At the entrance to the village Harry found the ten troopers, whom
Abdool had engaged, standing by their horses. He gave the order for
them to march and, at a brisk canter, they started for Ahmednuggur.
It was a ride of some forty miles and, when they approached the
town, they halted until the sun rose and the gates of the city were
opened.
They then rode in. The men were left at a khan, Abdool remaining
with them. They had been told, if questioned, to say that their
leader, Musawood Khan, was an officer high in the service of
Scindia.
Harry took two of the troopers with him, and rode to the governor's
house. Dismounting, and leaving the horse in their charge, he told
one of the attendants to inform the governor that he was the bearer
of an order from Scindia, and was at once shown up.
The governor received him with all honour, glanced at the order
that Harry presented to him, placed the seal against his forehead
in token of submission; and then, after a few words as to affairs
at Poona, called an officer and ordered him to accompany Musawood
Khan to Nana Furnuwees' apartment. This was a large room, at an
angle of the fortress, with a balcony outside affording a view of
the country round it; for the governor, knowing how rapidly and
often the position changed, and having no orders save to maintain a
careful watch over the prisoner, had endeavoured to ingratiate
himself with him, by lodging him comfortably and treating him well.
The officer opened the door and, when Harry had entered, locked it
behind him. Nana Furnuwees was seated at the window, enjoying the
fresh morning air. He looked listlessly round, and then rose
suddenly to his feet, as he recognized his visitor.
"What wonder is this," he said, "that you should be here, Mr.
Lindsay, except as a prisoner?"
"I am here as one of Scindia's officers," Harry replied, with a
smile, "although he himself is not aware of it, in hopes of
obtaining your freedom."
"That is too good even to hope for," Nana said, sadly.
"In the first place, sir, are you aware of the state of things in
Poona?"
"I have heard nothing since I came here," Nana said. "They make me
comfortable, as you see but, except for the daily visit from the
governor, I have no visitors; and from him I learn nothing, as he
has strict orders, from Scindia, not to give me any information of
what happens outside these walls; fearing, no doubt, that I might
take advantage of any change, to endeavour to open communication
with one or other of the leaders.
"Before you tell me anything else, please explain how you managed
to enter here."
"That was easy enough, sir. I simply wrote out an order, to the
governor, to permit me to have a private interview with you. I tore
down one of Scindia's proclamations, and transferred his seal from
it to the order that I had written; dressed myself, as you see, as
one of his officers; got together ten mounted men, to ride as my
escort, and here I am."
"You will be a great man, some day," Nana said, looking at the
tall, powerful figure of his visitor, with its soldierly carriage.
"Now, tell me about affairs. I shall then understand better why you
have run this risk."
Harry gave him a sketch of everything that had happened, since his
confinement.
"You see, sir," he said, as he concluded, "how the situation has
changed. Amrud is nominally acting with his brother's approval, but
there is no question that Bajee fears him. Amrud is in alliance
with Holkar. Purseram Bhow is at liberty, at the head of an army,
and a nominal conciliation has taken place between him and Bajee.
The latter has incurred the detestation and hatred of the people of
Poona and, most important of all, Scindia is really anxious to get
back home, but is unable to do so owing to his inability to pay his
troops and, willing as Bajee might be to furnish the money to get
rid of him, he is without resources, owing to the fact that the
taxation wrung from the people has all gone into the pockets of
Scindia, Ghatgay, and his other favourites.
"The question is, sir, whether you would be willing to purchase
your liberty, at a heavy price. I think that, if you could pay
sufficient to enable Scindia to satisfy his soldiers, he might be
induced to release you."
"How much do you think he would want?"
"Of that I can have no idea, sir. Of course, he would at first ask
a great deal more than he would afterwards accept."
"Yes, I should be ready to pay," Nana said, after considering for a
minute. "As a prisoner here, my money is of no use to me, nor ever
would be; but I could pay a large sum, and still be wealthy."
"That is what I wanted to know, sir."
"But why do you run this risk?" Nana asked.
"For several reasons, sir. In the first place, because you have
honoured me with your friendship; in the second, because I would
fain save the people of Poona from the horrible barbarity with
which they are now treated; and lastly, because the Government of
Bombay would, I am sure, be glad to hear of your reinstatement, as
the only means of restoring peace and tranquillity to the Deccan."
"How will you open this matter to Scindia?"
