The next afternoon we were all assembled on a small plain outside the
town. Cheetoo had spread his carpet after the manner of a Pindharee,
and sat with his chiefs around him, promising by his demeanour to be an
eager spectator of the encounter. He was remarkably civil to me, and
asked me to sit by him until a few men, who were ready, had displayed
their dexterity and prowess. On the signal being given by him, two
stout Rajpoots leaped into the circle, and clattered their sticks on
each other's shield for some time without either touching the other.
"Does this please you?" said Cheetoo to me. "Those fellows are good
hands, you see, at their weapons: neither would have drawn blood had
they had swords in their hands."
"They are expert enough," said I; "but methinks they have played
together before, and know each other's ways; they make a great show;
but, if I may be pardoned, I think neither has much real skill. If my
lord wishes, I will try either of them."
"Take care you are not overmatched," said he: "I would not have your
fair fame sullied. You have already interested me much in your behalf."
"Do not fear for me," said I; "I will do my best."
I stripped myself to my trousers, and girding a handkerchief tightly
about my waist, I stepped into the circle, where one of the men, who
had now rested from his first encounter, awaited me. I took a stick
and a small shield made of basket-work from Peer Khan, who had brought
them, and advanced to the centre. There were murmurs among the assembly
that I was overmatched, for they contrasted my slight form with the
tall and brawny one of my antagonist; but I was not to be deterred by
this. I knew my skill, and that mere personal strength would avail but
little against it.
"How is it to be?" said I to the Rajpoot. "Does the first fair blow
decide between us?"
"Certainly," he replied. "I shall strike hard, so be on your guard."
"Good," said I; "now take your post."
He did. He retired to one edge of the circle and advanced on me
leisurely, now stooping and leaning his shield-arm on his knee as he
rested a moment to survey me, and now circling round me, first rising
on one leg and then on the other, and waving his stick in the air.
I stood perfectly still and in a careless attitude, but well on my
guard, for I knew that I should hazard something in moving after him.
It was evident to me he did not expect this, for he seemed for a moment
irresolute, but at last he rushed on me with two or three bounds, and
aimed a blow at my head. I was perfectly prepared, for I knew his mode
of attack; I received the blow on my shield, caught the stick under
it, and rained such a shower of blows on his undefended person as
completely astonished him.
The assembly rang with plaudits, and the other Rajpoot stepped forward
and saluted me. "You have had but short work with my friend Bheem
Singh," said he; "but now you must try me."
"I am ready," I replied; "so get to your post."
I had now an antagonist worthy of me; he knew my system of play, and
verily I thought myself for the moment engaged with my old instructor,
but I had used to vanquish him, and I did not fear the man before me.
We were soon hotly engaged: he was as cool and wary as myself, and
after a long conflict, in which neither had the advantage, we rested
awhile, both out of breath.
"Enough, enough!" cried Cheetoo; "you have both done bravely; neither
has won, and you had better let the matter stand as it is."
"Not so, Khodawund," said I; "let us finish it; one of us must win,
and my friend here desires as much as myself to see which of us is the
better man. Is it not so?"
"Ay," said the fellow, laughingly, "the Nuwab Sahib knows that no one
as yet has overcome me; but I have fairly met my match: and whoever
taught you was a good master, and has had a disciple worthy of him."
"As you will," said Cheetoo, "only play in good humour; let no feud
grow out of it."
We both saluted him, and assured him we could not quarrel, and that
whoever was victor must entertain a high respect for his opponent.
And to it we set again, as we had now recovered our breath: victory
for a long time hovered between us, now inclining to the one and now
to the other; we had both lost our footing once or twice, and the
spectators would have had us leave off; but excited as we were, it was
impossible--we stopped not for their exclamations. I was put to my last
shifts to avoid the well-directed blows of the Rajpoot; he had better
wind than I, and this obliged me to alter my mode of play: hitherto
I had attacked him, I now only warded off his cuts, but watched my
opportunity. In his eagerness, thinking by a succession of blows he
could beat down my guard, he exposed his side, and my stick descended
on his ribs with a sound which was heard by all, and with a force which
fairly took away his breath; had my weapon been a sword, I think I
should have cut him in two.
