human
Whose is that voice?--who speaks without?--why is he not admitted?
gpt
My lord, replied the man on duty,
human
Was it well, Yousuf, to turn him away? asked Afzool Khan.
gpt
Suppose my son had had need of us.
human
Nay; but my lord slept, and the Sahib Zadah was safe. Bulwunt Rao only is wounded--and there were no women to send--and I did but tell him to wait,
gpt
No matter--where is the boy? Open the wicket,
human
He does not consider who may be behind it, said the soldier, as he unfastened the ponderous iron bars and unlocked the padlock of the wickets,
gpt
I am here, Khódawund, said the lad, from without, and squeezing himself through the opening between the wicket-door and the chain which fastened it.
human
Behold I am now before you, valiant sir, he said to the sentinel,
gpt
I am he, returned the old Khan, stepping forward.
human
Speak on, if what there is to be told may be said before these men;
gpt
Fear not, noble sir, he said hastily,
human
Ul-humd-ul-illa!--Praise be to God, broke from the old man fervently, and was heartily re-echoed by all around; for men were arriving every moment from the different portions of the court, and crowding round to hear the news.
gpt
Ul-humd-ul-illa! O holy Geesoo Duraz! [9] he continued, looking up,
human
I vow fatehas to thy tomb, and a new covering shall it have of the costliest cloth-of-gold. But go on, boy, and fear not. Is there aught for my private ear?
gpt
Nothing, my lord--nothing. There was a fray, and Meah Sahib's attendant or friend was badly wounded. I want a palankeen for him; that is all.
human
And my son--why did he not come with thee? And who art thou?
gpt
They call me Ashruf, and I am the son of Peer Mahomed Duffadar, and Meah Sahib could not come, because, added the lad, dropping his head,
human
By the Prophet, but this is too much! exclaimed the fiery old Khan.
gpt
Who art thou, knave, that dares to say the son of Afzool Khan is a prisoner to any one?
human
May I be your sacrifice, O Khan, returned the boy, nothing daunted, though the Khan's angry speech was re-echoed by all gathered around him.
gpt
May I be your sacrifice, there is no harm meant to your noble son, whom we all know and honour. He it was who in my hearing declared that, in order to save my father, he would attend the Kótwal's court; for it was but yesterday that the Kótwal swore he would have the right hand of the first brawler taken, cut off, and hung up in the chowke,[10] and that he would degrade the first officer who failed to apprehend those concerned in any riot. Be not angry, therefore, noble sir, for my father explained all this, and your son goes of his own freewill. My father could not help it, you know, my lord, added the boy, apologetically,
human
Ay! Jehándar Beg is likely to be a man of his word, too, said the Khan to those about him,
gpt
Nothing could have happened if Meah had taken some of us with him, cried several of the men at once.
human
We all wanted to go, added Raheem Khan,
gpt
And Meah might have been wounded or killed,
human
My friends, there was need to do it, answered Afzool Khan;