Tara: A Mahratta Tale

by Meadows Taylor

  CHAPTER XXX.

  The old Duffadar's account was clear and circumstantial, and the Kotwallistened attentively. When it was finished, the Kullal was called, and,prostrating himself, began by imploring protection, which was granted.

  "It is a weighty matter, my lords," he said, "and needs much inquiry.May it please you to listen," he continued, after a pause, as if tocollect his thoughts. "Your slave would represent that he heard aconversation between the young Khan there and a man whose name mayhardly be mentioned in Beejapoor, Tannajee Maloosray."

  "Maloosray!" echoed the Kotwal. "Protection of God! thou art not mad tosay this? or drunk?"

  "May I be your sacrifice!" continued the man, evidently observing thathis words had made an impression, "I am not mad, and I have an oathagainst wine. I swear by the King's salt, that he spoke with Maloosray."

  "And he was disguised like a Gosai, Fureed?" asked the Kotwal of theold Duffadar.

  "Khodawund! what did he tell you himself he was?" replied the man. "Hechanged his dress when his father came. Even now the ashes may be onhis body."

  "What said the young Khan to Maloosray?" asked the Kotwal of theKullal. "Speak truly, or I will have thee flogged through the bazar,and all thy property confiscated for irregular hours in thy shop."

  This was what the man feared from the first. Had Fazil appeared infavour he would have appealed to him for explanations in regard to theaffray, for which he dreaded he should be punished; but Fazil seemedalready unable to help himself, so he had determined to take his owncourse in the opposite direction.

  "Why should I tell a lie?" he replied, holding up his hands humbly andwith a gesture of supplication. "I swear by your feet it is true."Pointing to Fazil, he continued--"He said he knew Pahar Singh was atthe temple, and they sent a man for him; and if he did not come, thatthey should meet again. Then Maloosray said something about SivajiBhoslay, and the Moghuls, and the Shah Aurungzeeb, and armies, andthere was another message to Pahar Singh. Then another man struck ablow at the Maloosray, and they fought, and I screamed out for theguard, and Maloosray ran off; but I secured him," and he pointed toFazil.

  "O base-born!" exclaimed Fazil, "thy mouth is full of lies----"

  "Hear him," interrupted the man; "he had me tied up till the bloodnearly burst from my fingers, and made me promise not to reveal this.Behold, my lord, the marks of the cords, and how my arms are swelled.By my child's head, it is true, noble sir, it is all true. How could I,a poor seller of ganja and bhung, have dreamed such things of Tannajeeand Sivaji? Do not men tremble at their names? Search the young Khan,he has papers which Maloosray gave him. I saw them myself----"

  "Alas, it is but too clear to me," said the Kotwal, interrupting AfzoolKhan, who was about to speak, "that there is deep treachery here.Deep plots are being laid, but this poor servant of God has a clueto one at least. Inshalla! it will be sifted to the bottom. Enough ofsuspicion was there against you, young sir, on the other matter, butthis is graver still. Yield, therefore, Afzool Khan, and you, Meah;resistance is vain, and I would fain spare blood."

  As he spoke, the soldiers and attendants, who had gradually gatheredround them, closed in so near that they could have been seized oroverpowered at once, if the old Khan's sword had not been drawn by himthe instant their movement was made. Now, as he stood prepared to meetany attack, his eyes flashing and his tall figure drawn up to its fullheight, no one ventured a step towards them, nor offered to seize hisson, who, on his part, made no attempt at resistance.

  "Draw, Fazil, draw!" cried the Khan; "let us see which of these sons ofvile mothers will first die. O that we had a score of our fellows withus, this insult would not have happened. Draw, boy! a few good strokeswill see us clear of this gang of executioners, and there are enoughmen without to carry us through the city. Come on, in the name of God!Bismilla!"

  Saying this, the old man advanced a step, while those before him, sosudden and determined was his movement, fell back as though they wouldhave allowed him egress. Fazil, however, saw his father's danger, notonly from the chance of a sword-thrust or blow in the struggle whichmust ensue, and the certainty of an attempt at rescue by the menwithout if they heard of it, but in the disgrace and suspicion whichwould fall upon them if the inquiry were forcibly interrupted.

  "Father, father!" he cried, passionately, "do not stir. I implore you,move not. You know how false this base charge is, and I beseech you notto let it be said that we feared to meet it, and evaded justice. Yes,let it be first done on this lying dog, who has misled Jehandar Beg.See, for one, I surrender myself and my weapons;" and, as he spoke, hethrew his sword and dagger on the floor, which were eagerly secured byan attendant.

  "Degenerate!" cried his father. "Dost thou fear death, boy? When did anAffghan ever surrender his weapons but with his life? Fie on thee for acoward, to hesitate to strike a blow for me!"

  "Coward!" exclaimed the young man, sadly. "Father, you know not whatyou say. Why such bitter words? is this a time for contention?"

  "Khan Sahib," said Jehandar Beg, who had risen with the others, andnow advanced, "listen to your son's words of peace and reason. You arealone, and, though one or two might fall, there would be no escape.The blood of Afzool Khan, or his son, should not flow in a court ofjustice, but against the King's enemies. Put up your weapon, and wearit, Khan; and you, noble youth, yours. Appearances are against youboth; and these plots have been so long hidden from us, that your poorservant, the slave of the King--may his splendour increase!--has noalternative but to detain you till the pleasure of the Wuzeer is known."

  "Father, I beseech you to listen to reason--to advice kindly given andwell meant," cried Fazil; "consider what is at stake, and that themoment we have speech of the King there will be no fear."

