第7章

”Inthemidstofthishurryandconfusion，asifpurposelytoaddtoit，atrumpetwasheardatthegateofthefort，andoneofthesentinelscamerunningtome，sayingthataMahrattasoldierwasbeforethegatewithaflagoftruce！”Iwentdown，rightlyconjecturing，asitturnedout，thattheparty，whoevertheymightbe，hadnoartillery；andreceivedatthepointofmyswordascroll，ofwhichthefollowingisatranslation:——”’TOGOLIAHGAHAGANGUJPUTI。”’LORDOFELEPHANTS，SIR，——IhavethehonortoinformyouthatIarrivedbeforethisplaceateighto’clockP。M。withtenthousandcavalryundermyorders。Ihaveburned，sincemyarrival，seventeenbungalowsinFurruckabadandFuttyghur，andhavelikewisebeenunderthepainfulnecessityofputtingtodeaththreeclergymen(mollahs)，andsevenEnglishofficers，whomIfoundinthevillage；thewomenhavebeentransferredtosafekeepingintheharemsofmyofficersandmyself。”’AsIknowyourcourageandtalents，Ishallbeveryhappyifyouwillsurrenderthefortress，andtakeserviceasamajor-general(hookahbadar)inmyarmy。Shouldmyproposalnotmeetwithyourassent，Ibegleavetostatethatto-morrowIshallstormthefort，andontakingit，shallputtodeatheverymaleinthegarrison，andeveryfemaleabovetwentyyearsofage。ForyourselfIshallreserveapunishment，whichfornoveltyandexquisitetorturehas，Iflattermyself，hardlyeverbeenexceeded。Awaitingthefavorofareply，Iam，Sir，”’Yourveryobedientservant，”’JESWUNTROWHOLKAR。”’CAMPBEFOREFUTTYGHUR，Sept。1，1804。”’R。S。V。P。’”Theofficerwhohadbroughtthispreciousepistle(itisastonishinghowHolkarhadapedtheformsofEnglishcorrespondence)，anenormousPitansoldier，withashirtofmail，andasteelcapandcape，roundwhichhisturbanwound，wasleaningagainstthegateonhismatchlock，andwhistlinganationalmelody。Ireadtheletter，andsawatoncetherewasnotimetobelost。Thatman，thoughtI，mustnevergobacktoHolkar。Werehetoattackusnowbeforewewereprepared，thefortwouldbehisinhalfanhour。”Tyingmywhitepocket-handkerchieftoastick，Iflungopenthegateandadvancedtotheofficer；hewasstanding，Isaid，onthelittlebridgeacrossthemoat。Imadehimalowsalaam，afterthefashionofthecountry，and，ashebentforwardtoreturnthecompliment，Iamsorrytosay，Iplungedforward，gavehimaviolentblowonthehead，whichdeprivedhimofallsensation，andthendraggedhimwithinthewall，raisingthedrawbridgeafterme。”Iborethebodyintomyownapartment:there，swiftasthought，I

strippedhimofhisturban，cammerbund，peijammahs，andpapooshes，and，puttingthemonmyself，determinedtogoforthandreconnoitretheenemy。”……

HereIwasobligedtostop，forCabrera，Rosd’Eroles，andtherestofthestaff，weresoundasleep！WhatIdidinmyreconnaisance，andhowIdefendedthefortofFuttyghur，Ishallhavethehonoroftellingonanotheroccasion。

CHAPTERIV。

THEINDIANCAMP——THESORTIEFROMTHEFORT。

HEAD-QUARTERS，MORELLA，Oct。3，1838。

Itisabalmynight。Ihearthemerryjingleofthetambourine，andthecheeryvoicesofthegirlsandpeasants，astheydancebeneathmycasement，undertheshadowoftheclusteringvines。Thelaughandsongpassgaylyround，andevenatthisdistanceIcandistinguishtheelegantformofRamonCabrera，ashewhispersgaynothingsintheearsoftheAndalusiangirls，orjoinsinthethrillingchorusofRiego’shymn，whichiseverandanonvociferatedbytheenthusiasticsoldieryofCarlosQuinto。Iamalone，inthemostinaccessibleandmostbomb-prooftowerofourlittlefortalice；

thelargecasementsareopen——thewind，asitenters，whispersinmyearitsodorousrecollectionsoftheorangegroveandthemyrtlebower。Mytorch(abranchofthefragrantcedar-tree)flaresandflickersinthemidnightbreeze，anddispersesitsscentandburningsplintersonmyscrollandthedeskwhereIwrite——meetimplementsforasoldier’sauthorship！——itisCARTRIDGEpaperoverwhichmypenrunssoglibly，andayawningbarrelofgunpowderformsmyroughwriting-table。Aroundme，belowme，aboveme，all——allispeace！I

think，asIsitheresolonely，onmycountry，England！andmuseoverthesweetandbitterrecollectionsofmyearlydays！Letmeresumemynarrative，atthepointwhere(interruptedbytheauthoritativesummonsofwar)Ipausedonthelastoccasion。

Ileftoff，Ithink——(forIamathousandmilesawayfromproof-

sheetsasIwrite，and，wereInotwritingthesimpleTRUTH，mustcontradictmyselfathousandtimesinthecourseofmytale)——I

think，Isay，thatIleftoffatthatperiodofmystory，when，HolkarbeingbeforeFuttyghur，andIincommandofthatfortress，I

hadjustbeencompelledtomakeawaywithhismessenger；and，dressedinthefallenIndian’saccoutrements，wentforthtoreconnoitretheforce，and，ifpossible，tolearntheintentionsoftheenemy。HowevermuchmyfiguremighthaveresembledthatofthePitan，and，disguisedinhisarmor，mighthavedeceivedthelynx-

eyedMahrattas，intowhosecampIwasabouttoplunge，itwasevidentthatasingleglanceatmyfairfaceandauburnbeardwouldhaveundeceivedthedullestblockheadinHolkar’sarmy。Seizing，then，abottleofBurgess’swalnutcatsup，Idyedmyfaceandmyhands，and，withthesimpleaidofaflaskofWarren’sjet，Imademyhairandbeardasblackasebony。TheIndian’shelmetandchainhoodcoveredlikewiseagreatpartofmyfaceandIhopedthus，withluck，impudence，andacompletecommandofalltheEasterndialectsandlanguages，fromBurmahtoAfghanistan，topassscot-

freethroughthissomewhatdangerousordeal。

Ihadnotthewordofthenight，itistrue——butItrustedtogoodfortuneforthat，andpassedboldlyoutofthefortress，bearingtheflagoftruceasbefore；Ihadscarcelypassedonacoupleofhundredyards，whenlo！apartyofIndianhorsemen，armedlikehimIhadjustovercome，trottedtowardsme。Onewasleadinganoblewhitecharger，andnosoonerdidheseemethan，dismountingfromhisownhorse，andgivingthereintoacompanion，headvancedtomeetmewiththecharger；asecondfellowlikewisedismountedandfollowedthefirst；oneheldthebridleofthehorse，whiletheother(withamultitudeofsalaams，aleikums，andothergenuflexions)，heldthejewelledstirrup，andkneeling，waiteduntilIshouldmount。

Itookthehintatonce:theIndianwhohadcomeuptothefortwasagreatman——thatwasevident；Iwalkedonwithamajesticair，gatheredupthevelvetreins，andsprungintothemagnificenthigh-

peakedsaddle。”Buk，buk，”saidI。”Itisgood。Inthenameoftheforty-nineImaums，letusrideon。”Andthewholepartysetoffatabrisktrot，Ikeepingsilence，andthinkingwithnolittletrepidationofwhatIwasabouttoencounter。

