the story of sonny sahib by duncan, sara jeannette, 1862?-1922

8/14/2019 The Story of Sonny Sahib by Duncan, Sara Jeannette, 1862?-1922

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o([email protected])

THESTORYOFSONNYSAHIB

ByMRS.EVERARDCOTES

(SARAJEANNETTEDUNCAN)

1894

CHAPTERI

'Ayah,'thedoctor-sahibsaidinthevernacular,standingbesidethebed,'thefeverofthemistressislikefire.Withoutdoubtitcannotgoonthus,butallthatisinyourhandtodoyouhave

done.Itisnecessarynowonlytobeverywatchful.Anditwillbetodressthemistress,andtomakeeverythingreadyforajourney.Twohourslaterallthesahib-folkgofromthisplaceinboats,bytheriver,toAllahabad.Iwillsendanox-carttotakethemistressandthebabyandyoutothebathingghat.'

'Jeldikaro!'headded,whichmeant'Quicklydo!'--athingpeoplesayagreatmanytimesadayinIndia.

Theayahlookedathimstupidly.Shewasterriblyfrightened;shehadneverbeensofrightenedbefore.Hereyeswanderedfromthedoctor'sfacetotheruinedsouthwallofthehut,wherethesunofJuly,whenithappenstoshineontheplainsofIndia,wasbeating

fiercelyuponthemudfloor.Thatruinhadhappenedonlyanhourago,withaterriblenoisejustoutside,suchanearandterriblenoisethatshe,Tooni,hadscrambledunderthebedthemistresswaslyingon,andhadhiddenthereuntilthedoctor-sahibcameandpulledherforthbythefoot,andcalledherapoorsortofperson.ThenToonihadlaindownatthedoctor-sahib'sfeet,andtriedtoplaceoneofthemuponherhead,andsaidthatindeedshewasnotaworthlessone,butthatshewasveryoldandshefearedtheguns;somanyofthesahibshaddiedfromtheguns!She,Tooni,didnotwishtodiefromagun,andwouldthePresence,inthegreatmercyofhisheart,tellherwhethertherewouldbeanymoreshooting?Therewouldbenomoreshooting,thePresencehadsaid;andthenhehadgivenherabottleanddirections,andthenewsaboutgoing

downtheriverinaboat.Tooni'sminddidnotevenrecordthedirections,butitmanagedtoretainthewordsaboutgoingawayinaboat,andasshestoodtwistingthebottleroundandroundinthefoldsofherraggedredpetticoatitmadeadesperateefforttoextracttheirmeaning.

'Therewillbenomoreshooting,'saidthedoctoragain,'andthereisamanoutsidewithagoat.Hewillgiveyoutwopoundsofmilkforthebabyforfiverupees.'


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'Rupia!Ihavenotevenone!'saidtheayah,lookingtowardthebed;'thecaptain-sahibhasnotcomethesethirtydaysashepromised.Thecolonel-sahibhassentthefood.Thememsahibisforthreedayswithoutapice.'

'I'llpay,'saidthedoctorshortly,andturnedhurriedlytogo.Otherhutswerecryingoutforhim;hecouldhearthevoiceofsomeofthemthroughtheirmudpartitions.Ashepassedouthecaughtaglimpseofhimselfinalittlesquarelooking-glassthathungonanailonthewall,anditmadehimstartnervouslyandthensmilegrimly.Hesawthefaceofamanwhohadnotsleptthreehoursinasmanydaysandnights--ahaggard,unshavenface,drawnasmuchwiththepainofothersaswithitsownweariness.Hishairstoodupinlongtufts,hiseyeshadblackcirclesunderthem.Heworeneithercoatnorwaistcoat,andhisregimentaltrousersweretiedroundthewaistbyabitofrope.Onthesleeveofhiscollarlessshirtwerethreedarkdrysplashes;henoticedthemasheraisedhisarmtoputonhispithhelmet.Thewordsdidnotreachhislips,buthisheartcriedoutwithinhimforaboyofthe32nd.

