"Now," Harry said, "we will go up to my room and talk the matter over.
"Mr. Malet has been kind enough to give such a favourable2 report of me that I am appointed lieutenant3 to the 3rd Regiment4 of Native Cavalry5, and shall be employed as assistant to the resident at Poona, should there be fresh disturbances6 there."
"That is good fortune, indeed," Sufder said.
"Wonderfully good fortune! and I owe it all, in the first place to Soyera, and in the next to yourself. You see, I have gained greatly by taking your advice, and remaining in the Deccan until fit for military service. Had she declared who I was when she took me down to Bombay, before, there is no saying what might have become of me.
"And now, the first thing to do is for me to go out and order a uniform. When I return I will draw up, in Mahratti and English, a full account of the manner in which I was saved, by Soyera and you, from being murdered; and how I have been brought up."
Harry had learned, at the Governor's, the name and address of an official at the Judge's Court who would get his statements copied out, in proper form and writing; and when he had taken them down from the lips of Sufder and Soyera, he saw this gentleman, who promised that the documents should be ready by the next day.
Having thus put his business in train, Harry went to call upon Mrs. Sankey. She did not recognize him at once but, as soon as he made himself known, she received him most warmly.
"You looked as if you would grow into a big fellow, but I hardly expected that you would have done it so soon."
"It is more than four years since I left you. I don't think that I am likely to grow any taller than I am; though of course, I shall get broader."
He then told her what had happened since he left her, and how he had just been appointed an officer in a native cavalry regiment.
"I am very glad you have come now. My daughters have both married, and I am going to sail for England in a few days. Whether I shall stay there permanently7, or come back, I cannot say but, at any rate, I shall be away at least two years."
"I should have been very sorry to have missed you, Mrs. Sankey. I have always looked back, with the greatest pleasure, at the time I spent here."
"You have kept up your English well," she said.
"I have followed your advice, and hardly ever missed reading aloud for an hour, so as to keep my tongue accustomed to it; and I know many of Shakespeare's plays by heart, and could recite a great many passages from the writings of Dean Swift, Mr. Addison, Mr. Savage8, and others."
His next visit was to Jeemajee, who received him with real pleasure, when he told him who he was. Harry had not learned--nor did he ever learn--that the kindly9 Parsee had contributed a hundred pounds towards the expenses of his education; but he did know that he had presented him with his outfit10 of clothes, and had been the means of his being placed with Mrs. Sankey; and during the months he remained at Bombay, he paid frequent visits to the man who had so befriended him.
The next day he went with Sufder and Soyera, who swore to their statements before the judge of the High Court.
As soon as his uniform was ready, Harry went to his regiment--which was encamped on the maidan, between the fort and the native town--and was introduced to the colonel.
"I have come to report myself, sir," he said to the colonel. "My name is Lindsay."
"I was expecting you," the colonel said, "for Mr. Malet came in this morning and told me about you; saying that you would most likely come either today or tomorrow. I will have a tent pitched for you, this afternoon; and a soldier told off as your servant. Of course, at first you will have to go through the somewhat unpleasant task of learning your drill.
"From what Mr. Malet told me, I think you are not likely to be much with us as, from your perfect knowledge of Mahratti, and of the country, you can do better service in a staff appointment than with the regiment.
"You are much fairer than they had given me to expect."
"I have been hard at work, for the last two days, in getting rid of the dyes with which I have been coloured, ever since I was an infant."
"Ah! You are not very noticeably darker, now, than other officers in the regiment.
"Now, I will hand you over to the adjutant. You will, of course, mess with us today; and I can then introduce you to your brother officers."
The adjutant was sent for, and soon entered.
"Mr. Lewis," the colonel said, "this is Mr. Lindsay, who was gazetted to us two days ago. He will be very useful to us, if we go up to Poona again--of which there is always a possibility--for he speaks Mahratti like a native, having lived among the people since he was an infant. He is the son of Major Lindsay, who was killed here at the time of the advance on Poona."
"You will be a great acquisition to us," the adjutant said, as he left the tent with Harry. "Most of us speak a little Mahratti; but it will be very useful to have one of us who is perfect, in that way. Of course, you have not got your full kit11 yet; but you will want a mess jacket and waistcoat. These I can lend you, till you get your own made."