Aswerodealong，Iheardtwoofthemencommentinguponmyunusualsilence(forIsuppose，I——thatistheIndian——wasatalkativeofficer)。”ThelipsoftheBahawderareclosed，”saidone。”WherearethosebirdsofParadise，hislong-tailedwords？theyareimprisonedbetweenthegoldenbarsofhisteeth！””Kush，”saidhiscompanion，”bequiet！BobbachyBahawderhasseenthedreadfulFeringhee，GahaganKhanGujputi，theelephant-lord，whoseswordreapstheharvestofdeath；thereisbutonechampionwhocanwearthepapooshesoftheelephant-slayer——itisBobbachyBahawder！””Youspeaktruly，PuneereeMuckun，theBahawderruminatesonthewordsoftheunbeliever:heisanostrich，andhatchestheeggsofhisthoughts。””Bekhusm！onmynosebeit！Maytheyoungbirds，hisactions，bestrongandswiftinflight。””MaytheyDIGESTIRON！”saidPuneereeMuckun，whowasevidentlyawaginhisway。”O-ho！”thoughtI，assuddenlythelightflasheduponme。”Itwas，then，thefamousBobbachyBahawder，whomIovercamejustnow！andheisthemandestinedtostandinmyslippers，ishe？”andIwasatthatverymomentstandinginhisown！Sucharethechancesandchangesthatfalltothelotofthesoldier！

Isupposeeverybody——everybodywhohasbeeninIndia，atleast——hasheardthenameofBobbachyBahawder:itisderivedfromthetwoHindustaneewords——bobbachy，general；bahawder，artilleryman。HehadenteredintoHolkar’sserviceinthelattercapacity，andhad，byhismeritandhisundauntedbraveryinaction，attainedthedignityofthepeacock’sfeather，whichisonlygrantedtonoblemenofthefirstclass；hewasmarried，moreover，tooneofHolkar’sinnumerabledaughters:amatchwhich，accordingtotheChroniqueScandaleuse，broughtmoreofhonorthanofpleasuretothepoorBobbachy。Gallantashewasinthefield，itwassaidthatintheharemhewastheveriestcravenalive，completelysubjugatedbyhisuglyandodiouswife。InallmattersofimportancethelateBahawderhadbeenconsultedbyhisprince，whohad，asitappears，(knowingmycharacter，andnotcaringtodoanythingrashinhisattackuponsoformidableanenemy，)sentforwardtheunfortunatePitantoreconnoitrethefort；hewastohavedoneyetmore，asI

learnedfromtheattendantPuneereeMuckun，whowas，Isoonfoundout，anoldfavoritewiththeBobbachy——doubtlessonaccountofhishonestyandloveofrepartee。”TheBahawder’slipsareclosed，”saidhe，atlast，trottinguptome；”hashenotawordforoldPuneereeMuckun？””Bismillah，mashallah，barikallah，”saidI；whichmeans，”Mygoodfriend，whatIhaveseenisnotworththetroubleofrelation，andfillsmybosomwiththedarkestforebodings。””YoucouldnotthenseetheGujputialone，andstabhimwithyourdagger？”

[Herewasaprettyconspiracy！]”No，Isawhim，butnotalone；hispeoplewerealwayswithhim。””Hurrumzadeh！itisapity；wewaitedbutthesoundofyourjogree(whistle)，andstraightwaywouldhavegallopedupandseizeduponeveryman，woman，andchildinthefort:however，therearebutadozenmeninthegarrison，andtheyhavenotprovisionfortwodays——theymustyield；andthenhurrahforthemoon-faces！

Mashallah！Iamtoldthesoldierswhofirstgetinaretohavetheirpick。Howmyoldwoman，RoteeMuckun，willbesurprisedwhenIbringhomeacoupleofFeringheewives，——ha！ha！””Fool！”saidI，”bestill！——twelvemeninthegarrison！therearetwelvehundred！Gahaganhimselfisasgoodasathousandmen；andasforfood，Isawwithmyowneyesfivehundredbullocksgrazinginthecourt-yardasIentered。”ThisWASabouncer，Iconfess；

butmyobjectwastodeceivePuneereeMuckun，andgivehimashighanotionaspossibleofthecapabilitiesofdefencewhichthebesiegedhad。”Pooch，pooch，”murmuredthemen；”itisawonderofafortress:weshallneverbeabletotakeituntilourgunscomeup。”

Therewashopethen！theyhadnobattering-train。Erethisarrived，ItrustedthatLordLakewouldhearofourplight，andmarchdowntorescueus。Thusoccupiedinthoughtandconversation，werodeonuntiltheadvancedsentinelchallengedus，whenoldPuneereegavetheword，andwepassedonintothecentreofHolkar’scamp。

Itwasastrange——astirringsight！Thecamp-fireswerelighted；

androundthem——eating，reposing，talking，lookingatthemerrystepsofthedancing-girls，orlisteningtothestoriesofsomeDholBaut(orIndianimprovisatore)werethousandsofduskysoldiery。Thecamelsandhorseswerepicketedunderthebanyan-

trees，onwhichtheripemangofruitwasgrowing，andofferedthemanexcellentfood。Towardsthespotwhichthegoldenfishandroyalpurdahs，floatinginthewind，designatedasthetentofHolkar，ledanimmenseavenue——ofelephants！thefineststreet，indeed，Ieversaw。Eachofthemonstrousanimalshadacastleonitsback，armedwithMauritanianarchersandthecelebratedPersianmatchlock-men:itwasthefeedingtimeoftheseroyalbrutes，andthegroomswereobservedbringingimmensetoffungs，orbaskets，filledwithpine-apples，plantains，bandannas，Indiancorn，andcocoa-nuts，whichgrowluxuriantlyatallseasonsoftheyear。Wepasseddownthisextraordinaryavenue——nolessthanthreehundredandeighty-eighttailsdidIcountoneachside——eachtailappertainingtoanelephanttwenty-fivefeethigh——eachelephanthavingatwo-storiedcastleonitsback——eachcastlecontainingsleepingandeatingroomsforthetwelvementhatformeditsgarrison，andwerekeepingwatchontheroof——eachroofbearingaflag-stafftwentyfeetlongonitstop，thecrescentglitteringwithathousandgems，androundittheimperialstandard，——eachstandardofsilkvelvetandcloth-of-gold，bearingthewell-knowndeviceofHolkar，argentanorgules，betweenasinopleofthefirst，achevron，truncated，wavy。Itooknineofthesemyselfinthecourseofaveryshorttimeafter，andshallbehappy，whenI

cometoEngland，toshowthemtoanygentlemanwhohasacuriositythatway。Throughthisgorgeoussceneourlittlecavalcadepassed，andatlastwearrivedatthequartersoccupiedbyHolkar。

