Zenat's exclamation drew us to the window. "Quick!" she said; "look
out, or you will lose the sight; they are even now passing the Char
Minar." We did look out, and the sight was indeed magnificent. A crowd
of some hundreds of people were escorting a Punjah, that holy symbol of
our faith; most of them were armed, and their naked weapons gleamed
brightly in the light of numberless torches which were elevated on
lofty bamboos; others bore aftab-geers, made of silver and gold tinsel,
with deep fringes of the same, which glittered and sparkled as they
were waved to and fro by the movements of those who carried them. But
the object the most striking of all was the Char Minar itself, as the
procession passed under it; the light of the torches illuminated it
from top to bottom, and my gaze was riveted, as though it had suddenly
and startlingly sprung into existence.
The procession passed on, and all once more relapsed into gloom: the
Char Minar was no longer visible to the eye, dazzled as it had been
by the lights; but as it became more accustomed to the darkness, the
building gradually revealed itself, dim and shadowy, its huge white
surface looking like a spectre, or, I could fancy, like one of the
mysterious inhabitants of the air whom, we are told, Suleeman-ibn-Daood
and other sages had under their command, and were thus enabled to
describe. Again, as we gazed, another procession would pass, and a
sudden flash as of lightning would cause the same effect; interior and
exterior of the edifice were as bright, far brighter they seemed, than
at noonday. I was enraptured. Zenat had left us to ourselves, and we
sat, my arm around my beloved, while she nestled close to me, and we
murmured to each other those vows of love which hearts like ours could
alone frame and give utterance to. Long did we sit thus--Sahib, I know
not how long--the hours fled like moments.
"Look!" cried Zora, "look at that mighty gathering in the street below
us; they are now lighting the torches, and the procession of the Nal
Sahib will presently come forth." I had not observed it, though I had
heard the hum of voices; the gloom of the street had hitherto prevented
my distinguishing anything; but as torch after torch was lighted and
raised aloft on immense poles, the sea of human heads revealed itself.
There were thousands. The street was so packed from side to side, that
to move was impossible; the mass was closely wedged together, and we
waited impatiently for the time when it should be put in motion, to
make the tour of the city.
One by one the processions we had seen pass before us ranged
themselves in front, and as they joined together, who can describe the
splendour of the effect of the thousands of torches, the thousands of
aftab-geers, of flags and pennons of all descriptions, the hundreds
of elephants, gaily caparisoned, bearing on their backs their noble
owners, clad in the richest apparel, attended by their armed retainers
and spearmen, some stationary, others moving to and fro, amidst the
vast mass of human beings! One elephant in particular I remarked,--a
noble animal, bearing a large silver umbara in which sat four boys,
doubtless the sons of some nobleman from the number of attendants which
surrounded them. The animal was evidently much excited, whether by the
noise, the lights, and the crowd, or whether he was _must_, I cannot
say; but the Mahout seemed to have great difficulty in keeping him
quiet, and often dug his ankoos into the brute's head with great force,
which made him lift his trunk into the air and bellow with pain. I saw
the Mahout was enraged, and, from the gestures of some of the persons
near, could guess that they were advising him to be gentle; but the
animal became more restive, and I feared there would be some accident,
as the Mahout only punished him the more severely. At last, by some
unlucky chance, the blazing part of a torch fell from the pole upon
which it was raised on the elephant's back; he screamed out with the
sudden pain, and raising his trunk, rushed into the crowd.
Ya Alla what a sight it was! Hundreds, as they vainly endeavoured to
get out of the way, only wedged themselves closer together, shrieks
and screams rent the air; but the most fearful sight was, when the
maddened beast, unable to make his way through the press, seized on
an unfortunate wretch by the waist with his trunk, and whirling him
high in the air dashed him against the ground, and then kneeling down
crushed him to a mummy with his tusks. Involuntarily I turned away
my head; the sight was sickening, and it was just under me. When I
looked again, the brute, apparently satisfied, was standing quiet, and
immediately afterwards was driven away; the body of the unfortunate
man was carried off and deposited in a neighbouring shop; and all again
became quiet.
All at once the multitude broke out into deafening shouts of "Hassan!
