CHAPTER XLIV.
He returned after some time, bringing with him a small casket, andleading by the hand a noble-looking boy, whom he presented to me as hisson, his firstborn. He was about twelve years of age, intelligent infeature, and withal handsome, and possessing a confidence of manner Ihad never seen surpassed. "Alla has been merciful to you, my friend,"said I; "and the Sahib Zadah is worthy of his sire. I had a son tooonce, who promised to be such a one as the boy before me; but it wasHis will! and I have now a lonely house. Yet why obtrude my griefs upona stranger? You have doubtless other flowers of the same tree."
"There are three of them," said the merchant, "and they are the prideof my existence; for, after all, what is wealth? what is honour? whatis well-doing or respect in the world, without some one to inherit it,and to tell of his father to yet unborn generations? And you are yetyoung. Why be without hope? Alla will not fail to listen to the prayersof a devout Syud."
"Alas!" said I, "I think not of it. A girl remains to me, who iscontracted in marriage to the son of a worthy neighbour, and upon herrest my hopes at present. It is on her account that I seek a few pearlsfor the marriage ceremonies."
"And they are here, Meer Sahib; pearls from Surat and fromSerendeeb,--jewels that a monarch might be proud to wear." And heopened the casket, and displayed its beautiful contents to my admiringeyes.
"They are indeed beautiful," said I; "but a poor soldier like myselfhas little to do with such costly ornaments. Show me, I pray you, afew of a lower price, such as will suit my present wants, which do notreach further than three hundred rupees' worth."
He selected a string, and held them out to me; they were what I reallyrequired, and the purchase was quickly concluded. Still, however, theglittering strings lay before me; and as I took up one in particular ofgreat beauty, from the evenness of the pearls and their bright water, Isaid, as if involuntarily, "Would that my patron could see these!"
"Eh! what?" cried the merchant. "Do you think he would purchase them?"
"Assuredly," said I; "for shortly before I left Jhalone the Rajah wasin the greatest need of pearls, and sent hither and thither for them,but without success; none were to be procured; and he was even talkingof sending to Surat for some; but the length of the journey, and therisk, put the matter out of his head."
The merchant mused for awhile. At last he said, "And you really thinkhe would purchase them?"
"I do. His daughter will be married next year, and he is collectingjewels for the ceremony."
"They are very beautiful," said the merchant, taking up the string,"are they not? I have had them now for two years, and no one here isrich enough to purchase them; yet they are cheap, I swear by your beardthey are, and I look for but little profit upon them."
"The price?" I asked.
"From a poor man, like you, Meer Sahib, a Syud and a soldier, I wouldtake six thousand rupees, but from a Rajah and an infidel I would askeight."
"Good," said I. "Now listen to me. I am, as you say, poor; and I havethe heavy expense of this marriage coming upon me. What say you toaccepting my aid, and taking the pearls to Jhalone and selling themthere? The Rajah is much guided by me; and if I get him to pay eightthousand rupees, you will pay me back the three hundred I now owe youfor those I have purchased? Turn it over in your mind, and tell me yourdetermination."
"Jhalone is a long way," said the merchant; "and if I sell my pearls,how am I to get back with the money? Thieves will hear of thetransaction, and I may be waylaid and murdered."
"Fear not," replied I; "be at rest on that score. To one who has comeso far from his home to oblige him, the Rajah will give an escort toreturn. Of this I am confident; and if this is all that prevents yourmaking the determination to accompany me, you had better dismiss itfrom your mind at once."
"I will consult the astrologer," said he.
"Nay, Shekhjee," I replied, "this is too ridiculous. What have wetrue believers to do with astrologers? The man you would consult is aHindoo, and there is abomination in the very word. Besides, what dangeris there? I have some fifty men with me, my own attendants, and theRajah's sepoys, therefore no harm can come to you; as for your return,you will have a few horsemen, who will afford you ample protection.Again, you said you have had the necklace for two years, and never hadan offer for it; why, therefore, keep your money unemployed? Be wise,man, and come with me."