Thatcelebratedchieftain’stentsandfollowersweregatheredroundoneoftheBritishbungalowswhichhadescapedtheflames，andwhichheoccupiedduringthesiege。WhenIenteredthelargeroomwherehesat，Ifoundhiminthemidstofacouncilofwar；hischiefgeneralsandviziersseatedroundhim，eachsmokinghishookah，asisthecommonwaywiththeseblackfellows，before，at，andafterbreakfast，dinner，supper，andbedtime。Therewassuchacloudraisedbytheirsmokeyoucouldhardlyseeayardbeforeyou——

anotherpieceofgoodluckforme——asitdiminishedthechancesofmydetection。When，withtheordinaryceremonies，thekitmatgarsandconsomahshadexplainedtotheprincethatBobbachyBahawder，therighteyeoftheSunoftheuniverse(astheignorantheathenscalledme)，hadarrivedfromhismission，Holkarimmediatelysummonedmetothemaidaun，orelevatedplatform，onwhichhewasseatedinaluxuriouseasy-chair，andI，instantlytakingoffmyslippers，fallingonmyknees，andbeatingmyheadagainstthegroundninety-ninetimes，proceeded，stillonmyknees，ahundredandtwentyfeetthroughtheroom，andthenupthetwentystepswhichledtohismaidaun——asilly，painful，anddisgustingceremony，whichcanonlybeconsideredasarelicofbarbariandarkness，whichtearsthekneesandshinstopieces，letalonethepantaloons。IrecommendanybodywhogoestoIndia，withtheprospectofenteringtheserviceofthenativerajahs，torecollectmyadviceandhavethemWELL-WADDED。

Well，therighteyeoftheSunoftheuniversescrambledaswellashecouldupthestepsofthemaidaun(onwhichinrows，smoking，asIhavesaid，themusnudsorgeneralofficerswereseated)，andI

arrivedwithinspeaking-distanceofHolkar，whoinstantlyaskedmethesuccessofmymission。Theimpetuousoldmanthereonpouredoutamultitudeofquestions:”Howmanymenarethereinthefort？”

saidhe；”howmanywomen？Isitvictualled？Havetheyammunition？

DidyouseeGahaganSahib，thecommander？didyoukillhim？”

AllthesequestionsJeswuntRowHolkarpuffedoutwithsomanywhiffsoftobacco。

Takingachillummyself，andraisingaboutmesuchacloudthat，uponmyhonorasagentleman，nomanatthreeyards’distancecouldperceiveanythingofmeexceptthepillarofsmokeinwhichIwasencompassed，ItoldHolkar，inOrientallanguageofcourse，thebesttaleIcouldwithregardtothefort。”Sir”saidI，”toansweryourlastquestionfirst——thatdreadfulGujputiIhaveseen——andheisalive:heiseightfeet，nearly，inheight；hecaneatabullockdaily(ofwhichhehassevenhundredatpresentinthecompound，andswearsthatduringthesiegehewillcontenthimselfwithonlythreeaweek):hehaslostinbattlehislefteye；andwhatistheconsequence？ORamGunge”(Othou-

with-the-eye-as-bright-as-morning-and-with-beard-as-black-as-

night)，”GoliahGujputi——NEVERSLEEPS！””Ah，youGhorumsaug(youthiefoftheworld)，”saidthePrinceVizier，SaadutAleeBegBimbukchee——”it’sjokingyouare；”——andtherewasauniversalbuzzthroughtheroomattheannouncementofthisbouncer。”BythehundredandelevenincarnationsofVishnu，”saidI，solemnly，(anoathwhichnoIndianwaseverknowntobreak，)”I

swearthatsoitis:soatleasthetoldme，andIhavegoodcausetoknowhispower。Gujputiisanenchanter:heisleaguedwithdevils；heisinvulnerable。Look，”saidI，unsheathingmydagger——

andeveryeyeturnedinstantlytowardsme——”thricedidIstabhimwiththissteel——intheback，once——twicerightthroughtheheart；

butheonlylaughedmetoscorn，andbademetellHolkarthatthesteelwasnotyetforgedwhichwastoinflictaninjuryuponhim。”

IneversawamaninsucharageasHolkarwaswhenIgavehimthissomewhatimprudentmessage。”Ah，lily-liveredrogue！”shoutedheouttome，”milk-bloodedunbeliever！pale-facedmiscreant！livesheafterinsultingthymasterinthypresence！Inthenameoftheprophet，Ispitonthee，defythee，abhorthee，degradethee！Takethat，thouliaroftheuniverse！andthat——andthat——andthat！”

Sucharethefrightfulexcessesofbarbaricminds！everytimethisoldmansaid，”Takethat，”heflungsomearticlenearhimattheheadoftheundauntedGahagan——hisdagger，hissword，hiscarbine，hisrichlyornamentedpistols，histurbancoveredwithjewels，worthahundredthousandcroresofrupees——finally，hishookah，snakemouthpiece，silver-bell，chillumandall——whichwenthissingovermyhead，andflatteningintoajellythenoseoftheGrandVizier。”Yockmuzzee！mynoseisoff；”saidtheoldman，mildly。Willyouhavemylife，OHolkar？itisthinelikewise！”andnootherwordofcomplaintescapedhislips。

Ofallthesemissiles，thoughapistolandcarbinehadgoneoffastheferociousIndianflungthematmyhead，andthenakedscimitarfiercelybutunadroitlythrown，hadloppedoffthelimbsofoneortwoofthemusnudsastheysattremblingontheiromrahs，yet，strangetosay，notasingleweaponhadhurtme。Whenthehubbubceased，andtheunluckywretcheswhohadbeenthevictimsofthisfitofragehadbeenremoved，Holkar’sgoodhumorsomewhatreturned，andheallowedmetocontinuemyaccountofthefort；

whichIdid，nottakingtheslightestnoticeofhisburstofimpatience:asindeeditwouldhavebeentheheightofimpolitenesstohavedoneforsuchaccidentshappenedmanytimesintheday。”ItiswellthattheBobbachyhasreturned，”snuffledoutthepoorGrandVizier，afterIhadexplainedtotheCounciltheextraordinarymeansofdefencepossessedbythegarrison。”Yourstarisbright，OBahawder！forthisverynightwehadresolveduponanescaladeofthefort，andwehadsworntoputeveryoneoftheinfidelgarrisontotheedgeofthesword。””Butyouhavenobatteringtrain，”saidI。”Bah！wehaveacoupleofninety-sixpounders，quitesufficienttoblowthegatesopen；andthen，heyforacharge！”saidLollMahommed，ageneralofcavalry，whowasarivalofBobbachy’s，andcontradicted，therefore，everywordIsaid。”InthenameofJuggernaut，whywaitfortheheavyartillery？Havewenotswords？

Havewenothearts？Mashallah！LetcravensstaywithBobbachy，alltruemenwillfollowLollMahommed！Allahhumdillah，Bismillah，Barikallah？”*anddrawinghisscimitar，hewaveditoverhishead，andshoutedouthiscryofbattle。Itwasrepeatedbymanyoftheotheromrahs；thesoundoftheircheerswascarriedintothecamp，andcaughtupbythemen；thecamelsbegantocry，thehorsestopranceandneigh，theeighthundredelephantssetupascream，thetrumpetersanddrummersclangedawayattheirinstruments。Ineverheardsuchadinbeforeorafter。HowItrembledformylittlegarrisonwhenIheardtheenthusiasticcriesofthisinnumerablehost！

*TheMajorhasputthemostapprovedlanguageintothemouthsofhisIndiancharacters。Bismillah，Barikallah，andsoon，accordingtothenovelists，formtheveryessenceofEasternconversation。