"Fairly won!" cried Cheetoo; "fairly and bravely won! Ramdeen Singh,
thou hast lost, but it is no disgrace to thee. Come to me by-and-by and
I will reward thee."
The Rajpoot laughed, and I was glad he bore the defeat so
good-humouredly, for I had expected the contrary; he allowed that he
had been vanquished, and cried out to all that it had been a fair
encounter, and that he had used the utmost of his skill: "So beware,"
he continued, "how any of you engage the Meer Sahib; you all know what
I am, and I have been fairly beaten."
I was delighted with the noble fellow, and addressed Cheetoo himself.
"I crave a boon, Khodawund, and if I may hope to have it granted, I
will speak."
"Say on," he replied; "I will grant it readily."
"Then," said I, "let this brave fellow be placed under me. By your
favour, a stranger has been entrusted with the command of part of the
Harawul (advance-guard), and I would have both these Rajpoots with me,
and be allowed to entrust fifty men to the one and twenty-five to the
other."
"Good," said Cheetoo, "let it be so; and do you, Ghuffoor Khan, look to
it that it is done; these are the men who will serve us in the time of
need." A few days more and I was fairly installed into my new charge.
Fortune had favoured me far above my expectations, and I saw nought
before me but a career of distinction under my new master. True, I was
no longer a leader on my own responsibility, but the rank I held was
honourable, and perhaps far above my deserts. I seized an opportunity
which presented itself, and wrote a full account of the whole to my
father and Azima, for I knew that they would rejoice at tidings so new
and unexpected.
Our time passed in the camp in the manner I have related. In the
mornings I was a constant attendant upon Cheetoo, who rarely allowed me
to leave his person during his inspections of the constantly arriving
new adventurers; and the evenings closed with feats of strength and
trials of skill, in which I sustained the reputation I had begun with.
I never spent a happier time than the month I was at Nemawur--in every
way so gratifying to me, and so consonant to my previously formed
wishes.
At last the festival of the Dussera arrived, and it was held with
great pomp and show. A grand review of all the assembled adventurers
was held, a muster taken, and it was reported that five thousand good
horsemen were present; and this number, with their followers, and those
indifferently mounted, was augmented to nearly eight thousand,--a
gallant band, ready to do the bidding of their chief, and to carry war
and devastation into the countries before them.
It was planned that we should separate into two bodies soon after
passing the Nurbudda, penetrate as far as the Kistna river to the
south, and, should we find that fordable, then press on as far south
as we could without exposing ourselves to encounters with the regular
armies of the Feringhees, which, we were assured, although at present
inactive, could speedily be sent in pursuit of us. Accordingly, as the
morning broke, the whole camp was in motion; and a noble sight it was
to see durra after durra defile before their chief and hurry onwards at
a rapid pace. Boats had been provided at the Nurbudda, which we crossed
the same day, and took up our ground near the town of Hindia on its
southern bank.
At this point the army separated. I remained with my division and
Cheetoo, and we pushed on the day after, taking a direction to the
westward, so as to come upon the river Taptee, up the valley of which
we were to proceed till we should reach the territories of the Rajah of
Nagpoor, with whom a treaty had been previously made to allow us a free
and unmolested passage through his dominions, on the condition that
they were not to be plundered. The other division, under Syud Bheekoo,
a leader of note, and only second to Cheetoo, took a direction to the
eastward, along the bank of the Nurbudda, until they reached the grand
road to Nagpoor, by which it was their intention to travel.
Meanwhile we proceeded by rapid marches, for we were eager to reach the
scene of our operations, as our money was running short, and without
plunder we should starve. We heard that there was a small detachment
of regular troops, under Major Fraser, watching our movements; but
our spies told us they were few in number, and we were under no
apprehension of an attack from them. It was reported that they did not
exceed three hundred men, and we vainly thought they would not dare to
face as many thousands. But we had not sufficiently estimated their
bravery. We knew they were upwards of fifteen coss distant from us, and
what infantry could make that march and attack a body of horse like
ours?
