human
When I recovered consciousness in the morning, the women that remained, and some servants, were wailing over the dead, but they were barely alive from terror. Neighbours however came in, and some of our tenants and servants, and the place was cleaned up. In the evening there were seven piles made near the river for the seven corpses, and they were burned. My wound had been sewn up by the barber, and I was carried to perform the last ceremonies, and I then swore upon their ashes to revenge them, and I will yet do it. Now, by thy father's salt, tell me what thou knowest of that villain Maloosray, and how his name comes into thy mouth?
gpt
And was nothing done for justice, Bulwunt? Was justice dead in that country?
human
Justice! echoed Bulwunt Rao,
gpt
Should you know him again, Bulwunt, if you saw him?
human
Know him, Meah--among a thousand--among a thousand. It is years since we met; but, before that quarrel with my father about the land, he came to us often, for he was my mother's relative. He hunted large game on our hills, when I went with him, and I was a great favourite of his. Most of the sword-play I know, he taught me. Know him? Yes. That night I, a stripling, crossed swords with him. I had wounded one of his men, and he heard the cry. He had been seeking for me. What could I do, Meah, a weak boy, among a crowd of screaming women? Yet I crossed swords with him; and there are few alive who would dare to do so. Forget him? No, I should know him among a thousand. His eyes, Meah, his eyes! Hast thou seen them?
gpt
Nay, I have not seen them yet, Bulwunt; but I think I know where he is to be found,
human
Here, Meah? in Beejapoor? Tannajee Maloosray in the city?
gpt
Yes, here. You are always rambling about the city at night, and know all the mudud khanas; canst thou guide me to one Rama's shop--Rama of Ashtee? It is in the great kullal's bazar, and near a Hindu temple.
human
I know it, Meah; I know it well. Rama sells the best ganja in Beejapoor. Yes, I can take you there, but not in those clothes.
gpt
Not now. Let the night wear on a little; they will not be there till just before midnight, replied Fazil;
human
Yes, Meah, there is the temple of Dévi, in the plain beyond, among the tamarind trees; a lonely place it is, and Byragees put up there. Yes, I know it.
gpt
Then I am right, continued Fazil,
human
Men?--to take Maloosray? cried Bulwunt.
gpt
O Meah, you are simple to think it. Maloosray will have twenty, aye fifty, spies out, and old Rama is chief of them. One soldier a coss off, and Tannajee would be warned. But why go, Meah? he continued, after a pause.
human
I will take my own men and bring him. O, cried Bulwunt, speaking through his teeth and to himself,
gpt
No, Bulwunt, I must go; it is the King's business, returned Fazil;
human
Persian, my lord? then this is a Moghul affair?
gpt
I cannot say, friend, returned Fazil;
human
And Sivaji Bhóslay's also, Meah, they bode no good; for my people write to me that he and Tannajee have leagued together, and----; in short, they write foolish things, sir.
gpt
Bhóslay? that is your family name, Bulwunt,
human
Yes, he replied,
gpt
Then they are friends?
human
Ay, Meah, as thou and I, and nearer still. Maloosray believes Sivaji to be an incarnation of the gods, and would give his life for him. So, too, many another; and the people have begun to write ballads about him, which are sung in Beejapoor even sometimes, and they set one's blood dancing. No wonder the people of the wild valleys love them; wild places, Meah, which ye know little of as yet.
gpt
Yes, it is worth the risk to find out what is doing. One thread of those dark intrigues in my hand and I am not my father's son if I do not discover more, replied Fazil;
human
What sayest thou, Meah, to becoming a Hindu for the time? I could paint the marks on thy forehead. Nay, he continued, as he saw the young man shrink from the idea,
gpt
Good, returned Fazil.
human
I will suffer 'the abominations' in the cause of the Shah and the faith. And, now, begone. I will come to thee here, after the evening meal, and we can dress unobserved. But swear on my neck, Bulwunt, no more ganja to-night.
gpt
No, no, Meah, returned the man, laughing, and touching his young lord's neck and feet;
human
I swear I will not touch it. We both need cool heads for this work, and I will not fail you.
gpt
Then go, added Fazil.
human
I will send Goolab to you when I am ready.