We were on our way towards Nirmul in the afternoon, and as we had
heard no more of the Nuwab and his distress, we were relieved from our
anxiety; but I was in great dread the whole time we remained at the
town after the Nuwab's people had left us, lest some chance should open
to them a clue to detect us. The Bhutteara might possibly reveal what
he knew of our proceedings; for although he knew not our object, still
our remaining with him for so short a time (as he must have formed a
notion that we were after some woman), coupled with the disappearance
of Zora, might have led him to suppose, and very naturally so, that we
had carried her off. Fortunately, however, no ill effects did ensue,
and on the third day after leaving Oomerkhér we reached Nirmul.
As I entered the town I saw Bhudrinath in a shop, sitting with his back
to the street, in conversation with a decent-looking man, a Moosulman
by his appearance. He did not observe me, but on my calling out his
assumed name he hastily rose, and assisting me to dismount, embraced
me cordially. "Is she safe?" I asked in a low tone, so as not to be
overheard by his acquaintance.
"She is," he replied; "you have nothing to fear; and she is all
impatience to behold you again."
Sahib, I did not lose an instant in again beholding my beloved and
pressing her once more to my heart. She was more lovely than ever;
and after some fond chidings for my delay, and a relation of all
the anxiety she had suffered in my absence, and the fatigues of her
journey, we gave ourselves up to that voluptuous feeling of joy and
security, which those only know who have loved and been separated
from each other under circumstances of doubt or danger. After passing
some time with her I rejoined Bhudrinath. "Who was the man you were
conversing with when I came up?" I asked.
"Why," said he, "from what I have picked up as yet, I suspect he has
urgent reasons for getting away from hence as fast as he can; in other
words he has been helping himself to more than he ought in some revenue
affair, and his safety depends upon flight. I told him I expected you
and your party, and that he would have a good opportunity of getting
away if he chose to mix with us. You see," added Bhudrinath, "that when
once I have fixed my eye upon any one, it is against my principles
to let him escape me; now, as this is the case, we must have that
man,--first, because of my principles, as I said, and secondly, because
of the money which most assuredly he has in his possession: do you
comprehend?"
"Perfectly," said I laughing; "your argument is an admirable one;
therefore I will second your endeavours with all my heart. How shall we
proceed?"
"Why," said Bhudrinath, "that is a somewhat difficult matter to
determine, for I do not know where the fellow lives; but he promised to
be with me soon, and I dare say he will not be long away."
"We must spread the carpet of patience," said I, "and sit on it, I
suppose, till he makes his appearance; meanwhile I see no reason why I
should not eat."
Well, Sahib I went inside the purda, where my well-dressed meal awaited
me, and Zora and I had our fingers very soon buried in a smoking dish
of kicheree and a very good currie. While I was thus employed, I heard
the usual salutation pass between Bhudrinath and his acquaintance, and
when I had satisfied the cravings within me, which had been grievous to
bear, I joined them.
"This is my brother, of whom I have spoken to you," said Bhudrinath,
presenting me to him; "he has now, as you see, overtaken me, and we
shall journey on together. All his men are encamped outside the town,
but as he is more comfortable with me, you see him here."
We exchanged salutations, and, by way of drawing him to the subject, I
asked Bhudrinath when we should start. "I cannot delay," said I; "that
detention at Nursee was most inconvenient, and but for that we should
have been far on the road by this time."
The man stared at me, and at last said to Bhudrinath, "Surely you must
be joking when you say this gentleman is your brother; why, you are
much older, and your features do not resemble in the least."
"We are not real brothers," he replied, "but cousins; you know that
cousins usually call themselves brothers."
"But how comes it," said he, "that he is the jemadar of your men, and
not you, who are the eldest?"
"Why it is a long story, and would not interest you," said Bhudrinath;
"suffice it to say, that he is the son of the elder branch, who married
long after my father, having lost his first wife; so, by the consent of
the family and my own, he was declared leader, though he must confess I
am his adviser."
I pretended to be ashamed of my dignity, and allowed, though I was
nominally superior, yet that I could not get on at all without my
_cousin_. "Well," said the man, "you have curious customs in your
country, but in every one they differ. Here your relative situations
would be reversed; and so I suppose I must treat with you, Jemadar
Sahib; I dare say your cousin has told you all about me?"
"He has," said I, "at least as much as you have told him; but we are
both present, and what you say to one equally concerns the other; so I
pray you speak on without reservation."
"I will not then recur to the past," said the man; "suffice it to say,
that I have every reason to wish to get out of this place, as far as
Hyderabad; there I shall be secure from my enemies. I therefore propose
to accompany you, if you will guarantee me protection and concealment
on the road."