Hoosein! Deen! Deen!" the hoarse roar of which was mingled with
the beating of immense nagaras. The sound was deafening, yet most
impressive. The multitude became agitated; every face was at once
turned towards the portal from which the sacred relic was about to
issue, and it came forth in another instant amidst the sudden blaze of
a thousand blue lights. I turned my eye to the Char Minar. If it had
looked brilliant by the torch-light, how much more so did it now! The
pale sulphureous glare caused its white surface to glitter like silver;
high in the air the white minarets gleamed with intense brightness;
and, as it stood out against the deep blue of the sky, it seemed to
be a sudden creation of the genii--so grand, so unearthly,--while the
numberless torches, overpowered by the superior brightness of the
fireworks, gave a dim and lurid light through their smoke, which, as
there was not a breath of wind, hung over them.
All at once a numberless flight of rockets from the top of the Char
Minar sprung hissing into the sky, and at an immense height, far above
the tops of the minarets, burst almost simultaneously, and descended
in a shower of brilliant blue balls. There was a breathless silence
for a moment, as every eye was upturned to watch their descent, for
the effect was overpowering. But again the shouts arose, the multitude
swayed to and fro like the waves of a troubled sea; every one turned
towards the Char Minar, and in a few instants the living mass was in
motion. It moved slowly at first, but the pressure from behind was so
great that those in front were obliged to run; gradually, however,
the mighty tide flowed along at a more measured pace, and it seemed
endless. Host after host poured through the narrow street; men of all
countries, most of them bearing naked weapons which flashed in the
torch-light, were ranged in ranks, shouting the cries of the faith:
others in the garbs of Fakeers chanted wild hymns of the death of the
blessed martyrs; others again in fantastic dresses formed themselves
into groups, and, as they ran rather than walked along, performed
strange and uncouth antics; some were painted from head to foot with
different colours; others had hung bells to their ancles, shoulders,
and elbows, which jingled as they walked or danced; here and there
would be seen a man painted like a tiger, a rope passed round his
waist, which was held by three or four others, while the tiger made
desperate leaps and charges into the crowd, which were received with
shouts of merriment.
Some, again, were dressed in sheepskins, to imitate bears; others
were monkeys, with enormous tails, and they grinned and mowed at the
crowd which surrounded them. Now, some nobleman would scatter from his
elephant showers of pice or cowrees among the crowd below him; and
it was fearful, though amusing, to watch the eager scramble and the
desperate exertions of those undermost to extricate themselves,--not
unattended by severe bruises and hurts. Bodies of Arabs, singing their
wild war-songs, firing their matchlocks in the air, and flourishing
their naked swords and jumbeas, joined the throng, and immediately
preceded the holy relic, which at last came up. It was carried on a
cushion of cloth of gold, covered by a small canopy of silver tissue;
the canopy and its deep silver fringes glittering in the blaze of
innumerable torches. Moolas, dressed in long robes, walked slowly
before, singing the Moonakib and the Murceas. Men waved enormous
chourees of the feathers of peacocks' tails; incense burned on the
platform of the canopy, and sent up its fragrant cloud of smoke; and
handfuls of the sweet ubeer were showered upon the cushion by all who
could by any means or exertions get near enough to reach it.
Gradually and slowly the whole passed by. Who can describe its
magnificence? Such a scene must be seen to be felt! I say _felt_,
Sahib, for who could see a mighty multitude like that, collected for a
holy purpose with one heart, one soul, without emotion? Hours we sat
there gazing on the spectacle; we scarcely spoke, so absorbed were we
by the interest of the scene below us. At length, however, the whole
had passed, and the street was left to loneliness and darkness; the few
forms which flitted along here and there looked more like the restless
spirits of a burial-ground than human beings; and the silence was only
now and then broken by a solitary Fakeer, his bells tinkling as he
hurried along to join the great procession, the roar of which was heard
far and faintly in the distance.
Just as we were about to retire, a number of men formed themselves into
a circle around a pit in which were a few lighted embers; but some
bundles of grass were thrown on them--the light blazed up, and, drawing
their swords, they danced round and round the fire, waving their
weapons, while all shouted aloud in hoarse voices the names of the
blessed martyrs. The blazing fire in the centre lighted up their wild
forms and gestures as they danced, tossing their arms wildly in the
air. Now they stood still and swayed to and fro, while the fire died
away and they were scarcely perceptible. Again more fuel was thrown on,
the red blaze sprung up far above their heads, and their wild round was
renewed with fresh spirit.