"I have not fully thought that out, sir; but I have no doubt that I
shall, in some way, be able to manage it, and intend to act upon
his fears as well as upon his avarice."
"But you say that Ghatgay is all powerful, and he would never
permit an interview to take place between a stranger and Scindia."
"From what I hear, sir, Scindia is becoming jealous of Ghatgay's
power, and disgusted both by his imperious manner and by his
atrocities in Poona--against which he has several times protested,
but in vain. If I am to obtain an audience with Scindia, it must be
a secret one."
"But there will surely be great danger in such a step?"
"Doubtless it will not be without danger," Harry said, "but that I
must risk. I have not yet determined upon my plan, as it would have
been useless to think of that, until I had seen you but, as that
has been managed so easily, I fancy that I shall have no great
difficulty in getting at him. Once I do so, I feel certain that I
shall be able to convince him that his best policy is to free you,
and place you in your old position as the Peishwa's minister as, in
that case, you would be a check upon Bajee Rao, and would be able
to prevent him from entering into alliances hostile to Scindia."
"Well, Mr. Lindsay, you have given me such proofs, both of your
intelligence and courage, that I feel sure that, if anyone can
carry this through, you will be able to do so; and I need hardly
say how deeply grateful I shall be, to you, for rescuing me from an
imprisonment which seemed likely to terminate only with my life."
"And now I had better go, sir," Harry said. "It is as well that our
conference should not be too long a one."
"Well, goodbye, Mr. Lindsay! Even if nothing comes of all this, it
will be pleasant for me to know that, at least, I have one faithful
friend who was true to me, in my deepest adversity."
Harry went to the door, and knocked. It was immediately opened by
the officer who had conducted him there, and who had taken up his
post a short distance from the door. He led Harry back to the
governor, who pressed him to stay with him; but he replied that his
orders were to return to Poona, instantly.
After this interview, he went direct to the tavern where the
soldiers had put up, ate a hasty meal, and then mounted and rode
out of the town. When ten miles away, he halted in a grove for some
hours, and then rode on to Poona. Arrived within a mile of the
town, he paid each of the men the amount promised, and told them to
re-enter the town separately. Then he secured a room for himself in
a small khan, just outside the city and, sitting there alone,
worked out the plan of obtaining an interview with Scindia.
He then told Abdool to go quietly to the Residency, and to bring
out the Brahmin's dress he had before worn. In the morning, Abdool
went out to Scindia's camp with a letter which, when Scindia came
out of his marquee, he handed to him. There was nothing unusual in
this, for petitions were frequently presented in this way to rulers
in India.
As he did so, he said in a low voice, "It is private and important,
Your Highness;" and instead of handing it to one of his officers,
Scindia went back to his tent to read it.
It stated that the writer, Kawerseen, an unworthy member of the
Kshittree Brahmins, prayed for a private interview with His
Highness, on matters of the most urgent import. Scindia thought for
a moment and then, tearing up the piece of paper, went out and, as
he passed Abdool, who was waiting at the entrance, said:
"Tell your master to be here at half-past ten, tonight. The sentry
will have orders to admit him."
Abdool returned at once to Harry, and delivered his message.
"That is good," the latter said.
"You will take me with you, sahib?"
"Certainly, Abdool, if you are willing to go. There is some danger
in it and, should Scindia give the alarm, you may be of great
assistance, by cutting down the sentry before he can run in. Take
your pistols and tulwar, and bring another sword for me. If I can
once get out of the tent we shall be fairly safe for, in the
darkness and confusion which will arise, we shall be able to make
off quietly. We will ride there, and fasten our horses in that
grove that lies about a quarter of a mile from the camp."
At half-past nine they started, and reached Scindia's tent at the
time appointed. Harry's belief that he would succeed was largely
founded on the knowledge that Scindia was a weak young man, who had
never been engaged in warfare, and was wanting in physical courage.
An attendant was at the door, and led him to the prince's private
tent, which stood in the middle of an encampment composed of large
tents; for the purpose of receptions and entertainments, for the
abodes of the ladies of the zenana, and for the officers in whom
Scindia reposed most confidence. The retinue of servants,
attendants, and minor officials were lodged in tents fifty yards
behind the royal encampment.
Scindia was sitting on a divan. Two lamps hung from the ceiling. He
himself was smoking.
