Our friend the Lalla was soon at his ease with his new guide, whose
injunctions to Motee, bidding him "take care," "mind a stone," "lift up
his feet," and the like, encouraged the good beast, who now stepped out
briskly, while the curious mixture of Oordoo and Mahratta, in which the
small gossip and scandal of the neighbourhood was told him by Lukshmun,
amused him much. The mile or so which intervened between the village
and the temple was soon passed; and as they began to ascend the short
rising ground towards the temple and the tree, the latter could be seen
in all its wild picturesque detail, and was indeed a striking object.
The sun had now broken forth, and its beams shone slantingly through
its rugged trunks and gnarled branches, resting brightly upon the
glossy foliage sparkling with raindrops, and lighting up every
excrescence and furrow of the knotty bark, casting broad shadows on
the road below: while a slight parting shower, the large drops of
which flashed brightly in the air as they descended, pattered upon
the leaves, and spread out into the valley in a silver rain. As the
travellers gained the summit, the clear sky beyond to the west not
only caused the tree to stand out boldly and grandly against it, but
the brightness of the sun dispelled the gloomy associations which the
appearance of the place had suggested during the rain. A slight breeze,
which had hardly been felt in the hollow, rippled the little pools on
the roadway and on the plain beyond the tree, which, level and stony,
continued, apparently many miles, in the direction they had to go.
Motee paused at the summit of the eminence, and the Lalla could not
help stopping him to look back upon the road by which he had come. The
bright yellow gleams of the sun shone broadly upon the two villages,
and upon the rich green masses of their corn-fields. In the distance
both looked pretty and comfortable: and their terraced houses, several
white temples, and the dome of a small village mosque shone brightly
in the sun. Behind these, and to the south, the plain over which the
Lalla had come stretched away for many miles, showing the trees of a
village here and there, with the occasional sparkle of a white house
or temple among them; and behind all, the great black cloud of the
day's rain, upon which there was a rainbow forming of great beauty, and
against which a flight of white storks flashed like silver in the sun.
Away to the south, the eye followed hollow and rise, undulation after
undulation, till they were lost in a farther distance, which melted
tenderly into the sky.
"It is a fair country, friend, after all," said the Lalla, "though it
did not look well in the rain. That plain yonder is in the direction of
Beejapoor, perhaps?"
"It is, sir," returned Lukshmun; "that high land, near the sky yonder,
is beyond the Bheema river, and, if we were there, we should see the
tomb of the great Sultan Mahmood, now finished. It is very grand, sir,
and shines like silver when the sun is on it; and when I go there,"
continued the man, "I stand like a fool, looking at the King's palace,
the Ark fort, the great gun, and the 'Ibrahim Roza'--that's the place
where Ibrahim Adil Shah was buried, you know, sir----"
"Numascar Maharaj," cried a clear manly voice, now beside the Lalla's
horse, which appeared to him to rise out of the earth, for he had not
observed the approach of Gopal Singh and Rama from the temple.
"Who are these?" exclaimed the Lalla, starting and beginning to
tremble--"who are these?" and the warning of the old Byragee now
came upon him, with the distressing conviction that he ought to have
regarded it; but it was too late. "Who are ye?" he asked anxiously.
"O, this is my brother Rama," said Lukshmun, assuringly, "and that is
our Jemadar Gopal Singh; they only waited here while I went to Kinny."
"Be assured, noble sir," added the Jemadar, laughing, and in good
Oordoo, with a slight southern accent, which seemed to assure the
Lalla, "there is nothing to fear. Your worship is from Kullianee,
perhaps."
"Yes, from Kullianee yesterday."
"Ah, yes, I remember; you were at Poorungeer's Mutt. I was just about
leaving when you arrived, and the old man offered you escort of my
party, but you preferred staying."
"I--I--I--had business," replied the Lalla, stammering, not exactly
relishing Gopal Singh's bold looks, and yet unable to object to him. "I
was tired and needed rest, and you could not wait."