"They are ordered already, and I am to get them in a couple of days. It was so much more important that I should get the undress uniform, to enable me to begin work, that I did not press the tailor quite so much as to the other clothes."
"Are you ready to begin work, at once?"
"The sooner the better," Harry replied.
"Then I shall hand you over to the native officer, who has charge of the drilling of recruits. There is a small yard, behind the barracks, where Europeans are instructed in the first stages. To see them doing the goose step would not add to the respect the soldiers have for their white officers. They are therefore taught such matters in private so that, when they come out for company drill, they are not quite at sea."
Half an hour later, Harry was at work under the instructions of a native officer. By the time he had finished, a tent had been erected12 for him; and he was glad to find a bath ready, for it was much warmer down in Bombay than above the Ghauts, and it had been hot work drilling. The adjutant had chosen a Mahratta servant, and the man's surprise, when the newly-joined officer addressed him in his own language, was great.
As Mr. Malet had told him that, except when on duty, the officers generally wore civilian13 clothes, he had purchased several white suits, consisting of jacket and trousers, as these were kept in stock by a Parsee tailor; and he put on one of these, with a white shirt, after he had finished his bath. He had scarcely done so when a bugle14 sounded.
"That is the call for tiffin, sahib," Abdool said.
"Do the officers go in uniform?"
"No, sahib, not to this meal."
Just at this moment, the adjutant came in.
"Come along, Lindsay," he said. "I thought I would come round for you. It is rather trying going into a room full of strangers."
There were some twelve officers gathered in the mess tent, and the adjutant introduced Harry to them, singly. They were all curious to see him, having heard from the colonel--who had summoned them to the tent, a quarter of an hour before the bugle sounded--some particulars of his life; and how he had been at once appointed to be lieutenant, without going through the usual term as a cadet, as a reward for important services.
Their first impression of him was a favourable one. He was now nearly six feet in height, with a powerful and well-knit frame. His face was pleasant and good tempered and, although the features were still boyish, there was an expression of restraint and determination that had been acquired from the circumstances in which he had been placed.
He had seen the barbarous splendour of the entertainments at the Peishwa's court, but nothing like the well-ordered table now before him; with its snow-white cloth, its bright silver, and perfect appointments.
When the meal was over, the colonel said:
"As duty is over for the day, I think it would be most interesting if Mr. Lindsay would give us an account of his life, and adventures. As you are all here, it would save him the trouble of going over his story, again and again; for you are all, I am sure, like myself, anxious to know how it was that he has been able, all these years, to pass as a Mahratta among Mahrattas."
There was a general expression of agreement. Cheroots were lighted, and Harry told his story, with some detail. When he had finished, the colonel said:
"I am sure we are all obliged to you, Lindsay. You have had a remarkable15 experience; and few of us have, in the course of our lives, gone through anything like the same amount of adventures. To have been, at your age, a peasant boy, an English school boy, a shikaree, an officer in the Peishwa's court, a confidential17 agent of Nana Furnuwees, and now a British officer, is indeed wonderful. It speaks volumes for your intelligence and discretion18."
"I cannot take the whole credit to myself, sir. I had two good friends. My nurse, not content with saving my life, taught me English, instructed me in the ways of our people, and even in their religion, and continually urged me to exercise myself in every way; so that when, some day, I left her, I should in bodily strength and activity not be inferior to others; and, aided by her brother, expended19 all her savings20, of years, in having me educated here. Next to her I owe much to Sufder, who first taught me the use of arms, and then presented me to Nana. Without such an introduction I must, had I entered the Mahratta service at all, have gone as a private soldier, instead of obtaining at once a post at court.
"To Mrs. Sankey I owe very much for the kindness she showed me, and the pains she took with me; and I owe much, too, to Mr. Jeemajee, the Parsee merchant."
"Yes, you owe much to both of them," the colonel said; "but their teaching and advice would not have gone for much, had it not been for your own energy, and for the confidence you inspired in the Peishwa's minister.
"What are you going to do about your nurse?"
