human
I did but ride down the pass, father, replied Fazil,
gpt
The camel is ready, said the rider of it, entering.
human
What are your orders?
gpt
Write a line from me to thy mother, Fazil, said the Khan,
human
Take this at your best speed, he said to the man.
gpt
Give it into the hands of Goolab Daee, and tell her it is for my sister only. You will overtake Shêre Khan by the way. Tell him to stop where he likes, refresh the men and horses, and push on. It is of moment that he should arrive before us, and he is already far beyond Sindphul.
human
Good, replied the man;
gpt
Yes, it will be better to tell him, Fazil thought.
human
He will not object, as he is in this complacent humour, and we are alone.
gpt
I had no opportunity of speaking, father, before, else I would have told you,
human
What! interrupted the Khan, who detected a tone of embarrassment in Fazil's voice--
gpt
No, no, father, we had no fighting, replied Fazil.
human
All I had to say was, that I sent the lady we took, with Shêre Khan. She had a palankeen, and the bearers said they would take her to Sholapoor at once. There were twenty of them, and it is only twelve coss.
gpt
A lady, son! Who?
human
A Brahmun girl, father, of rank. She was escaping in a palankeen, and we took her when we took Moro Pundit.
gpt
Indeed! His wife perhaps?
human
No, father; she said not. She has nothing to do with him; but she was in such grief at her people being killed in the town, that I could only make out she had relatives at Wye, and I sent her on under Shêre Khan. As she was richly dressed, and had valuable jewels on her, I feared to send her back, and she was willing to go.
gpt
Poor girl, poor girl, said the Khan, sighing;
human
Quite young, father--sixteen, perhaps--and very beautiful. O, so beautiful! I never saw one like her before.
gpt
Wonderful! returned the Khan.
human
Then she let thee see her?... Ah, Pahar Singh, well, so you are already prepared, he exclaimed, as the chief entered the room suddenly, and saluted them.
gpt
Have you eaten? Are your people ready? We go on to Sholapoor.
human
I am come to bid you farewell, my lord, said the chief.
gpt
I have done my work with you for the present. My duty is not with the army, but on the marches; and I hear of a raid by the Golconda people which I must see to. My nephew Gopal Singh would fain have accompanied your son, but I cannot spare him. He is my only stay since--since ... no matter. My men would be worse than useless to you, and you will not miss what I could send. Nevertheless, if----
human
No, no, said the Khan, who in truth had dreaded rather than desired Pahar Singh's company, and that of his lawless freebooters;
gpt
Then we may go, Khan?
human
Certainly; you are honourably dismissed with thanks, and mention will be made of you, when I write, as you deserve.
gpt
I have only one thing to say, Khan Sahib,--and I pray you to pardon my saying it,--and that is, beware of Moro Pundit. Had I been a Mussulman like you, I had not spared him: but as you have done so, it is not for me, a Rajpoot, to be concerned in a Brahmun's death. He is faithful to his cause, and he cannot be true to you.
human
He can do no harm, friend, said the Khan, laughing.
gpt
I fancy the Nimbalkur and others have had a good lesson, and will keep quiet; and, for the rest, as I am going to scotch the head of the snake, we need not fear if its tail writhes a little; it can do no harm: but I thank you for your caution nevertheless, and you will see to my people of Afzoolpoor and its villages?
human
Surely, Khan Sahib; be under no apprehension--nothing can molest them. Now, put your hand on my head once more, embrace me, and let me go.
gpt
Go, said the Khan, rising and doing as he wished--
human
Will you come with me for a moment, Meah?