They did, however, attack us. We had arrived at our ground near a
village on the Taptee, and some were cooking their morning meal,
others lounging idly about the camp or lying at full length on their
saddle-cloths, when the alarm was given that the Feringhees were upon
us. The scene of confusion which ensued is indescribable. Men hurried
hither and thither; anything like organization was past all hope; each,
as he could gain his horse, threw himself upon it and fled for his
life. Not a man stood. In vain I entreated those with me to rally, and
make a charge on the small body of red-coats, which was now drawn up in
line close to our camp, and was pouring volley after volley amongst us
with destructive precision. Not a man would hear me; and though my own
Thugs and a few of my division swore they would die if I were to lead
them on, I saw no chance of success; and as one or two of my men had
fallen near me, we, too, at length turned our horses' heads and fled.
We were not pursued, though there were some horsemen with the infantry,
who, had they not been the most arrant cowards, would have charged
after and engaged us.
I must say I longed that they should, and I kept my men, nearly a
hundred, in a close body, while from time to time we faced about and
shook our spears in defiance at the body of horse, about our own
number, who however did not stir. We saw the infantry once more put
in motion, to take possession of our camp, which, with the thousands
of temporary screens from the sun standing here and there, and the
fires burning under half-cooked victuals, must have been a welcome
resting-place to them after their long march. They must have gained a
considerable booty, for many a man threw himself on the bare back of
his horse, leaving a well-lined saddle behind him to the victors.
Our surprise and route was complete, and if the enemy had had a larger
body of infantry, or any good cavalry with them to have followed us, we
might have bid adieu to all hopes of future plunder, and most likely
should have taken our way to our respective homes and abandoned the
expedition. As it was, however, we found we had not lost more than a
hundred men; and three days afterwards we were again reunited, and in
as good spirits as ever.
At length we debouched by almost untrodden paths from the hills to
the eastward of Ellichpoor, and from among the dense jungles I had
before traversed, after the affair with the Moghulanee. We entered the
territories of the Nizam near the river Wurda, which we crossed, and
in one march of nearly twenty-five coss, reached Oomraotee, which it
appeared had been the object of our leader from the first. I have once
before described its riches and prosperity, and it was then far richer
than it is now.
As we rushed along, more like the flood of a mighty river than aught
else, every village on our route was instantly deserted by its
inhabitants and left to our mercy. They were one by one ransacked for
treasure, and in some of the largest much booty was obtained. I was
fortunate in leading the advance-guard on this day, and well do I
remember the excitement of the moment, as we passed the last defile
in the hills, and rushed in a body into the plain. Well do I remember
waving my sword to my companions--whose numbers were now swelled to
nearly five hundred splendid fellows, often increased by parties from
the rear,--as I showed them the broad plains of Berar, and told them
that we had unlimited power to plunder as we listed!
Ghuffoor Khan envied me that day; he had been detained with Cheetoo,
who remained with the main body, while my own Harawul was increased, in
order that I might advance and surround Oomraotee. On we dashed! The
few villages we surprised were quickly laid under contribution; and
rupees and gold and silver ornaments were tendered, almost without our
asking, by their terrified inhabitants. As we proceeded, the news that
we were coming had spread through every village, and thousands of the
people were seen flying from their homes; while a few only remained in
each, with an offering to me, accompanied by entreaties not to burn
their villages. Nor did I; though from the pillars of smoke which
not long afterwards arose in every direction behind us, I too justly
thought the main body had been less merciful than we had. We reached
Oomraotee towards evening. There were but few soldiers to guard this
important post, and they had fled on the news of our approach; we
therefore entered the town unchecked and unopposed. How different was
my present from my former visit!
I directed my course to the main street, where I knew I should find the
principal sahoukars; and, after stationing parties of my men at each
end and at the different outlets, I rode into the middle of the chouke,
or market-place, and dismounted among the leading men of the town, who
had a carpet spread, and were prepared, as they said, to do us honour.
