CHAPTER XXIII.
Seated with the old Moola I have before mentioned, the Nuwab SubzeeKhan Buhadoor (for by that name alone I knew him) was quaffinghis bitter and intoxicating draught. Around him stood some of hisretainers, fierce-looking fellows, one or two of them with deep scarson their rough visages, which showed they had bravely followed theirnoble master through many a hard-fought field. Behind him sat the slaveI have mentioned, a slender fair girl, who was busily employed inmaking 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 Ispoke of. I need repeat no praises of him, for no doubt your discerningeyes will at once observe that he is a person of respectability andgood 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 itwith his hand, he bid me be seated near him on the carpet. This I wastoo polite to do; so, excusing myself on the ground of unworthiness ofsuch honour, I seated myself on my heels on the edge of the carpet, andplaced my sword and shield before me. The sword immediately attractedhis attention. "That is a noble weapon, Meer Sahib," said he; "may I beallowed to look at it?"
"Certainly," said I, presenting the hilt; "the sword is at my lord'sservice."
"Nay, Meer Sahib, I want it not; but I am curious in these matters, andhave a choice collection, which I will one day show you."
He drew it carefully from the scabbard, and as the brightly-polishedblade 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. Imust however describe him. In person he was tall and strongly made; hisarms in particular, which were distinctly seen through his thin muslindress, were remarkably muscular, and very long; his figure was slightlyinclined to corpulency, perhaps the effect of age, which had alsosprinkled his curling beard and mustachios with gray hairs; or it mightbe that these had been increased in number by the dangerous use of thedrug he drank in such quantities. His face was strikingly handsome, andat once bespoke his high birth. A noble forehead, which was but littleconcealed by his turban, was covered with veins which rose above itssurface, as though the proud blood which flowed in them almost scornedconfinement. His eyes were large and piercing like an eagle's, and, butthat they were swollen and reddened by habitual intemperance, wouldhave been pronounced beautiful. He had a prominent thin nose, largenostrils, almost transparent, and a mouth small and curved like a bow,which, when the features were at rest, wore an habitual expressionof scorn. His flowing and graceful beard and mustachios, which Ihave already mentioned, completed a countenance such as I had neverseen the like of before, and have not met with since. The whole wasinexpressibly striking, and in the meanest apparel the Nuwab would atonce have been pronounced by any one to be a man of high family and agallant soldier.
A rosary of large pearls was about his neck, and with this exception hewore no ornaments. His dress was studiously plain, while it was neatin the extreme. I remarked two deep scars, one on the back of his headwhere it joined the neck, the other on his broad chest, and its deepseam 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 determinedto destroy on the very first opportunity. He continued looking at theblade so earnestly and so long, that I began to think that it hadpossibly belonged to some victim of my father's, who might have beenknown to the Nuwab, and I was mentally framing a reply in case heshould ask me where I got it, when he suddenly said, as he passed hisfinger along the edge, "So, you too have seen battles, my friend; thereare some slight dents in this good sword which have not escaped thetouch 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 Nirmulroad.
"It was well done," said he, when I ended my account; "but methinks youmight have followed up your success and sliced some more of the roguesa 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 mewell, also know that I burn for an opportunity to prove that I am a manand no coward; but what could I do in that instance? there were but fewof us, and the jungle was terribly thick--we could not have followedthem in the dark."
"You are right," he replied; "and what say you, my young friend, tofollowing the fortunes of Subzee Khan? He has at present naught to givethee; but, Inshalla! the time is fast approaching when men of triedvalour may win something. My friend, Dost Mahomed, writes to me tocome quickly, for he has need of leaders in his new enterprises; andmethinks your figure and address would find favour with him. What sayyou? You are not fit to sell horses all the days of your life; and ifyou have turned any money in your present expedition, you cannot expendit in a manner more befitting your appearance than in getting a fewmen together, and offering your service. Dost Mahomed has need of suchyouths as you, and, Inshalla! we will yet do something to win us fame."