Theayahcaughtupherbrasscooking-potandfollowedhim.Sincethedoctor-sahibwastopay,thedoctor-sahibwouldarrangethatgoodmeasureshouldbegiveninthematterofthemilk.Anduponsecondthoughtthedoctor-sahibdecidedthatprecautionswere

necessary.Hetoldthemanwiththegoat,therefore,thatwhentheayahreceivedtwopoundsofmilkshewouldpayhimthefiverupees.AsheputthemoneyintoTooni'shandshestayedhimgently.

'Wearetogowithout,beyondthewalls,totheghat?'sheaskedinherowntongue.

'Yes,'saidthedoctor,'intwohours.Ihavespoken.'

'Hazur![1]theNanaSahib--'

[1]'Honouredone.'

'TheNanaSahibhaswrittenit.Bus!'[1]thedoctorrepliedimpatiently.Putthememsahibintoherclothes.Packeverythingthereis,andhasten.Doyouunderstand,foolishone?'

[1]'Enough.'

'Verygoodsaidtheayahsubmissively,andwatchedthedoctoroutofsight.Thensheinsisted--holdingtherupees,shecouldinsist--thatthegoat-keepershouldbringhisgoatintothehuttomilk

it;therewasmoresafety,Toonithought,inthehut.WhilehemilkeditToonisatupontheground,huggingherknees,andthought.

Thememsahibhadsaidnothingallthistime,hadknownnothing.Fortwodaysthememsahibhadbeen,asTooniwouldhavesaid,withoutsense--hadlainonthebedinthecornerquietlystaringatthewall,wherethelooking-glasshung,makingnosignexceptwhensheheardtheNanaSahib'sguns.Thenshesatupstraight,andlaughedveryprettilyandsweetly.Itwasthesalute,shethought


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inherfever;theViceroywascoming;therewouldbeallsortsofgaydoingsinthestation.Whentheshellexplodedthattoreupthewallofthehut,sheaskedTooniforhernewbluesilkwiththeflounces,theonethathadbeenjustsentoutfromEngland,andherkidslipperswiththerosettes.Tooni,wipingawayherhelplesstearswiththeedgeofherheadcovering,hadsaid,'Na,memsahib,na!'andstrokedthehothandthatpointed,andthenthemistresshadforgottenagain.Astothelittlepinkbaby,threedaysold,itblinkedandthroveandsleptasifithadbeenborninitsfather'shousetoluxuryandrejoicing.

Tooniquestionedthegoat-keeper;buthehadseenthreesahibskilledthatmorning,andwasstupidwithfear.HedidnotevenknowoftheNanaSahib'sorderthattheEnglishweretobeallowedtogoawayinboats;andthiswasremarkable,becausehelivedinthebazaroutside,andinthebazarpeoplegenerallyknowwhatisgoingtohappenlongbeforethesahibswholiveinthetallwhitehousesdo.Toonihadonlyherownreflections.

Therewouldbenomoreshooting,andtheNanaSahibwouldletthemallgoawayinboats;thatwasgoodkhaber--goodnews.Tooniwondered,assheputthebaby'sclothestogetherinonebundle,andherownfewpossessionstogetherinanother,whetheritwastobebelieved.TheNanaSahibsohatedtheEnglish;hadnottheguns

spokenofhishatethesetwenty-onedays?Insidethewallsmanyhaddied,butoutsidethewallsmightnotalldie?ThedoctorhadsaidthattheNanaSahibhadwrittenit;butwhyshouldtheNanaSahibwritethetruth?TheGreatLordSahib,theViceroy,hadsentnosoldierstocompelhim.Nevertheless,Toonipackedwhattherewastopack,andsoothedthebabywithalittlegoat'smilkandwater,anddressedhermistressaswellasshewasable,accordingtothedoctor'sdirections.ThenshewentouttowhereoldAbdul,thetable-waiter,herhusband,crouchedunderawall,andtoldhimallthatsheknewandfeared.ButAbdul,havingheardnogunsfornearlyanhourandahalf,wasinclinedtobeverybrave,andsaidthatwithoutdoubttheyshouldallgetsafelytoAllahabad;andthere,whenthememsahibwasbetter,theywouldfindthecaptain-

sahibagain,andhewouldgivethemmanyrupeesbacksheeshforbeingfaithfultoher.

