India -- History -- 1526-1765 -- Fiction; Maratha (Indic people) -- History -- Fiction
"Listen, Meah," whispered Bulwunt to Fazil, as he rejoined him. "These
are the people, no doubt; there are some holes in the wall behind them,
which I saw when within; come round to them, we shall see and hear
better, and can listen to the old Jogi's discourse on the mysteries;
no doubt it will be edifying. The old Jogi is some one, I think, in
disguise, but it is well done. Come, and tread softly."
The light tread of their naked feet was not heard amidst the rustling
of the trees above; and, as Bulwunt had said, there were several holes
in the wall which enabled them to see and hear perfectly, except when
the conversation was carried on in the lowest whispers. They were,
however, on the highest side of the court wall.
"We are right now," whispered Fazil; "but have the weapons ready in
case of need. I like not the Jogi nor his friends."
The inmates of the little building were silent for some time, and one
of them, who had kept his face concealed, at length lay down, and drew
his sheet over him. The other two smoked at intervals. Now one, now
the other, lighting the rude cocoa-nut hooka with embers from the fire
before them.
"Didst thou know that lad, Pahar Singh--that Gosai?" asked his
companion. "Methinks he was more than he seemed. I know most of that
old robber Amrut Geer's cheylas, too, but not him; he may be a new one
perhaps. Only I wish I had not seen him; there was an evil eye in his
head;" and the speaker's shoulders twitched as though a slight shudder
had passed through him.
"What dost thou care about evil eyes, Maun Singh?" replied the Jogi,
laughing. "I know not the man, and why should he trouble thee, brother?
Depend upon it he was no more than he seemed, else why should he have
named Amrut Geer of Tooljapoor? Why art thou thus suspicious?" And he
again applied himself to the hooka, whose bubbling rattle rang through
the building.
"Nay, it does not signify, only one does not like to be intruded upon,
that's all. I had as well shut the door of the temple, brother."
"Do not bolt it," cried the Jogi; "they will be here soon," as the man
went and closed it; then returned, and with another shrug or shiver,
lay down, when both relapsed into silence.
"Pahar Singh!" whispered Bulwunt to the young Khan; "the robber,
murderer, rebel, what you please. The man after whom we wandered so
long last year. Ah, 'tis a rare plot, Meah, if such be the instruments."
"Hush!" said Fazil; "they are speaking again. Listen!"
"Where did you get those papers, O Toolsee Das?" asked Pahar Singh of
the man who had been lying down. "What, hast thou been asleep? Tell me
again, lest I make a mistake."
"Not I, please your Highness," replied the person addressed, raising
himself upon his arm; "but if you talk in that gibberish language of
your country, what am I to do? It is dull work waiting when one's eyes
are heavy with sleep, and I am not rested from that fearful ride."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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