"May your favour increase, Bunde Nuwaz!" cried I; "it is the very thingmy soul longs for; with your introduction I cannot fail of obtainingservice: and if once we have anything to do, you will find I shall notbe backward."
"Then you will accompany me?" said he; "I am glad of it. You have somemen with you I perceive, and some travellers; what say you to takingthe direct road to Jubbulpoor? it is a rough one, but I am pressed fortime; and that by Nagpoor, though free from interruption or danger ofrobbers, is much longer."
"I had determined on taking it, Nuwab Sahib," I replied, "even before Isaw you, for we are a strong party and well armed; but now I can haveno hesitation. As for thieves or robbers, I have no dread of them, andmy lord assuredly can have none?"
"None, since you have joined me," he said; "but with the few fellowsI have, I confess I hardly liked to brave the jungle; for the bandswho roam through it are strong and merciless, and it would be a sorryfate for Subzee Khan to fall in an unknown spot, after a life spent inbattle-fields."
And yet you will do so, Nuwab Sahib, said I internally; your death-blowwill reach you in that jungle you dread, and no monument will mark thespot where the remains of Subzee Khan will lie.
"And when shall you be ready to move, Meer Sahib?" continued he; "haveyou aught to delay you here?"
"Nothing," I replied. "I had purposed marching to-morrow morning, butif my lord wishes I can wait a few days."
"Ah no--to-morrow morning I cannot move conveniently, but the day afterI will join you here by daylight, and we will travel together."
"Jo Hookum!" I replied; "I shall be ready; and now have I permission todepart?"
"Certainly," he said; "I will no longer detain you, for I must beoff myself. My friend Sulabut Khan has an entertainment of some kindto-night, and I have promised to attend it."
I returned to my tent, and though I longed to break the matter to myfather, yet I refrained from doing so until the Nuwab had fairly joinedus, when I would introduce him properly. As we were preparing to startthe third morning before daylight, the Nuwab rode into our camp andinquired for me. I was speedily with him, and my father coming up tous, I introduced them to each other. After the usual compliments hadpassed, my father, unobserved by the Nuwab, threw me a significantglance, I returned it, and he understood me; a look of triumph passedacross his features, which gratified me, because to me alone was theband indebted for the adventure which was to follow.
Our party was soon in motion, and as the light increased with thedawning 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: thetrappings of the animal were of crimson velvet, somewhat soiled, butstill exceedingly handsome, for the saddlecloth and headstall wereembroidered with gold thread in a rich pattern.
But the rider chiefly attracted my observation: he wore a shirt ofmail, composed of the finest steel links, exquisitely polished, overhi
s ordinary clothes: at his waist it was confined by a handsome greenshawl, which he had tied round him, and in which were stuck two orthree daggers, mounted in gold and silver. His arms were cased insteel gauntlets, as far as the elbows, and greaves of steel protectedhis thighs. On his head was a bright steel cap, from the top of whicha crimson silk tassel depended, and a shawl handkerchief was foldedround it to protect his head from the heat of the sun. At his back hunga shield of rhinoceros hide, richly painted and gilt; a long swordhung at his side from an embroidered velvet belt which passed over hisshoulder; and at his saddle-bow was fastened a small battle-axe with along and brightly polished steel handle.
Well did his appearance accord with his fame as a warrior. I had seenhundreds of soldiers at Hyderabad, but I had never yet looked on oneso perfectly equipped as he who now rode beside me--nor one, could Ibut have attached myself to him, in whom I should have placed suchconfidence and followed readily into the deadliest strife. But what wasthe use of his weapons or his armour? They would not avail him,--hishours 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 nobleowner. Do you always travel thus?"
"Always, Meer Sahib; a soldier should never be out of his harness. Theshort time I have spent in idleness with that luxurious dog SulabutKhan has softened my body, and even now I feel my armour chafe me. Butthe time comes when I shall need it, and I had as well accustom myselfto it."