'Thememsahibwillneverbebetter,'saidTooni,sorrowfully;'herriceisfinishedintheearth.Thememsahibwilldie.'

Sheagreedtogototheghat,though,andwentbackintothehuttowaitfortheox-cartwhileAbdulcookedamealonthepowder-blackenedgroundwiththelastofthemillet,andgavethankstoAllah.

TherewasnoroomforToonitoridewhentheystarted.Shewalkedalongsidecarryingthebabyanditslittlebundleofclothes.

Therewasnothingelsetocarry,andthatwasfortunate,forthecartinwhichthememsahiblaywastoofullofsickandwoundedtoholdanythingmore.InTooni'spocketalittleblackbookswungtoandfro;itwasthememsahib'sbook;andinthebeginningofthefiring,beforethefevercame,Toonihadseenthememsahibreadingitlongandoften.Theyhadnotbeenkilledinconsequence,Toonithought;theremustbeaprotectingcharminthelittleblackbook;sosheslippeditintoherpocket.Theyleftthelooking-glassbehind.


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Theox-cartpassedoutcreaking,initsturn,beyondtheearthworksoftheEnglishencampmentintothecity,wherethemutinousnativesstoodinsullencuriousgroupstowatchthetraingoby.Ahundredyardsthroughthenarrowstreets,chokedwiththesmellofgunpowderandpopulouswithvultures,andAbdulheardaquickvoiceinhisear.Whenheturned,nonewerespeaking,butherecognisedinthecrowdtheloweringindifferentfaceofasepoyheknew--oneoftheNanaSahib'sservants.Sayingnothing,hefellbackforTooniandlaidhishanduponherarm.Andwhenthecartcreakedoutofthetownintothecrowded,dustyroadthatleddowntotheghat,neitherAbdulnorTooniwereintheriotouscrowdthatpressedalongwithit.Theyhadtakenrefugeintheouterbazar,andSonnySahib,soundasleepandwellhidden,hadtakenrefugewiththem.

AstoSonnySahib'smother,shewasneithershotintheboatswiththesoldiersthatbelievedthewrittenwordoftheNanaSahib,norstabbedwiththewomenandchildrenwhowentbacktothepalaceafterwards.Shediedquietlyintheoxcartbeforeitreachedtheghat,andthepityofitwasthatSonnySahib'sfather,thecaptain,himselfinhospitalfourhundredmilesfromCawnpore,neverknew.

ThereisamarbleangelinCawnporenow,standinginaveryquiet

garden,andshutoffevenfromthetreesandtheflowersbyanenclosingwall.Theangellooksalwaysdown,down,andsuchanawful,pitifulsorrowstandstherewithherthatnobodycarestotrytotouchitwithwords.Peopleonlycomeandlookandgosilentlyaway,wonderingwhattimecanhaveforthehealingofsuchawoundasthis.Thereisaninscription--

SACREDTOTHEPERPETUALMEMORYOFALARGECOMPANYOFCHRISTIANPEOPLE,CHIEFLYWOMENANDCHILDREN,WHONEARTHISSPOTWERECRUELLYMURDEREDBYTHEFOLLOWERSOFTHEREBELNANADHUNDUPANTOFBITHUR,ANDCAST,THEDYINGWITHTHEDEAD,INTOTHEWELLBELOW,ONTHEXVTHDAYOFJULYMDCCCLVII.'

AndafterwardSonnySahib'sfatherbelievedthatallhecouldlearnwhilehelivedaboutthefateofhiswifeandhislittlesonwaswrittenthere.Butheneverknew.

CHAPTERII

TooniandAbdulheardtheterriblenewsofCawnporesixmonthslater.Theyhadgonebacktotheirowncountry,anditwasfarfromCawnpore--hundredsandhundredsofmilesacrossawhitesandydesert,grownwithpricklesandstuddedwithrocks--highupinthenorthofRajputana.IntheStateofChitaandthetownofRubbulgurhtherewasnofighting,becausetherewerenoSahibs.