"We have not quite arranged, as yet, sir; but she will, at any rate, remain here for a time. She loves me as a mother; and I think that, so long as I am quartered here, she will remain. She has already found a lodging21, at the house of a woman of the same caste as herself; and tells me that she is sure she will be comfortable with her. If we move, and all goes on quietly in the Deccan, she will return to her brother's, where she is thoroughly22 at home and happy."
"And Sufder?"
"He will return, in the course of a week or so. He is greatly interested in what he sees here, especially in the shipping23, never having seen the sea before. I think that, probably, he will remain for two or three years with his troop of two hundred men; and will then settle in the village, of which and the surrounding country he has received the jagheer. This, although not large, will suffice for him to live in comfort. It is but a few miles from Jooneer, and he will therefore be able to be near his friends, and pay frequent visits to his cousin Ramdass."
In a short time Harry became a general favourite, and made the acquaintance of the officers of all the regiments24 in the garrison25; for his romantic story speedily circulated and, before he had been a fortnight in the city, he had received invitations to dine at all their messes.
After the exciting life he had led, for two years, he felt, on being released from drill, that life in a garrison town was dull and monotonous26. The simple habits, in which he had been brought up, did not help him to enjoy heavy meals at regimental mess. Occasionally he and two or three other officers crossed to the mainland, and had some shooting in the wild district of the Concan. But he was pleased when he received an order, from the Governor, to call upon him.
"Colonel Palmer," he said, "has written, requesting me to send him an assistant; as matters do not seem to be going on well at Poona. He suggested that you, from your acquaintance with the people and their intrigues27, should be selected for the post but, even had he not done so, I should have chosen you, as being better fitted for it than any other officer here.
"Your instructions are simple. You will watch, and endeavour to penetrate28 the schemes of the various factions30, and assist Colonel Palmer generally."
"Am I to go up in my uniform, sir; or to wear a disguise, similar to that in which I came down here?"
"That is a matter over which I have been thinking. I have come to the conclusion that you will be more likely to obtain intelligence in native garb32. All parties look with jealousy33 upon us, and would be chary34 of giving any information to an officer of the Residency; and therefore, if you have no objection, we think that it will be an advantage to you to assume native dress. Of course, you could not go in the attire35 that you came down in for, although you would not be recognized in uniform, you would, if dressed as before.
"I would rather leave that matter entirely36 to you, and also the manner in which you can proceed. You must also decide, for yourself, whether to renew your connection with Nana Furnuwees. It appears to me that he is the only honest man in the Deccan, and the only man who takes the patriotic37 view that there should be peace and rest throughout the country. He is, however, no more willing than others that we should, in any way, interfere38 in the affairs of the Deccan."
"That certainly is so, sir; but I know that it is his most earnest desire to possess the friendship of the authorities of Bombay. He has frequently told me that he is a great admirer of the English, of their methods of government, and of the straightforwardness39 and sincerity40 with which they conduct their business. But he is afraid of them. He sees that, where they once make an advance, they never retire; and is convinced that, if they obtained a footing above the Ghauts, there would be no turning them out, and that their influence would be supreme41."
"Very well, Mr. Lindsay; you showed such discretion and judgment42, during your residence at Poona, that I am well content to leave the matter in your hands. The appointment as assistant to Colonel Palmer will carry with it a civil allowance of three hundred rupees a month. Of course, all necessary expenses will be paid and, should you find it expedient43 to use a certain amount of bribery44, to obtain the news we require in other quarters besides that of the minister, you will refer the matter to the Resident.
"You will, of course, give your reports to Colonel Palmer, and will be under his orders, generally. He will be requested to further your special mission in every way in his power."
"When shall I start, sir?"
"As soon as you like, Mr. Lindsay."
"I shall be ready, sir, as soon as the clothes are made for me. I must have one or two disguises, of various kinds, to use as most desirable. Some of these I can, no doubt, buy ready made--perhaps all of them. If so, I will start at daylight, tomorrow."
"Very well, Mr. Lindsay. I shall be sending up a despatch45 to Colonel Palmer, and it will be left at your tent, this evening."
On leaving the Government House, Harry went to see Soyera. Scarcely a day had passed, since he came to Bombay, without his paying her a visit.
