Seated with the old Moola I have before mentioned, the Nuwab Subzee
Khan Buhadoor (for by that name alone I knew him) was quaffing
his bitter and intoxicating draught. Around him stood some of his
retainers, fierce-looking fellows, one or two of them with deep scars
on their rough visages, which showed they had bravely followed their
noble master through many a hard-fought field. Behind him sat the slave
I have mentioned, a slender fair girl, who was busily employed in
making a fresh bowl of the infusion the Nuwab was so fond of.
The Moola introduced me. "This," said he, "my lord, is the young man I
spoke of. I need repeat no praises of him, for no doubt your discerning
eyes will at once observe that he is a person of respectability and
good breeding, and a fit companion for one of my lord's exalted rank."
I presented the hilt of my sword as a nuzzur, and after touching it
with his hand, he bid me be seated near him on the carpet. This I was
too polite to do; so, excusing myself on the ground of unworthiness of
such honour, I seated myself on my heels on the edge of the carpet, and
placed my sword and shield before me. The sword immediately attracted
his attention. "That is a noble weapon, Meer Sahib," said he; "may I be
allowed to look at it?"
"Certainly," said I, presenting the hilt; "the sword is at my lord's
service."
"Nay, Meer Sahib, I want it not; but I am curious in these matters, and
have a choice collection, which I will one day show you."
He drew it carefully from the scabbard, and as the brightly-polished
blade gleamed in the sunlight, he looked on it with a smile of delight,
such as one would greet an intimate friend with after a long absence. I
must however describe him. In person he was tall and strongly made; his
arms in particular, which were distinctly seen through his thin muslin
dress, were remarkably muscular, and very long; his figure was slightly
inclined to corpulency, perhaps the effect of age, which had also
sprinkled his curling beard and mustachios with gray hairs; or it might
be that these had been increased in number by the dangerous use of the
drug he drank in such quantities. His face was strikingly handsome, and
at once bespoke his high birth. A noble forehead, which was but little
concealed by his turban, was covered with veins which rose above its
surface, as though the proud blood which flowed in them almost scorned
confinement. His eyes were large and piercing like an eagle's, and, but
that they were swollen and reddened by habitual intemperance, would
have been pronounced beautiful. He had a prominent thin nose, large
nostrils, almost transparent, and a mouth small and curved like a bow,
which, when the features were at rest, wore an habitual expression
of scorn. His flowing and graceful beard and mustachios, which I
have already mentioned, completed a countenance such as I had never
seen the like of before, and have not met with since. The whole was
inexpressibly striking, and in the meanest apparel the Nuwab would at
once have been pronounced by any one to be a man of high family and a
gallant soldier.
A rosary of large pearls was about his neck, and with this exception he
wore no ornaments. His dress was studiously plain, while it was neat
in the extreme. I remarked two deep scars, one on the back of his head
where it joined the neck, the other on his broad chest, and its deep
seam was not concealed by the thin dress he wore. Such was Subzee Khan,
who had won his renown in many a hard fight, and whom I was determined
to destroy on the very first opportunity. He continued looking at the
blade so earnestly and so long, that I began to think that it had
possibly belonged to some victim of my father's, who might have been
known to the Nuwab, and I was mentally framing a reply in case he
should ask me where I got it, when he suddenly said, as he passed his
finger along the edge, "So, you too have seen battles, my friend; there
are some slight dents in this good sword which have not escaped the
touch of an old soldier. How did it come by them?"
"Oh, a trifling skirmish with robbers as I came down from Hindostan,"
said I; and I related to him our affair with the thieves in the Nirmul
road.
"It was well done," said he, when I ended my account; "but methinks you
might have followed up your success and sliced some more of the rogues
a little. This weapon would not have failed you if your heart had not."
"My heart never failed me yet, Nuwab," I replied; "those who know me
well, also know that I burn for an opportunity to prove that I am a man
and no coward; but what could I do in that instance? there were but few
of us, and the jungle was terribly thick--we could not have followed
them in the dark."
"You are right," he replied; "and what say you, my young friend, to
following the fortunes of Subzee Khan? He has at present naught to give
thee; but, Inshalla! the time is fast approaching when men of tried
valour may win something. My friend, Dost Mahomed, writes to me to
come quickly, for he has need of leaders in his new enterprises; and
methinks your figure and address would find favour with him. What say
you? You are not fit to sell horses all the days of your life; and if
you have turned any money in your present expedition, you cannot expend
it in a manner more befitting your appearance than in getting a few
men together, and offering your service. Dost Mahomed has need of such
youths as you, and, Inshalla! we will yet do something to win us fame."
