human
And this from Sivaji? asked Gopal Singh, at length.
gpt
What of it, Lalla?
human
It was with the others, and there are some more of older date in the bag, he replied,
gpt
Keep the others close, and show this to Amrut Rao, said the chief.
human
Here, he continued, as the Karkoon, being called, advanced,
gpt
May I open it?
human
Yes, read it to us,
gpt
Well, what is it?
human
What Moro Trimmul wrote from Tooljapoor--what they asked you, my lord, to join in; and here is your name with five thousand men in figures after it, and the Wuzeer's with a lakh.
gpt
Is it genuine, think you? that is what we want to know,
human
Certainly, replied the Karkoon;
gpt
He stole it, Amrut Rao, said the chief;
human
As a traitor to the salt he has eaten, he ought to die, master, said the Karkoon, looking at the Lalla, who felt that his fate was in the Brahmun's hands,--
gpt
That is just what I said! he is not fit to live, interrupted the chief.
human
Let him die. Ho!
gpt
But --continued the Karkoon in Canarese, persistently interrupting the chief, and waving back Lukshmun, Rama, and others, who were advancing--
human
(and he pointed to the Lalla),
gpt
Excellently spoken, Amrut Rao; ye have all better brains than I have. Then the papers are valuable?
human
Yes, my lord, if properly vouched for; and the man who stole them can give a better account of them than we can. The King might give any money--a lakh of rupees--for them. He already more than suspects the Wuzeer and Sivaji Bhóslay of being in league with the Emperor, and would rejoice to get such proofs of their treachery.
gpt
Hark ye, Lalla, cried the chief, changing the language to Oordoo, which he spoke well,
human
My lord, he replied, simpering and putting up his joined hands,
gpt
I of a share!--of a bribe! Art _thou_ feeding me with a bribe? O base dog, and son of a dog! Pig! I a share? O Lalla, thou art surely mad, and fated to eat dirt. Enough of this! Ho, without!--Lukshmun!--hunchbacks!--away with him; give him the handkerchief in the outer court. Quick!
human
Uncle! father! not now, cried Gopal Singh, entreatingly, and touching his feet; then rising and stepping forward with joined hands,
gpt
It is valuable, my lord, added Amrut Rao.
human
These papers cannot tell their own story. Where could we say we got them? He must go with them to authenticate them. Gopal Singh and I can go to the city with him, and, after all, he deserves well of Ali Adil Shah, though he has been a traitor to his own King. Give him to us, my lord; we may get good out of him.
gpt
No, said the chief, after a moment's pause,