"I am off again to Poona," he said. "I do not know how long I shall be away. It must depend upon what is going on up there. Of course, I should be glad to have you with me; but that would hamper46 my movements. I shall, naturally, see Sufder as soon as I get there."
"But what are you going for? Will you travel as an officer?"
"No, I shall be in disguise. It seems that things are unsettled; and I am, if possible, to find out the intentions of the various leaders, and communicate them privately47 to our Resident. I shall have to take to dyeing my skin again, which is a nuisance, but it cannot be helped. I shall take with me three or four different disguises, and get you to do the shopping for me. I wish to have them by this evening, as I shall start in the morning, early.
"I shall get leave to take my soldier servant, Abdool, with me. He is a sharp fellow, and may be useful. I shall have to buy a pony48 for him."
"What sort of disguises do you want?"
"One is that of a native soldier."
"That is easy enough, as it differs but little from the ordinary Mahratta's dress."
"One would certainly be the attire of a trader, in good circumstances. I can't think, at present, of any other."
"I should say the dress of a Brahmin might be useful," Soyera suggested.
"Yes, that would give me an entry, unquestioned, to Nana, or to any other person of importance."
By nightfall, Soyera had bought the three disguises, and obtained from a native dyer a supply of stain sufficient for a long time; and Harry had purchased two useful ponies49, for himself and his servant.
At mess, that evening, the colonel said:
"So you are going to leave us, for a time, Mr. Lindsay. I have received a letter, from the Governor, requesting me to put you in orders, tomorrow, as seconded from the regiment for civil employment. I won't ask you where you are going. That is no business of ours. But I am sure I can say, in the name of my officers as well as myself, that we shall all miss you, very much."
A murmur50 of acquiescence51 passed round the table and, seeing that Harry, in thanking the colonel, made no allusion52 to what he was going to do, they followed the example of their superior officer, and abstained53 from asking any questions.
"I should like to take my man, Abdool, with me, Colonel," Harry said, later on. "He is a sharp fellow, and I might find him very useful."
"By all means. I will tell the adjutant that I have allowed him to go with you."
"I am not going in uniform, nor are you to do so," Harry said to Abdool, when he returned to his tent. "I am going in Mahratta dress, and I shall take a lodging in the town, and pass as a native. I know, Abdool, that you are a sharp fellow, and feel certain that I can depend upon you."
"You can certainly depend upon me, sahib. You have been a kind master, and I would do anything for you."
"What part of the country do you come from, Abdool?"
"From Rajapoor, in the Concan, sahib. I had no fancy for working in the fields, so I left and took service with the Company. I have never regretted it. I have been a great deal better off than if I had enlisted54 in the army of one of the great chiefs. The pay is higher, and we are very much better treated."
"Well, Abdool, when this business which I am now starting on is over, I shall recommend you for promotion55 and, in any case, will make you a present of three months' pay."
The next morning they started at daybreak. When a few miles out of town, they took off their uniforms; and Harry put on the dress of a trader. There was no occasion for any disguise for Abdool who, like all the native troops, was accustomed, after drill was over for the day, to put on native garments. The uniforms were then folded up, and stowed in the wallets behind the saddles.
They had brought with them a good supply of grain for their horses, and provisions for themselves; so that they might not have to stop at any village. They rode at a steady pace, and mounted the Ghauts by eleven o'clock. Then they waited three hours, to feed and rest the animals and, just as the sun was setting, entered Poona, having accomplished56 a journey of fifty miles. Knowing the place so well, Harry rode to a quiet street near the bazaar57 and, seeing an old man at one of the doors, asked him if he knew of anyone who could afford accommodation for him and his servant.
"I can do that, myself," the man said. "I am alone in the house. Two merchants who have been staying here left me, yesterday; and I can let you have all the house, except one room for myself."
"You have no stables, I suppose?"
"No, sahib, but there is an outhouse which would hold the two horses."
There was a little haggling over the terms; for it would have been altogether contrary, to Indian usages, to have agreed to any price without demur59. Finally the matter was arranged, at a price halfway60 between that which the man demanded, and that offered by Harry and, in a short time, they were settled in the two rooms of the second floor. Harry then went out and bought two thick quilted cushions, used as mattresses61, and two native blankets.
