Carlyon Sahib: A Drama in Four ActsMurray, Gilbert
General
Carlyon Sahib: A Drama in Four Acts
Murray, Gilbert
English drama -- 19th century
Starvation. Natthu was in despair, when the policeman came round one
night and offered to get the money-lender sent to prison if Natthu would
let him have his daughter, and he gave her.
ADENE.
But he had no power to get the man imprisoned?
CARLYON.
None in the world of course! In a few days down came the money-lender
to cut the corn, and the policeman with him to see no resistance was
made. Natthu reproached him; the policeman laughed, and said he could
now have the girl back if he liked! Thank you! [_Receiving tea, from_
VERA.
ADENE.
The brute!
CARLYON.
Next day but one the brute was found in a ditch with his head off. And I
don't mind telling you I smuggled Natthu and his wife out of the
country.
ADENE.
He could hardly have been hanged.
CARLYON.
Possibly not.
[VERA _offers_ ELIZABETH _tea; she comes and takes it and retires
again_.
ADENE.
Then why couldn't you let him take his trial?
CARLYON.
He'd have been murdered by the policeman's relations, and his wife with
him. They had a shot at me as it was. Now are you going to attack me?
ADENE.
I'm not sure. Couldn't you have had him tried first and then sent him
off?
CARLYON.
Too dangerous! And there were other reasons too. Anyhow I thought of it,
and determined I had better not.
ADENE.
I'm not clear that you were right.
CARLYON.
Well, they'll finish your education in Rajpoor.
ADENE.
I don't mean to stay in Rajpoor, it is too English. I want to get into
Upper Bhojal among the hills.
CARLYON.
[_Looking hard at him, then turning a little towards_ ELIZABETH.]
Capital! Capital! My pet tribes! Yes, I wondered if you meant that in
your letter.
ELIZABETH.
[_Calmly, as though to herself and stating a fact._] You will never be
able to get there.
VERA.
Have you met my Aunt Elizabeth, Mr. Adene. [_To_ ELIZABETH.] Or am I to
say "Cousin"?
ELIZABETH.
Well, I'm only a second or third cousin at the best, dear.
[_Comes down and shakes hands with_ ADENE _who rises_.
ADENE.
[_To_ ELIZABETH.] I have a Bhojali acquaintance who will go with me.
CARLYON.
You realise the geography, do you? Lower Bhojal of course, is British,
and part of the province of Rajpoor.
ADENE.
Annexed by you! Yes, that is where my man comes from.
CARLYON.
The Upper Country is almost inaccessible, and quite cut off from
communication. Koreb's rebels fled there.
ADENE.
My man has relations in the Upper Country.
CARLYON.
I shouldn't depend much on that. However, if you're only well disguised
and avoid speaking----
ADENE.
I must _speak_! It is information I go for!
CARLYON.
Oh, it is not the place for information. They have no writings, and no
one village knows anything of another.
ADENE.
There must be local traditions, and if I question them----
CARLYON.
If you question them they will shoot you. I knew an American killed
there for pressing a Bhojali to tell his children's names.
VERA.
[_Coming across to him._] But, Father, you've travelled over all that
country yourself!
ADENE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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