"Yes, father," said the lad, "listen to what the brave Meer Sahib says;and I will accompany you, and see the world beyond our town. You knowyou have promised to take me with you the first journey you make."
"Well, it is very tempting, certainly," said the merchant. "Eightthousand rupees, you said, Meer Sahib? That is worth going for, andthese baubles are useless to me here. To tell you the truth," continuedhe, "I got them from a Pindharee, who served with Cheetoo, or DostMahomed, I know not which; he kept them as long as he could, but theLubhurs were broken up by the Feringhees (a sad blow to our freetrade), and though a few horsemen, his own followers, stuck to him, yethe had nothing to give them; at last, when they became mutinous, andthreatened his life for their pay, he was obliged to sell these, and Iwas the purchaser."
"And you got them cheap?" said I.
"Yes, they were not dear, Meer Sahib; a man in necessity rarely drivesa hard bargain. I got them cheap; and yet I swear to you that they arecheap at eight thousand rupees. I say this from experience: for I havesold worse to Mahdajee Sindia himself for ten thousand: but he will notpurchase now, and they lie heavy on my hands."
"All, therefore, considered, Shekhjee," said I, "you had by far betteraccompany me to Jhalone. As to the journey, a month will see you backagain; the season is favourable for travel; and as we are a strongparty, and march by night, you will never be incommoded by the sun."
"Well, Meer Sahib, I have almost determined; but it will be necessaryto tell those inside," and he pointed with his thumb to the zenana;"and as you said you had to go to the kotwal on some business, if youcould look in here after it is all over, about the time of eveningprayer, I shall be able to give you a decisive answer. Much as weaffect to despise women, you know, I dare say, Meer Sahib, that itmakes one uncomfortable to undertake anything, more especially ajourney, without consulting them."
"As you will," said I; "I am indifferent about the matter; it is foryour good alone that I have offered this counsel; and in this worldof infidelity and selfishness it is refreshing to the heart eitherto assist a brother Moslem, or to be assisted by one without selfishmotives. Alla Hafiz! I take my leave, and I will return by the Moghreb,and bring the money for my pearls." I left him.
"Is he to be bunij?" again asked the Thug.
"Peace, fool!" said I, laughing; "he has gorged the bait, but the hookis not yet struck. Wait. Inshalla! Ameer Ali is not the son of an owlor a jackass; and, Inshalla! we will yet throw dirt on his beard, forall he is so cautious."
I had no business with the kotwal, as you may have imagined. I rode tomy tent, and assembling the leaders of the band, developed to them myplans, and gave them instructions as to their demeanour and conductbefore our new guest in prospect: this done, I was easy about the rest.If he came!--It was almost too much to hope for; yet I had confidencein myself and in my fate. And the boy! that beautiful boy!--I had (foronce) no heart to be a participator in his death. "I must not allowhim to accompany us," I said to myself; "enough that the house is madedesolate by the death of the father." I was thus musing when Laloo cameto me.
"You are mad, Meer Sahib," said he; "this plan is not feasible. Bunijmet with on the road is well enough; but to drag a man out of hishouse, as I may say, to destroy him, is too bad; and I do not think itis justifiable."
"Ha!" cried I; "so you are turned against me. How is this?"
"God forbid that you should say so, Meer Sahib; but look at the matter.You are known in the town, people have seen you enter the house of themerchant, and they will know that he accompanies you. Will they nothunt us out?"
"You are an owl," said I, laughing: "trust me, there i
s no fear; andas for taking the man out of his house, I tell thee I see no moredifference in it than in having met him on the road in a regular way.Let me alone, I know my work, and when we have got him, you shallyourself applaud what I have done."
"Nay, it was but a friendly remonstrance," said he; "and as you feelconfident, go on with the matter. He will be good bunij?"