Therewasbutonewayforit。”Sir，”saidI，addressingHolkar，”gooutto-nightandyougotocertaindeath。LollMahommedhasnotseenthefortasIhave。Passthegateifyouplease，andforwhat？tofallbeforethefireofahundredpiecesofartillery；tostormanothergate，andthenanother，andthentobeblownup，withGahagan’sgarrisoninthecitadel。Whotalksofcourage？WereI

notinyouraugustpresence，Ostarofthefaithful，IwouldcropLollMahommed’snosefromhisface，andwearhisearsasanornamentinmyownpugree！Whoisthereherethatknowsnotthedifferencebetweenyonderyellow-skinnedcowardandGahaganKhanGuj——ImeanBobbachyBahawder？Iamreadytofightone，two，three，ortwentyofthem，atbroad-sword，small-sword，single-

stick，withfistsifyouplease。Bytheholypiper，fightingislikemateanddthrinktoGa——toBobbachy，Imane——whoop！comeon，youdivvle，andI’llbatetheskinoffyouruglybones。”

Thisspeechhadverynearlyprovedfataltome，forwhenIamagitated，Iinvoluntarilyadoptsomeofthephraseologypeculiartomyowncountry；whichissoun-eastern，that，hadtherebeenanysuspicionastomyrealcharacter，detectionmustindubitablyhaveensued。Asitwas，Holkarperceivednothing，butinstantaneouslystoppedthedispute。LollMahommed，however，evidentlysuspectedsomething，for，asHolkar，withavoiceofthunder，shoutedout，”Tomasha(silence)，”Lollsprangforwardandgaspedout——”Mylord！mylordIthisisnotBob——”

Buthecouldsaynomore。”Gagtheslave！”screamedoutHolkar，stampingwithfury:andaturbanwasinstantlytwistedroundthepoordevil’sjaws。”Ho，furoshes！carryoutLollMahommedKhan，givehimahundreddozenonthesolesofhisfeet，sethimuponawhitedonkey，andcarryhimroundthecamp，withaninscriptionbeforehim:’ThisisthewaythatHolkarrewardsthetalkative。’”

Ibreathedagain；andeverasIheardeachwhackofthebamboofallingonLollMahommed’sfeet，Ifeltpeacereturningtomymind，andthankedmystarsthatIwasdeliveredofthisdanger。”Vizier，”saidHolkar，whoenjoyedLoll’sroarsamazingly，”Ioweyouareparationforyournose:kissthehandofyourprince，OSaadutAleeBegBimbukchee！befromthisdayforthZoheiruDowlut！”

Thegoodoldman’seyesfilledwithtears。”Icanbearthyseverity，OPrince，”saidhe；”Icannotbearthylove。WasitnotanhonorthatyourHighnessdidmejustnowwhenyoucondescendedtopassoverthebridgeofyourslave’snose？”

Thephrasewasbyallvoicespronouncedtobeverypoetical。TheVizierretired，crownedwithhisnewhonors，tobed。Holkarwasinhighgoodhumor。”Bobbachy，”saidhe，thou，too，mustpardonme。Apropos，Ihavenewsforthee。Yourwife，theincomparablePutteeRooge，”(whiteandredrose，)hasarrivedincamp。””MyWIFE，mylord！”saidI，aghast。”Ourdaughter，thelightofthineeyes！Go，myson；Iseethouartwildwithjoy。ThePrincess’stentsaresetupclosebymine，andIknowthoulongesttojoinher。”

Mywife？Herewasacomplicationtruly！

CHAPTERV。

THEISSUEOFMYINTERVIEWWITHMYWIFE。

IfoundPuneereeMuckun，withtherestofmyattendants，waitingatthegate，andtheyimmediatelyconductedmetomyowntentsintheneighborhood。Ihavebeeninmanydangerouspredicamentsbeforethattimeandsince，butIdon’tcaretodenythatIfeltinthepresentinstancesuchathrobbingoftheheartasIneverhaveexperiencedwhenleadingaforlornhope，ormarchinguptoabattery。

AssoonasIenteredthetentsahostofmenialssprangforward，sometoeasemeofmyarmor，sometooffermerefreshments，somewithhookahs，attarofroses(ingreatquart-bottles)，andthethousanddelicaciesofEasternlife。Imotionedthemaway。”I

willwearmyarmor，”saidI；Ishallgoforthto-night；carrymydutytotheprincess，andsayIgrievethatto-nightIhavenotthetimetoseeher。Spreadmeacouchhere，andbringmesupperhere:

ajarofPersianwinewellcooled，alambstuffedwithpistachio-

nuts，apillawofacoupleofturkeys，acurriedkid——anything。

Begone！Givemeapipe；leavemealone，andtellmewhenthemealisready。”

IthoughtbythesemeanstoputoffthefairPutteeRooge，andhopedtobeabletoescapewithoutsubjectingmyselftotheexaminationofhercuriouseyes。Aftersmokingforawhile，anattendantcametotellmethatmysupperwaspreparedintheinnerapartmentofthetent(Isupposethatthereader，ifhebepossessedofthecommonestintelligence，knowsthatthetentsoftheIndiangrandeesaremadeofthefinestCashmereshawls，andcontainadozenroomsatleast，withcarpets，chimneys，andsash-

windowscomplete)。Ientered，Isay，intoaninnerchamber，andtherebeganwithmyfingerstodevourmymealintheOrientalfashion，taking，everynowandthen，apullfromthewine-jar，whichwascoolingdeliciouslyinanotherjarofsnow。

Iwasjustintheactofdespatchingthelastmorselofamostsavorystewedlambandrice，whichhadformedmymeal，whenIheardascuffleoffeet，ashrillclatteroffemalevoices，and，thecurtainbeingflungopen，inmarchedaladyaccompaniedbytwelveslaves，withmoonfacesandslimwaists，lovelyasthehourisinParadise。

Theladyherself，todoherjustice，wasasgreatacontrasttoherattendantsascouldpossiblybe:shewascrooked，old，ofthecomplexionofmolasses，andrenderedathousandtimesmoreuglybythetawdrydressandtheblazingjewelswithwhichshewascovered。

Alineofyellowchalkdrawnfromherforeheadtothetipofhernose(whichwasfurtherornamentedbyanimmenseglitteringnose-

ring)，hereyelidspaintedbrightred，andalargedabofthesamecoloronherchin，showedshewasnotoftheMussulman，buttheBrahminfaith——andofaveryhighcaste；youcouldseethatbyhereyes。Mymindwasinstantaneouslymadeupastomylineofaction。

Themaleattendantshadofcoursequittedtheapartment，astheyheardthewell-knownsoundofhervoice。Itwouldhavebeendeathtothemtohaveremainedandlookedinherface。Thefemalesrangedthemselvesroundtheirmistress，asshesquatteddownoppositetome。”Andisthis，”saidshe，”awelcome，OKhan！aftersixmonths’

absence，forthemostunfortunateandlovingwifeinalltheworld？

Isthislamb，Oglutton！halfsotenderasthyspouse？Isthiswine，Osot！halfsosweetasherlooks？”

Isawthestormwasbrewing——herslaves，towhomsheturned，keptupakindofchorus:——”Oh，thefaithlessone！”criedthey。”Oh，therascal，thefalseone，whohasnoeyeforbeauty，andnoheartforlove，liketheKhanum’s！””Alambisnotsosweetaslove，”saidIgravely:”butalambhasagoodtemper；awine-cupisnotsointoxicatingasawoman——butawine-cup)hasNOTONGUE，OKhanumGee！”andagainIdippedmynoseinthesoul-refreshingjar。

ThesweetPutteeRoogewasnot，however，tobeputoffbymyrepartees；sheandhermaidensrecommencedtheirchorus，andchatteredandstormeduntilIlostallpatience。”Retire，friends，”saidI，”andleavemeinpeace。””Stir，onyourperil！”criedtheKhanum。

