Kasim Ali rode on gaily; with him were a number of men who had previously obtained leave of absence, and had stayed for the advantage of his society and safe conduct, for he was respected by all. They were proceeding, some on horseback, others on ponies, to various parts of the north of Mysore; some to his own district, some to Hyderabad. The road was light under their horses’ feet, and coss after coss passed almost without their knowledge, as they conversed freely and merrily together. At the point where the river Madoor crosses the road to Bangalore there is a good deal of thick jungle, but they heeded not the pass, though it was noted for robbers; they were too formidable a party to be attacked. As they proceeded carelessly, a shot whistled from among some bushes to the left—it went harmless; another, and Kasim felt a sting in his left arm, and he saw a man fall.
‘Upon them!’ he cried, drawing his sword; ‘upon the sons of defiled mothers!’ and he dashed into the jungle, followed by the best mounted; ten or twelve men were flying at their utmost speed—but they had a poor chance before those determined horsemen. Kasim cut at two as he passed them; they were not killed but badly wounded; three others were despatched.
‘I know that rascal’s face,’ said one of his companions, as the prisoners were brought up; ‘it is one of Jaffar’s devils.’
‘Ay, and this is another,’ said Kasim; ‘he was in the Durbar yesterday morning.’
‘Tell us why thou hast done this?’ he said; ‘why didst thou attack me? what have I ever done to harm thee?’
‘Nothing,’ said one sullenly; ‘it was the Sultaun’s order.’
‘Thou liest!’ cried Kasim, striking him.
‘Do not beat me,’ he replied; ‘but behold, here is the order to give us horses to overtake thee, shouldst thou have gone on. We knew not that thou hadst tarried in the city last night; we arose and came on to the last village; they told us there thou hadst not passed, and we waited for thee. Behold! this is the Sultaun’s seal.’
It was truly so—his private seal: Kasim well knew it; he shuddered as he looked on it. ‘Why should there have been such black treachery?’