"Assuredly, to the tune of some thousand rupees. By Alla! I was tiredof the humdrum work we have been at lately, and my blood stagnated inmy veins. This has stirred it, and I have set myself to the work. Youknow I seldom fail."
"Seldom, indeed, Meer Sahib; but can I do aught?"
"Yes, you can," said I: "follow me at a little distance, and note thehouse. The fool I am after will depend on his astrologer for a good dayto quit his home. I am sure of this, for he said he would; and he tookmy bantering against it with an ill grace. Find out his servants, andfrom them the Brahmin; take money with you and pay him. There is enoughof daylight yet, and remember to-morrow morning is to be a lucky one,and the next a bad one. Mind this, and do your best, for much dependsupon it--nay, everything."
"On my head and eyes be it!" said he; "and therefore, Meer Sahib, Ipray you accompany me even now, better in disguise perhaps, and show methe house. Leave the rest to me, and I will not fail."
"A good thought," said I. "The sun will not set for the next fourhours; I can easily return and equip myself afresh." So saying, Istripped myself of my fine clothes, put on others which were soiled anddirty, tied up my face, except my eyes, and tucking my sword under myarm, looked as disreputable a brawler or smoker of ganja as any in thegood town of Tearee.
"Come," said I, "our errand is soon done;" and so it was. We walkedpast the house, and I left my ally at the corner of the street, with ahundred rupees in his waistband, and a cunning heart in his breast.
I returned, and re-dressing myself, I mounted my horse, and took my wayto the merchant's, with the money I owed him. I found him in the samespot; but as the evening was sultry, he led me to the terrace of hishouse, where carpets had been spread for our convenience. I paid mymoney, and received the pearls, and then entered upon the main objectof my visit.
"You will go then, Shekhjee?" said I; "or is your mind against it?"
"Not at all, not at all," replied he. "It is my wish to go,--my greatwish, Meer Sahib; but when I mentioned it in my zenana, though theproposition met with no opposing words or tears, they one and alldeclared that a lucky day must be fixed, without which it would beclearly of no use my going at all. You know what women are, MeerSahib; suffice it to say, that I could not overcome their scruples;for the more I argued and persuaded, the more strongly they opposed;and in fact, the matter became so serious, that to pacify them--mindyou--to pacify them--I sent ten rupees to a Brahmin who lives hardby, who is a noted astrologer, and the only one here in whom anyconfidence is placed. Alla is my witness, I cared not what he said;but when a message came back to say that to-morrow was an unluckyday, the whole Zenan-khana, wives, slaves, and asseels, set up sucha howl of lamentation at what might have happened, and afterwards ofcongratulation at my having escaped the threatened evil, that I wasfairly stunned, and have given up the idea of the journey for to-morrowat any rate. But you know, Meer Sahib, to-morrow's conjunction ofplanets may have a different effect, and as you will stay"----
"Indeed, Shekhjee," said I, "I cannot stay. Here have I idled awaythree whole days, and I can remain no longer, for time is precious tome. My patron will even now wonder what has delayed me; and to losehis favour will be the loss of my means of maintenance. So to-morrowI start, most assuredly, whether you come or not. And as to youraccompanying me, that is your matter; I am perfectly indifferent to it,except that I shall lose your pleasant society on the road."
He was fairly perplexed. He had evidently reckoned on my stay; but mycareless yet determined manner of speaking left him no hope of a changein my opinions; and, as a Persian would have said, he held "the fingerof deliberation between the teeth of impatient desire." There he satfor a long time, looking on the ground in silence. It was a strugglebetween the love of gain and superstition; for though he had wishedme to believe the contrary, he was as fully imbued with the belief oflucky and unlucky days as any of his wives, slaves, or asseels. Atlength he said:
"Meer Sahib, you remember our agreement--the two hundred rupees? Iwill make it another hundred if you stay one more day. You are a poorman, and a hundred rupees will buy many clothes for your daughter'smarriage."