So，seeingtherewasnohelpforitbutviolence，Idrewoutmypistols，cockedthem，andsaid，”Ohouris！thesepistolscontaineachtwoballs:thedaughterofHolkarbearsasacredlifeforme——

butforyou！——byallthesaintsofHindustan，fourofyeshalldieifyestayamomentlongerinmypresence！Thiswasenough；theladiesgaveashriek，andskurriedoutoftheapartmentlikeacoveyofpartridgesonthewing。

Now，then，wasthetimeforaction。Mywife，orratherBobbachy’swife，satstill，alittleflurriedbytheunusualferocitywhichherlordhaddisplayedinherpresence。Iseizedherhandand，grippingitclose，whisperedinherear，towhichIputtheotherpistol:——”OKhanum，listenandscreamnot；themomentyouscream，youdie！”Shewascompletelybeaten:sheturnedaspaleasawomancouldinhersituation，andsaid，”Speak，BobbachyBahawder，Iamdumb。””Woman，”saidI，takingoffmyhelmet，andremovingthechaincapewhichhadcoveredalmostthewholeofmyface——IAMNOTTHY

HUSBAND——Iamtheslaverofelephants，theworldrenownedGAHAGAN！”

AsIsaidthis，andasthelongringletsofredhairfellovermyshoulders(contrastingstrangelywithmydyedfaceandbeard)，I

formedoneofthefinestpicturesthatcanpossiblybeconceived，andIrecommenditasasubjecttoMr。Heath，forthenext”BookofBeauty。””Wretch！”saidshe，”whatwouldstthou？””Youblack-facedfiend，”saidI，”raisebutyourvoice，andyouaredead！””Andafterwards，”saidshe，”doyousupposethatYOUcanescape？

ThetormentsofhellarenotsoterribleasthetorturesthatHolkarwillinventforthee。””Tortures，madam？”answeredI，coolly。”Fiddlesticks！Youwillneitherbetrayme，norwillIbeputtothetorture:onthecontrary，youwillgivemeyourbestjewelsandfacilitatemyescapetothefort。Don’tgrindyourteethandswearatme。

Listen，madam:youknowthisdressandthesearms；——theyarethearmsofyourhusband，BobbachyBahawder——MYPRISONER。Henowliesinyonderfort，andifIdonotreturnbeforedaylight，atSUNRISE

HEDIES:andthen，whentheysendhiscorpsebacktoHolkar，whatwillyou，HISWIDOW，do？””Oh！”saidshe，shuddering，”spareme，spareme！””I’lltellyouwhatyouwilldo。Youwillhavethepleasureofdyingalongwithhim——ofBEINGROASTED，madam:anagonizingdeath，fromwhichyourfathercannotsaveyou，towhichhewillbethefirstmantocondemnandconductyou。Ha！Iseeweunderstandeachother，andyouwillgivemeoverthecash-boxandjewels。”AndsosayingIthrewmyselfbackwiththecalmestairimaginable，flingingthepistolsovertoher。”Lightmeapipe，mylove，”saidI，”andthengoandhandmeoverthedollars；doyouhear？”YouseeIhadherinmypower——upatree，astheAmericanssay，andsheveryhumblylightedmypipeforme，andthendepartedforthegoodsIspokeabout。

Whatathingisluck！IfLollMahommedhadnotbeenmadetotakethatrideroundthecamp，Ishouldinfalliblyhavebeenlost。

Mysupper，myquarrelwiththeprincess，andmypipeafterwards，hadoccupiedacoupleofhoursofmytime。Theprincessreturnedfromherquest，andbroughtwithherthebox，containingvaluablestotheamountofaboutthreemillionssterling。(Iwascheatedofthemafterwards，buthavetheboxstill，aplaindealone。)Iwasjustabouttotakemydeparture，whenatremendousknocking，shouting，andscreamingwasheardattheentranceofthetent。ItwasHolkarhimself，accompaniedbythatcursedLollMahommed，who，afterhispunishment，foundhismasterrestoredtogoodhumor，andhadcommunicatedtohimhisfirmconvictionthatIwasanimpostor。”Ho，Begum，”shoutedhe，intheante-room(forheandhispeoplecouldnotenterthewomen’sapartments)，”speak，Omydaughter！isyourhusbandreturned？””Speak，madam，”saidI，”orREMEMBERTHEROASTING。””Heis，papa，”saidtheBegum。”Areyousure？Ho！ho！ho！”(theoldruffianwaslaughingoutside)——”areyousureitis？——Ha！aha！——HE-E-E！””Indeeditishe，andnoother。Iprayyou，father，togo，andtopassnomoresuchshamelessjestsonyourdaughter。HaveIeverseenthefaceofanyotherman？”Andhereatshebegantoweepasifherheartwouldbreak——thedeceitfulminx！

Holkar’slaughwasinstantlyturnedtofury。”Oh，youliarandeternalthief！”saidhe，turninground(asIpresume，forIcouldonlyhear)toLollMahommed，”tomakeyourprinceeatsuchmonstrousdirtasthis！Furoshes，seizethisman。Idismisshimfrommyservice，Idegradehimfromhisrank，Iappropriatetomyselfallhisproperty:andharkye，furoshes，GIVEHIMAHUNDRED

DOZENMORE！”

AgainIheardthewhacksofthebamboos，andpeaceflowedintomysoul……

Justasmornbegantobreak，twofigureswereseentoapproachthelittlefortressofFuttyghur:onewasawomanwrappedcloselyinaveil，theotherawarrior，remarkableforthesizeandmanlybeautyofhisform，whocarriedinhishandadealboxofconsiderablesize。Thewarrioratthegategavethewordandwasadmitted，thewomanreturnedslowlytotheIndiancamp。HernamewasPutteeRooge；hiswas——

G。O’G。G。，M。H。E。I。C。S。，C。I。H。A。

CHAPTERVI。

FAMINEINTHEGARRISON。

Thusmydangersforthenightbeingovercome，Ihastenedwithmypreciousboxintomyownapartment，whichcommunicatedwithanother，whereIhadleftmyprisoner，withaguardtoreportifheshouldrecover，andtopreventhisescape。Myservant，Ghorumsaug，wasoneoftheguard。Icalledhim，andthefellowcame，lookingverymuchconfusedandfrightened，asitseemed，atmyappearance。”Why，Ghorumsaug，”saidI，”whatmakestheelooksopale，fellow？”

(hewasaswhiteasasheet。)”Itisthymaster，dostthounotrememberhim？”ThemanhadseenmedressmyselfinthePitan’sclothes，butwasnotpresentwhenIhadblackedmyfaceandbeardinthemannerIhavedescribed。”OBramah，Vishnu，andMahomet！”criedthefaithfulfellow，”anddoIseemydearmasterdisguisedinthisway？Forheaven’ssakeletmeridyouofthisodiousblackpaint；forwhatwilltheladiessayintheball-room，ifthebeautifulFeringheeshouldappearamongstthemwithhisrosesturnedintocoal？”

IamstilloneofthefinestmeninEurope，andatthetimeofwhichIwrite，whenonlytwo-and-twenty，IconfessIWASalittlevainofmypersonalappearance，andnotverywillingtoappearbeforemydearBelindadisguisedlikeablackamoor。IallowedGhorumsaugtodivestmeoftheheathenisharmorandhabilimentswhichIwore；andhaving，withaworldofscrubbingandtrouble，divestedmyfaceandbeardoftheirblacktinge，Iputonmyownbecominguniform，andhastenedtowaitontheladies；hastened，I

say，——althoughdelayedwouldhavebeenthebetterword，fortheoperationofbleachinglastedatleasttwohours。”Howistheprisoner，Ghorumsaug？”saidI，beforeleavingmyapartment。”HehasrecoveredfromtheblowwhichtheLiondealthim；twomenandmyselfwatchoverhim；andMacgillicuddySahib(thesecondincommand)hasjustbeentherounds，andhasseenthatallwassecure。”