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TheEnglishhadnotyetcometoteachtheMaharajahhowtogovernhisestateandspendhisrevenues.Thatistosay,therewasnojusticetospeakof,andagreatdealofcholera,andbynomeansthreemealsadayforeverybody,oreventwo.ButnobodywasdiscontentedwithtroublesthatcamefromthegodsandtheMaharajah,andtalkofgreasedcartridgeswouldnothavebeenunderstood.Thinkingofthis,AbduloftensaidtoTooni,hiswife;'Theserviceofthesahibisgoodandprofitable,butinoldagepeaceisbetter,eventhoughwearecompelledtopaymanyrupeestothetax-gatherersoftheMaharajah.'Toonialwaysagreed,andwhenthekhabercamethatallthememsahibsandthechildrenhadbeenkilledbythesepoys,sheagreedweeping.Theywerealwayssokindandgentle,thememsahibs,andthelittleones,thebabalok--thebabalok!Surelythesepoyshadbecomelikethetiger-folk.ThenshepickedupSonnySahibandheldhimtighterthanheliked.Shehadcroonedwithpatientsmilesovermanyofthebabalokinherday,butfrombeginningtoend,neverababalikethis.Sostronghewas,hecouldmakeoldAbdulcryout,pullingathisbeard,sosweet-temperedandhealthythathewouldsleepjustwherehewasputdown,likeotherbabiesofRubbulgurh.Toonigrieveddeeplythatshecouldnotgivehimabottle,andacoral,andaperambulator,andoftenwonderedthatheconsentedtothrivewithoutthesethings,butthefactremainsthathedid.Heevenallowedhimselftobeoiledalloveroccasionallyforthegoodof

hishealth,whichwasforbearinginaBritishbaby.AndalwayswhenAbdulshookhisfingerathimandsaid--

'Gorahpahhowdah,hathipahJEEN!Jeldibag-gia,WarrenHasTEEN!'[1]

helaughedandcrowedasifhequiteunderstoodthejoke.

[1]'Howdahsonhorses,onelephantsJEEN!HeranawayquicklydidWarrenHasTEEN!'

'Jeen'means'saddles,'butnobodycouldmakethatrhyme!PopularincidentofanEnglishretreatinHastings'time.

Toonihadnochildrenofherown,andwonderedhowlongitwouldbebeforesheandAbdulmustgoagaintoCawnporetofindthebaby'sfather.Thereneedbenohurry,Toonithought,asSonnySahibplayedwiththebigsilverhoopsinherears,andtriedtokickhimselfoverhershoulder.Abdulcalculatedthenumberofrupeesthatwouldbeasuitablerewardfortakingcareofababyforsixmonths,founditconsiderable,andsaidtheyoughttostartatonce.Thenothernewscame--gatheringterrorfrommouthtomouth

asitcrossedRajputana--andAbdultoldhiswifeoneevening,aftershehadputSonnySahibtosleepwithahymntoIsrafil,thatamillionofEnglishsoldiershadcomeuponCawnpore,andintheirhundredfoldrevengehadleftneitherMussulmannorHindooaliveinthecity--alsothattheGreatLordSahibhadorderedtheheadofeverykalaadmi,everyblackman,tobetakentobuildabridgeacrosstheGangeswith,sothathereafterhispeoplemightleaveCawnporebyanotherway.ThenAbdulalsobecameoftheopinionthatthereneedbenohasteingoing.


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SonnySahibgrewoutofthearmsandnecksofhislongembroiderednightdressesanddaydressesalmostimmediately,andthentherewasadifficulty,whichToonisurmountedbycuttingthewaistsoffentirelyandgatheringtheskirtsroundthebaby'sneckwithadrawingstring,makingholesinthesidesforhisarmstocomethrough.TooniboughthimherselfalittleblueandgoldMussulmancapinthebazar.Thecaptain-sahibwouldbeangry,butthenthecaptain-sahibwasveryfaraway,killedperhaps,andToonithoughttheblueandgoldcapwonderfullybecomingtoSonnySahib.Alldaylongheplayedandcreptinthisunderthesacredpeepul-treeinthemiddleofthevillageamongbrown-skinnedbabieswhoworenoclothesatall--onlyastringofbeadsroundtheirfatlittlewaists--andwhosometimessatdowninsilenceandmadeasolemnefforttocomprehendhim.