But few words of greeting passed, for ours was no cordial visit, and
each party was bent on driving the hardest bargain. "Come, gentlemen,"
said I, after I had listened for some time to their vain protestations
of poverty and inability to raise a sum adequate to my desires, "this
is mere fooling. You have offered a lakh of rupees; do you think the
noble Cheetoo will be satisfied with this? I swear by the Koran he
will not, and you had better at once be reasonable and listen to my
words. The whole Lubhur will be here before it is dark, and if any of
you will take the trouble to ascend one of your tall houses, or one of
the bastions, you will see how Pindharees mark their progress. Many a
fine village behind me has not now a roof or tree standing, and your
good town will assuredly share the same fate if you trifle with us; and
not only will it be burned, but your property will be handed over to
the tender mercies of my men--ay, and your wives and daughters also;
so I give you fair warning. You have no force to oppose us; and if you
refuse, I am desired to tell you that we shall stay here for some days
and amuse ourselves by inspecting the interior of your houses. Go,
therefore, be wise, consult among yourselves, and before the shadow of
this tree has lengthened the measure of my sword (and I laid it on the
ground), bring me an answer worthy of your name for wisdom, and liberal
withal; beyond that time I give you not a moment; your houses are close
at hand, and, Inshalla! we will help ourselves."
"Well spoken!" cried all the men who were around me: "but, Meer Sahib,
why not help ourselves at once? These stingy merchants can have no idea
of the wants of men of honour like us, who have a long journey before
us."
"You shall hear what they say," replied I; "meanwhile let us be quiet
and orderly, and let none of you interrupt their consultations, or
offer violence to any of the townspeople."
The time had nearly elapsed, and the hilt of my sword was all that
remained in the sunlight. The council of the merchants was, from all
appearances, as far from a decision as ever, if I might judge from
their angry debate, and the unsettled and anxious expressions of their
countenances. Eagerly I watched the increasing shadow, as from time to
time I called to them that the period allowed had nearly elapsed; at
last the bright hilt of my sword glittered no longer, and I took it
up amidst a shout from my men. The merchants saw my action, and again
advanced in a body towards me.
"Sit down, Meer Sahib," said the fattest of them, who appeared to
be the chief, "sit down; let us talk over this matter calmly and
deliberately. That business is always unsatisfactory which is done in a
hurry, and with heated minds."
"No!" I exclaimed, "I will not; standing as I am, I will hear what you
have to say. Remember, when I draw my sword the plunder begins, and
though I have some influence over these brave fellows while they expect
a reasonable offer from you, yet the instant they are disappointed, my
power ends, and I will not answer for any of your lives."
"Come aside with me for a moment," said the chief merchant; "I would
speak with you apart; you need fear no treachery from a sahoukar!"
We all laughed heartily. "No, no," said I, "I fear nought, and will
come. And do you, my good fellows," I added, turning to my men, "see
that none of these worthy persons escape. Well," said I, when we had
gone a few paces from the group, "what would you say? Be quick; my men
are impatient, and your houses and shops are provokingly and temptingly
near."
"Listen then," replied he: "you are a leader, and by your conduct
doubtless have the influence you appear to have. You have not more
than five hundred men with you; we offer you therefore ten thousand
rupees as your own share, one thousand to each of your sirdars, and one
hundred apiece to your men; this will be nearly a lakh of rupees, and
we will take our chance with the main body. What do you say? be quick
and tell me, for the money is at hand, and can be easily distributed
before the main body comes up."
I pondered awhile; I knew Cheetoo would make his own terms, and I did
not see any harm in getting as much as I could of the spoil before
he came. I knew also that he expected ten lakhs, and would get it,
or nearly the sum, by fair means or foul. "Listen again," said the
sahoukar: "you are in advance; you have nought to do but take your
money and push on, and any village before you will shelter you for the
night; what will Cheetoo know of it?"
"Nay," said I, "here we remain; after a march of twenty-five coss, we
are in no humour to proceed; but I will take my men outside the town on
the instant payment of one lakh of rupees:--remember, one third of what
we get goes to the chief, and our share, after all, is not much."
"Agreed," said he; "now come to your men, and persuade them to be
quiet: they will not get so much by violence as by treating us well."
We returned to the group we had left, and I unfolded to them the
proposition which had been made to me; it was welcomed with a loud
shout which made the air ring, and was then succeeded by loud cries
for the money. The sum had evidently been collected previously, for
in a few moments a line of men heavily laden with bags of rupees,
issued from a lane close to where we were sitting. Duffa by duffa of
the Pindharees, each headed by its own duffadar, was brought up to the
spot; each man received his hundred rupees, each leader his thousand,
which were stowed away in the capacious bags of their saddles.
