human
Ah! if you can find any fault there, master, you may do as you please with me, said Ramjee.
gpt
No; Balla at Jutt knows his trade too well to allow a nail to slack, and he knows, too, whose mare he is shoeing! What does he say? When Sivaji Bhóslay comes with a hundred thousand horse, then I will ride with him on his raid to the south, and not a horse shall drop a shoe, be the journey ever so long.
human
And he shall, Ramjee, cried Maloosray, laughing.
gpt
The fellow is a braggart, but he is useful.
human
Ah! master, that was a rare meeting. Was it not curious that so many horses wanted shoeing that day? Well, so thought the royal horsemen stationed there; and they went about twisting up their moustaches, and swelling themselves out as you never saw, my lord. Many good fellows there were, who would not have cared for a chance with some of those gallants in the open plain. When are we to begin, master?
gpt
Ay, when?
human
Not yet, my sons, not yet; we bide our time. And now for work, answered Maloosray.
gpt
Go thou, Ramjee, to the Paigah of Afzool Khan early, and see if that dog Bulwunt Rao is dead. Well was it that I tied chains in my turban folds last night, else he had cloven me to the teeth. I have vowed a silver horse to the shrine of Khundôba at Jejoori, for the deliverance.
human
And was he slain, master, at last?
gpt
Nay, that is what I want to know, he replied.
human
But I had a fair blow at him, and I rarely miss. Go, and bring news quickly.
gpt
Master, said Ramjee in a tone of entreaty, and reverentially touching Maloosray's feet,
human
I will go. Let there be no risks like this again. What would the Maharaja do without you, and what is there to be gained here that is worth such peril?
gpt
Ah, yes! added another,
human
Well, it was not of my seeking, returned Maloosray;
gpt
he continued, as a slight, active-looking man entered hastily.
human
Didst thou find Pahar Singh, the old robber?
gpt
Maharaj! returned the man,
human
Ye did not let him live, the foul traitor and liar? cried Maloosray, excitedly.
gpt
O that it had been 'the Lion' himself! Ye did not let him live?
human
Master, he will speak no more, nor yet tell lies. I have made that sure enough, said Limba, approaching and touching the feet of Maloosray.
gpt
I knew him after what happened in the old Gosai's Mutt at Tooljapoor, and Moro Punt would have had me kill him then and the other too, only I could find no opportunity. They had some fifty horse with him, and were as shy as deer. Now I have settled that account.
human
Good, my son, replied Maloosray;
gpt
None, Maharaj; we were fairly puzzled. We returned, and stayed in the temple by the fire, in hopes that Pahar Singh might come back; but it was no use. Then we went and listened behind the guard-house, and heard there was a man wounded in an affray--a 'Gosai'--and there was a barber dressing his wound.
human
Then he did not die? I had hoped he did.
gpt
Holy Mother! was this thy work, master, and all of us away?
human
No; Ranoo remained with me, replied Maloosray,
gpt
My curse on him! And he escaped you, Tannajee?
human
I am going to see if he be dead, brother, interposed Ramjee;
gpt
You see, friends, they--those two Gosais--as they appeared, must have met Pahar Singh, who directed them. I see it all now--the villain's attempt to decoy us into that trap by the temptation of news of the Wuzeer. Depend upon it, he has been bought over, and is not to be trusted; and he set them on our track.
human
He never was, cried both the men;
gpt
added Netta;
human
Yes, friends, those men knew us, continued Maloosray;
gpt
he added to that person, taking him aside;
human
Alas! I fear not, replied Nettajee;
gpt
He will be better after he has slept. We were owls, Nettajee, not to see through those flimsy disguises,
human
Bulwunt Rao is better living than dead, brother; and we may yet bring him round,
gpt
I tell thee, O Netta, interrupted Tannajee, fiercely, and grinding his teeth as he spoke,
human
I would cut him down with my own hand at the feet of the Maharaja, rather than he should have speech of him. Never name him to me, else we may differ.
gpt
Ah, that blow of his still rings in your head, Tannajee, replied the other, laughing.
human
But come; if you don't need sleep, I do. He sleeps, he continued, as they entered the cloister where the wounded man lay;
gpt
Ark