human
Give him these cakes,
gpt
By your antelope eyes, O sweet ones, more! he said, not altering his posture.
human
Do you think two would fill a hungry man's belly? By your lotos feet----
gpt
There, begone! said the cook, handing him a few more and some dall;
human
I am gone, O my beauties, continued Lukshmun, folding the cakes into his waist-cloth, and tying them behind, then washing his hands elaborately.
gpt
You have made my heart----
human
Come quickly, come, said a voice at the door;
gpt
I worship you, lovely nymphs, even as Rama adored----
human
Begone! cried both the girls in a breath.
gpt
Here is the mistress coming, and if she hear such nonsense thou wilt be whipped.
human
Here is the man who will be your worship's guide, said the Patel deferentially to our friend the Lalla, who, having arrived safely, was now divested of his upper clothing, which some of the men were drying in the opposite chamber, and seated in the place of honour of the assembly;
gpt
Ah, no, sir, returned the traveller, who indeed was very hungry,
human
I could not eat without I bathed, and I had better wait till I get to Allund. Shookr, shookr! I should be too long about it, and my horse has had his feed, and is ready to go on. And this is the guide?--not beautiful exactly.
gpt
No, Maharaj, I am not beautiful, truly, replied Lukshmun, with a deprecatory gesture to the Patel,
human
They expect me, then, good fellow,
gpt
Ah, yes, noble sir, answered the man, joining his hands,
human
he added, with a wink to the Patel,
gpt
What, are they dangerous, then?
human
O no, cried Lukshmun, interposing readily;
gpt
There was a tree and a temple which I was told to avoid, and to ask to be sent by the south road,
human
Could any one have warned the stranger?
gpt
A tree! said the Patel, gravely.
human
What tree? dost thou know any, Lukshmun? And the south road? what road?
gpt
O, I suppose the noble gentleman means that by Navindgee, and Hoshully, and Chik-Wondully, and Hully Sullgarra, said Lukshmun, rolling out a volley of hard Canarese village names.
human
That road? Why, it is six coss further from here! They should have sent him by it from Surroori. No, he continued, dropping the Lalla's stirrup, which he had taken in his hand,
gpt
Very good, said the Lalla,
human
I don't know; only I was told----
gpt
By whom?
human
By Déo Bawa, the Byragee at Surroori.
gpt
O, the old Bawa! said the Patel, laughing.
human
Curious, is it not, noble sir, that the old man thinks that there are devils in the tree? He tells me he was bewitched there once, and I ought to cut it down.
gpt
And I told him I was not afraid of them, Patel; but he said there was something else,
human
Robbers, I suppose, said Lukshmun, readily;
gpt
Pahar Singh's men, perhaps.
human
Perhaps, added the Lalla,
gpt
Well for him, thought the Putwari,
human
Ah! no fear of thieves when you have one of 'the hunchbacks' with you, said Lukshmun.
gpt
Come, mount, my lord. Salaam, Maharaj, he continued, making a mock salutation to the sun, which was just struggling through a cloud.
human
Salaam! thou hast been moist to-day; come out and dry thyself and us too. Now, noble gentleman, mount, and you will see how fast the excellent dinner I have eaten in the Patel's kitchen will take my feet to Allund, and the good horse, too, looks as fresh as if he were but just starting, and he patted him.
gpt
Ah, well done, sir! he continued, as the Lalla mounted not ungracefully;