Here was a direct attempt to cheat me out of a hundred rupees; and, forthe latter part of his speech, I could have strangled him on the spot.Yet I kept my temper: I was playing too deep a game to lose it, and fora trifle too.
"No, Shekh," said I, "it cannot be; I would not for a thousand rupeesstay an hour after daylight to-morrow: you cannot tempt me. But haveyou ever thought that your Nujoomee may have played you false, and thatit requires a few more rupees than ten to make the heavens propitious?I have heard of such things, ay, and proved them too, or perhaps Imight believe in the aspect of the stars as you do."
"Ay! say you so, my friend?" cried he. "By Alla I would beat the roguewith a shoe in his own temple, with a shoe of cow's leather too, ifI could think he was trying to cheat me; but that is impossible. Howcan he help the position of the stars? And yet say, shall I send moremoney?"
"No," said I, "surely not; if he is honest, he will fling it in yourservant's face; if he is a rogue, he will keep it, and send word thatthe stars have changed; in the first case you will eat dirt, in thesecond you will be cheated, and he will laugh at your beard. No, I seeno help for you, but to go in defiance of him, the zenana, and thestars; and this will prove you to be a man."
"Impossible, Meer Sahib," said he, despondingly. "Putting the Nujoomeeout of the question, I have four wives, Alla help me!--the lawfulnumber, you know; but oh! my friend, their wrath is dreadful, and Idare not provoke it."
"It is enough," said I; "you will not go, because you dare not,--notbecause you do not wish it."
"Exactly, Meer Sahib: you have hit upon the very cause. My own heart iswilling, and the prospect of gain leads me; but those women"--
It was prayer time, and the Muezzin's sonorous voice proclaimedthe hour from the roof of a neighbouring mosque. We performed ourablutions, and, as good Mussulmans, we spread our carpets, and turningto the still glowing west, poured forth our evening praise andthanksgiving. I was determined to stay till the last moment I could,to give my emissary time for his proceedings, and, if no message camefrom the astrologer, to try some other plan, or even to agree to stayanother day. Ah, gold! thought I, if thou desertest me now at my bestneed, I will forswear thy worship.
Our prayers were ended, and still we sat and conversed, but no messagecame to suit my purpose. I had gradually led the merchant back to thesubject of the journey, and was picturing to him, in terms suited tohis avaricious soul, the reception he would assuredly meet with atJhalone; and I was preparing my words to introduce a change in myopinions as to staying another day, when a servant came up the steps,and whispered something in his ear, at which he started, yet at thesame time his face put on a joyous appearance.
"Excuse me for an instant, my friend," said he; "I am wantedbelow--some one awaits me in the Dewan Khana. Wait here, and I willrejoin you instantly."
My heart beat loud and quick in my bosom as I watched him down thesteps. Could it be that I had succeeded? or was there any fear ofdanger to my own person? I looked over the terrace; it was far toohigh to leap from; escape, if there was danger, was impracticable. Buta moment's thought rallied me; and as I disengaged my trusty sword,and held it ready for action, I laughed at my own fears, for I knewthat I could defend that narrow stair against a host. I looked overinto the court-yard of the Dewan Khana, but saw no one: I could heartwo loud voices in low and earnest conversation; and as I stretchedforth my neck, and bent over the parapet of the terrace, in the vainendeavour to catch a syllable, I was suddenly gratified by seeing themerchant and a figure robed
in white, which I knew at once to be thatof a Hindoo, while his bare and shaven head proved him to be a priest,emerge from the Dewan Khana; and now their words came clearly to me.
"Then there is no obstacle?" said the merchant.
"None," said the Brahmin (for so he was); "as I have said, there was amistake in the tables and calculations which I have just discovered. Myart also told me that thou wert anxious to go; am I right?"
"Right, ah, virtuous Brahmin, assuredly thou art. I am promisedgain--nay, wealth."
"And thou wilt be successful," said the other. "May Narayun grant it! Iwill pray for thy good fortune."
