Just then the morning, which had been long in breaking, showed pretty plainly; and Kasim arose, and performing his ablutions, cried with a loud voice the Azan, or call to prayers. This too aroused the Khan, and joined by several others, they repeated, as indeed was their wont, their prayers together.
‘I am as stout as ever, Khan Sahib, I thank you,’ answered Kasim in reply to the many inquiries of the former; ‘the wound pained me a trifle, and your good Zoolficar, who is very expert, loosened the bandages for me; since then it has been quite easy. But how say you—march or halt, which shall it be?’
‘Let us take counsel of the Patél, he seems a decent fellow,’ returned the Khan, ‘and abide by his advice,—he knows the country.’
He was summoned, and the result of the consultation was advice to them to depart immediately. ‘I am disinterested, noble sirs,’ he said; ‘for if otherwise, my own fears would prompt me to make you stay by me; but after your conduct last night I put myself and my village out of consideration.’
‘And the men, Meer Sahib?’
‘I had half engaged them yesterday, when the alarm was given; how say you, Patél, can we have them?’
‘Surely, surely! half of those I have shall accompany you; for I fear no further molestation.’
They were summoned, and at once expressed their readiness to go; after this, the preparations were soon completed, a hasty meal of kicheree[[22]] was cooked and eaten, and, girding up their loins carefully—seeing that their arms were properly loaded—making every preparation for defence, if necessary,—the party assembled to start.
[22]. Rice and pulse boiled together.