"May your favour increase, Bundé Nuwaz!" cried I; "it is the very thing
my soul longs for; with your introduction I cannot fail of obtaining
service: and if once we have anything to do, you will find I shall not
be backward."
"Then you will accompany me?" said he; "I am glad of it. You have some
men with you I perceive, and some travellers; what say you to taking
the direct road to Jubbulpoor? it is a rough one, but I am pressed for
time; and that by Nagpoor, though free from interruption or danger of
robbers, is much longer."
"I had determined on taking it, Nuwab Sahib," I replied, "even before I
saw you, for we are a strong party and well armed; but now I can have
no hesitation. As for thieves or robbers, I have no dread of them, and
my lord assuredly can have none?"
"None, since you have joined me," he said; "but with the few fellows
I have, I confess I hardly liked to brave the jungle; for the bands
who roam through it are strong and merciless, and it would be a sorry
fate for Subzee Khan to fall in an unknown spot, after a life spent in
battle-fields."
And yet you will do so, Nuwab Sahib, said I internally; your death-blow
will reach you in that jungle you dread, and no monument will mark the
spot where the remains of Subzee Khan will lie.
"And when shall you be ready to move, Meer Sahib?" continued he; "have
you aught to delay you here?"
"Nothing," I replied. "I had purposed marching to-morrow morning, but
if my lord wishes I can wait a few days."
"Ah no--to-morrow morning I cannot move conveniently, but the day after
I will join you here by daylight, and we will travel together."
"Jo Hookum!" I replied; "I shall be ready; and now have I permission to
depart?"
"Certainly," he said; "I will no longer detain you, for I must be
off myself. My friend Sulabut Khan has an entertainment of some kind
to-night, and I have promised to attend it."
I returned to my tent, and though I longed to break the matter to my
father, yet I refrained from doing so until the Nuwab had fairly joined
us, when I would introduce him properly. As we were preparing to start
the third morning before daylight, the Nuwab rode into our camp and
inquired for me. I was speedily with him, and my father coming up to
us, I introduced them to each other. After the usual compliments had
passed, my father, unobserved by the Nuwab, threw me a significant
glance, I returned it, and he understood me; a look of triumph passed
across his features, which gratified me, because to me alone was the
band indebted for the adventure which was to follow.
Our party was soon in motion, and as the light increased with the
dawning day, it revealed to me the person and dress of the Nuwab,
who now rode by my side. He was mounted on a splendid bay horse,
which moved proudly and spiritedly beneath his noble master: the
trappings of the animal were of crimson velvet, somewhat soiled, but
still exceedingly handsome, for the saddlecloth and headstall were
embroidered with gold thread in a rich pattern.
But the rider chiefly attracted my observation: he wore a shirt of
mail, composed of the finest steel links, exquisitely polished, over
his ordinary clothes: at his waist it was confined by a handsome green
shawl, which he had tied round him, and in which were stuck two or
three daggers, mounted in gold and silver. His arms were cased in
steel gauntlets, as far as the elbows, and greaves of steel protected
his thighs. On his head was a bright steel cap, from the top of which
a crimson silk tassel depended, and a shawl handkerchief was folded
round it to protect his head from the heat of the sun. At his back hung
a shield of rhinoceros hide, richly painted and gilt; a long sword
hung at his side from an embroidered velvet belt which passed over his
shoulder; and at his saddle-bow was fastened a small battle-axe with a
long and brightly polished steel handle.
Well did his appearance accord with his fame as a warrior. I had seen
hundreds of soldiers at Hyderabad, but I had never yet looked on one
so perfectly equipped as he who now rode beside me--nor one, could I
but have attached myself to him, in whom I should have placed such
confidence and followed readily into the deadliest strife. But what was
the use of his weapons or his armour? They would not avail him,--his
hours were numbered, and his breath already in his nostrils.
"You observe me intently," said he.
"I do," I replied; "for I have never yet seen so perfect a cavalier:
horse, arms, and accoutrements all agree in setting off their noble
owner. Do you always travel thus?"
"Always, Meer Sahib; a soldier should never be out of his harness. The
short time I have spent in idleness with that luxurious dog Sulabut
Khan has softened my body, and even now I feel my armour chafe me. But
the time comes when I shall need it, and I had as well accustom myself
to it."