"Do so, do so, good Brahmin: good Seonath, I will not forget thee on myreturn. Inshalla! I can be grateful: I will make a nuzzur through theeto the temple."
"You will not fail to do so, I think, Shekhjee, for Ballajee hath beenpropitious to thee ever since thy nuzzurs have been offered up at hisshrine. But I go to present thy gift, though it is a small one. Narayunkeep thee!"
"It shall be doubled--trebled, Seonath. I swear to thee by Alla I willnot forget when I return. Thou goest! Well, Alla Hafiz, my friendawaits me."
He returned to me. "Rejoice with me, my friend," cried he, "my kindMeer Sahib! After all, to-morrow is the lucky day. My friend theBrahmin sent one of his disciples to say there was a mistake in thecalculations upon his tablets, and that the aspect of the heavens wasfavourable to me for an unlimited period. Ah, how wise he is, MeerSabib, and how honest!--you called him a rogue: but see, he might havekept me in suspense for a month, and refused to consult the stars atall until he had been well paid. Well, after all, it is the power ofAlla, and doubtless these infidels hold some communion with him whichis denied to those of the true faith."
"So it would seem, Shekhjee," said I, humouring him; "it is no doubtwonderful that your friend, for an astrologer, is for once honest. Ofcourse, you paid him liberally for his new discovery?"
The merchant winced. "A trifle, Meer Sahib; a few pice to purchase oilfor the temple was all he wanted."
"Oh, rare disinterestedness!" cried I; "truly it is grateful to theheart to see such conduct in this selfish world, where every oneappears to strive how he can overreach his neighbour. Of course, he hasno prospective advantage?"
"None, Meer Sahib, none! How could a true believer have dealings orconnection with an infidel? Do I not take advantage of his learning formy own convenience, and then laugh at his beard?" And he chuckled.
Liar! said I to myself, as I clenched my hand and ground my teeth,thou shalt answer to Alla for this perjury before thou art many daysolder. Verily this is a meritorious deed, and therefore hast thou beendelivered into my hands. A Hajji too! Oh, shame, shame! Yet then Iremembered the Arab verse which saith, "If thy neighbour hath performedthe Haj, trust him not; and if he hath done it twice, haste thee toremove thine abode from his vicinity."
"Good, O Hajji," said I, "and you do right. But the night wanes, youhad better make preparations for the journey; and let me offer youcounsel; bring no one with you but a servant or two; my company isample for your protection. I have a small pal which will hold us both;and, above all, bring not your son,--he will but fatigue himself for nogood purpose, and be a clog on our rapid movements, for rapid they mustbe."
"I will follow your advice in all things, Meer Sahib. I shall bring noservants; the man who will drive my spare tattoo can attend me when Irequire it; and the less show I make, the less I shall be suspected ofcarrying money with me."
"Remember then," said I, "you come to my camp by the time themorning-star rises; we shall all be ready for you, and the sun will notbe powerful ere we reach our stage."
He promised to be there by the appointed time, and I left him. I foundmy trusty emissary waiting for me in my tent. He burst into a loudlaugh when he saw me. "Is he safe?" he asked at length. "Ah, MeerSahib, I have had great amusement, as no doubt you have also."
"He is, he is fairly caught. The net is around him; one pull and he isa lost man. And you, my faithful friend, you have succeeded so that Imarvel at your success."
"Marvel not," he replied; "the task was easier than I thought. But hearmy adventures."
"Surely," said I; and I called for a chilum, while he proceeded.