"You have not cared for yourself, Meer Sahib," said Peer Khan; "you
have taken nothing."
"Oh, do not fear for me," I replied; "I have got my share; the bag does
not look large, but it holds gold."
His eyes brightened. "That is right," he said; "the others must not
know of it."
"Not a syllable; it is known only to you and myself. Now we must take
care these rascals commit no excesses; they seem half in the humour to
run riot in the town."
"They seem content," he replied; "at least I for one am. By Alla! Meer
Sahib, this is rare work; a thousand rupees in a morning's ride is
better than our own profession, though we have been lucky in our time."
"Choop!" said I, "silence! This is no time for our secrets. Away with
you! See that the men take up ground before the town. I will remain
here with some others, and see what becomes of the place when Cheetoo
arrives."
One by one the Pindharees left me, except a few who stayed by my
desire; and, our business at an end, I sat down and awaited Cheetoo's
arrival. "What do you think he will ask?" said my fat friend to me.
"I know not," I answered; "but you had better be liberal at once, or he
will sack your town, and you know what Pindharees are; they have few
scruples, and some of you may be tortured."
A general shudder ran through the assembly at the thought of the
torture, and I saw I had made a hit. "Yes," I continued, "there are
such things as korlas, and your fat backs would soon be laid open;
besides there are fellows who are rare hands at tying up fingers and
hitting them on the ends, which is not agreeable I should think,--also
at mixing compositions for those bags to be tied over your mouths.
I have heard of even still worse contrivances to persuade obstinate
sahoukars; but ye are wise men--ye will be warned."
"Say at once, Meer Sahib," said another of the merchants who had not
yet spoken, "say what we should offer, and how many Pindharees are
there? we have heard there are five thousand."
"Somewhat below the mark, Séthjee," said I, "we are little under ten
thousand, I think; however, you will see the Lubhur, and judge for
yourselves. As for the sum, I should say, in the first place, a lakh
of rupees for Cheetoo himself--I know he expects as much; then there
are three sirdars, Heeroo, Ghuffoor Khan, and Rajun--fifty thousand
apiece; then each minor leader and duffadar a thousand, and every good
Pindharee a hundred. Say, have I spoken well?"
"Bhugwan protect us!" cried one and all, "we are ruined and dead men.
Why this would be at least eight lakhs of rupees; where are we to get
such a sum? We are ruined, and better kill us at once."
"No, no, my good friends, not so," said I. "All the world knows that
Oomraotee is the richest town in the country, ay richer than Hyderabad
itself, and that the money maybe counted, not by lakhs, but by crores;
so talk not to Cheetoo of your poverty, for he will presently prove
whether you lie or not. Trust me, your safest plan is to offer him a
large sum at once, for he has a long journey before him; the men have
got nothing since we left Nemawur, and they are hungry and thirsty."
"I tell you all," said the fat sahoukar, "the worthy Meer Sahib speaks
the truth. Bhugwan has sent this gurdee (calamity), and we must be
resigned to our fate. Better far is it to give the uttermost farthing,
than to see our wives and daughters dishonoured before our eyes. I have
spoken."
"Good!" cried I; "now you speak like wise men, and I will give you
further advice. Cheetoo is a great man, and loves to be paid honour, as
indeed is due to him; so also do the other leaders. Now get your pan,
uttur, and spices, make up a proper tray of them, bring a few handsome
shawls, and as he takes his seat, one of you throw a pair of the best
over his shoulders and those of the other chiefs, and lay your nuzzurs
before him as you would before Sikundur Jah himself. Inshalla! you will
find favour in his sight, and where you would have to pay ten lakhs you
will get off with half the sum, and save your town besides."
"By Gunga! 'tis well said!" cried several. "Meer Sahib, you are a kind
friend and give good advice: without you we should not have known what
to do."
"Again," said I, "let none of you have long faces, but all look as if
you were rejoiced at his coming. Be none of you alarmed before you have
cause. Pay you must; and therefore do it with as good a grace as you
can."
The assembly drank in my words, as I by turns advised and alarmed them,
in order to keep up the spirit I had infused, and in this manner the
time passed until the dusk of evening, when, by the noise of the tread
of many horses' feet and the firing of matchlocks, we were assured of
the approach of the main body.