"You have something of importance to say to me?" he said, as Harry
entered, and bowed deeply.
"I have, Your Highness. You are doubtless well aware that the
Kshittree Brahmins, who formerly held the principal offices under
your father, are greatly offended by the elevation of Ghatgay; and
still more so by his atrocious deeds in the town of Poona. There
has been a private meeting, and twelve of them, myself among the
number, have sworn by the feet of Brahma to take your life, either
by poison, dagger, or musket ball."
"And you have the insolence to avow that you took such an oath!"
He sprang to his feet, and would have touched the bell on the table
but, in an instant, Harry sprung forward with a loaded pistol,
pointed at Scindia's head.
"Stop, sir, I beg of you; for assuredly, if you raise a voice or
touch a bell, that moment will be your last."
Scindia sank down into his seat again. He had not the least doubt
that the man before him would execute his threat.
"Your Highness," he said, "I have not come here for the purpose of
assassinating you. I was first on the list, but obtained from the
others permission to endeavour to put an end to the present state
of things, before carrying out our vow. We know that, in spite of
the enormous sums that Ghatgay has raised in Poona, you yourself
have not been enriched; and that you have been unable to persuade
your troops to march, owing to your want of money to pay up their
arrears. We have thought the matter over, and can see but one way
by which you can obtain the necessary funds."
"And that is?" Scindia asked.
"That is, Your Highness, to liberate Nana Furnuwees--setting his
liberty, of course, at a high price. In this way you will not only
be able to move your army, but you will cripple the power of the
Peishwa--who would, if possible, overthrow you, now you have done
his work and freed him from Nana.
"You are well aware, Prince, that Nana Furnuwees always exercised
his authority on the side of peace, and there is no fear that he
will permit Bajee Rao to engage in war against you. He is an old
man, and useless to you as a prisoner. If you exacted a heavy sum
from him it would, in all ways, aid your views."
"But how do you know that Nana could raise such a sum as would
satisfy the troops?"
"We have assured ourselves on that score, and I know that it
matters not how much Nana Furnuwees will have to give. What I would
suggest is that you shall seize Ghatgay, and rid yourself of his
domination. He cannot but be as odious to you as he is to Bajee
Rao, and to the people."
Scindia sat for some time, in silence.
"Do I understand," he said, "that if I carry out these suggestions,
your comrades will be satisfied?"
"That I swear solemnly. I do not threaten Your Highness, for my
visit today is one of conciliation. You might, as soon as I leave
this tent, order me to be arrested. In that case I should use this
pistol against myself, and you would seek in vain for the names of
my eleven brethren; but your life would be forfeited--whether in
the midst of your guards or in your tent, whether you ride or walk.
You would be watched, and your servants would be bribed, and your
food poisoned. If the first man fails, he will blow out his brains,
and so will they all; but be assured that the vow will be kept and
that, whether by night or by day, you will never be safe."
"You are a bold man to speak so," Scindia said.
"I speak so, Your Highness, because I am perfectly ready to die for
the good of the country, and to secure for it peace and
contentment."
Scindia rose, and took two or three turns up and down the tent;
Harry keeping his pistol in his hand, in readiness to fire should
he attempt to slip away. At last, Scindia stopped before him.
"I agree to your conditions," he said, "and the more readily
because I shall, as you say, at once free myself from difficulties,
and avenge myself on Bajee Rao; who is, I know, in spite of his
professions of friendship, constantly plotting against me. Tomorrow
at daybreak an officer shall ride, with a troop of cavalry, and
shall bring Nana here."
"You have chosen wisely, Prince. It is, believe me, your only way
of escaping from your present difficulties. I know that, already,
your soldiery are becoming mutinous at being thus kept, for months,
away from their country, and receiving no pay. That feeling will
grow rapidly, unless their demands are conceded. As to Ghatgay, the
soldiers hold him in abhorrence, and his arrest and downfall would
cause the most lively satisfaction among them. Your men are
soldiers and not assassins, and the tortures and executions that
daily take place fill them with horror; so that your order for his
arrest will be executed with joy.
"Now, Your Highness, I will leave you. I believe that you will keep
your promise, as indeed it is to your interest to do so; in which
case you will never hear of myself, or my eleven companions."
"Do not fear," Scindia said, "tomorrow my messenger shall certainly
start for Ahmednuggur."