"You remember when you left me?"--I nodded,--"Well, it was a long timeere I could find a servant; and in despair I lay down in the shadeof the wall, but kept awake; at last a fellow came out, a Hindoo, asluck would have it, and I followed him: 'Canst thou direct me to akulal's shop?' said I; 'I have travelled far, and my throat is dry.'I saw that the fellow himself drank, from the colour of his eyes, andthey sparkled at the mention of the kulal's shop. 'There is one closeby,' he replied; 'I will show it.' 'Good,' said I, 'thou shalt sharemy potations.' Well, we entered the shop, and went into the innerroom. I called for a bottle of liquor, and paid for it; the place wassomewhat dark, and I poured what I took on the ground, but he drankevery drop; he finished the bottle as though it had been water, and Isent for more. At last I began by asking him who his master was, andwhat service he did, and, Mashalla! I heard in a wonderfully short timeall about him; and, lastly, that he was going on a journey, but hadbeen prevented by an astrologer's having declared the morrow to be anunlucky day. In fine, my friend Sumbhoo (for such was his name) gotvery drunk, and having told me much of his master's private history,which did not redound to his credit, he fell senseless on the ground,and there I left him; but not before I had ascertained that theastrologer resided at a temple in the next street, and that his namewas Seonath."
"I have seen him," said I; "a tall, fair man, a good-looking priest,and stout enough for a Thug."
"You saw him! How and where?" I told him, and we had a hearty laughas I described the scene in the court-yard, and mimicked the cringingtones of the merchant, and the haughty ones of the Brahmin.
"But listen," said Laloo, "and wonder as I did. I soon found the templeand the Brahmin, and accosting him, I begged for a charm against theevil eye for my child. He looked at me--ya Alla, how he looked! Iquailed under his gaze, and my flesh crept as if I were in an ague fit;for once I was afraid, for I knew not the man, and yet he seemed as ifhe could read my heart. 'Follow me,' said he, 'I would speak with theeapart from these prying people.' He spoke kindly, and I followed him,though almost mechanically. He went before me. 'Leave your shoes,' saidhe; 'this place must not be polluted: it is sacred.' At last we werealone, in a small court, where there was a shrine of the god. Again heturned on me, and looked into my face. I really knew not what to think;and oh, how glad I was when he put an end to my suspense by repeatingour signal words!"
"Our signal?"----"Yes, Meer Sahib, even so; I was as much astoundedas you are, but the mystery was soon solved; he proved to be a priestof our holiest of temples, Bindachul, who had travelled into theseparts, and having picked up some astronomical lore at Benares, set uphere for an astrologer, and found the trade so profitable, that he hasnot returned to Bindachul. Of course, I had no reservation with him;I developed our plan, from which he at first drew back; but I openedmy purse, and five ashruffees worked such a change in his sentiments,that he listened to my words with complacency, altered the face of theheavens as far as they concerned your friend, and, in fine, offeredthere and then to go and say that his calculations were wrong, and thateverything boded prosperity to the poor Shekh."
"He has not failed us," said I.
"No," replied Laloo, "I know that; but we have to pay handsomely.He wanted a hundred rupees more; but I represented that we were alarge band, and there would not be much to divide, and I obliged himto be content with a Bhuttote's share, added to whatever a generalsubscription might amount to when the band should be informed of thepart he had played."
"And he is content?"
"You have had the best proof, Meer Sahib; has he not done the errandhe promised? And when did a Brahmin of Bindachul ever break his faith?He dare not: Bhowanee would smite him on the spot, or kill him bylingering torments."
"And how," I asked, "are we to convey this sha
re to him, whatever itmay turn out to be?"
"Easily enough; we can get a hoondee on this place, and send it to himin a letter, or we can despatch a man with it."
"True, we can," said I; "and so now go; repeat to the men the lesson Itaught them, and enjoin them to be circumspect and wary. We have goodbunij in prospect, and, Inshalla! we will get it, too. But I wish Icould see the Brahmin, who has done us so good a turn in this matter."
"Let him alone," said he; "he told me, that although he wished much tosee you, having often heard of your conduct, it was better to avoidsuspicion, and that any open intercourse between him and you wouldexpose him to the inquiries of those with whom he was associated, andhad better be avoided. And he is right, Meer Sahib; it would do nogood."
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