Atmâ
Page 16
CHAPTER XVI.
When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regardingthe unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.
"And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is thatpoetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves,like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it onlyhalf conceals. Poetry hath an advantage over prose."
"But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness ofits lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrotesongs for the pleasure of the Court. "The charm of poetry," he saidsadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft inthe handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."
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It is a primary characteristic of poetry that it cannot be translated.The most that a translator can do is to express in another tongue themain thought embodied, and enshrine it in a new poem. I have inchanging some dainty wind-blossom of song from one dialect to another ofthe same language witnessed its instant transition into the realms ofprose, and regarded the metamorphosis with the guilty awe of one whodeals unwittingly in baleful magic.
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And now they spoke of the marvellous properties of precious stones, atopic suggested, no doubt, by the story-teller's mention of a gleamingjewel, and probably still more by the unspoken anxiety with which manynoted the non-return of the party who had gone in quest of the Sapphire.
"The diamond is possessed of many occult powers," said a courtier.
"Ay," replied another, "among gems the diamond has greater subtlety thanall others."
"I would like," said one, "to wear a circlet of well-chosen stones toserve as oracle and counsellor. The opal should assure me of my friend'sfealty, the invisible slaves of the diamond should guard my fortunes,the serpent that cast its harmful eye on me would be blinded by myemerald, for, in fine, I believe that vassal genii attend each gem, andobey the behests of him who holds it."
"The diamond," said the poet, "guards the destinies of lovers."
"Love," said Atma smiling, "is its own security, for it makes nounwilling captive."
The look of hatred and rage which Lal Singh darted at him startled theonlookers.
"The worst of sorcerers," said he, "are those who disclaim the use ofenchantment. Success in love, Atma Singh, means sometimes to die like adog."
But the Nawab interposed with moderate speech. "It is," said he, "a wiseman who knows the omens of the future, and is thereby guided."
"The services of a skilful necromancer are greatly needed at thepresent," whispered a courtier.
Many of the company were now standing, scanning with anxious gaze thedistant horizon. They looked far a-field, but high overhead the robberlooked down on them. There was the falcon mid-way between earth and sky.Now it began to sink. Swiftly it fell, and a cry escaped the lips of thefew who observed it. The bird's keeper was off with the expedition, butas it reached the earth, a very few yards from the Rajah's circle, adozen men were instantly upon it. Foremost was Atma Singh, his hand itwas that grasped it. It was tired, and stood on his left wrist withanything but the air of a convicted thief, as with head bent sideways itinspected the throng. Atma strode forward to the Rajah, and a dismayedcry arose that the Sapphire was lost indeed. The bird no longer held it.Atma took no heed, but advancing made obeisance before Golab Singh, andextended to him his captive.
"Your clemency, Maharajah," he said, "for the truant."
"Had he brought back the Sapphire he might have gained mercy," said theRajah, with more anger, Bertram thought, than he had ever seen himdisplay. "Take away the knave out of my sight, and despatch a horsemanat once to the Palace with command that four hundred men forthwithsearch all this plain, with every tree on it and every stream thatcrosses it, until they find the jewel."
Lal Singh since his angry outburst had stood aside, his narrow facecontracted, and had not ceased to watch Atma from the moment when heseized the falcon. His cunning eyes followed the young Sikh as he bowedbefore the Ruler of Kashmir, and now gliding forward he cringed beforeGolab Singh, as he hissed in a voice nearly inarticulate with triumphand hate, "Maharajah, the plain is wide; before entering on so extensivean undertaking, order someone more trusty than Atma Singh to recover thestone by searching the leal descendant of the holy Nanuk! I, though lesslofty of sentiment and aspiration, am filled with horror and grief,because I have perceived him to take the Sapphire from the bird themoment it touched ground."
The effect of this charge can hardly be described: indignation on thepart of some, among whom were Atma's British friends, at what they feltassured must be a groundless accusation; suspicion and anger on the partof others. "Let him immediately be seized and searched," commanded theRajah.
The first part of his command was already obeyed, and almost before aprotest could be uttered, Atma's arms were bound behind him and GolabSingh's servants proceeded zealously to search his person. In silenceand with lips compressed, Bertram and his brother officers looked onwhilst he submitted to this indignity, no syllable escaping him fromthe moment when he fixed his accusing gaze on his foe. But when a tinyonyx-box of curious workmanship was produced from the folds of hisgirdle, and laid before the Rajah of Kashmir, he did not repeat thelook, although on its appearance Lal uttered an exulting exclamation.
The onyx-box was all that rewarded the scrutiny of the Rajah's servants."Open it!" he commanded, and forthwith the fatal casket was unclosed.Golab Singh, bending over it, inhaled the strong and subtle odour thathad nearly overcome Atma the morning he received the box from the handsof Nama at the sacred shrine. The Maharajah turned pale, and withdifficulty recovered his breath. "Miscreant!" cried the courtiers.
Now a paper was unfolded bearing the seal and superscription of theMaharanee Junda Kowr, the dangerous foe of the British to whom GolabSingh owed his throne.
"An emissary of the Ranee," cried some.
"A spy," shouted others, while Golab Singh had thoughts which it wouldnot have been prudent to utter aloud in that mixed assemblage.
"A despatch from the Ranee withheld by this traitor for who knows whatvillainous purpose!"
"He shall pay the penalty," he thundered, "before the sun riseto-morrow. Carry him bound to a dungeon!"
Now an Englishman who stood beside him touched the prisoner on theshoulder. His face had grown stern, and he narrowly searched Atma'scountenance as he spoke gravely but gently enough. "Have you no word tosay, Atma Singh, when you are accused of playing so base a conspirator'spart against the life of your host and of your friends?"
Then Atma spoke and proudly, "No word, Sahib, which a Sikh may utter."
Excitement prevailed and great consternation. Englishmen exchangedglances; plots, they believed, of an unguessed extent surrounded them.Musselmen and Sikhs looked at one another with fierce suspicion."Where," their faces asked, "are his accomplices?" And no look of doubtfell on his denouncer. The Rajah's rage increased every moment, addingto the commotion which delayed the fulfilment of his commands. Toenhance the confusion, the party of horsemen now returned. They pressedaround, hearing and giving tidings. In the tumult Bertram reachedAtma's side, but before he could speak, Atma whispered in his ear, "Meetme in the Moslem Burying ground to-morrow night." Then with a sudden andstrong effort, swift as a bird, he freed himself from the exciteduncertain grasp that held him, and springing upon a horse he was off onthe wings of the wind. A score of men scrambled to their saddles, butthey were in confusion, and their horses were tired, whilst Atma hadmounted a fresh horse just brought forward for his own safe escort toprison. In the disorder, he gained a few priceless moments of time, andthreading well his way between the groves that dotted the plain, he wassoon lost to view.