"Nay," said I, "here we remain; after a march of twenty-five coss, we are in no humour to proceed. But I will take my men outside the town on the instant payment of one lakh of rupees; remember, one third of what we get goes to the chief, and our share after all is not much."

"Agreed," said he; "now come to your men, and persuade them to be quiet: they will not get so much by violence as by treating us well."

We returned to the group we had left, and I unfolded to them the proposition which had been made to me; it was welcomed with a loud shout which made the air ring, and was then succeeded by loud cries for the money.

The sum had evidently been collected previously, for in a few moments a line of men, heavily laden with bags of rupees, issued from a lane close to where we were sitting. Duffa by duffa of the Pindharees, each headed by its own duffadar, was brought up to the spot; each man received his hundred rupees, each leader his thousand, which were stowed away in the capacious bags of their saddles. "You have not cared for yourself, Meer Sahib," said Peer Khan; you have taken nothing."

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"Oh, do not fear for me," I replied; "I shall get my share; the bag does not look large, but it will hold gold."

His eyes brightened. "That is right," he said; "the others must not know of it."

"Not a syllable; it is known only to you and myself. Now we must take care these rascals commit no excesses; they seem half in the humour to run riot in the town."

They seem content," he replied; "at least, I for one am. By Alla! Meer Sahib, this is rare work; a thousand rupees in a morning's ride is better than our own profession, though we have been lucky in our time."

Choop!" said I, "silence! This is no time for our secrets. Away with you! See that the men take up ground before the town. I will remain here with some others, and see what becomes of the place when Cheetoo arrives."

One by one the Pindharees left me, except a few who stayed by my desire; and our business at an end, I sat down and awaited Cheetoo's arrival.

6

What do you think he will ask ?" said my fat friend to me.

know not," I answered; "but you had better be liberal at once, will sack your town, and you know what Pindharees are; they ew scruples, and some of you may be tortured."

eneral shudder ran through the assembly at the thought of rture, and I saw I had made a hit. "Yes," I continued, are such things as korlas, and your fat backs would soon be

laid open; besides, there are fellows who are rare hands at tying up fingers and hitting them on the ends, which is not agreeable, I should think, also at mixing compositions for those bags to be tied over your mouths. I have heard of even still worse contrivances to persuade obstinate sahoukars; but ye are wise men-ye will be warned."

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Say at once, Meer Sahib," said another of the merchants who had not yet spoken, "say what we should offer, and how many Pindharees are there? We have heard there are five thousand.” "Somewhat below the mark, Sethjee," said I; 66 we are little under ten thousand, I think. However, you will see the lubhur, and judge for yourselves. As for the sum, I should say, in the first place, a lakh of rupees for Cheetoo himself—I know he expects as much; then there are three sirdars, Heeroo, Ghuffoor Khan, and Rajun-fifty thousand apiece; then each minor leader and duffadar a thousand, and every good Pindharee a hundred. Say, have I

spoken well ?"

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Bhugwan protect us!" cried one and all, “we are ruined and dead men. Why this would be at least eight lakhs of rupees; where - are we to get such a sum? We are ruined and better kill us at once." "No, no, my good friends, not so,' said I. "All the world knows that Oomraotee is the richest town in the country, ay, richer than Hyderabad itself, and that the money may be counted, not by lakhs, but by crores; so talk not to Cheetoo of your poverty, for he will presently prove whether you lie or not. Trust me, your safest plan is to offer him a large sum at once, for he has a long journey before him; the men have got nothing since we left Nemawur, and they are hungry and thirsty."

"I tell you all," said the fat sahoukar, "the worthy Meer Sahib speaks the truth. Bhugwan has sent this gurdee (calamity), and we must be resigned to our fate. Better far is it to give the uttermost farthing, than to see our wives and daughters dishonoured before our eyes. I have spoken."

"Good!" cried I; now you speak like wise men, and I will give you further advice. Cheetoo is a great man, and loves to be paid honour, as indeed is due to him; so also do the other leaders. Now get you pān, uttur, and spices, make up a proper tray of them, bring a few handsome shawls, and as he takes his seat, one of you throw a pair of the best over his shoulders and those of the other chiefs, and lay your nuzzurs before him as you would before Sikundur Jah himself; Inshalla! you will find favour in his sight, and where you would have to pay ten lakhs you will get off with half the sum, and save your town besides."

"By Gunga! 't is well said!" cried several. "Meer Sahib, you are a kind friend and give good advice; without you we should not have known what to do."

"Again," said I, "let none of you have long faces, but all look as if you were rejoiced at his coming. Be none of you alarmed before you have cause. Pay you must, and therefore do it with as good a grace as you can.'

The assembly drank in my words, as I by turns advised and alarmed them, in order to keep up the spirit I had infused; and in this manner the time passed until the dusk of evening, when, by the noise of the tread of many horses' feet and the firing of matchlocks, we were assured of the approach of the main body.

"Now stick by us," cried the sahoukars as they crowded round me; "you are our friend and must present us; we will not be afraid.' But their words belied them, for the teeth of one and all were chattering with fear, and their cheeks blanched at the thought of confronting the renowned Pindharee chief.

Cheetoo came, and riding into the chouke, surrounded by a crowd of wild-looking figures, the effect of whose appearance was materially increased by the dusk of the evening, his titles were screamed out by a dozen mouths, each vying with the other in exaggeration of his powers.