We continued the whole of the march together, and he beguiled the
way with relations of his adventures, battles and escapes. I was as
much fascinated by them as by his powers of conversation, which were
remarkable; and I often wished that I had met him as a friend, or
enrolled myself under him, when I might have followed his banner and
endeavoured to equal his deeds of valour. But he was marked: in our
emphatic language he was become a "bunij," and he was doomed to die
by every rule and sacred obligation of our profession. We reached our
first stage without any adventure. Beyond it the villagers told us that
the jungle grew thicker and thicker, that the road was very bad and
stony, and above all, that the Gonds were in arms, and plundered all
whom they met with.
"Let them try us," said the Nuwab, as he listened to the relations,
"let them try us! Inshalla! they will do us no harm, and it may be some
of them will get broken crowns for their pains."
But the next morning we moved with more caution; our men were desired
to keep well together, and I picked out a trusty few to surround the
cart, which moved on with difficulty over the rough and stony roads;
the Nuwab and myself rode at the head of the party. As we advanced, the
road grew wilder and wilder; in many places it was narrowed almost to
a footpath, and the men were obliged to cut away the branches, which
often nearly met across the road, so as to allow the cart to proceed.
At other times it ran between high banks, which almost overhung us, and
from which missiles might have been showered on our heads, without a
possibility of our being able to strike a blow in self-defence.
"That was an ugly place, Nuwab Sahib," said I, as we emerged from one
of these narrow passes into a more open country, though still covered
with jungle; "had we been attacked there we should assuredly have
fallen victims."
"It was indeed," said he; "and I am thankful we have got out of it;
if I remember aright it has a bad name. From hence however I think
there are no more; the jungle becomes a forest, and there is not
so much underwood. But look," cried he, "what is that? By Alla! the
Gonds are upon us. Shumshere Alum!" cried he, in a voice which rang
like the sound of a trumpet, "Sumshere bu dust!" and his glittering
blade flashed from the scabbard. Checking his horse, and at the same
time touching its flanks with his heels, the animal made two or three
bounds, after which the Nuwab fixed himself firmly in his seat, pressed
down his cap upon his head, and cried to me to be ready.
I was not behindhand; my sword was drawn and my shield disengaged,
which I placed before me to guard me from the arrows. A few bounds of
my horse, which was scarcely second to the Nuwab's, brought me to his
side, and we were followed by Bhudrinath and a few others mounted on
ponies, and some men on foot with their matchlocks. "Come on, ye sons
of defiled mothers," cried the Nuwab; "come on, and prove yourselves
true men; come on, and try your cowardly arrows against stout hearts
and ready weapons! Base-born kafirs are ye, and cowards; Inshalla! your
sisters are vile, and asses have loved your mothers."
I could not help laughing at the Nuwab's gesticulations and abuse, as
he poured it upon the Gonds and shook his sword at them. They would not
move, and perched up as they were on the side of a hill, they prepared
their bows to give us a volley--and down it came certainly; the arrows
whistled past us, and one wounded the Nuwab's horse slightly in the
neck, at which the Gonds set up a shout of triumph.
"Ah, my poor Motee, thou art wounded," cried he, drawing the arrow from
the wound. "Meer Sahib, those rogues will never come down; you had
better give them a volley and disperse them."
"Now, my sons," cried I to my followers, "whenever a fellow raises his
body to fire, do you mark him."
They did so. One Gond in particular, who was sitting on a rock drawing
a large bow, which he placed against his feet, was a conspicuous
object, and apparently careless of his safety. Surfuraz Khan aimed at
him--fired--and in an instant he rolled over and over, almost to our
feet; the ball had hit him in the throat, and he was quite dead. The
rest seeing his fate, set up loud yells, and for a moment we thought
they would have charged us; however, another of their number fell badly
wounded, and carrying him off, they rapidly retreated to their mountain
fastnesses. Pursuit would have been vain as it was impracticable.
We met with no further adventure during our march, and duly arrived
at our stage by the usual hour. "Ameer Ali," said my father, coming
to me shortly afterwards, "is the Nuwab to be ours or not? If you
have invited him as a guest, say so? if not, you had better arrange
something."
"A guest!" cried I; "oh no: he must be disposed of; there can be no
difficulty where there so many good places to destroy him."
"Impossible!" said my father; "on horseback it would be madness. He is
a beautiful rider, and his horse is too spirited; the least confusion
would make him bound, and who could hold him? We must devise some other
plan."
"Leave all to me," said I; "if there is no absolute necessity for
selecting a place, I will watch my opportunity."