Friends I have sought me of varying nations,
Men of all ranks and of different stations;
Some are in jail now, and some are deceased.
Two, though, I found to be experts at sundering
Me from my revenue, leaving me wondering
Which was the costlier--soldier or priest.
A LITTLE more than one hour later, Howrah--sulky and disgruntled, but
doing his level best to appear at Ease--faced young Cunningham across
a table in the treasure-vault. Outside was a row of wagons, drawn
by horses and closely guarded by a squadron of the Rangars. Behind
Cunningham stood Alwa and Mahommed Gunga; behind the Maharajah were
two of his court officials. There were pen and ink and the royal seal
between them on the table.
“So, Maharajah-sahib. They are all scaled, and each chest is marked on
the outside with its contents; I'm sorry there was no time to weigh the
gold, but the number of the ingots ought to be enough. And, of
course, you'll understand it wasn't possible to count all those unset
stones--that 'ud take a week; but your seal is on that big chest, too,
so you'll know if it's been opened. You are certain you can preserve the
peace of your state with the army you have?”
“Yes,” said Howrah curtly.
“Don't want me to leave a squadron of my men to help you out?”
“No!” He said that even more abruptly.
“Good. Of course, since you won't have to spare men to guard the
treasure now, you'll have all the more to keep peace in the district
with, won't you? Let me repeat the terms of our bargain--they're written
here, but let's be sure there is no mistake. I agree to deliver your
treasure into safe keeping until the rebellion is over, and to report to
my government that you are friendly disposed toward us. You, in return,
guarantee to protect the families and property of all these gentlemen
who ride with me. It is mutually agreed that any damage done to their
homes during their absence shall be made good out of your treasure, but
that should you keep your part of the agreement the treasure shall be
handed back to you intact. Is that correct?”
“Yes,” said Howrah shifting in his seat uneasily.
“Is there anything else?”
“One other thing. I am outmaneuvered, and I have surrendered with the
best grace possible. That agreement stands in my name, and no other
man's?”
“Certainly.”
“The priests of Siva are not parties to it?”
“I've had nothing whatever to do with them,” said Cunningham.
“That is all, then, sahib. I am satisfied.”
“While we're about it, Maharajah-sahib, let's scotch those priests
altogether! McClean-sahib has told me that suttee has been practised
here as a regular thing. That's got to stop, and we may as well stop it
now. Of course, I shall keep my word about the treasure, and you'll get
it back if you live up to the bargain you have made; but my government
will know now where it is, and they'll be likely to impose a quite
considerable fine on you when the rebellion's over unless this suttee's
put an end to. Besides, you couldn't think of a better way of scoring
off the priests than by enforcing the law and abolishing the practice.
Think that over, Maharajah-sahib.”
Howrah swore into his beard, as any ruling potentate might well do at
being dictated to by a boy of twenty-two.
“I will do my best, sahib,” he answered. “I am with the British--not
against them.”
“Good for you!--er, I mean, that's right!” He turned to Alwa, and looked
straight into his eyes. “Are you satisfied with the guarantee?” he
asked.
“Sahib, I am more than satisfied!”
“Good! Oh, and--Maharajah-sahib--since we've fought your battle for
you--and lost a few men--and are going to guard your treasure for you,
and be your friends, and all that kind of thing--don't you think you'd
like to do something for us--not much, but just a little thing?”
“I am in your power. You have but to command.”
“Oh, no. I don't want to force anything. We're friends--talking as
friends. I ask a favor.”
“It is granted, sahib.”
“A horse or two, that's all.”
“How many horses, sahib?”
“Oh, not more than one each.”
The Maharajah pulled a wry face, but bowed assent. It would empty
his stables very nearly, but he knew when he could not help himself.
Mahommed Gunga clapped a hand to his mouth and left the vault hurriedly.
“You understand this is not a demand, Maharajah-sahib. I take it that
you offer me these horses as an act of royal courtesy and as additional
proof of friendliness?”
“Surely, sahib.”
“My men will be very grateful to you. This will enable them to reach
the scene of action with their own horses in good shape. I'm sure it's
awfully good of you to have offered them!”
Outside, where the late afternoon sun was gradually letting things cool
down, Mahommed Gunga leaned against the wall and roared with laughter,
as he explained a few details to the admiring troopers.
“A horse or two, says he! How many? Oh, just a horse or two,
Maharajah-sahib--merely a horse apiece! Fifteen hundred horses! A horse
or two! Oh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ho! Allah! But that boy will make a better
soldier than his father! As a favor, he asked them--no compulsion,
mind you--just as a favor! Allah! What is he asking now, I wonder!
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ho-ho-ho!”
And inside, with a perfectly straight face and almost ghastly
generosity, young Cunningham proceeded to impose on Howrah the
transferred, unwelcome, perilous allegiance of Jaimihr's reassembling
army. The mere keeping of it in subjection, it was realized by donor and
recipient alike, would keep the Maharajah's hands full.
“Are you satisfied that your homes will be safe, now?” he asked Alwa.
And Alwa looked him in the eyes and grinned.