"'I will reply,' said I; 'I say it is a lie, a base lie; I defy that man to bring proofs. Have we not served well in your camp, oh Nuwab? have we not ever been foremost in danger, and more merciful than all the rest of these murdering villains?'
"'Strike him on the mouth with a shoe! cut him down for his insolence!' cried several.
"'Silence!' again exclaimed Cheetoo; 'the first man who disturbs this inquiry, by Alla, I will behead him.'
"'Go on,' he continued, addressing me; 'what more have you to say?'
"'Nothing, Nuwab; I rely on your justice.'
"'Justice thou shalt have; but tell me why your chief has fled.'
"This confused me a little, but after a moment's thought I replied stoutly,—
"'Look you, Nuwab, I am a plain soldier, and cannot please your ear with fine words. My leader has fled, it is true, but not from guilt. That black-hearted villain, Hidayut Khan, wanted more than his share of plunder on many occasions, and was refused it. He separated from us; we dogged him about the camp, and detected him in close conversation with a man who is known to be in your favour. This excited our suspicion. This evening we watched him to your tent; I gave the information to our jemadar; he and Peer Khan stole towards it; they lay down outside and heard his vile accusations of murder, and had only time to fly and mount their horses. We were not all prepared, and have fallen into your hands. Of what use would it have been for him to have braved your presence? the disgrace alone, to such a man as he is, would have been insupportable,—he would have destroyed himself. I know no more; do with us as you please.'
"Cheetoo seemed struck with what I had said, and mused for a moment. 'The proofs of their guilt!' cried he to Hidayut Khan; 'the proofs! bring them, or it will be worse for thee.'
"'Let their swords be brought,' said he; 'Peer Khan has made off with that of Ghuffoor Khan, but that man (pointing to Ramdeen) has one which was the property of a Pindharee who was murdered two nights ago; and other articles may be discovered in the linings of their saddles.'