The litigation dragged its weary length from the Criminal to the
Civil Courts, and thence to the High Court, where at last Asimuddin
met with a partial success. Eighteen months passed in this way. But he
was a ruined man now--plunged in debts up to his very ears. His
creditors took this opportunity to execute the decrees they had
obtained against him. A date was fixed for putting up to auction every
stick and stone that he had left.
It was Monday. The village market had assembled by the side of a tiny
river, now swollen by the rains. Buying and selling were going on,
partly on the bank and partly in the boats moored there. The hubbub was
great. Among the commodities for sale jack-fruits preponderated, it
being the month of _Asadh_. _Hilsa_ fish were seen in large quantities
also. The sky was cloudy. Many of the stall-holders, apprehending a
downpour, had stretched a piece of cloth overhead, across bamboo
poles put up for the purpose.
Asimuddin had come too--but he had not a copper with him. No
shopkeepers allowed him credit nowadays. He therefore had brought a
brass _thali_[22] and a _dao_[23] with him. These he would pawn,
and then buy what he needed.
[22] _Thali_: plate.
[23] _Dao_: knife.
Towards evening, Bipin Babu was out for a walk attended by two or
three retainers armed with _lathis_.[24] Attracted by the noise, he
directed his steps towards the market. On his arrival, he stopped
awhile before the stall of Dwari, the oilman, and made kindly inquiries
about his business. All on a sudden, Asimuddin raised his _dao_ and
ran towards Bipin Babu, roaring like a tiger. The market people
caught hold of him half-way, and quickly disarmed him. He was forthwith
given in custody to the police. Business in the market then went on as
usual.
[24] _Lathis_: stick.
We cannot say that Bipin Babu was not inwardly pleased at this
incident. It is intolerable that the creature we are hunting down
should turn and show fight. 'The _badmash_,' Bipin chuckled; 'I
have got him at last.'
The ladies of Bipin Babu's house, when they heard the news, exclaimed
with horror: 'Oh, the ruffian! What a mercy they seized him in time!'
They found consolation in the prospect of the man being punished as
he richly deserved.
In another part of the village the same evening the widow's humble
cottage, devoid of bread and bereft of her son, became darker than
death. Others dismissed the incident of the afternoon from their minds,
sat down to their meals, retired to bed and went to sleep, but to
the widow the event loomed larger than anything else in this wide
world. But, alas, who was there to combat it? Only a bundle of wearied
bones and a helpless mother's heart trembling with fear.