‘Huzrut! your slave is willing to the death,’ cried Kasim enthusiastically; ‘prove him; he will not be unworthy of such exalted patronage.’
‘Thou shalt be tried ere long, fear not. Enrol him,’ he continued to a Moonshee; ‘let his pay be twelve hoons, with allowance for a horse: hast thou one?’
‘The Khan’s generosity has already furnished me with one,’ said Kasim.
‘Good! thy business shall be to attend my person, and our friend the Khan will tell thee of thy duties. Enough! you have your dismissal.’
‘I beg to represent that the Khan escorted some kafir prisoners from Bangalore,’ said an officer who was sitting near the Sultaun; ‘would your Highness like—’
‘True, true!’ replied the Sultaun; ‘we had forgotten that;’ and he added, as the expression of his countenance changed, ‘Command silence, and let them be brought into the presence.’
CHAPTER XXII.
There hardly needed the order to be given that silence should be observed: as the words the Sultaun spoke fell upon the ears of the assembly, and they observed the sudden change in his countenance, the busy tongues ceased directly; there continued a little talking and some bustle towards the end of the room, but as the Chobdars called silence, and went hither and thither to enforce it, all became hushed except the Sultaun himself, who was inquiring from the secretaries whether any despatches had accompanied the prisoners from Bangalore.
‘Huzrut!’ said the Khan, again advancing, ‘they are in the possession of your slave, who craves pardon that in the confusion of presenting his nuzzur, he forgot to deliver them.’ And he laid the packets at the Sultaun’s feet, who instantly tore open the envelope, and selecting one of the enclosures directed to himself, fell to perusing it with great attention.