"We are ready to do that," said I; "but you will allow we shall run
some risk; for, besides protection and concealment upon the road, we
must defend you if necessary; and all this requires some recompense."
"True, and I am in no condition to drive a bargain, therefore you must
name your own terms."
"You are liberal, I see," I rejoined, "and you shall find us to be so
also. Perhaps one hundred and fifty rupees will not be thought by you
exorbitant?"
"It is not; half I will pay you now, and the other half when we arrive."
"Agreed," said I, "it is satisfactory; and now say how you intend to
travel. If I have permission, I would advise a mode which would be
certain to escape detection."
"What is it?" cried he, eagerly.
"That you should hire or buy a cart, and travel in it, at any rate, for
a few marches; my brother has his zenana with him, and you could not be
discovered; no one would dare to search a cart which held females."
"By Alla, it is a rare plan!" said the man; "I wonder it never entered
into my head. Yet, cart I have none; and how to get one without giving
a clue to my flight----"
"Do not distress yourself about it," said Bhudrinath; "furnish us with
the money--about one hundred rupees will be enough--and I will go and
purchase one, and account to you for whatever may be over."
"And my camels, and horses, and servants," said the man, "what can be
done with them?"
"How many of them are there?" I asked.
"There are two camels and two horses; and I have three or four
servants, whom I wish to accompany me."
"Then send them all to our camp at night," said I; "they will not be
seen, and if necessary they can be sent on a march."
"You are a ready-witted people," cried he, "and what has cost me
days and nights of anxiety, you have settled satisfactorily in a few
moments. Now I clearly see there is no time to be lost; and I go to
bring the money, and give directions to my people." So he left us.
"Well done," cried Bhudrinath to me, "you fairly took the words out of
my mouth, and I think the fish has taken the bait."
"I think so, too," said I; "the fellow may be a very sharp revenue
collector, but he is no match for you and me; and you see he is a
greater man than we thought for, as he speaks of his horses, camels,
and servants: no doubt we shall have a good round sum from him."
I hurried to my father, leaving Bhudrinath to manage everything his own
way, if I should not return in time to meet the man we expected. He was
surprised to see me, and exclaimed, "I did not think you would have
left your adored so soon--to what am I indebted for this early visit?"
"Nay," said I, "father, do not mention her--it sounds like banter; and
I have other work in hand just now than attending even to Zora."
"Ay, indeed! and now tell me my son, what thou hast in view."
"Why," said I, "Bhudrinath and I have secured a man in the town, who
promises to be almost as good a prize as either we have had before; and
when you see two horses, some camels, and servants, come into your camp
this evening, do you allow them to remain, and start them off as early
as may be to-morrow morning towards Hyderabad."
"I will do as you wish," said my father; "but tell me, Ameer Ali, what
is this you are about? Are you sure there is no risk--no danger?"
"As far as I can see there is not; but hear what has been done already,
and then judge whether the matter ought to be persevered in or not. If
you do not like it, we will drop it at once." So I told him all.
"You are both of you doing your work well, and I approve of it
greatly," said the old man; "I will on my part receive the camels, &c.,
and will send on a party of gravediggers this very night. We will set
off to-morrow night or early the next morning."
Bhudrinath was absent when I reached the house in the town, and I had
to wait a long time for his return, which was not till near evening;
however, I had the society I best loved, and the hours fled quickly. I
was, nevertheless, overjoyed to see him return with a cart and two fine
bullocks. He had purchased the whole from a set of dancing-girls, and
the cart was fitted with curtains, in the manner of those used to carry
women. When it was brought up to the house, he dismissed the driver
with a small present.
"There," said Bhudrinath, "is ninety-five rupees' worth, and the
concern is cheap enough; our only care is now for the person who is to
ride in it."
"Where is he?" said I. "Are you sure of him?"
"As sure," said Bhudrinath, "as I ever was of any one; he is now gone
to take leave of the Hakim of the place, and will pretend he has done
all his business. He has sent his camels and people to the camp, with
strict orders to obey whoever there may be there in authority, and I
myself directed them to go to your father and receive instructions from
him. The man himself will be here at nightfall."
"Inshalla!" cried I, "truly may we say we are fortunate; nothing has
gone wrong."
Just as we had completed all our preparations, our friend came, and by
this time it had become quite dark, so that he joined us unobserved;
and as we had sent word to him that the cart had been purchased, he
brought with him what we supposed to be his valuables; one of his
servants carried the bundle, which appeared carefully tied up in waxed
cloths, and his hookah and his bedding. "Are you sure you have omitted
nothing?" he asked.
"Certain," said I; "everything is ready. I have been to the gate, and
have told the guard that we have a long march before us, and will pass
out a little after midnight, with two carts and our people."
"Well," said he, "then here is your money;" and he counted out
seventy-five rupees to me.