They had still provisions enough for the evening. The furniture was scanty62, consisting of a raised bed place, or divan63; two tables, raised about a foot from the ground; brass64 basins, and large earthenware65 jars of water. Harry, however, was too well accustomed to it to consider such accommodation insufficient66.
"Tomorrow," he said, "I will get a carpet for sitting upon, and you will have to get copper67 vessels68, for cooking."
Abdool presently went out, and returned with two large bundles of forage69 for the horses. Soon afterwards they lay down, feeling stiff and tired from their unaccustomed exertions70.
The next morning Harry went to the Residency. He had again painted caste marks on his face, which completely changed his appearance. Telling the guard that he had come from Bombay, and had a message for Colonel Palmer, he was shown in.
"You bring a message for me?" the colonel said, shortly; for he was, at the time, writing a despatch.
"Yes, sir," Harry answered, in Mahratti. "I have come to be your assistant."
"Then you are Mr. Lindsay!" the Resident exclaimed, dropping his pen and rising to his feet. "I received a despatch, yesterday, saying that you were coming. Of course, I remember you now, having seen you on the day I came up here; but your dress is altogether different, and the expression of your face seems so changed."
"That is the result of my having adopted different caste marks, larger than they were before, with lines that almost cover my forehead."
"I did not expect you to come in disguise."
"The Governor thought, Colonel, that I might be of greater service, in finding out what was passing in the town, and in going elsewhere, were I to come up as a native. To an officer of the Residency, all parties would keep their lips sealed."
"I thoroughly agree with you," the Resident said. "Your disguise differs so much, from your former appearance, that I do not think any of your acquaintances, of those days, would be likely to recognize you."
"At present I am supposed to be a trader; but I have with me the dress of a peasant, or small cultivator, which I used when I went into Scindia's camp. I have also the dress of a Brahmin--one of the better class--which I thought, if necessary, would enable me to enter the house of Nana, or other leaders, without exciting surprise. I also have my uniform with me.
"I am staying, at present, in the street that faces the market, at the house of a man named Naroo. I myself am Bhaskur. I have a soldier servant with me, on whom I can confidently rely; and I will send him, with a chit, when I have any news to give you, and you can send me word at what hour I had better call.
"Now, Colonel, I am at your orders and, if you will indicate to me the nature of the news which you wish to gain, or the person whom you want watched, I will do the best I can. At present, I know nothing of any changes that have taken place, since I left here."
"The only event that is publicly known is that, while the Peishwa has carried out his engagement with Scindia and with the Rajah of Berar, he refused to ratify71 any treaty with the Nizam; and the consequence is that the latter's general quitted Poona, without taking leave of Bajee Rao, and returned in great indignation to Hyderabad. This matter might have been smoothed over, if Scindia had intervened, or if the Peishwa had made suitable advances to the Nizam; but he has not done so. There is no doubt that he thoroughly dislikes Nana Furnuwees and, instead of being grateful to him for having placed him on the throne, he would gladly weaken his power. At any rate, it was Nana who formed the confederacy; and I know that his greatest wish is to keep it intact, and to secure peace to the country.
"Moreover, matters have been further complicated by the death of Holkar. He left two sons behind him, Khassee and Mulhar. Unfortunately, Khassee is next door to an imbecile; while Mulhar was a bold and able prince. The brothers quarrelled: two half brothers took the part of Mulhar, who left his brother's camp, with a small body of troops, and took up his abode72 at a village just outside the city--and was, I believe, favoured by Nana, whose interest naturally was to have an active and able prince, as ruler of Holkar's dominions73. Scindia--who was, I suspect, delighted at this quarrel in Holkar's camp--supported Khassee, and sent a body of troops to arrest Mulhar, who, refusing to surrender, maintained a desperate defence, until he was killed. Jeswunt went to Nagpore and Wittoojee fled to Kolapoore, but they were almost the only adherents74 of Mulhar who effected their escape.
"So matters stand, at present. The fact that the imbecile Khassee owes his elevation75 to Scindia will, naturally, give the latter a predominating influence over him. Thus, you see, the confederacy has gone completely to pieces. The Nizam is estranged76; the Rajah of Berar has gone home to Nagpore; Holkar's power is, for the time, subservient77 to Scindia; and Nana Furnuwees is, therefore, deprived of all those who aided to bring him back to power.