IbadeGhorumsaughelpmetoputawaymychestoftreasure(myexultationintakingitwassogreatthatIcouldnothelpinforminghimofitscontents)；andthisdone，Idespatchedhimtohispostneartheprisoner，whileIpreparedtosallyforthandpaymyrespectstothefaircreaturesundermyprotection。”WhatgoodafterallhaveIdone，”thoughtItomyself，”inthisexpeditionwhichIhadsorashlyundertaken？”IhadseentherenownedHolkar，Ihadbeenintheheartofhiscamp；Iknewthedispositionofhistroops，thattherewereeleventhousandofthem，andthatheonlywaitedforhisgunstomakearegularattackonthefort。IhadseenPutteeRooge；Ihadrobbedher(IsayROBBEDher，andIdon’tcarewhatthereaderoranyothermanmaythinkoftheact)ofadealbox，containingjewelstotheamountofthreemillionssterling，thepropertyofherselfandhusband。

Threemillionsinmoneyandjewels！Andwhatthedeuceweremoneyandjewelstomeortomypoorgarrison？CouldmyadorableMissBulchereatafricasseeofdiamonds，or，Cleopatra-like，meltdownpearlstohertea？CouldI，carelessasIamaboutfood，withastomachthatwoulddigestanything——(once，inSpain，Iatethelegofahorseduringafamine，andwassoeagertoswallowthismorselthatIboltedtheshoe，aswellasthehoof，andneverfelttheslightestinconveniencefromeither，)——couldI，Isay，expecttolivelongandwelluponaragoutofrupees，oradishofstewedemeraldsandrubies？WithallthewealthofCroesusbeforemeI

feltmelancholy；andwouldhavepaidcheerfullyitsweightincaratsforagoodhonestroundofboiledbeef。Wealth，wealth，whatartthou？Whatisgold？——Softmetal。Whatarediamonds？——

Shiningtinsel。Thegreatwealth-winners，theonlyfame-achievers，thesoleobjectsworthyofasoldier’sconsideration，arebeefsteaks，gunpowder，andcoldiron。

Thetwolattermeansofcompetencywepossessed；Ihadinmyownapartmentsasmallstoreofgunpowder(keepingitundermyownbed，withacandleburningforfearofaccidents)；Ihad14piecesofartillery(4long48’sand4carronades，5howitzers，andalongbrassmortar，forgrape，whichIhadtakenmyselfatthebattleofAssaye)，andmusketsfortentimesmyforce。Mygarrison，asI

havetoldthereaderinapreviousnumber，consistedof40men，twochaplains，andasurgeon；addtothesemyguests，83innumber，ofwhomnineonlyweregentlemen(intights，powder，pigtails，andsilkstockings，whohadcomeoutmerelyforadance，andfoundthemselvesinforasiege)。Suchwereournumbers:——

Ladies74

Troopsandartillerymen40

Othernon-combatants11

MAJOR-GEN。O’G。GAHAGAN1000——

1，125

Icountmyselfgoodforathousand，forsoIwasregularlyratedinthearmy:withthisgreatbenefittoit，thatIonlyconsumedasmuchasanordinarymortal。Wewerethen，asfarasthevictualswent，126mouths；ascombatantswenumbered1，040gallantmen，with12gunsandafort，againstHolkarandhis12，000。Nosuchalarmingodds，if——

IF！——ay，therewastherub——IFwehadSHOT，aswellaspowderforourguns；IFwehadnotonlyMENbutMEAT。Oftheformercommoditywehadonlythreeroundsforeachpiece。Ofthelatter，uponmysacredhonor，tofeed126souls，wehadbutTwodrumsticksoffowls，andaboneofham。

Fourteenbottlesofginger-beer。

Ofsoda-water，fourditto。

TwobottlesoffineSpanisholives。

Raspberrycream——theremainderoftwodishes。

Sevenmacaroons，lyinginthepuddleofademolishedtrifle。

HalfadrumofbestTurkeyfigs。

Somebitsofbrokenbread；twoDutchcheeses(whole)；thecrustofanoldStilton；andaboutanounceofalmondsandraisins。

Threeham-sandwiches，andapotofcurrant-jelly，and197bottlesofbrandy，rum，madeira，paleale(myprivatestock)；acoupleofhardeggsforasalad，andaflaskofFlorenceoil。

Thiswastheprovisionforthewholegarrison！Themenaftersupperhadseizedupontherelicsoftherepast，astheywerecarriedofffromthetable；andthesewerethemiserableremnantsI

foundandcountedonmyreturn，takinggoodcaretolockthedoorofthesupper-room，andtreasurewhatlittlesustenancestillremainedinit。

WhenIappearedinthesaloon，nowlightedupbythemorningsun，I

notonlycausedasensationmyself，butfeltoneinmyownbosom，whichwasofthemostpainfuldescription。Oh，myreader！mayyouneverbeholdsuchasightasthatwhichpresenteditself:eighty-

threemenandwomeninball-dresses；theformerwiththeirlankpowderedlocksstreamingovertheirfaces；thelatterwithfadedflowers，uncurledwigs，smudgedrouge，bleareyes，dragglingfeathers，rumpledsatins——eachmoredesperatelymelancholyandhideousthantheother——each，exceptmybelovedBelindaBulcher，whoseravenringletsneverhavingbeenincurl，couldofcoursenevergoOUTofcurl；whosecheek，paleasthelily，could，asitmaynaturallybesupposed，grownopaler；whoseneckandbeauteousarms，dazzlingasalabaster，needednopearl-powder，andtherefore，asIneednotstate，didnotsufferbecausethepearl-powderhadcomeoff。Joy(deftlink-boy！)lithislampsineachofhereyesasIentered。AsifIhadbeenhersun，herspring，lo！blushingrosesmantledinhercheek！Seventy-threeladies，asIentered，openedtheirfireuponme，andstunnedmewithcross-questions，regardingmyadventuresinthecamp——SHE，asshesawme，gaveafaintscream，(thesweetest，sure，thatevergurgledthroughthethroatofawoman！)thenstartedup——thenmadeasifshewouldsitdown——thenmovedbackwards——thentotteredforwards——thentumbledintomy——Psha！whyrecall，whyattempttodescribethatdelicious——

thatpassionategreetingoftwoyounghearts？WhatwasthesurroundingcrowdtoUS？Whatcaredweforthesneersofthemen，thetittersofthejealouswomen，theshrill”Uponmyword！”oftheelderMissBulcher，andtheloudexpostulationsofBelinda’smamma？

Thebravegirllovedme，andweptinmyarms。”Goliah！myGoliah！”

saidshe，”mybrave，mybeautiful，THOUartreturned，andhopecomesbackwiththee。Oh！whocantelltheanguishofmysoul，duringthisdreadful，dreadfulnight！”Othersimilarejaculationsofloveandjoysheuttered；andifIHADperilledlifeinherservice，ifIDIDbelievethathopeofescapetherewasnone，soexquisitewasthemomentofourmeeting，thatIforgotallelseinthisoverwhelmingjoy！……