"Now we have nothing to desire," said I, "but to be informed of your
name, which hitherto you have not told us."
"Call me Kumal Khan for the present," he replied; "you shall know my
real name at Hyderabad."
"As you will," said I; "doubtless you have good reasons for not
discovering yourself to us. Meanwhile, as you say, Kumal Khan will do
as well as any other name; therefore, Khan Sahib, I think the sooner
we take some rest, the more we shall be refreshed for our journey
to-morrow."
"I can lie down anywhere," said he; "I dare say I shall sleep,
moreover, which my care and anxiety have prevented my doing for some
nights past."
He spread his carpet and covered himself up. Bhudrinath followed his
example, and in a short time they were both asleep, as their deep
breathing testified. Strange destiny, I thought; there lies the man who
has but a few hours to live, side by side in peaceful slumber with one
who will be actively employed in his destruction. A few hours and their
situations will be changed--oh, how changed! one to lie senseless in
the earth, the other to live and breathe, and to tax his wits to gain
fresh victims. "Ya, Alla!" I exclaimed involuntarily, "thy purposes are
inscrutable!"
We were roused at the time appointed by the men, and our preparations
for departure quickly completed. I saw Zora safely deposited in her
cart, as also her old attendant, next Kumal Khan in his; and putting
myself at the head of the party, we were soon beyond the gates of the
town, and at the encampment. Here I sent on Zora's cart, and desired
one of the men to come back and give us due notice should he meet the
Tillaees, or scouts, on the road. I then sought out my father, and
inquired whether he had allotted Bhuttotes and Shumsheas (persons to
hold the hands) to the servants and grooms.
"I have settled everything," he replied, "and given every man his
instructions: there will be no difficulty if all is ready before us.
But are you sure that Kumal Khan, as you call him, is not armed?"
"He has a sword," said I, "but what of that? Bhudrinath and I will
easily manage him, and he will not be on his guard."
"Then keep well behind," said my father; "if there is any scuffle he
will not hear it, and I will send a man back to you when we meet the
first of the scouts. You can then do as you please; either bring him
on, or deal with him there as you like."
"Very good," said I; "we will be guided by circumstances." I saw with
secret exultation how beautifully everything had been arranged, as
our men and our acquaintance's servants passed me. To every one of
them was attached one of the most expert Bhuttotes, with two others to
assist if necessary: yet they disposed themselves so carelessly that
suspicion was out of the question. Each one as he passed threw a look
of intelligence towards me, as much as to say, "Here is work we delight
in;" and I felt truly excited as the whole band was before me, their
arms glancing brightly in the moonbeams.
This, thought I, is the joy my father told me of; and what could raise
such feelings within me in the common plodding pursuits of life? When
these fellows are but my own, then shall the name of Ameer Ali be
dreaded and feared; men shall wonder at it: many a timid woman's heart
shall beat as she listens to stories of me, and allows her fancy to
picture to her him of whom she hears such deeds of daring bravery.
"Yes," cried I, aloud, for I could not control myself, "the time will
come, ay, and soon: the present is poor work to what I have thought of
and will put into execution!"
The voice of Bhudrinath recalled my ideas. "In the name of Narayun and
all the gods," said he, "what are you talking about? Come, we wait for
you."
I urged my horse down the bank, and was with him in an instant. Kumal
Khan put his head out of the curtains, and asked if we had assembled
our men. "Yes," said I, "they are all before us, except my cousin,
myself, and a few of our attendants, who will stay round you."
"That is right," said he; "I shall sleep, if this vile jolting will
let me. Oh that I were on my horse, instead of being cooped up in this
cart!"
"Patience," said Bhudrinath; "I dare say you will soon be out of it
again."
"That I shall, my friend," said he, "when I dare show myself," and so
saying he shut the curtains.
Bhudrinath and I rode on some time in silence: at last we reached a
rising ground, which apparently led down to the bed of a river, for I
thought I saw the water glistening in the moon's rays. The jungle was
thicker than before, and I involuntarily turned to Bhudrinath. "Surely
this is the spot," cried I; "we must wait for the cart," for we had
preceded it a long way.
"We had better do so," he replied; "it will soon be up."
We had just heard the rumbling sound of the wheels, when the man I had
sent on with it came up to us. "What news?" I asked; "is all prepared?"
"By this time it is," said the man; "when I met the first scout I
returned to tell you: they have fixed on a beautiful spot, and I doubt
not that the band are waiting for you, having done their share of the
night's adventure."
"Well," said I, "we don't want you here, so go on again." But he begged
hard to remain, and I allowed him. As Kumal Khan passed us, Bhudrinath
gave the driver the signal; he nodded his head in compliance: and
telling the men who were to hold our horses to be near and in
readiness, we got behind the cart, and followed it down the descent.