The night was now far spent, and the chill breeze which arose warned us
to retire. Indeed Zenat and her mother had done so long before, and we
were left to ourselves. Sahib, that was the last night I passed with my
beloved, and the whole of our intercourse remains on my memory like the
impression of a pleasing dream, on which I delight often to dwell, to
conjure up the scenes and conversations of years past and gone--years
of wild adventure, of trial, of sorrow, and of crime.
I can picture to myself my Zora as I parted from her on the following
morning; I can again hear her protestations of unalterable love, her
entreaties that I would soon return to her; and above all I remember
her surpassing loveliness, and the look of anguish, I might call it,
with which she followed me as I left her, after one long, passionate
embrace. These impressions, I say, still linger on a mind which has
been rendered callous by crime, by an habitual system of deception,
and by my rude intercourse with the world--my deadliest enemy; and
they are refreshing and soothing, because I have no wrong toward her
to charge myself with. I rescued her; she loved me, and I loved her
too; we wanted nought but a longer intercourse to have strengthened
that affection, which would have lasted till death. But why should I
talk thus? Why should I, a convicted felon and murderer, linger on the
description of such scenes and thoughts? Sahib, I have done with them;
I will tell you of sterner things--of the further adventures of my life.
I returned to my father; he was not angry at my absence; and I
found Mohun Das, the Dullal, closeted with him, and also another
sahoukar-looking person. Mohun Das had been eminently successful; the
sahoukar I saw was the assistant in a wealthy house who had need of all
our goods, and he was come to see them before the bargain was finally
closed. They were displayed to him, both goods and jewels; he approved
of all, said he would return shortly with an offer for them, and having
made a list of the whole he departed.
"Now," said Mohun Das, "about the price; what do you ask?"
"You know better than I do," said my father, "therefore do you speak;
and remember, the more they sell for the more you get."
"I have not forgotten your munificence," said the Dullal; "and I say at
once the cloths are worth sixteen, and the jewels ten thousand rupees;
but you must ask thirty thousand,--you will get twenty-five I dare say."
"It is too little," said my father; "they cost me nearly that sum; and
how am I to pay my guards if I get no profit? I shall ask thirty-five
for the whole."
"Well," said the Dullal, "if you do, so much the better for me; but
mark what I say, you will get no more than my valuation; however, if
you will trust me, and leave it to my judgment, I will get a fair
price."
"I will; but recollect, twenty-five thousand is the least."
"Certainly," said the Dullal; "I go to do your bidding."
"Go," said my father; "Alla Hafiz! be sure you return quickly."
It was noon before he returned, but it was with a joyful face when he
did come. After many profound salams, he exclaimed to my father, "You
have indeed been fortunate; your good destiny has gained you a good
bargain. I have got thirty thousand six hundred rupees for the whole.
We had a long fight about it, and wasted much breath; but, blessed be
Narayun! your slave has been successful,--see, here is the Sahoukar's
acknowledgment."
My father took it and pretended to read; I was near laughing outright
at his gravity as he took the paper and pored over the crabbed Hindee
characters, of which he did not understand one,--nor indeed any other;
for he could neither read nor write. "Yes," said he, gravely, "it is
satisfactory. Now, how am I to be paid?"
"The Sahoukar will arrange that with you in any way you please," said
the Dullal; "ready money or bills are equally at your service; but as
all transactions are generally at six months' credit, the interest for
that time, at the usual rate, will be deducted."
"And if I take bills, I suppose the interest will be allowed till I
reach Benares, or whatever place I may take them upon?"
"Certainly."
"Good," continued my father; "do you attend here with the Sahoukar,
and we will settle all about it, and he can take away the merchandize
whenever he pleases." So the Dullal departed.
It was now about the time when the tazeas were to be brought to the
edge of the river to be thrown into the water; and, as the Karwan was
not far from the spot, I proposed to my father to send for our horses
and ride thither to see the sight. He agreed; the horses were quickly
brought, and we rode to the bridge over which the road passes into the
city. Taking our stand upon it, we beheld beneath us the various and
motley groups in the bed of the river; there were thousands assembled;
the banks of the river and the bed were full,--so full, it seemed as if
you might have walked upon the heads of the multitude. The aftab-geers,
and the tinsel of the various tazeas, glittered in the afternoon
sun,--the endless variety of colours of the dresses had a cheerful and
gay effect; and, though it was nothing to the grand appearance of the
procession at night, still it was worth looking at. The tazeas were
brought one by one by the various tribes or neighbourhoods to which
they belonged, and thrown into the pools in the bed of the river, for
deep water there was none, but there was sufficient for the purpose;
and as each glittering fabric was cast in, it was assailed by hundreds
of little ragged urchins, who quickly tore the whole to pieces for the
sake of the ornaments; and there was many a warm contest and scramble
over these remains, which excited the laughter of the bystanders.