"You are well known to Nana, are you not?"
"Yes, Colonel, he was kind enough to place a good deal of confidence in me."
"Then I think you cannot do better than see him, to begin with, and gather his views on the matter. I myself have heard nothing from him, for some time. He knows that the Company are well disposed towards him; but he also knows that they can give him no assistance, in a sudden crisis."
"But surely, Colonel, Bajee Rao, who owes everything to him, will not desert him?"
"My opinion of the Peishwa is that he is a man without a spark of good feeling; that he has neither conscience nor gratitude78, and would betray his own brother, if he thought that he would obtain any advantage by so doing. He is a born schemer, and his sole idea of politics is to play off one faction29 against another. I would rather take the word of a man of the lowest class, than the oath of Bajee Rao."
"I am sorry to hear it, sir. He seemed to me to be a fine fellow, with many accomplishments79. His handsome face and figure, and winning manner--"
"His manner is part of his stock in trade," the colonel said, angrily. "He is a born actor; and can deceive, for a time, even those who are perfectly80 aware of his unscrupulous character.
"Remember one thing, Mr. Lindsay: that if you are in any difficulty, or if a tumult81 breaks out in the city, you had best make your way here, at once. A trooper of my escort was thrown from his horse, and killed, the other day; and if you attire yourself in his uniform, you will pass for one of them. Whatever happens, they are not likely to be touched. Both parties wish to stand well with me and, even were it found out that you are an Englishman, you would be safely sheltered here; for I should claim you as my assistant, and an officer in our army, and declare truthfully that you had only assumed this guise31 in order to ascertain82, for me, the feelings of the populace."
"Thank you, sir. I will certainly come here, as soon as any serious trouble begins."
That evening, after rubbing off the caste marks and assuming those of a Brahmin, and putting on the dress suitable for it--padding it largely, to give him the appearance of a stout83 and bulky man--he went to Nana's house.
"Will you tell the minister," he said to the doorkeeper, "that Kawerseen, a Brahmin of the Kshittree caste, desires to speak to him?"
The man gave the message to one of the attendants who, in two or three minutes, returned and asked Harry to follow him. The minister was alone.
"What have you to say to me, holy man?" he enquired85; and then, looking more fixedly86 at his visitor, he exclaimed:
"Why, it is Puntojee!"
"You are right, Nana. I am sent here to ascertain, if possible, what is going on, and how things are likely to tend. But first, I must tell you that I am now here as Colonel Palmer's assistant."
"I will take you entirely into my confidence," Nana said. "Until you told me that you were an Englishman, when you took leave of me two years ago, I could not quite understand why it was that I felt I could confide16 in you, more than in the older men around me. I esteem87 the English highly, and especially admire them for their honesty and truthfulness88. You at once impressed me as one possessing such qualities and, now that I know you are English, I can understand the feeling that you inspired.
"I am glad you have come. No doubt your Government are well informed, as to the state of affairs here. I feel the power slipping from my hands, without seeing any way by which I can recover my lost ground. Scindia is solely89 under the domination of Ghatgay, whose daughter he will shortly marry. I have, of course, made it my business to enquire84 as to the antecedents of this man. I find that he has the reputation of being a brutal90 ruffian, remarkable alike for his greed and his cruelty--a worse adviser91 Scindia could not have. Holkar was but a poor reed to lean upon, for he was as weak in mind, as in body. But at any rate, he was a true friend of mine and, now that he has been succeeded by one even more imbecile than himself--and who is but a puppet in the hands of Scindia, to whose troops he owes his accession--his power and his dominions are practically Scindia's.
"There can be no doubt, whatever, that Bajee Rao is acting92 secretly with Scindia; that is to say, he is pretending so to act, for he is a master of duplicity and, even where his own interests are concerned, seems to be unable to carry out, honestly, any agreement that he has made.
"I am an old man, Mr. Lindsay, and can no longer struggle as I did, two years ago, against fate; nor indeed do I see any means of contending against such powerful enemies. The Rajah of Berar, although well disposed towards me, could not venture, alone, to support me against the united power of Scindia and Holkar, backed by that of the Peishwa.