About half-way down, the bank of the road sloped into it, and rose into
a small eminence. I marked the place, and saw that the driver had done
the same: the cart gradually diverged from the track; one wheel went
up the bank; it leaned fearfully over, and at last came down with a
terrible crash.
We were off our horses in an instant, and ran up: Kumal Khan was
groaning beneath it. We lifted it up and got him out; but he was either
so frightened or hurt he could not speak. At last he recovered; and the
first words he uttered were a volley of abuse at the driver.
"Look!" cried he; "a smooth road, not a stone or a pebble, and yet that
son of a base mother must needs drive up yonder bank, and has nearly
killed me."
"He shall be well punished for his carelessness," said I; "but are you
hurt, Khan?"
"My right arm is very painful," said he, holding it; "and I wish to
Alla I had a horse to ride, instead of going further in that concern."
"It cannot now be helped," said Bhudrinath; "and it is well none of
your bones were broken. We will keep nearer you in future, and see that
the fellow drives more carefully."
The cart had been by this time set fairly in the road again, and Kumal
Khan's mattress and pillow arranged. As he turned away from us, and
laid hold of one of the posts of the curtains, and had his foot on the
wheel to get in, I threw the handkerchief round his neck. "What--what
is this?" was all that escaped him; the rest was an indistinct gurgling
in his throat for an instant. The wrench I gave to his neck must have
extinguished life, for he relaxed his hold of the post, and fell to the
ground without sense or motion.
"Neatly and cleverly done," cried Bhudrinath; "I could not have managed
it better myself; you see he does not stir--he is dead enough. Now,
Meer Sahib, believe that a man can be killed before he touches the
ground."
"I must see you do it," said I; "this fellow held on by the cart for
some moments. But come," I added to the men, "lift the body into the
cart, we have no time to lose." They bundled it in, and we set off as
rapidly as the bullocks could trot.
"What if he should revive with this jolting?" said I to Bhudrinath.
"Never fear," he replied; "if he does, he will only have to be killed
over again; but depend upon it he is dead enough: no man ever survived
the wrench you gave him--his neck is broken. The old Gooroo has taught
you well, I see plainly."
"I own I feel more confidence every time I do it," said I; "and I
should not care if even now I had one or two more fellows to try my
hand upon."
"Nay," said Bhudrinath, laughing, "rest you content with what we have
done. See, we are at the bhil, and yonder is the whole band collected."
We rode up to the spot, and the first inquiry was from my father:
"Have you brought him?"
"Yes," said I; "the earth that held him is in the cart."
"Did _he_ do it?" he eagerly asked of Bhudrinath, and pointed to me.
"Ay, did he," he replied, "and most properly too: he had him all to
himself; I did not interfere."
"Alhumd-ul-illa!" cried my father; "he is a worthy son. Come,"
continued he to all the men, "do not loiter here, but make the best of
your way to the river-side; we will follow, and, I dare say, overtake
you." Seeing there was no more to be done, I pushed on to the river,
the Godavery, and finding that all had been ferried over, I urged on my
horse to overtake Zora's cart; for I knew not what she would think of
my absence, nor how I could well account to her for it satisfactorily;
but I trusted to chance to frame some excuse. I passed the men, who
were straggling along in parties of ten or twelve; but still I did not
see the cart, though I had desired those who were in charge of it not
to drive fast. I became anxious, and urged my horse into a gallop.
Well it was that I did so, for when I had proceeded some distance, I
heard a confused clamour before me. Could she have been attacked by
thieves? was my instant thought. It was probable; for the road was
narrow and the jungle thick on both sides, and seeing the few men
with the cart, thieves might have surprised them. I drew my sword, to
be prepared, as the noise and screams seemed to increase, and a few
moments more arrived at the spot. There indeed was a scene of violence!
the moon was still shining brightly, and I could see all before me.
The cart was surrounded by the five or six men I had sent on with it,
and who were defending their charge bravely: two of the robbers, as I
supposed, were stretched on the ground; the rest were aiming cuts at my
men, which they parried; but just as I got up, one of my men fell, and
the rest looked exhausted. I suspect neither party observed my arrival,
so intent were they on their own proceedings, and I could see that my
cry of "Bismilla!" accompanied by a cut which struck down one of the
robbers was as startling to them as unexpected; while my faithful men,
who now saw me plainly, set up a shout, and attacked their opposers
with renewed spirit. The scuffle lasted only a few moments longer:
throwing myself from my horse, I drew my pistol from my girdle, and
discharged it at a thief who was coming up to me with his sword
uplifted: the ball passed through his body, and he fell. On this the
rest of the band turned and fled. We pursued them for a short distance,
and secured a youth who was one of them; the rest got clear off.