"We are not real brothers," he replied, "but cousins; you know that cousins usually call themselves brothers." "But how comes it," said he, "that he is the jemadar of your men, and not you, who are the eldest?" "Why it is a long story, and would not interest you," said Bhudrinath; "suffice it to say, that he is the son of the elder branch, who married long after my father, having lost his first wife; so, by the consent of the family and my own, he was declared leader, though he must confess I am his adviser." I pretended to be ashamed of my dignity, and allowed, though I was nominally superior, yet that I could not get on at all without my _cousin_. "Well," said the man, "you have curious customs in your country, but in every one they differ. Here your relative situations would be reversed; and so I suppose I must treat with you, Jemadar Sahib; I dare say your cousin has told you all about me?" "He has," said I, "at least as much as you have told him; but we are both present, and what you say to one equally concerns the other; so I pray you speak on without reservation." "I will not then recur to the past," said the man; "suffice it to say, that I have every reason to wish to get out of this place, as far as Hyderabad; there I shall be secure from my enemies. I therefore propose to accompany you, if you will guarantee me protection and concealment on the road." "We are ready to do that," said I; "but you will allow we shall run some risk; for, besides protection and concealment upon the road, we must defend you if necessary; and all this requires some recompense." "True, and I am in no condition to drive a bargain, therefore you must name your own terms." "You are liberal, I see," I rejoined, "and you shall find us to be so also. Perhaps one hundred and fifty rupees will not be thought by you exorbitant?" "It is not; half I will pay you now, and the other half when we arrive." "Agreed," said I, "it is satisfactory; and now say how you intend to travel. If I have permission, I would advise a mode which would be certain to escape detection." "What is it?" cried he, eagerly. "That you should hire or buy a cart, and travel in it, at any rate, for a few marches; my brother has his zenana with him, and you could not be discovered; no one would dare to search a cart which held females." "By Alla, it is a rare plan!" said the man; "I wonder it never entered into my head. Yet, cart I have none; and how to get one without giving a clue to my flight----" "Do not distress yourself about it," said Bhudrinath; "furnish us with the money--about one hundred rupees will be enough--and I will go and purchase one, and account to you for whatever may be over." "And my camels, and horses, and servants," said the man, "what can be done with them?" "How many of them are there?" I asked. "There are two camels and two horses; and I have three or four servants, whom I wish to accompany me."