"There is but one direction in which I could seek for help--namely, from the Government of Bombay--but even this, were it given, would scarcely avail much against the power of my enemies. And even were I sure that it could do so, I would not call it in. My aim, through life, has been to uphold the power of the Peishwa, and to lessen93 that of Scindia and Holkar and, by playing one against the other, to avert94 the horrors of civil war. Were I to call in the aid of the English, I should be acting in contradiction to the principles that I have ever held.
"The arrival of a force of English, here, would at once unite the whole of the Mahrattas against them, as it did when last they ascended95 the Ghauts; and believing as I do in their great valour and discipline, which has been amply shown by the conduct of Scindia's infantry96, which are mainly officered by Europeans, it is beyond belief that they can withstand the whole power of the Mahratta empire. But granting that they might do so, what would be the result? I should see my country shaken to the centre, the capital in the hands of strangers, and to what end? Simply that I, an old and worn-out man should, for a very few years, remain in power here. It would be necessary for those who placed me there to remain as my guardians97, and I should be a mere98 cypher in their hands. Nothing, therefore, would persuade me to seek English aid to retain me in power."
"But the English would doubtless act in alliance with the Nizam, and probably with the Rajahs of Berar and Kolapoore."
"Possibly they might do so, but what would be the result? Each of these leaders would, in return for his aid, bargain for increased territory, at the expense of the Peishwa; and I, who believe that I am trusted by the great mass of the people here, should become an object of execration99 at having brought the invaders100 into our country.
"No, Mr. Lindsay; my enemies can, and I believe will, capture me and throw me into prison. They will scarcely take my life, for to do so would excite a storm of indignation; but I always carry poison about with me and, if they applied101 torture as a preliminary to death, I have the power of releasing myself from their hands.
"Are you established at the Residency?"
"No, sir; I am living in disguises, of which I have several, in the town. In that way, I can better discover what is going on than if I were in uniform, as assistant to Colonel Palmer. Should there be a tumult in the city, or if I find that my disguise has been detected, I can make for the Residency; and either put on my uniform and declare my true character, or attire myself as one of the Resident's escort."
"Come here as often as you can," Nana said. "I shall always be glad to see you. It is a relief to speak to one of whose friendship I feel secure. As a Brahmin, you can pass in and out without suspicion; and I will always tell you how matters stand."
"I have not yet spoken, Nana, of my work as your agent in Bombay. I have sent you reports, from time to time; but there was nothing in them that could be of any value to you. At present, the attentions of the authorities of Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta are centred upon the probability of war with Mysore. Tippoo has continually broken the conditions under which he made peace with us, six years ago; and it is known that he is preparing for war. He has received with honour many Frenchmen, and is in communication with the French Government; and believes that he will be supported by an army, under General Bonaparte and, as it is certain that, when the war breaks out again, it will need the fighting strength of the three towns to make head against the army of Mysore, as far as I have been able to learn they have given but little attention to the state of affairs in the Deccan. I have therefore been able to furnish you with no useful information, beyond telling you that the sympathies of the Governor and Council are wholly with you, and that they consider that the fact of your being in power here secures them from any trouble with the Mahrattas.
"Therefore, sir, I have put aside the allowance you have given me, considering that I have in no way earned it; and have written this order upon the bankers with whom I have placed it, authorizing102 them to pay the money to anyone you may depute to receive it;" and he handed the letter to the Nana.
The latter took it and, without opening it, tore it up.
"Your offer does you honour, Mr. Lindsay, but it is impossible for me to accept it. Your information has not been without advantages. I have foreseen that the Nizam would probably enter into an alliance with your people; and that the very large increase that he has made in his battalions103, under foreign officers, was intended to make his alliance more valuable. I, however, have not deemed it necessary to imitate his example, and that of Scindia, by raising a similar force. Your communications, therefore, have been of real value, and have saved a large outlay104 here; but even had it not been so, there can be no question of your returning your pay. You undertook certain work, and you have to the best of your powers carried it out; and it is not because you consider that the information you sent me is not sufficiently105 valuable that you have, in any way, failed to carry out your part of the contract.
