‘I am not hurt,’ he said, in good Hindostanee; ‘and if I had been, an act of kindness such as yours would have amply repaid me for receiving it. Gallant soldier! you, it would seem, have not been taught as your countrymen to hate the English. Do not, however, speak to me: an act of courtesy to one of us may chance to bring disgrace upon you, and I would not have you receive that return for your kindness. May God protect you!’
They passed on, and Kasim remained in the same spot, gazing after him; his tall figure and proud air, his pale but handsome face and deeply-expressive blue eyes,—such as Kasim had never seen before,—his fluent speech and manly tone,—above all, his last words, ‘May God protect you!’ affected him powerfully.
‘God protect you!’ he repeated; ‘he believes then in Alla; how can he be an infidel? He said, “Alla Hafiz!” and he spoke like a Mussulman; why should he be hated? I will see him again. By Alla! such a man is worth knowing, and I may be able to befriend him; surely he is a man of rank.’
But here his surmises were put an end to by Dilawur Ali, who, riding up to him, bade him accompany him, for the Khan was ready to proceed.
‘Then you saw the kafirs,—may their end be perdition!’ said the rough soldier.
‘I did, brother,’ returned Kasim; ‘miserable enough they look, and as if they could hardly move; how are they to travel?’
‘There are covered carts for some, Meer Sahib, for they cannot bear the sun,—doolies for others who are weak; and one or two, who are officers I hear, are to be allowed an elephant,—but we shall see.’ And they rode rapidly through the gate of the fort.
‘I thought he was an officer,’ exclaimed Kasim; ‘I thought he was more than one of the lower rank;’ as the Englishman with whom he had spoken was desired to mount an elephant which bore a handsome umbara.[[29]]
[29]. A kind of howdah.