"You had come from the royal court, I think they said, and were going
to Beejapoor with letters for the King--proposals for peace, perhaps."
"So they said--who?" Of all things, the Lalla supposed his destination
and business were at least secret; yet they appeared known, and to a
perfect stranger, too, by the wayside. He did not feel able to reply,
and was almost inclined to trust to Motee's speed, and break through
the men; but Lukshmun, on receiving his matchlock from his brother,
fixed the match, which had been hanging loose upon the cock, in a very
precise manner, pressing the trigger to see if the match descended upon
the pan. The others, too, looked carelessly to the priming of their
guns, but to the Lalla's idea ominously, and as if he should understand
the action. Lukshmun's face, too, appeared changed--it was not so
pleasant as it had been.
"Come," said the Jemadar, "we have far to go to-night--what kept thee
so long, Lukshmun?"
"O, the Patel at Kinny said we were to escort this worthy gentleman, as
government orders had come about him from Allund; so I waited, as the
rain had delayed him."
The Lalla felt reassured; his arrival was no doubt expected. "Ah, yes,
sir," continued Gopal Singh, "you had better have come on with us
three days ago, but it does not matter now. That is a fine horse of
yours," he added, patting Motee's neck, "and from Hindustan, I think,
as my lord is. We, too--that is, my family--are also from thence,
Kanouj Khutrees; so is this good gun, too;" and he held out his own.
"Yes; one can hit a man on horseback at full speed half as far as to
the stream yonder."
It appeared to the Lalla as if the Jemadar was reading his thoughts as
clearly as if he were telling them himself.
"And if we were in battle," he continued, "and any one were trying to
get away from me, he would be shot between the shoulders before he
could even reach the tree yonder."
"I--I--have no doubt of it, Jemadar Sahib," returned the Lalla,--"no
doubt: and your speech is pleasant to hear after the rough language
hereabouts."
"Come, come," cried Lukshmun, with seeming impatience, "if you want to
pay compliments, noble sir, wait till we get to the end of our journey.
Come!" and as he spoke he touched Motee's rein. "Come on, my son!" he
said, and the horse followed.
As they passed the little temple in its loneliness under the shadow of
the huge tree, it looked a place for evil deeds. A large horned owl on
the highest branch, now awakening for his evening flight, hooted loudly
above them, and was answered by another. It seemed an evil omen, and
struck to the Lalla's heart.
"Ah! we cannot pass you, my friend," said Gopal Singh. "Look, Lalla
Sahib, what my gun can do."
As he spoke, he raised the piece and fired. The aim was true and
deadly, and the huge bird fell down heavily close to Motee's feet with
a rushing sound, causing the horse to start back.
"I never miss," said the man, decidedly, and reloading his piece. "Now
come on."
"Shabash! Well shot," said the Lalla; but his heart was throbbing fast,
and it was a positive relief to him when the dark grove was behind
them, and they emerged upon the bare, wild, open plain beyond.
"A lonely place that, Jemadar," remarked the Lalla, turning to the man
who walked behind him; "and the old Byragee, where I slept, advised me
not to go by it; he said Pahar Singh's men might be about. Who is this
Pahar Singh?"
"Pahar Singh?" returned the Jemadar. "O, a worthy gentleman who
is quiet enough when not plagued. He is the lord of the marches
hereabouts--a valiant man, and a good soldier; and in these troubled
times, Lallajee, has his friends and his enemies, like most of us: 'tis
the way of the world."
After another mile, during which none of the party spoke, the Jemadar
proposed to the Lalla to dispense with the guide. "Evening was drawing
on," he said; "they knew the country, and the contents of the bundle
could be carried on the saddle or divided among them;" and, indeed,
it appeared necessary, as the guide, limping, declared he could go no
farther, and had a thorn in his foot. The necessary arrangements were
soon completed; and, between the Lalla's saddle-bags and his saddle,
the contents of the bundle were soon disposed of; the guide received a
small gratuity, and retraced his steps at a far more rapid pace than he
had advanced.