[TheMajor’sdescriptionofthismeeting，whichlastedattheverymostnottenseconds，occupiesthirteenpagesofwriting。Wehavebeencompelledtodockofftwelveandahalf；forthewholepassage，thoughhighlycreditabletohisfeelings，mightpossiblybetedioustothereader。]……

AsIsaid，theladiesandgentlemenwereinclinedtosneer，andweregigglingaudibly。Iledthedeargirltoachair，and，scowlingroundwithatremendousfierceness，whichthosewhoknowmeknowIcansometimesputon，Ishoutedout，”Harkyemenandwomen——Iamthislady’struestknight——herhusbandIhopeonedaytobe。Iamcommander，too，inthisfort——theenemyiswithoutit；

anotherwordofmockery——anotherglanceofscorn——and，byheaven，I

willhurleverymanandwomanfromthebattlements，apreytotheruffianlyHolkar！”Thisquietedthem。Iamamanofmyword，andnoneofthemstirredorlookeddisrespectfullyfromthatmoment。

ItwasnowMYturntomakeTHEMlookfoolish。Mrs。Vandegobbleschroy(whoseunfailingappetiteisprettywellknowntoeverypersonwhohasbeeninIndia)cried，”Well，CaptainGahagan，yourballhasbeensopleasant，andthesupperwasdespatchedsolongago，thatmyselfandtheladieswouldbeverygladofalittlebreakfast。”AndMrs。

Vangiggledasifshehadmadeaverywittyandreasonablespeech。”Oh！breakfast，breakfastbyallmeans，”saidtherest；”wereallyaredyingforawarmcupoftea。””Isitbohaytayorsouchongtaythatyou’dlike，ladies？”saysI。”Nonsense，yousillyman；anyteayoulike，”saidfatMrs。Van。”Whatdoyousay，then，tosomeprimeGUNPOWDER？”Ofcoursetheysaiditwastheverything。”Anddoyoulikehotrowlsorcowld——muffinsorcrumpets——freshbutterorsalt？Andyou，gentlemen，whatdoyousaytosomeilegantdivvled-kidneysforyourselves，andjustatrifleofgrilledturkeys，andacoupleofhundthrednew-laideggsfortheladies？””Pooh，pooh！beitasyouwill，mydearfellow，”answeredtheyall。”Butstop，”saysI。”Oladies，Oladies:Ogentlemen，gentlemen，thatyoushouldeverhavecometothequartersofGoliahGahagan，andhebeenwithout——””What？”saidthey，inabreath。”AlasIalas！Ihavenotgotasinglestickofchocolateinthewholehouse。””Well，well，wecandowithoutit。””Orasinglepoundofcoffee。””Nevermind；letthatpasstoo。”(Mrs。Vanandtherestwerebeginningtolookalarmed。)”Andaboutthekidneys——nowIremember，theblackdivvlesoutsidetheforthaveseizeduponallthesheep；andhowarewetohavekidneyswithoutthem？”(Heretherewasaslighto——o——o！)”Andwithregardtothemilkandcrame，itmayberemarkedthatthecowsarelikewiseinpawn，andnotasingledropcanbehadformoneyorlove:butwecanbeatupeggs，youknow，inthetay，whichwillbejustasgood。””Oh！justasgood。””Onlythedivvle’sintheluck，there’snotafresheggtobehad——

no，norafreshchicken，”continuedI，”norastaleoneeither；noratayspoonfulofsouchong，norathimblefulofbohay；northelastetasteinlifeofbutther，saltorfresh；norhotrowlsorcowld！””Inthenameofheaven！”saidMrs。Van，growingverypale，”whatisthere，then？””Ladiesandgentlemen，I’lltellyouwhatthereisnow，”shoutedI。”There’s”Twodrumsticksoffowls，andaboneofham。

Fourteenbottlesofginger-beer，”&c。&c。&c。

AndIwentthroughthewholelistofeatablesasbefore，endingwiththeham-sandwichesandthepotofjelly。”Law！Mr。Gahagan，”saidMrs。ColonelVandegobbleschroy，”givemetheham-sandwiches——Imustmanagetobreakfastoffthem。”

Andyoushouldhaveheardtheprettyto-dotherewasatthismodestproposition！OfcourseIdidnotaccedetoit——whyshouldI？I

wasthecommanderofthefort，andintendedtokeepthesethreeverysandwichesfortheuseofmyselfandmydearBelinda。”Ladies，”saidI，”thereareinthisfortonehundredandtwenty-

sixsouls，andthisisallthefoodwhichistolastusduringthesiege。Meatthereisnone——ofdrinkthereisatolerablequantity；

andatoneo’clockpunctually，aglassofwineandoneoliveshallbeservedouttoeachwoman:themenwillreceivetwoglasses，andanoliveandafig——andthismustbeyourfoodduringthesiege。

LordLakecannotbeabsentmorethanthreedays；andifhebe——why，stillthereisachance——whydoIsayachance？——aCERTAINTYofescapingfromthehandsoftheseruffians。””Oh，nameit，nameit，dearCaptainGahagan！”screechedthewholecoveyatabreath。”Itlies，”answeredI，”inthePOWDERMAGAZINE。Iwillblowthisfort，andallitcontains，toatoms，ereitbecomesthepreyofHolkar。”

Thewomen，atthis，raisedasquealthatmighthavebeenheardinHolkar’scamp，andfaintedindifferentdirections；butmydearBelindawhisperedinmyear，”Welldone，thounobleknight！bravelysaid，myheart’sGoliah！”IfeltIwasright:Icouldhaveblownheruptwentytimesfortheluxuryofthatsinglemoment！”Andnow，ladies，”saidI，”Imustleaveyou。Thetwochaplainswillremainwithyoutoadministerprofessionalconsolation——theothergentlemenwillfollowmeupstairstotheramparts，whereIshallfindplentyofworkforthem。”

CHAPTERVII。

THEESCAPE。

Lothastheywere，thesegentlemenhadnothingforitbuttoobey，andtheyaccordinglyfollowedmetotheramparts，whereIproceededtoreviewmymen。Thefort，inmyabsence，hadbeenleftincommandofLieutenantMacgillicuddy，acountrymanofmyown(withwhom，asmaybeseeninanearlychapterofmymemoirs，Ihadanaffairofhonor)；andtheprisonerBobbachyBahawder，whomIhadonlystunned，neverwishingtokillhim，hadbeenleftinchargeofthatofficer。Threeofthegarrison(oneofthemamanoftheAhmednuggarIrregulars，myownbody-servant，Ghorumsaugabovenamed，)wereappointedtowatchthecaptivebyturns，andneverleavehimoutoftheirsight。Thelieutenantwasinstructedtolooktothemandtotheirprisoner，andasBobbachywasseverelyinjuredbytheblowwhichIhadgivenhim，andwas，moreover，boundhandandfoot，andgaggedsmartlywithcords，Iconsideredmyselfsureofhisperson。

MacgillicuddydidnotmakehisappearancewhenIreviewedmylittleforce，andthethreehavildarswerelikewiseabsent:thisdidnotsurpriseme，asIhadtoldthemnottoleavetheirprisoner；butdesiroustospeakwiththelieutenant，Idespatchedamessengertohim，andorderedhimtoappearimmediately。

Themessengercameback；hewaslookingghastlypale:hewhisperedsomeinformationintomyear，whichinstantlycausedmetohastentotheapartmentswhereIhadcausedBobbachyBahawdertobeconfined。