"Now stick by us," cried the sahoukars as they crowded round me; "you
are our friend and must present us: we will not be afraid." But their
words belied them, for the teeth of one and all were chattering with
fear, and their cheeks blanched, at the thoughts of confronting the
Pindharee chief.
Cheetoo came, and riding into the chouke, surrounded by a crowd of
wild-looking figures, the effect of whose appearance was materially
increased by the dusk of the evening, his titles were screamed out by a
dozen mouths, each vying with the other in exaggeration of his powers.
The group of sahoukars, headed by me, advanced towards him; and the
head merchant, rubbing his forehead on the chief's stirrup, implored
him to alight and refresh himself, adding that a zeafut had been
prepared, and all were desirous of presenting their nuzzurs. I seconded
the request, and he exclaimed, "Surely I know that voice; whose, in the
name of Shitan, is it?"
"That of your slave Ameer Ali," said I.
"Oh, then all is right," he cried; "and thou too hast turned sahoukar.
How is this, Meer Sahib?"
"May I be your sacrifice, Nuwab!" said I; "I have but mingled with
these worthy persons, because they declared they should be annihilated
at the sight of the splendour of your appearance. I did but console
them and keep up their spirits till my lord arrived."
"Thou hast done well," said Cheetoo. "Is everything prepared?"
"All," cried the sahoukars; "if the noble Cheetoo will but alight, we
are prepared to do him honour."
He alighted, and led by the hand by the chief merchant, he was
conducted into an adjoining house, which belonged to one of the
merchants, and where a clean white floor-cloth had been spread, and
a musnud placed. The room too was well lighted. Cheetoo took his
seat, and looked around him with evident gratification; savage as his
countenance was, it now wore a smile of triumph, yet mixed with an
expression of extreme pleasure.
"These are civilised people," said he to Rajun, his favourite, who was
close to him. "I little expected this; did you?"
"Indeed no," said he; "I thought we should have had to cut our way into
the town. Depend on it, this is some of Ameer Ali's doing."
"Likely enough," said Cheetoo; "he is a gentleman, and knows how a
gentleman ought to be received. But for him, it is most probable these
swine would have shut themselves up in their houses, and given us the
trouble of pulling them out. But see,--what are they about?"
I was nudged by the Sahoukar, who, whispering, implored me to ask
Cheetoo to accept their nuzzur. "Five hundred rupees for you if he
takes it," again he whispered as I pretended to hesitate. "Agreed,"
said I; "I will revenge myself if it is not paid."
"By Gunga! by my Junwa!" again said he most earnestly; "nay, I will
double it. Speak for us, good Meer Sahib, are you not our friend and
our brother?"
"What are those sons of asses talking to you about?" cried Cheetoo.
"Why don't they speak out?"
"Khodawund!" I said, "the terror of your name has preceded you"--and he
smiled grimly,--"and your appearance is in every way so imposing and
surpassing the accounts these men have heard, that, by Alla! they are
dumb; and though they would fain lay a nuzzur at your feet, in every
way befitting your high rank, they have not words to express their
desires, and have begged your slave to inform my lord of them."
"Kabool, Kabool! I agree," cried Cheetoo; "let the trays be brought.
Verily a nuzzur from the sahoukars of Oomraotee ought to be worth
seeing."
Fifteen trays were brought in, covered with rich velvet coverings, and
set down before the musnud; one by one their covers were removed, and
indeed it was a goodly sight! Dates, pistachio nuts, sweetmeats, and
sugar-candy filled four; the rest contained cloths of various kinds,
European and Indian, muslins, chintzes, rich turbans, and Benares
brocades. It was a nuzzur fit for a prince, and Cheetoo was delighted.
"Now," said I to the Sahoukar, "this is a happy moment; where are the
shawls and the ashruffees? Have a stout heart, and throw the shawls
over him, as you would over one of your own tribe at a marriage."
The Sahoukar took the shawls from an attendant, and putting five
ashruffees upon them, advanced to the feet of Cheetoo; and having made
the tusleemât or three obeisances, he presented the gold, and unfolding
the shawls, which were very splendid, dexterously enveloped the chief's
person in them, and then retreating, stood with his hands folded on his
breast in an attitude of respectful humility.