Inquiteashorttime--inRubbulgurh,wherethereisnowinter,twoyearsisaverylittlewhile--SonnySahibgrewtoobigforeventhisadaptationofhisgarments;andthenToonitookhimtoSheikUddin,thevillagetailor,andgaveSheikUddinlongandcarefuldirectionsaboutmakingclothesforhim.Theoldmanlistenedtoherforanhour,andwaggledhisbeard,andsaidthathequiteunderstood;itshouldbeasshewished.ButSheikUddinhadneverseenanyEnglishpeople,anddidnotunderstandatall.HeacceptedTooni'stheories,buthemeasuredandcutaccordingtohis

own.SheikUddincouldnotaffordtosufferinhisreputationforthefoolishnotionsofawoman.SohemadeSonnySahibapairofnarrowstripedcalicotrousers,andalongtight-fittinglittlecoatwithlargebunchesofpinkrosesonit,inwhatwastheperfectlycorrectfashionforMahomedanlittleboysofRubbulgurhandRajputanagenerally.ToonipaidSheikUddintenpence,andadmiredherpurchaseverymuch.ShedressedSonnySahibinitdoubtfully,however,withmisgivingsastowhathisfatherwouldsay.Certainlyitwasgoodcloth,ofaprettycolour,andwellmade,buteventoTooni,SonnySahiblookedqueer.Abdulhadnoopinion,exceptabouttheprice.Hegrumbledatthat,butthenhehadgrumbledsteadilyfortwoyears,yetwheneverTooniproposedthattheyshouldgoandfindthecaptain-sahib,hadsaidno,itwas

far,andhewasanoldman.Toonishouldgowhenhewasdead.

Besides,Abdullikedtohearthelittlefellowcallhim'Bap,'whichmeant'Father,'andtofeelhisoldbrownfingerclaspedbysmallpinkandwhiteones,asheandSonnySahibtoddledintothebazartogether.HelikedtohearSonnySahib'slaugh,too;itwasquiteadifferentlaughfromanyotherboy'sinRubbulgurh,anditcameoftener.Hewasamerrylittlefellow,blue-eyed,withveryyellowwavyhair,exactly,Toonioftenthought,likehismother's.

CHAPTERIII

ItwasagrieftoTooni,whocouldnotunderstandit;butSonnySahibperverselyrefusedtotalkinhisowntongue.Shedidall


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shecouldtohelphim.Whenhewasayearoldshecutanalmondintwo,andgavehalftoSonnySahibandhalftothegreenparrotthatswungalldayinacageinthedoorofthehutandhadafinegiftofconversation;ifanythingwouldmakethebabytalkproperlythatwould.LateronshetaughthimalltheEnglishwordssherememberedherself,whichwerethree,'bruss'and'wass'and'isstockin','herlimitedbutveryusefulvocabularyaslady's-maid.Helearnedthemverywell,buthecontinuedtoknowonlythree,andhedidnotusethemveryoften,whichToonifoundstrange.Toonithoughtthebabashouldhaveinheritedhismother'slanguagewithhisblueeyesandhiswhiteskin.Meanwhile,SonnySahib,playingeverymorningandeveningunderthepeepul-tree,learnedtotalkinthetongueofthelittlebrownboyswhoplayedtheretoo.

WhenSonnySahibwasfourhecoulddrivethebigblackhairybuffaloeshomefromthevillageoutskirtstobemilked.Abdulwalkedbesidehim,butSonnySahibdidalltheshoutingandthebeatingwithabitofstick,whichthebuffaloesmusthaveprivatelysmiledatwhentheyfeltitontheirmuddyflanks,thatisifabuffaloeversmiles,whichonecannothelpthinkingdoubtful.SonnySahiblikedbuffalomilk,andhaditeverydayforhisdinnerwithchupatties,andsometimes,foratreat,abitofroastkid.Chupattiesarelikepancakeswitheverythingthatis