Harry, bowing deeply, turned, passed through the curtain, and made
his way out of the tent. Abdool, who was squatting near the
entrance, at once rose and followed him.
"Is all well, sahib?"
"I think so. I have so frightened Scindia that I have little doubt
he will carry out the promise he has given me. I will tell you
about it, when we get back."
They passed through the sleeping camp, and mounted their horses in
the grove, and rode to the Residency. Colonel Palmer was still up,
engaged in writing a report for the Government. It was a dark
night, and the sentry on duty, knowing Harry's voice, let him pass
without question, not even observing the change in his attire.
"What! Back again, Mr. Lindsay?" the colonel exclaimed, in
surprise, when Harry entered. "I thought that it would be a month
before you returned--that is, if you ever returned at all, and of
this I had but little hope. As I expected, you have, of course,
found it impossible to carry out your design."
"On the contrary, sir, I have been, I hope, perfectly successful. I
have seen Nana Furnuwees, and ascertained that he is ready to pay a
large sum to obtain his freedom, and his former position as the
Peishwa's minister. I have seen Scindia. Tomorrow a troop of horse
will start, to fetch Nana to his camp; and Ghatgay will be arrested
as soon as possible, after he arrives."
"How in the name of fortune have you managed all these things?" the
colonel asked.
"I will tell you, sir, now that I am back here. I shall tomorrow
reassume my uniform, and there is no danger of my being recognized,
or of trouble arising from what I have done."
He then related the various steps he had taken, and his
conversations with Nana and Scindia.
"Upon my word, Mr. Lindsay, I do not know whether to admire most
your daring, in bearding Scindia in the heart of his camp; or the
intelligence with which you have carried out what seemed, to me, an
absolutely impossible undertaking.
"Light your cheroot. I need not trouble about this report that I
was engaged on, when you entered, but will put it by until the day
after tomorrow, when we shall see whether Nana is brought to
Scindia's camp.
"You speak Hindustani as well as Mahratti, do you not?"
"Not so well, sir; but as you know I have, during the six months
that I was at Bombay, and since I have been here, used most of my
spare time working up Hindustani, with a moonshee."
"I am glad to hear it, for I received a letter from the Governor,
this morning, saying that Lord Mornington has requested him to send
an officer, thoroughly acquainted with Mahratti and with some
knowledge of the people; and that he has selected you for the
service, as being by far better fitted than anyone he knows for the
appointment. A knowledge of Hindustani will, of course, be very
useful to you; but Mahratti is the principal thing, as he is
intending to open negotiations with the Mahrattas, as well as with
the Nizam, to induce them to join in concerted action against
Tippoo.
"He says that no vessel will be sailing for Calcutta for less than
a month, so you can stay here for a few days, and see how your
scheme works out. It will be a great step for you, and ensure you
rapid promotion."
"I am indeed obliged to the Governor for selecting me," Harry said,
"and will do my best to justify his confidence."
Two days later, Nana Furnuwees was brought to Scindia's camp--news
which caused Bajee Rao intense consternation. He at once sent off,
to open negotiations with the Nizam for common action, offering a
considerable amount of territory for his assistance.
Colonel Palmer rode over the next morning to Scindia's camp, and
found that Scindia had demanded three millions of rupees as the
price of Nana's release, and appointment as minister to the
Peishwa. Nana had protested his absolute inability to raise
anything like that sum, but had offered five hundred thousand
rupees.
"I can quite believe that he could not pay the sum Scindia
demands," the colonel said, on his return; "and when Scindia sees
that he would rather return to prison than attempt impossibilities,
he will come down in his demands, and Nana will go up in his offer.
It is a mere question of bargaining."
When Scindia heard of the step that Bajee Rao had taken, he was
greatly alarmed; for he could hardly hope to withstand the Nizam's
army, and that which Bajee himself could raise; and he therefore
materially lowered his demands, and finally accepted Nana's offer
of nine hundred thousand rupees. This arrangement being made, he
permitted Nana to leave the camp in order to raise the money;
receiving his solemn oath that, if he failed to do so, he would
return and render himself a prisoner again.
However, in a few days Nana sent in the money. Scindia fulfilled
the other part of his promise, and insisted upon the Peishwa's
receiving Nana as his minister. A few days later he had Ghatgay
arrested, by the sons of two of his European officers.