We continued the whole of the march together, and he beguiled theway with relations of his adventures, battles and escapes. I was asmuch fascinated by them as by his powers of conversation, which wereremarkable; and I often wished that I had met him as a friend, orenrolled myself under him, when I might have followed his banner andendeavoured to equal his deeds of valour. But he was marked: in ouremphatic language he was become a "bunij," and he was doomed to dieby every rule and sacred obligation of our profession. We reached ourfirst stage without any adventure. Beyond it the villagers told us thatthe jungle grew thicker and thicker, that the road was very bad andstony, and above all, that the Gonds were in arms, and plundered allwhom 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 someof them will get broken crowns for their pains."
But the next morning we moved with more caution; our men were desiredto keep well together, and I picked out a trusty few to surround thecart, 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, theroad grew wilder and wilder; in many places it was narrowed almost toa footpath, and the men were obliged to cut away the branches, whichoften 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, andfrom which missiles might have been showered on our heads, without apossibility of our being able to strike a blow in self-defence.
"That was an ugly place, Nuwab Sahib," said I, as we emerged from oneof these narrow passes into a more open country, though still coveredwith jungle; "had we been attacked there we should assuredly havefallen 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 thinkthere are no more; the jungle becomes a forest, and there is notso much underwood. But look," cried he, "what is that? By Alla! theGonds are upon us. Shumshere Alum!" cried he, in a voice which ranglike the sound of a trumpet, "Sumshere bu dust!" and his glitteringblade flashed from the scabbard. Checking his horse, and at the sametime touching its flanks with his heels, the animal made two or threebounds, after which the Nuwab fixed himself firmly in his seat, presseddown 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 ofmy horse, which was scarcely second to the Nuwab's, brought me to hisside, and we were followed by Bhudrinath and a few others mounted onponies, and some men on foot with their matchlocks. "Come on, ye sonsof defiled mothers," cried the Nuwab; "come on, and prove yourselvestrue men; come on, and try your cowardly arrows against stout heartsand ready weapons! Base-born kafirs are ye, and cowards; Inshalla! yoursisters are vile, and asses have loved your mothers."
I could not help laughing at the Nuwab's gesticulations and abuse, ashe poured it upon the Gonds and shook his sword at them. They would notmove, and perched up as they were on the side of a hill, they preparedtheir bows to give us a volley--and down it came certainly; the arrowswhistled past us, and one wounded the Nuwab's horse slightly in theneck, at which the Gonds set up a shout of triumph.
"Ah, my poor Motee, thou art wounded," cried he, drawing the arrow fromthe wound. "Meer Sahib, those rogues will never come down; you hadbetter give them a volley and disperse them."
"Now, my sons," cried I to my followers, "whenever a fellow raises hisbody to fire, do you mark him."
They did so. One Gond in particular, who was sitting on a rock drawinga large bow, which he placed against his feet, was a conspicuousobject, and apparently careless of his safety. Surfuraz Khan aimed athim--fired--and in an instant he rolled over and over, almost to ourfeet; the ball had hit him in the throat, and he was quite dead. Therest seeing his fate, set up loud yells, and for a moment we thoughtthey would have charged us; however, another of their number fell badlywounded, and carrying him off, they rapidly retreated to their mountainfastnesses. Pursuit would have been vain as it was impracticable.
We met with no further adventure during our march, and duly arrivedat our stage by the usual hour. "Ameer Ali," said my father, comingto me shortly afterwards, "is the Nuwab to be ours or not? If youhave invited him as a guest, say so? if not, you had better arrangesomething."
"A guest!" cried I; "oh no: he must be disposed of; there can be nodifficulty where there so many good places to destroy him."
"Impossible!" said my father; "on horseback it would be madness. He isa beautiful rider, and his horse is too spirited; the least confusionwould make him bound, and who could hold him? We must devise some otherplan."
"Leave all to me," said I; "if there is no absolute necessity forselecting a place, I will watch my opportunity."
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