"There's no use wasting time," cried Ghuffoor Khan; "open his mouth with your dagger and pour the draught into it."
It was done; by Alla! Sahib, the two did it before my eyes—fiends that they were! Not only did they pour the blood down the old man's throat, but in forcing open his mouth they cut his lips in a ghastly manner, and his cheek was laid open.
"Now tell us where the gold is!" cried Ghuffoor Khan. "Of what use is this obstinacy? Knowest thou not that thy life is in my power, and that one blow of my sword will send thee to Jehanum, where those fools are gone before thee?"—and he pointed to the dead.
"Strike!" cried the sufferer, "strike! your blow will be welcome; I am old and fit for death. Why do ye delay?"
"But the gold, the treasures!" roared the Khan, stamping on the ground. "Why, are you a fool?"
"Gold, I have told ye, I have none," he replied; "I told you so at first, but ye would not listen. We gave you all we had, and ye were not satisfied. Ye have murdered my sons and my wife, and dishonoured my daughters. Kill us all, and we will be thankful."
"Hear him!" cried the Khan, savagely; "he mocks us. Oh the wilful wickedness of age—is it not proverbial! One of you bring some oil and a light; we will see whether this humour can stand my final test, which has never yet failed."
By this time the house was full of Pindharees, and, if I had wished it, I had not dared to interfere further. I stood looking on, determined to let him have his course; he was only hastening his own fate, and why should I prevent it? The oil was brought, and a quantity of rags were torn from the dhotees, or waist-cloths, of the murdered men. They were dipped in the oil, and wound round the fingers of the old man to as great a thickness as was possible.
"Now bring a light," cried the Khan, "and hold him fast."
A light was kindled, and the man held it in his hand. "I give you a last chance," said the Khan, speaking from between his closed teeth; "you know I dare say, the use your fingers will be put to; be quick and answer, or I will make torches of them, and they shall light me to your treasures, which I warrant are hidden in some dark hole."