Scindia was, indeed, most anxious to be off. He did not know that
the Nizam had refused Bajee Rao's offer. He had received news of
widespread disaffection among his troops at home, and felt that he
could not rely upon those with him. As soon, therefore, as he
received the money from Nana, he partially paid the arrears due to
the soldiers. The sum, however, was altogether insufficient to
satisfy the troops and, as Nana Furnuwees found that Bajee was
still intriguing with Scindia for his overthrow, and that no rest
could be hoped for until the latter's army marched away, he
advanced Scindia fifteen lakhs of rupees from his own private
funds. The latter was then able to satisfy his troops.
Scindia accepted the money, but still remained in the neighbourhood
of Poona.
These matters were not concluded until months after Harry left for
Bombay. On arriving there he called upon the Governor, to report
the release of Nana Furnuwees.
"I received Colonel Palmer's last report, four days ago. He has
given me full details of the manner in which you, on your own
initiative, brought about Nana's release, and the approaching
departure of Scindia; and I of course brought them before the
Council, and they quite agreed with me as to the remarkable daring
and ability with which you had carried out what Colonel Palmer
believed to be an impossible scheme.
"I have pleasure in handing you your commission of captain, and
only regret that we cannot break the rules of the service, by
nominating you major. Tomorrow your name will be removed from the
list of officers of the 3rd Regiment, and you will be appointed to
the staff. You will have a week before you, to obtain the proper
uniform. I shall not require you to perform any duties, and you
will therefore have your time to yourself, till you sail. I shall,
of course, forward my reasons for sending you to Lord Mornington,
and shall give an account of the services that you have rendered;
which will doubtless excite as much admiration in Calcutta as in
Bombay.
"I shall be glad if you will dine with me, the day after tomorrow,
when I shall ask the members of the Council to meet you."
On leaving the Governor, Harry at once went to the shop of the
Parsee merchant from whom he had obtained his regimentals, and
ordered the various uniforms required for the staff. He then went
to Soyera and, to his great satisfaction, found Sufder there. The
latter's troop was one of those which had been disbanded when, on
the arrival of Scindia, Bajee Rao deemed it necessary to reduce his
force; and Sufder, after staying for some time at Jooneer, had now
come down to see his cousin.
"I am glad, indeed, to find you here, Sufder; in the first place,
because it is always a pleasure to meet a good friend; and in the
second, because you can take Soyera back with you, and place her
with Ramdass."
"But why should I leave here, Harry?"
"Because, mother, I am to start for Madras in three weeks; and may
be, for aught I know, away for a year or more. Of course you can
remain here if you prefer it, but it seems to me that the other
would be the better plan."
"I should certainly prefer to go with Sufder to my home," Soyera
said. "I have numbers of acquaintances here, but no real friends;
and Ramdass and Anundee will, I know, joyfully receive me."
"At any rate, you shall be no burden to them, Soyera. I will give
you a thousand rupees, with which you can pay your share of the
expenses of the house or land; and I will give you a similar sum to
hand to Ramdass, as a token of my gratitude for his protection and
kindness. This will enable him to add to his holding, and to the
comforts of his house. I would willingly give much more, but it
might cause suspicion and enquiry, were he to extend his holding
largely; and the authorities of Jooneer might demand from him how
he became possessed of such means. As I told you, I have received
much money in presents, and could afford to give you very much
more, if it were of any advantage to you.
"I shall give a thousand rupees also to you, Sufder. They will be
useful to you, when you settle down on the revenues of your
district; and enable you to cut a good figure among the people when
you arrive there."
The day before he was to sail, a Hindu entered Harry's apartment
and, bowing deeply, handed him a letter. It was from Nana.
"My good English friend,
"I send the enclosed bill, upon my agent, as a small token of
acknowledgment for the inestimable service you have rendered me.
During my long life I have had many friends; but these, in
supporting me, acted in their own interest. You alone have shown me
absolutely disinterested friendship. I have always been opposed to
your people interfering in the affairs of the Deccan; but I see now
that nothing save their intervention can save the country from
absolute ruin, owing to the constant struggles for supremacy among
the great rajahs; and I see that it were far better we should enjoy
peace and protection, under a foreign power, than be exposed to
ruin and misery at the hands of warring factions.