"I consider it of very great value. In the first place because, as I have said, it relieved me from anxiety as to the Nizam's intentions of increasing his army; and in the second place, it eased my mind by showing that neither Scindia nor Holkar was intriguing106 with Bombay, which knowledge is worth a crore of rupees to me.
"It is the first time, sir, since I have taken part in politics, that anyone has offered to return money he has received on the ground that he had not sufficiently earned it; or indeed, upon any other ground, whatever. Your doing so has confirmed my opinion of the honesty of your people, and I would that such a feeling were common among my countrymen, here. No negotiations107 can be carried on, no alliance can be formed, without a demand for a large sum of money, or for an addition of territory. All our petty wars are waged, not on a question of principle, but entirely from greed.
"Let us say no more about it. I am, as of course you have heard, a very wealthy man; and have so distributed my money among the shroffs of all India that, whatever may happen here, I shall lose comparatively little; and I am glad to know that some very small portion of it goes to one whom I regard as a genuine friend, and who does not draw a tenth part of what many of those around me accept, without any consideration given for it."
"Thank you, sir, but--at any rate while I am stationed here, as Assistant Resident--I cannot continue to receive pay from you. I should regard it as a disgraceful action, and absolutely incompatible108 with my duty."
"Well, so far I will humour you, Mr. Lindsay; though from what I hear, in the Carnatic and Bengal the British officers, civil and military, do not hesitate to accept large sums from native princes."
Harry was well aware that this was so, and that many British officials had amassed109 considerable fortunes, by gifts from native sources. He only replied:
"That is a matter for their own consciences, sir. They may be rewards for services rendered, just as I did not hesitate to accept the sum that you so generously bestowed110 upon me. It is not for me to judge other men, but I cannot but think that the custom of officials accepting presents is a bad one."
"Where can I find you," Nana said, changing the subject, "if I should need to communicate with you, before you call again?"
Harry gave his address.
"Your messenger must enquire for Bhaskur, a trader from Ahmedabad, who is lodging there."
He chatted for some time longer with Nana, and then took his leave and returned to his lodging.
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1
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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disturbances
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| n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍 | |
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permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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12
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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13
civilian
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| adj.平民的，民用的，民众的 | |
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bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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15
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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16
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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19
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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21
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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28
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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chary
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| adj.谨慎的，细心的 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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38
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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straightforwardness
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| n.坦白，率直 | |
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40
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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41
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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42
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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43
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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44
bribery
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| n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿 | |
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45
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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46
hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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47
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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48
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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49
ponies
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| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
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50
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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51
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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52
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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53
abstained
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| v.戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的过去式和过去分词 )；弃权（不投票） | |
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54
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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55
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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56
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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57
bazaar
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| n.集市，商店集中区 | |
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58
haggling
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| v.讨价还价( haggle的现在分词 ) | |
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59
demur
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| v．表示异议，反对 | |
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60
halfway
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| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
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61
mattresses
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| 褥垫，床垫( mattress的名词复数 ) | |
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62
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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63
divan
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| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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64
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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65
earthenware
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| n.土器，陶器 | |
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66
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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67
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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68
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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69
forage
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| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
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70
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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71
ratify
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| v.批准，认可，追认 | |
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72
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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73
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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75
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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76
estranged
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| adj.疏远的，分离的 | |
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subservient
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| adj.卑屈的，阿谀的 | |
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78
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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80
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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81
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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82
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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84
enquire
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| v.打听，询问；调查，查问 | |
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85
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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86
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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87
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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88
truthfulness
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| n. 符合实际 | |
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89
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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91
adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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92
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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93
lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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94
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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95
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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97
guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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execration
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| n.诅咒，念咒，憎恶 | |
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100
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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101
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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102
authorizing
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| 授权，批准，委托( authorize的现在分词 ) | |
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103
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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104
outlay
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| n.费用，经费，支出；v.花费 | |
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105
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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106
intriguing
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| adj.有趣的；迷人的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的现在分词)；激起…的好奇心 | |
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107
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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108
incompatible
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| adj.不相容的，不协调的，不相配的 | |
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109
amassed
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| v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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