human
Here is this message from His Excellency and as to how I came by it is of as little importance as an order from the War Office regulating the colour of thread that attaches buttons to a tunic.
gpt
Hello, Beth! Didn't you ride this morning, or are you back early?
human
Father is just inside in his office with a native, and I fancy it's one of the usual dark things of mystery, for he asked me to sit here by the window that he might have both air and privacy; I'm to warn off all who might stand here against the wall with an open ear.
gpt
I'll pull a chair up and chat to you till he's--
human
No, Captain Barlow-- Barlow winced at this formality--
gpt
Father, I'm sure, wants you in this matter; in fact, I think a _chuprassi_ is on his way now to your bungalow with the Resident's salaams.
human
I'm ghastly tired, Beth. I'll come back to you.
gpt
Yes, India is enervating,
human
Ah, Captain, glad you've come, Hodson said, rising and extending a hand across a flat-topped desk.
gpt
I'm--I'm--well--pull a chair. This is one Ajeet Singh,
human
Salaam, Sahib.
gpt
As to that,-- he pursed his thin lips,--
human
The usual thing; when these cut-throats are likely to be caught they turn Judas; to save their own necks they offer a sacrifice of their comrades.
gpt
Yes, the Resident affirmed,
human
Commence again, and tell the truth; and if I believe, you may be given protection from the British; but as to Sindhia I have no power to protect his criminals.
gpt
I, Ajeet Singh, hold allegiance to the Raja of Karowlee, and am Chief of the Bagrees, who are decoits.
human
Have patience. He rose, and took from a little cabinet a small alabaster figure of _Kali_ which he placed upon the table, saying in English to Barlow,
gpt
When these decoits confess to be made Approvers, half of the confession is lies, for to swear them on our Bible is as little use as playing a tin whistle. If he's a Bagree this is his goddess.
human
Ajeet Singh, if you are a Bagree decoit you are in the protection of Bhowanee, and you make oath to her.
gpt
Yes, Sahib.
human
This is Bhowanee,--that is your name for Kali,--and with obeisance to her make oath that you will tell the truth.
gpt
Yes, Sahib, it is the proper way.
human
Proceed.
gpt
If I, Ajeet Singh, tell that which is not true, Mother _Kali_, may thy wrath fall upon me and my family.
human
Speak, now,
gpt
Dewan Sewlal sent to Raja Karowlee for men for a mission, and whether it was in the letter he sent that _thugs_ should come I know not, but in our party were thugs, and that led to why I am here.
human
What is the difference, Ajeet, Hodson asked sharply.
gpt
You are a decoit who robs and kills, and thugs kill and rob; you are both disciples of this murderous creature, Kali.
human
We who are decoits, while we make offerings to Kali, are not thugs. They have a chief mission of murder, while we have but desire to gain for our families from the rich. The thugs came in this wise, sahib. Bhowanee created them from the sweat of her arms, and gave to them her tooth for a pick-axe, which is their emblem, a rib for a knife, and the hem of her garment for a noose to strangle. The hem of her sacred garment was yellow-and-white, and the _roomal_ that they strangle with is yellow-and-white. They are thugs, Sahib, and we are decoits.
gpt
A fine distinction, sir,
human
Proceed,
gpt
We were told by the Dewan to go to the camp of the Pindaris and bring back the head of Amir Khan.
human
Lovely! Barlow muttered softly; but Hodson started,--a slight rouge crept over his pale face and he said,
gpt
By Gad! this grows interesting, my dear Captain.
human
Absolutely Oriental,
gpt
But Hunsa had ridden with the Pindari Chief and he knew that he was well guarded, and that it would be impossible to bring his head in a basket, so we refused to go on this mission. The Dewan was angry and would not give us food or pay. Through Hunsa the Dewan sent word that we must obtain our living in the way of our profession, which is decoity.
human
I wonder,
gpt
Quite possible; and also quite probable that the dear avaricious Dewan would claim a share of the loot if it were of value, jewels especially. He addressed Ajeet,
human
I have nothing to do with this; I am not Sindhia.
gpt
True, Sahib Bahadur, but a decoity was made upon a merchant on the road and he and his men were killed, but also two English _sowars_ were slain.
human
By heavens!