"I grieve that I have not seen you again. Colonel Palmer tells me
that you are about to start for either Calcutta or Madras, to join
the army that is about to act against Tippoo. It is unlikely that I
shall ever see you again; but I shall never forget that, had it not
been for you, I should have ended my life a prisoner at
Ahmednuggur.
"Nana."
The bill enclosed was an order for a hundred thousand rupees, upon
Nana's agent in Bombay.
When Harry went to say goodbye to the Governor, the latter said:
"It is likely that you will see your old regiment before long,
Captain Lindsay. This morning a ship arrived, with orders from Lord
Mornington for us to send as many troops as could possibly be
spared, to ascend the southern Ghauts and join him near
Seringapatam. Lord Mornington is now at Madras, making arrangements
for an advance; when his brother, Colonel Wellesley, will move
forward with the Nizam's troops. There is still a doubt what part
the Mahrattas will take--probably they will hold aloof, altogether,
until they see how matters go. We know that Tippoo has sent
thirteen lakhs of rupees to Bajee Rao, and that the latter and
Scindia are in constant communication with him. However, at present
we shall take no notice of these proceedings; but allow the Peishwa
to believe that we are deceived by the constant assurances that he
gives us of his friendship, although he has declined to enter into
a treaty with us, similar to that which the Nizam has made.
"It is enough to have one formidable foe on our hands at a time,
and our experience of Bajee assures us that he will not commit
himself, by openly declaring for Tippoo, until he sees how matters
are going."
The winds were unfavourable, and it was not until six weeks after
leaving Bombay that Harry arrived at Madras. It was now November,
1798 and, on landing, he learned that General Harris was in command
of the army that was assembling at Vellore, and that the Governor
General had returned to Calcutta. He therefore at once went back to
the ship, which next day sailed for that town.
On arriving there he presented himself at the Government House and,
on sending in his name, was in a short time shown in to Lord
Mornington's private room.
"I am glad that you have come, Captain Lindsay," the latter said.
"I wish that you had been here sooner."
"I came by the first ship, sir, after the Governor of Bombay
received your letter but, owing to contrary winds, we have been
nearly two months on the voyage. I landed for an hour at Madras
and, hearing that you had returned here, I hesitated whether to
come to you for orders, or to join General Harris at Vellore; but I
thought it better to come on, and so again embarked on the ship,
which has only just anchored."
"You were quite right, sir, for it was an agent rather than a
soldier that I required. I own that I thought the Governor would
have sent an older man."
"I am the bearer of this letter from him. I believe that in it he
gives his reasons for the honour he did me, in selecting me for the
post."
"I will look through it, presently," Lord Mornington said; "and if
you will dine with me here, I shall then have read it, and shall be
able to decide where you can be employed to the best advantage."
The dinner was a quiet one, only the officers of the Governor
General's suite being present. The Governor received Harry with
much more cordiality than he had evinced at their first interview,
and introduced him to his officers, with the expression that
Captain Lindsay had done very valuable service in the Deccan.
Little allusion was made to business, until the other officers had
left, when Lord Mornington said:
"I have read the Governor of Bombay's letter, and am convinced that
he could have made no better choice than he has done. He speaks of
you in the highest terms, and has given me a slight sketch of your
story, and a fuller one of the manner in which you obtained the
release of Nana Furnuwees. I learn that Nana has always been
considered our friend; although we have not been able to give him
the support that we could wish, as this would have entailed war
with the Mahrattas, which Bombay is in no position to undertake.
Nevertheless, his release will doubtless, to some extent,
counterbalance the duplicity of the Peishwa who, while lavish in
his promises to us, is receiving money from Tippoo; and will
undoubtedly, unless restrained by Nana, openly espouse his cause,
should he gain any successes over us. You showed such intelligence
in the matter that he says I can place every confidence in you.
"Although the Nizam has been obliged to dismiss the French troops
in his service, and to send a portion of his army to act in
connection with our own against Mysore, he is in no way to be
trusted; being as slippery as the rest of these Indian princes and,
like the Mahrattas, would assuredly join Tippoo if he saw his way
to doing so. This is so certain that nothing would be gained by
sending another agent to Hyderabad. I therefore propose to open
communications with the Rajah of Berar.