One by one the various groups returned towards their homes, looking
wearied and exhausted; for the excitement which had kept them up for
so many days and nights was gone. In many a shady corner might be seen
lying fast asleep, an exhausted wretch, his finery still hanging about
him, his last cowree perhaps expended in a copious dose of bhung,
which, having done part of its work in exciting him almost to madness
during the preceding night, had left him with a racking brain, and had
finally sent him into oblivion of his fatigue and hunger. The Mohorum
was ended: we stayed on the bridge till the time for evening prayer,
when, repairing to an adjacent mosque, we offered up our devotions with
the others of the faithful who were there assembled. This done, I told
my father I should again visit Zora, and most likely remain at her
house all night: he bid me be sure to return early in the morning, on
account of our business; and having promised this, I departed.
I rode slowly through the now silent and almost deserted streets: the
few persons whom I met were hurrying along to their homes, and had no
common feeling or interest with each other as before. I passed along
the now well-known track, and was soon at the house which held all
that was most dear to me on earth. I sent up my name and dismounted; I
expected the usual summons, and that I should see that countenance I
longed to behold welcoming me from the window. I waited longer than I
could assign a cause for in my own mind; at last my attendant returned,
and as he quitted the threshold the door was rudely shut after him,
while at the same time the casements of the windows were both shut.
What was I to think of this? Alas! my forebodings were but too just.
My attendant broke in upon my thoughts by addressing me. "Her mother,
whom I have seen," said he, "bid me give you her salam, and tell you
that her daughter is particularly engaged and cannot receive you. I
ventured to remonstrate, but the old woman became angry, and told me
that she had behaved civilly to you, and that you could not expect
more; and further, she said, 'Tell him from me that he had better act
the part of a wise man, and forget Zora, for never again shall he see
her; it will be in vain that he searches for her, for she will be
beyond his reach; and I would rather that she died, than become the
associate and partner of an adventurer like him; who, for all I know,
might inveigle her from home, and, when he was tired of her, leave her
in some jungle to starve. Go and tell him this, and say that if he is a
wise man, he will forget her.'"
"And was this all?" exclaimed I in a fury; "was this all the hag said?
I will see whether I cannot effect an entrance;" and I rushed at the
door with all my might. In vain I pushed and battered it with the hilt
of my sword, it was too securely fastened within to give way. I called
out Zora's name--I raved--I threatened as loud as I could to destroy
myself at the door, and that my blood would be upon the head of that
cruel old woman. It was all in vain, not a bolt stirred, not a shutter
moved, and I sat down in very despair. A few persons had collected,
observing my wild demeanour, and as I looked up from my knees, where my
face had been hidden, one of them said, "Poor youth! it is a pity his
love has been unkind and will not admit him."
"Pooh!" said another, "he is drunk with bhung; Alla knows whether we
are safe so near him!--he has arms in his hands; we ought to get out
of his way: your drunken persons are ticklish people to deal with, let
alone their being a scandal to the faith."
I was ashamed; shame for once conquered anger. I walked towards my
horse, and mounting him, rode slowly from the place. How desolate
everything appeared! The night before, I had reached the summit of
happiness. I cast one look to the window where I had sat in sweet
converse with her whom I was destined no more to behold; I thought on
her words, and the glittering scene was again before me. Now all was
dark and silent, and accorded well with my feelings. I rode home in
this mood, and throwing myself down on my carpet, gave myself up to the
bitterness of my feelings and unavailing regret. A thousand schemes I
revolved in my mind for the recovery of Zora during that night, for I
slept not. One by one I dismissed them as cheating me with vain hopes,
only to be succeeded by others equally vague and unsatisfactory. I rose
in the morning feverish and unrefreshed, having determined on nothing.
There was only one hope, that of the old woman the nurse; if I could
but speak with her, I thought I should be able to effect something, and
as soon as I could summon one of the men who had attended Zora, I sent
him for information.