"Dog!" cried I, dashing him to the earth, "dog! dost thou know to whom thou speakest? Here there is no one," (for we had got to the back of the houses,) "and it were an easy task to send thee to Jehanum; one blow of my sword, and that false tongue would cease to speak for ever:" and I half drew it. I knew the effect this would have: there was the same grovelling cowardice he had displayed before! he clung to my knees; I spurned him and spit on him. "Reptile!" cried I at length, wearied by his abjectness, "I would scorn to touch thee: a Syud of Hindostan is too proud to stoop to such game as thou art; lead me to the Sahoukar, for by Alla I distrust thee!" "Nay, in this matter I have been honest," said the wretch; "the money is sure." "It will be well for thee that it is," said I, "or I swear to be revenged; lead on, and beware how you go; if I see one attempt at escape I will cut you in two, were it in the middle of the bazar." "Then follow me closely," said he; and he gathered up his garments, which had become disordered, and we again entered the crowded bazar. We were soon at the Sahoukar's, who awaited us: the money and gold were told out, and a receipt I had brought with me given, and accompanied by the guard of soldiers I took the treasure to my father. "Meer Sahib, kind Meer Sahib," said the Dullal, as we approached our dwelling, "you will forget all that has passed; Bhugwan knows I was only jesting with you; I love to play such tricks,--nay, I have always been of a jesting disposition:" and he laughed in his terror. "You will not forget my little perquisite, my hundred and fifty rupees, I know you will not." "Peace!" cried I, "if you wish to get a cowree. Has it not been promised to thee on the word of two of the faithful? Thou shalt get the uttermost farthing." I dismissed the sepoys with a small present when the money had been lodged in our strong-room, and as they went, the miserable Dullal looked after them as though he thought with them had departed his last chance for existence. It certainly drew to a close. "Give me my money and let me depart," said he in a hollow voice. "Wait," said I, "till it is counted out for you." "Ah, I had forgotten the Dullaljee," cried my father; "I will get out his due." CHAPTER XVII. My father counted out the money and handed it over to the Dullal; his countenance brightened as he viewed it, and he made numberless salams and protestations of thanks. "Now you must write a receipt for the money," said my father. "Surely," replied the fellow, taking a pen out of his turban, "if my lord will give me paper and ink." "Here they are," said I; "write."