"None of my officers is able to talk Mahratti; though many of them
are, of course, familiar with the southern dialects. The rajah is
already practically at war with the Mahrattas as, for a long time,
his troops have been ravaging the territory of Purseram Bhow; which
he was invited to do by the Peishwa, when Purseram took sides
against him. He is doubtless in some apprehension of an attack by
the Mahrattas and, upon our promising to guarantee his dominions,
and to give him support if attacked, he may be willing to venture
into an alliance with us; and his doing so would, alike, help us in
keeping the Nizam to his engagements, and deter the Mahrattas from
moving.
"This is the mission that I intend to confide to you. I believe
that it could not be in better hands. If you will call, tomorrow
afternoon, your written instructions and powers to act for me, and
to enter into engagements in my name, will be ready for you; and I
should wish you to start the next morning. You will have an escort
of twenty troopers. These Indian princes have little respect for
persons who travel unattended.
"You will understand that the instructions recite the maximum that
you are authorized to offer to the rajah. If he will be satisfied
with less you will, of course, grant as little as you can; if he
demands more, you must refer the matter to me. At any rate, so long
as you are negotiating, he will take no active steps against us;
though I have learned that Bajee Rao has already been at work,
trying to persuade him to join himself and Tippoo against us. Were
such a treaty concluded, we could no longer hope to retain the
Nizam; and indeed, should find it difficult to contend against so
powerful a confederacy. At any rate, if the rajah will not join us,
you must endeavour at least to secure his neutrality.
"The day after tomorrow you will start. I will have a route map
prepared for you. The distance to Nagpore is about eight hundred
miles, and you will get there in four weeks, travelling thirty
miles a day. I have given orders, today, for one of the Company's
ships of war to take you and your escort to the mouth of the
Ganjam; and express messengers have already started, with orders to
the commandant to provide waggons to carry your tent, equipage and
stores. You should, if the winds are favourable, reach there in
four or five days' time."
"The carts will delay us, sir, and without them we might make forty
miles a day, after we have landed; for the horses of this country
have great endurance."
"A few days will make no great difference. There are no towns of
any importance on the road to Nagpore, and you would have to put up
at wretched khans, and would be considered as worthy of little
consideration; whereas I wish you to travel in a style suitable for
my agent, and to impress the native mind with your importance.
"Have you horses?"
"I have but one, sir, and a pony for my servant."
"You must purchase another, and a good one, with showy equipments.
You will, of course, charge that and all other expenses, and your
appointment will be a thousand rupees a month. I have no doubt the
rajah will lodge you handsomely. Should he not do so, you had best
encamp outside the town. Do not put up with any inferior lodging."
"Very well, sir; I shall endeavour to carry out your orders, to the
letter."
Harry was fortunate in being able to purchase an excellent horse
and, in the afternoon, received his letters of instruction. On the
following day he embarked in a twelve-gun sloop, with twenty
troopers under the command of a native officer. The wind was
favourable and, in four days, they arrived at the mouth of the
Ganjam.
A large native barge came out to meet them. The horses and the
stores which Harry had purchased, together with some boxes with
presents for the rajah, were transferred to her; and two of the
ship's boats took the barge in tow to the shore. The commandant of
the small garrison there informed Harry that the bullock carts had
already gone on to a village, thirty miles away; and that he would
find all in readiness for him, on his arrival.
Without waiting an hour he started with his escort and, half a mile
from the village, found the camp already pitched. It consisted of
one large and handsome tent, such as those used by high officials,
and two smaller ones for the escort. He had engaged at Calcutta a
good cook, and this man at once began to light fires, and prepare a
meal from the stores Harry had brought with him.
The tent was handsomely furnished. A large carpet covered the
ground. There was a bed, four large chairs, and a table; while
between the outer and inner walls of the tent was a bath. As soon
as they halted, one of the troopers rode into the village and
purchased fowls, rice, ghee, and condiments for the use of the
escort, who were all Mahommedans.
Harry found, to his satisfaction, that another set of waggons had
started that morning for the next halting place; and that he would
find everything ready for him there. This was a great satisfaction,
for he had feared that the work of taking down and packing the
tents would delay his start in the morning, and that at the end of
the day's ride he would have to wait some hours before the tents
came up; whereas by the system of double carriage, he would not be
delayed.
The head man told him that his party would start in the morning, as
soon as the cart could be packed; that fresh bullocks would be
hired at the village where he would halt, and would travel all
night, so as to be in readiness for him when he had accomplished
another stage; and that this process would be continued until they
reached Nagpore.