"He has no more a thorn in his foot than I have, Lalla Sahib," said
the Jemadar, laughing. "Look how he goes! but Bheema there is no worse
than his fellows, and does not like the idea of a night journey without
change. Now we shall get on better. Let the horse walk out, Lukshmun;
only keep by him."
Lukshmun let go the rein, but he did not leave his place, and though
the rate at which the horse now proceeded kept the men at a rapid walk,
and occasionally, indeed, at a trot, they preserved the positions they
had taken up without alteration, speaking little among themselves,
except occasionally in Mahratta or Canarese, with both of which
languages they appeared familiar.
The sun was setting in great glory. After the heavy clouds had passed
away to the eastward, a clear blue sky succeeded for a while; but as a
gentle breeze arose, it had brought up with it light, fleecy vapours,
which, as the wind again died away at sunset, became motionless, and,
gradually attracted to each other, formed piles of white clouds edged
with deep grey. As the sun declined, white became orange and gold
and crimson: while the sky itself, of an intense purple above, faded
into green, yellow, and rosy tints, on which the golden clouds seemed
to float in soft but brilliant masses: and, as it dipped below the
horizon, a flood of light suddenly shot up, tinging the lower edges of
all the lighter portions with vivid scarlet, and mingling with the deep
orange and purple hues above, gorgeously.
"The gods have a festival upon Mount Méru to-night, Lallajee. Does
the sun go down in that fashion in your country?" said the Jemadar,
pointing to the sky and breaking a long silence. "We have made good
work of it since the guide left us. Come, here is a little stream,
and you need a change of posture; dismount and rest, while I offer my
evening libations to the four elements."
"No, I will not dismount, Jemadar," returned the Lalla; "you will not
be long, and by all means let your men get a drink of water too, and
wash their feet. I will stay here."
"He is not to be trusted," said the Jemadar to his men in Canarese; "I
see it in his eyes. If he stirs, shoot him, and both of you stay by
him."
Rama had fastened one of the horse's tether-ropes about his waist, and
he now proceeded to tie the end of it to the cheek-strap of the bridle
in a methodical manner.
"What are you doing?" cried the Lalla, alarmed at the action; "loose
it!"
"O, my lord will dismount," said Lukshmun, "and who is to hold the
horse?"
"I am not going to move: loose it, I say!" cried the Lalla, impatiently.
But Rama sat down doggedly at a little distance, holding the rope, and
began deliberately to munch a cake his brother had unfastened from his
back, resting his gun across his knees.
"Loose it!" again cried the Lalla, "Jemadar, why have I been tied like
a thief?"
The Jemadar had divested himself of his upper clothing and stepped into
the stream; he was taking up water in his hands and pouring it to the
four quarters of the earth. His clothes and arms were on the river bank.
"There is no use in disturbing him, Maharaj," said Lukshmun, quietly;
"he is at his prayers, and can't hear. My brother, you see, doesn't
understand you, and he only does what the Jemadar told him; so get off
and walk about a little. Come, I will hold the stirrup for you."
"No; loose the rope!" cried the Lalla again, eagerly, and reaching over
to do so himself.
"Ah, Maharaj! you must not do that; you see my brother will be angry. I
advise you to be quiet," said Lukshmun, putting back the Lalla's hand,
and pulling the knot of the rope firmer.
But the Lalla could not now contain himself; his alarm was gradually
increasing. He thought he could break away from the men, and dash
through the stream ere they could fire at him. Touching Motee with the
bridle and his heel at the same time, he aroused him from the sluggish
position he had assumed, and moved him a little so as to face Rama,
who still sat eating; and the Lalla was quietly gathering up the reins
preparatory to urging the horse forward, when the keen practised eyes
of the men detected the intention. Excited by his rider, the horse
gathered himself on his haunches and made a bound; but Lukshmun,
leaping at the bridle, hung on to it, jerking it back so violently that
the horse reared, while the Lalla, whose right arm had been seized by
Rama, lost his balance, and fell heavily to the ground.