  Afzool Khan looked from one to the other and around him irresolutely,and the tears rose to his eyes, and fell over in large drops. Anyadvance would have decided him to an act of desperation; but his sonsaw the struggle in his mind, and, throwing himself before him, graspedhis feet.

  "Father, save your honour," he cried, earnestly; "save your life bymy example. Shall it be said that Afzool Khan died a traitor, or thata breath of suspicion rested upon the truest, most loyal name inBeejapoor?"

  A moment the old Khan hesitated, but his sword-point dropped, and hedashed his hand across his eyes impatiently. "My spirit chafes atthe thought of restraint, Fazil," he said; "yet for thy sake, boy, Isubmit. But I pray thee, Jehandar Beg, let thine errand to the Wuzeerbe done swiftly, or, by the Prophet, there be those in my service whowould reck little of a rescue. Stay, I had better write; that willassure them more."

  A few lines were hastily written by Fazil, and sealed with the Khan'sprivate signet. One of the escort was called up, and the note given tohim by Fazil himself, with an order to take the men home, and a cautionto be discreet. The soldier looked about him incredulously.

  "Do you remain of your own pleasure, my lord?" he asked.

  "Yes," replied the Khan; "we have business here for to-day which cannotbe deferred. Keep quiet, all of ye; but be ready," he added, in anunder-tone; "when I need ye I will send word."

  "Very good," cried the man in a loud voice, in order to cover theKhan's whisper, "very good; I understand; it shall be done."

  "You had better withdraw to the private apartments, Khan," said theKotwal, respectfully. "I know too well the honour of a Puttan toquestion you. Stay there till I return. Refreshment, too, shall beprovided; and I pray you to consider this poor house as your own whileyou stay in it. The Wuzeer was at Almella yesterday, and is expectedthis evening."

  Afzool Khan hesitated, but his son whispered, "We shall be betterthere, father, than amidst these curious gazers," and drew him alonggently. He did not resist, but followed passively. "Stay, however,"added Fazil to the Kotwal; "where is Fureed Duffadar? I would speakwith him."

  The man advanced a few steps. "I am here, my lord; what are yourorders?"

  "None from me," returned Fazil; "but look you, Meerza Sahib--for thesake of just
ice ask of this good man what that Kullal told us; for itis in the law that the word of a true believer is better than the oathof a Kafir. And, pardon me, Meerza, but my father and myself, in thename of the King, hold you responsible for the custody of that man. Howcame Maloosray into his shop, or to remain there while a King's guardwas within ear-shot? Ah, liar," added the young man, as the Kullalwas advancing, with joined hands, and about to speak, "no more; thouhast told enough lies for the present; by-and-by there will be otherquestions. Beware of them."

  So saying, he passed with his father into the door which the Kotwalhimself held open. It was a quiet, secluded place--a small apartmentsupported upon wooden pillars and arches, which opened into a courtshaded with trees. Carpets and pillows were there in abundance, and theplace was cool and neatly furnished.

  "The papers, whatever they are, Meah, remain with you," said theMeerza. "Shall we examine them here privately?"

  "They will be shown to the King only," said Fazil, dryly, "for theyconcern no one else; meanwhile I am responsible for them."

  "Then I will leave ye, noble sirs," returned the other; "be pleased torest yourselves."

  "O for a moment's speech of the King!" cried the Khan, as they werealone. "Now it is too late, and Khan Mahomed is lost. Nay, son, 'tisa pretty court, and not unlike our own Khilwut; but I cannot breathefreely. Canst thou, Fazil? it chokes me."

  "Fear not, father; all will be well, I trust," replied his son."Unobserved, I gave a message to the lad Ashruf, who seems faithful, tobe delivered to Kowas Khan. If he comes, all will be well, for he canwarn his father. No harm can happen to us except from the Wuzeer, andhe may----"

  "He dare not," cried Afzool Khan--"he dare not think of us; hewill have enough to do to save himself. If the Shah acts--actsfirmly--as--as--I would, son, were I in his place and were it mydearest friend--he should die. O Khan Mahomed! O friend!" exclaimed theold man bitterly, "how often have I remonstrated and implored, but youhave not listened! He spoke me fair, Fazil, always,--see what is in hisheart. But what is written, is written. Let it be; we cannot preventit."

  "Ameen, father! we can only do what is possible to save----"

  "I tell thee, boy," resumed the Khan, interrupting him, "I doubtwhether it would be meet in us to interfere with God's designs, and tohelp treachery to escape its deserts. The danger is too great to theKing, and, next to God and the Prophet, he is to us dear and honoured.I tell thee, son, we had better not interfere; it may not be good forus."

  "Nay, father," said Fazil, "so long as we speak friendly truth andwarning, there can be no fear; and what is written in the Wuzeer'sdestiny will be fulfilled."

  "Thou wilt see to that door with thy life, Nasir," whispered the Kotwalto one of his chief attendants, a burly Abyssinian slave. "See thatno one passes out or in without my orders. If violence is attempted,strike,--dost thou hear?--to the death! Proud as Afzool Khan is, he mayyet lower his head, perhaps with his life. And they have papers, whichwe must take, Nasir--forcibly, if we cannot otherwise get them:--erethe sun sets, too, or he passes hence."

  "Are we strong enough to keep the Khan, my lord?" asked the mandoubtingly.

  "Ay, true; we need be stronger; send this ring," and he took off hissignet, "to the Wuzeer's son. Say we need five hundred men to reinforcethe guard. Yes, we should otherwise be too weak, if those mad Affghanswere to attempt a rescue. Return here when the messenger goes."

  "On my head and eyes be it," replied the slave; "no one shall passhence save over my dead body."