human
Take this weapon with you, friend, said the chief, laughing,
gpt
I did not like the look of him, he said to another without, who belonged to the fort.
human
Who is he?
gpt
Dost thou not know Pahar Singh? returned the man;
human
I have but a few words to say, Afzool Khan, said Pahar Singh, as the servant retired;
gpt
If it be a service to the King's cause, why not? said the Khan;
human
Nor do I need them, my lord, returned the chief, somewhat stiffly.
gpt
I have enough men of my own to answer for those matters; nay, indeed, for this also, if I have your permission; and only that my rascals are somewhat too free of hand to be trusted in a town at night, I had done it myself ere this.
human
Thanks, friend, for thy caution, said the Khan, smiling;
gpt
When I left you, Khan Sahib, the night of Jehándar Beg's execution, replied the chief,
human
I had knowledge that Tannajee Maloosray was in the city, and I knew where he was. My people watched every bazar and street during the day, and we had a strong party near the Goruk Imlee trees, thinking he might like to come and see an old friend for the last time; but he kept close, like a bear in his den, till night, and then stole away. My boy and some of my people wanted to catch him in his den; but I knew Tannajee could not be taken alive by mortal, and I wanted to see him sit like Jehándar Beg under the trees, and die like a man; so I took a body of my horse and rode after him towards Tooljapoor, where he was going. We occupied the pass at Hórtee. But he escaped us there, Khan; and hearing afterwards he had gone to Jutt, there appeared to be no use in following him, as he had twenty-five coss start of us. But I was a fool, my lord; and for once Tannajee outwitted me. He went on next day to Tooljapoor; how, I know not. He was seen there in the temple, and he left again that night, no one knows whither.
gpt
To Tooljapoor in one day! exclaimed the Khan,
human
Ah, my lord, your high-fed beasts would not, but ours can; and Tannajee and his friend Netta Palkur have the best mares in the Dekhan. No matter; he escaped us.
gpt
He was--he is--the very bone and sinew of this rebellion,
human
True, as Sivaji Rajah is the spirit; but he left some of the bones behind him at Tooljapoor, returned the chief, with a grim smile;
gpt
That you had better avoid, friend, said the Khan,
human
Ah! I had forgotten them, continued Pahar Singh.
gpt
Well, there is Moro Trimmul, Maloosray's agent and shadow; as wily, and more mischievous. He is still at Tooljapoor, pretending to give recitations,--and they are very good, my lord, in their way,--and to serve at the temple; but I am not sure that one of the Moorlees is not at the bottom of it, and when a man gets into women's hands, he is easily caught. Then there are all those who will assemble there. Have you remarked, my lord, that hardly one of the heads of the old Mahratta families have come to present their Nuzzurs to you?
human
I have remarked it, returned the Khan,
gpt
Not at all, returned the chief,
human
Then they met Maloosray?
gpt
They did, my lord, the night he came to the temple, and here are their names. There are other people, you see, who have ears and eyes besides Maloosray; and only that your Näik at Tooljapoor is an owl, he had seen this conspiracy long ago, while I was too busy to watch it. Better, perhaps, he did not; we can do our work more securely. And now, do you wish to seize this gang of rebels or not? I advise you to do so, because they are strong, and, should there be any difficulties in the West, are capable of making a serious diversion, especially if Maloosray, or even this Brahmun,--who is more of a soldier than a priest,--get among them. These Nimbalkurs and Ghoreparays, my lord, quiet as they look, are heavily supported by the people; and if the Ramoosees rise with them, the country will be in a flame.
human
And how dost thou know all this, Pahar Singh? asked the Khan.
gpt
I must have some warranty that it is true.
human
Some months ago, my lord, he replied,
gpt
That means, remarked the Khan dryly,
human
My lord is still incredulous, returned the chief,
gpt
Good! said the Khan;
human
They are there, my lord, replied the chief.
gpt
I was in the temple last night disguised as a Byragee, with my nephew and four others: we heard the recitations from the Ramayun, which, to Hindus, are very much what the Peer Sahib is saying now in the mosque yonder, and said yesterday at the Eedgah on the plain, when the whole force shouted 'Deen, deen!' and it sounded like thunder. Jey Rao Nimbalkur was there, and some of the Kallays----
human
How many? said the Khan, impatiently interrupting him;
gpt
Five hundred perhaps, including followers.
human
And is this temple a strong place? Do we require guns?
gpt
Strong enough to defend if they knew you were coming, returned Pahar Singh,
human
Ya Alla! ya Kabiz! (destroyer of enemies), muttered the Khan to himself,
gpt
he continued;
human
Do so, my lord, and halt at Tandoolwaree; 'tis half way. I will join you there with some of my people the day after to-morrow, and lead you by a pass in the hills which I know of at night, so that we can surround the place unobserved. Take some of your own men and Ibrahim Khan's Abyssinians; they know no fear, and are more certain than the braggart, plundering Dekhanies, who are afraid of the Mother who sits in the glen, though they are Mussulmans.
gpt
What Mother, friend?
human
Only she in the temple; we Hindus call her the 'Mother'; and she, my lord, must not be touched.
gpt
No, no; nor her people, I will see to that,
human
And the affair must be kept secret, Khan,
gpt
It is known to thee and me, Pahar Singh, and to no one else; not even my son shall know of it till we march.
human
Now let me depart, said the chief,
gpt
God willing,