Hearing the cries of the men, Gopal Singh had run from the stream
hastily, taking up his sword, and reached the spot as the Lalla fell.
"Get up!" he cried, seizing his arm; "what folly is this? By the gods,
he has fainted! Thou hast not used thy knife, Rama?"
"Not I, Jemadar; but he fell heavily. What could I do? He would have
been off, for the horse is a strong beast, and I could hardly hold
him--only for the old trick. Get some water, Jemadar, he will drink
from thee. I will hold him up. Stay, here is his lota."
While the Jemadar ran for water, Rama knelt down and raised the Lalla's
head, who now opened his eyes. "Speak to him, Lukshmun; tell him to get
up and be quiet," said Rama to his brother.
"Do you hear, Maharaj? you are to get up and be quiet. Rama says so,"
cried Lukshmun, "and he is not a child."
"Nor I, Lalla," said the Jemadar, returning with the water. "By
Krishna, what made thee vex the hunchbacks? they were likely to be
rough enough if provoked. Art thou hurt?"
"No, my lord--that is, valiant sir--only a little," replied the Lalla,
moving his body about to ascertain the fact. "No; but my life!--O spare
my life!--do not kill me."
"I am more hurt than he is, Jemadar," said Rama, rubbing his arm, "for
he fell on me. Ah, you rascal!" he continued with a Mahratta oath,
"only for the Jemadar there I had settled accounts with thee; get up!"
"I petition," said Lukshmun, who led up Motee, now calmed, "as the
Lalla broke faith with us, that he walks; and Rama rides, as he is
hurt."
"Ah, by your heads, no!" exclaimed the Lalla; "I never could walk a
coss in my life; and my feet would never go over these stones and
briars. Kill me, if ye will, but walk I cannot."
"Tie him up," suggested Rama, "if he can't walk; we must not trust him
in the dark on that good horse."
"A good thought," said the Jemadar; "give me his sheet from the saddle."
The Lalla guessed what had been said, and protested and resisted
vehemently; but he was as a child in the hands of the men, and in a
few moments his hands and arms were swathed to his body gently within
the sheet, but so that he could not use them: and he was raised to his
feet, trembling violently, while the bandage was fastened behind him.
"Ah, sir! do not shake so," said Lukshmun, smiling, and joining his
own hands in mock supplication; "if you do, you will go to pieces, and
there will be none of you left when we get to our uncle, Pahar Singh."
Pahar Singh! the Lalla's heart sank within him. But he had no time
for remonstrance. He was lifted like a child into the saddle, the men
resumed their arms and positions, and again set forward.
"Where are you going to take me, Jemadar?" asked the Lalla, trembling,
as they crossed the stream. "Ah, be merciful to----"
"So you have got speech at last," returned Gopal Singh. "Listen, Lalla,
if you had been quiet you should have ridden like a gentleman, now you
go as a thief. Pahar Singh, my uncle, is lord of these marches, and
knows what to do with you. One thing, however, I may tell you; if you
make any further attempt to escape, I will shoot you. It is not your
carcass that he wants, but what you have on it; the gold you got at
Kullianee. Now, beware, for you know the worst."
Of what use was resistance, and the Lalla clung to life. They might
take his gold. There remained, at least, the papers he possessed; and
if he begged his way on foot to Beejapoor, what matter, so that he got
there with them?
So they proceeded as rapidly as the ground would admit, still
continuing to avoid all villages by paths through the fields, with
which they seemed perfectly acquainted.
Before they reach their destination, which they will do in two or three
hours more, we may describe the person to whom they are proceeding.