available place they could get to, began to shout and +wave scarves; and every house within sight hung out costly shawls, +cloth of gold, and rich garments out of windows and over the +parapets of their houses, till the city was like a garden of tulips. +Following the procession were hundreds of war elephants, dressed +in their richest caparisons, their bells jangling with a strange +clamour, and the music of the nobat playing a march of victory.</p> + +<p>These, however, were of little interest in comparison with the +King's own circle, which occupied nearly the centre of the procession, +and having entered the gate, advanced more slowly. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +the midst rode the young King, wearing, like the Queen, a tunic of +dazzling white cloth of gold, and a morion with a crown of flashing +jewels. He was smiling, as he greeted the people with constant +waves of his hand, while his beautiful horse caracoled beneath +him. Near him rode Abbas Khan, and other officers of rank; +and Zóra could see Runga Naik in his new uniform of cloth of +gold. The horses pranced and curvetted, tossing their heads and +neighing; and the King, drawing rein for a moment, pointed out +the Syud and Zóra, asking apparently who they were, when Abbas +Khan, who now saw them also, dashed up to the King, and +said, "It is Syud Ahmed Ali, of whom I spoke." At the same +moment the old man, who had been standing, rushed forward over +the sheet, and with a loud cry of "Daad! Daad!" tottered and +fell on his face, nearly across the Royal path.</p> + +<p>"Bring him on with you, Abbas," cried the King; and the +young man turned at once to his old friend, throwing a glance at +Zóra, which rested on flashing eyes bedewed with tears of joy, and +cheeks burning with excitement, as he cried to her, "Zóra! is it +thus we meet? Fear not now, for all will be well!"</p> + +<div class="center space-above"> +End of the Second Volume. +</div> + +<div class="center space-above"> +<i>Spottiswoode & Co., Printers, New-street Square, London.</i><br /> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<div class="transnote"> +<h2>Transcriber's Notes</h2> + +<p>Obvious errors of punctuation and diacritics repaired.</p> + +<p>Hyphen removed: waist-band (p. 14), waist-belt (p. 231), white-washed (p. 226).</p> + +<p>Hyphen added: horn-blower (p. 72).</p> + +<p>P. 7: "chesnut" changed to "chestnut" (a big chestnut horse).</p> + +<p>P. 28: "obesiance" changed to "obeisance" (making an obeisance to the Queen).</p> + +<p>P. 47: "to" changed "too" (that she had done too herself).</p> + +<p>P. 69: "irrruption" changed to "irruption" +(resist any irruption of marauders).</p> + +<p>Pp. 75-76: "Shekh" changed to "Skeykh" three times.</p> + +<p>P. 139: "a" added (might have been a matter of accident).</p> + +<p>P. 160: "seiges" changed to "sieges" (through several +separate sieges).</p> + +<p>P. 186: "villany" changed to "villainy" (undertake any villainy).</p> +</div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44583 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/44583-h/images/cover.jpg b/44583-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..853d93a --- /dev/null +++ b/44583-h/images/cover.jpg |