Themenhadfled；——Bobbachyhadfled；andinhisplace，fancymyastonishmentwhenIfound——witharopecuttinghisnaturallywidemouthalmostintohisears——withadreadfulsabre-cutacrosshisforehead——withhislegstiedoverhishead，andhisarmstiedbetweenhislegs——myunhappy，myattachedfriend——MortimerMacgillicuddy！

Hehadbeeninthispositionforaboutthreehours——itwastheverypositioninwhichIhadcausedBobbachyBahawdertobeplaced——anattitudeuncomfortable，itistrue，butonewhichrendersescapeimpossible，unlesstreasonaidtheprisoner。

Irestoredthelieutenanttohisnaturalerectposition:Ipouredhalfabottleofwhiskeydowntheimmenselyenlargedorificeofhismouth，andwhenhehadbeenreleased，heinformedmeofthecircumstancesthathadtakenplace。

FoolthatIwas！idiot！——uponmyreturntothefort，tohavebeenanxiousaboutmypersonalappearance，andtohavespentacoupleofhoursinremovingtheartificialblackeningfrommybeardandcomplexion，insteadofgoingtoexaminemyprisoner——whenhisescapewouldhavebeenprevented。Ofoppery，foppery！——itwasthatcursedloveofpersonalappearancewhichhadledmetoforgetmydutytomygeneral，mycountry，mymonarch，andmyownhonor！

Thusitwasthattheescapetookplace:——MyownfellowoftheIrregulars，whomIhadsummonedtodressme，performedtheoperationtomysatisfaction，investedmewiththeelegantuniformofmycorps，andremovedthePitan’sdisguise，whichIhadtakenfromthebackoftheprostrateBobbachyBahawder。Whatdidtheroguedonext？——Why，hecarriedbackthedresstotheBobbachy——heputit，oncemore，onitsrightowner；heandhisinfernalblackcompanions(whohadbeenwonoverbytheBobbachywithpromisesofenormousreward)，gaggedMacgillicuddy，whowasgoingtherounds，andthenmarchedwiththeIndiancoollyuptotheoutergate，andgavetheword。Thesentinel，thinkingitwasmyself，whohadfirstcomein，andwasaslikelytogooutagain，——(indeedmyrascallyvaletsaidthatGahaganSahibwasabouttogooutwithhimandhistwocompanionstoreconnoitre，)——openedthegates，andofftheywent！

ThisaccountedfortheconfusionofmyvaletwhenIentered！——andforthescoundrel’sspeech，thatthelieutenanthadJUSTBEENTHE

ROUNDS；——heHAD，poorfellow，andhadbeenseizedandboundinthiscruelway。Thethreemen，withtheirliberatedprisoner，hadjustbeenonthepointofescape，whenmyarrivaldisconcertedthem:I

hadchangedtheguardatthegate(whomtheyhadwonoverlikewise)；andyet，althoughtheyhadovercomepoorMac，andalthoughtheywerereadyforthestart，theyhadpositivelynomeansforeffectingtheirescape，untilIwasassenoughtoputmeansintheirway。Fool！fool！thricebesottedfoolthatIwas，tothinkofmyownsillypersonwhenIshouldhavebeenoccupiedsolelywithmypublicduty。

FromMacgillicuddy’sincoherentaccounts，ashewasgaspingfromtheeffectsofthegagandthewhiskeyhehadtakentorevivehim，andfrommyownsubsequentobservations，Ilearnedthissadstory。

Asuddenandpainfulthoughtstruckme——mypreciousbox！——Irushedback，Ifoundthatbox——Ihaveitstill。Openingit，there，whereIhadleftingots，sacksofbrighttomauns，kopeksandrupees，stringsofdiamondsasbigasducks’eggs，rubiesasredasthelipsofmyBelinda，countlessstringsofpearls，amethysts，emeralds，pilesuponpilesofbank-notes——Ifound——apieceofpaper！withafewlinesintheSanscritlanguage，whicharethus，wordforword，translated:”EPIGRAM。”(OndisappointingacertainMajor。)”TheconqueringLionreturn’dwithhisprey，Andsafeinhiscavernhesetit，Theslylittlefoxstolethebootyaway；

And，asheescaped，totheliondidsay，’AHA！don’tyouwishyoumaygetit？’”

Confusion！Oh，howmybloodboiledasIreadthesecuttinglines。

Istamped，——Iswore，——Idon’tknowtowhatinsanelengthsmyragemighthavecarriedme，hadnotatthismomentasoldierrushedin，screaming，”Theenemy，theenemy！”

CHAPTERVIII。

THECAPTIVE。

Itwashightime，indeed，thatIshouldmakemyappearance。Wavingmyswordwithonehand，andseizingmytelescopewiththeother，I

atoncefrightenedandexaminedtheenemy。Welltheyknewwhentheysawthatflamingo-plumefloatinginthebreeze——thatawfulfigurestandinginthebreach——thatwavingwar-swordsparklinginthesky——well，Isay，theyknewthenameofthehumbleindividualwhoownedthesword，theplume，andthefigure。Theruffiansweremusteredinfront，thecavalrybehind。Theflagswereflying，thedrums，gongs，tambourines，violoncellos，andotherinstrumentsofEasternmusic，raisedintheairastrange，barbaricmelody；theofficers(yatabals)，mountedonwhitedromedaries，wereseengallopingtoandfro，carryingtotheadvancinghoststheordersofHolkar。

YouseethattwosidesofthefortofFuttyghur(risingasitdoesonarockthatisalmostperpendicular)aredefendedbytheBurrumpooterriver，twohundredfeetdeepatthispoint，andathousandyardswide，sothatIhadnofearaboutthemattackingmeinTHATquarter。Myguns，therefore(withtheirsix-and-thirtymiserablechargesofshot)weredraggedroundtothepointatwhichIconceivedHolkarwouldbemostlikelytoattackme。IwasinasituationthatIdidnotdaretofire，exceptatsuchtimesasI

couldkillahundredmenbyasingledischargeofacannon；sotheattackingpartymarchedandmarched，verystrongly，aboutamileandahalfoff，theelephantsmarchingwithoutreceivingtheslightestdamagefromus，untiltheyhadcometowithinfourhundredyardsofourwalls(theroguesknewallthesecretsofourweakness，throughthebetrayalofthedastardlyGhorumsaug，ortheyneverwouldhaveventuredsonear)。Atthatdistance——itwasaboutthespotwheretheFuttyghurhillbegangraduallytorise——theinvadingforcestopped；theelephantsdrewupinaline，atrightangleswithourwall(thefools！theythoughttheyshouldexposethemselvestoomuchbytakingapositionparalleltoit)；thecavalryhaltedtoo，and——afterthedeuce’sownflourishoftrumpetsandbangingofgongs，tobesure，——somebody，inaflame-coloredsatin-dress，withanimmensejewelblazinginhispugree(thatlookedthroughmytelescopelikeasmallbutverybrightplanet)，gotupfromthebackofoneoftheverybiggestelephants，andbeganaspeech。

Theelephantswere，asIsaid，inalineformedwithadmirableprecision，aboutthreehundredofthem。Thefollowinglittlediagramwillexplainmatters:——

Eisthelineofelephants。Fisthewallofthefort。Gaguninthefort。NOWthereaderwillseewhatIdid。

Theelephantswerestanding，theirtrunkswagglingtoandfrogracefullybeforethem；andI，withsuperhumanskillandactivity，broughtthegunG(adevilishlongbrassgun)tobearuponthem。I

pointeditmyself；bang！itwent，andwhatwastheconsequence？

Why，this: