This liberality failed to find any approbation in Saleh Mohammed, who affected to look indignant, and exclaimed—
"I am Saleh Mohammed Khan, chief of the Dooranees, and not a slave-dealer, staferillah!—God forbid!"
"Neither is Ackbar Khan—a son of the royal house of Afghanistan; yet he has sent hither those people for sale, in your charge—for sale to the Toorkomans; and what am I?"
"I have no final orders—as yet," replied the Khan, doggedly.
"For their disposal, you mean?"
"No."
"For what, then?"
"Simply to halt here; to act peaceably, but watchfully, Zoolficar Khan—watchfully," replied the other in a pointed manner; "and hourly now I may expect a cossid with a firmaun from Cabul."
"The Hazarees are in arms in your rear, and, ere your cossid comes, there may be a chupao in the night, and the fort may be looted."
"By them, or your people?"