The group of sahoukars, headed by me, advanced towards him; and the head merchant, rubbing his forehead on the chief's stirrup, implored him to alight and refresh himself, adding that a zeafut had been prepared, and all were desirous of presenting their nuzzurs. I seconded the request, and he exclaimed, "Surely I know that voice; whose, in the name of Shitan, is it ?"

"That of your slave, Ameer Ali,” said I.

"Oh, then all is right," he cried; "and thou too hast turned sahoukar. How is this, Meer Sahib ?"

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May I be your sacrifice, Nuwab!" said I; "I have but mingled with these worthy persons, because they declared they should be annihilated at the sight of the splendour of your appearance. I did but console them and keep up their spirits till my lord arrived." "Thou hast done well," said Cheetoo. "Is everything prepared ?"

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All," cried the sahoukars; "if the noble Cheetoo will but alight, we are prepared to do him honour."

He alighted, and led by the hand by the chief merchant, he was conducted into an adjoining house, which belonged to one of the merchants, and where a clean white floor-cloth had been spread, and a musnud placed. The room too was well lighted. Cheetoo took his seat, and looked around him with evident gratification; savage as his countenance was, it now wore a smile of triumph, yet mixed with an expression of extreme pleasure.

"These are civilised people," said he to Rajun, his favourite, who was close to him. "I little expected this: did you ?"

Indeed, no," said he; "I thought we should have had to cut our way into the town. Depend on it, this is some of Ameer Ali's doing."

ܝ܂

"Likely enough," said Cheetoo; "he is a gentleman, and knows how a gentleman ought to be received. But for him it is most probable these swine would have shut themselves up in their houses, and given us the trouble of pulling them out. But see,-what are they about?"

I was nudged by the sahoukar, who, whispering, implored me to ask Cheetoo to accept their nuzzur. "Five hundred rupees for you if he takes it," again he whispered as I pretended to hesitate. Agreed," said I; "I will revenge myself if it is not paid."

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"By Gunga! by my Junwa!" again said he most earnestly, "nay, I will double it. Speak for us, good Meer Sahib, are you not our friend and our brother?"

"What are those sons of asses talking to you about?" cried Cheetoo. "Why don't they speak out ?"

“Khodawund!" I said, "the terror of your name has preceded you"-and he smiled grimly,-"and your appearance is in every way so imposing and surpassing the accounts these men have heard, that, by Alla! they are dumb; and though they would fain lay a nuzzur at your feet, in every way befitting your high rank, they have not words to express their desires, and have begged your slave to inform my lord of them."

"Kubool, Kubool! I agree," cried Cheetoo; "let the trays be brought. Verily a nuzzur from the sahoukars of Oomraotee ought to be worth seeing."

Fifteen trays were brought in, covered with rich velvet coverings, and set down before the musnud; one by one their covers were removed, and indeed it was a goodly sight! Dates, pistachio nuts, sweetmeats, and sugar-candy filled four; the rest contained cloths of various kinds, European and Indian, muslins, chintzes, rich turbans, and Benares brocades. It was a nuzzur fit for a prince, and Cheetoo was delighted.

"Now," said I to the sahoukar, "this is a happy moment; where are the shawls and the ashruffees? Have a stout heart, and throw the shawls over him, as you would over one of your own tribe at a marriage."

The sahoukar took the shawls from an attendant, and putting five ashruffees upon them, advanced to the feet of Cheetoo; and having made the tusleemât, or three obeisances, he presented the gold, and unfolding the shawls, which were very splendid, dexterously enveloped the chief's person in them, and then retreating, stood with his hands folded on his breast in an attitude of respectful humility.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

The sons of Fortune, she has sent us forth
To thrive by the keen action of our wits,

Which, backed by fearful dread of our bright swords,
Doth fill our purses speedily.

CHEETOO was evidently flattered by the distinction with which he had been received, and as he examined the beautiful shawls which now enveloped his person, a grim smile of delight lighted up his coarse features.

"These men have sense," said he to Ghuffoor Khan, "and are evidently accustomed to the visits of persons of quality. We little expected this civility, and in truth it is most acceptable after our long ride; but they have forgotten you."

"Not so, noble Cheetoo," cried the sahoukar, advancing with several pairs of shawls over his arm; we are not forgetful of our distinguished guests;" and he threw a pair over each of the chiefs, which they received with complacency.

66 Let the room be cleared," cried Cheetoo; "we have business with these worthy gentlemen, which I have sworn to do before we touch any refreshment."

It was quickly done, and there only remained our leaders and the sahoukars, who huddled together like wild fowl on the approach of a hawk.

"Come forward," said Cheetoo to them; come and sit near us; we would speak to you."

They all arose, and, as they were directed, seated themselves in respectful attitudes on the edge of the musnud.

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Now," continued Cheetoo, 'you are doubtless aware of our object. We want money; and money we will have, by fair means or foul. If ye are wise, ye will pay me handsomely to be rid of me and my people, who are savage fellows. I desire not to harm you, and on your own heads be it, if any disaster befalls you. Say, therefore, how much are ye prepared to give ?"

"Truly," said the sahoukar, my friend, who was the spokesman, we have been duly advised of your Highness's coming; and as a proof that we did not dread you, you see us here, and we have done our poor ability to welcome so distinguished a person. We have also received good counsel from your servant the Meer Sahib; and agreeably to his instructions we have drawn up a list of a few trifles and some ready money which we are desirous of laying at the feet of your Highness." And the sahoukar handed to him a paper written in Persian.

"This is unintelligible to me, for I am no moonshee; but can any of you read, brothers ?" asked Cheetoo of the other leaders.