niceleftoutofthem,andwereverypopularinRubbulgurh.SonnySahibthoughtnothingintheworldcouldbebetter,excepttheroastkid.OndaysoffestivalAbdulalwaysgavehimapicetobuysweetmeatswith,andhedroveahardbargainwitheitherWahidKhanorSheikLuteef,whowererivaldealers.SonnySahibalwaysgotmoreofthestickybrownballsofsugarandbutterandcocoa-nutforhispicethananyoftheotherboys.WahidKhanandSheikLuteefboththoughtitbroughtthemlucktoselltohim.ButafterwardsSonnySahibinvariablydividedhispurchasewithwhoeverhappenedtobehisbosomfriendatthetime--thedaughterofRamDass,theblacksmith,orthesonofChundaputty,thebeaterofbrass--inwhichhedifferedaltogetherfromtheotherboys,andwhichmadeitfairperhaps.

AtsixSonnySahibbegantofindtheotherboysunsatisfactoryinanumberofways.Hewastiredofmakingpatternsinthedustwithmarigoldsforonething.Hewantedtopretend.Itwashisbirthrighttopretend,inalargeactiveway,andhecouldn'tcarryitout.Theotherboysdidn'tcareaboutmakingbelievesoldiers,andrunningandhidingandshoutingandbeatingSonnySahib'stom-tom,whichmadeasplendiddrum.Theylikedbeatingthetom-tom,buttheyalwayswantedtositroundinaringandlistentoit,whichSonnySahibthoughtverypoorkindoffunindeed.Theywouldn'tevenpretendtobeelephants,orhorses,orbuffaloes.SonnySahibhadtorepresentthemallhimself;anditisnowonderthatwithawholemenagerie,asitwere,uponhisshoulders,he

grewalittletiredsometimes.AlsohewastheonlyboyinRubbulgurhwhocaredtoclimbatreethathadnofruitonit,orwouldventurebeyondthelowerbranchesevenformangoesortamarinds.Andonedaywhenhefoundaweaver-bird'snestinabushwiththreewhiteeggsinit,asplendidnest,stock-fullofthefirefliesthatlightthelittlehenatnight,heshoweditprivatelyfirsttoHurryGhose,andthentoSumpsiDin,andlastlytoBudhoo,thesweeper'sson;andnotoneofthemcouldhecoaxtocarryoffasingleeggincompanywithhim.SonnySahibrecognisedtheforceofpublicopinion,andlefttheweaver-birdtoherhouse-


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keepinginpeace,buthefeltprivatelyinjuredbyit.

Certainlytheotherboyscouldtellwonderfulstories--storiesofprincessesandfairiesanddemons--SumpsiDin'swerethebest--thatmadeSonnySahib'sblueeyeswideninthedark,whentheyallsattogetheronacharpoybythedoorofthehut,andthestarsglimmeredthroughthetamarind-trees.Acharpoyisabed,andeverybodyinRubbulgurhputsoneoutside,forsociability,intheevening.Notmuchofabed,onlyfourshortricketylegsheldtogetherwithknottedstring,butitanswersverywell.

SonnySahibdidn'tseemtoknowanystories--hecouldonlytelltheoldoneaboutthefightingAbdulsawoverandoveragain--butitwasthesinglethingtheycoulddobetterthanhedid.OnthewholehebegantopreferthesocietyofAbdul'sblackandwhitegoats,whichboreastrongresemblancetoAbdulhimself,bytheway,andhadmoreofthespiritofadventure.Itwasthegoat,forexample,thattaughtSonnySahibtowalkontheextremeedgeofthehousetopandnottumbleover.Intimetheybecamegreatfriends,SonnySahibandthegoat,andalways,whenitwasnottoohot,theyslepttogether.

Thentwothingshappened.First,Abduldied,andSonnySahibbecameacquaintedwithgrief,bothaccordingtohisownnatureand

accordingtothelawofMahomed.Then,afterheandToonihadmournedsincerelywithverylittletoeatforninedays,thereclatteredonedayahorsemanthroughthevillageatsuchapacethateverybodyranouttosee.Andhewasworthseeing,thathorseman,inablueturbanasbigasalittletub,ayellowcoat,redtrouserswithgoldlaceonthem,andlongbootsthatstuckoutfaroneitherside;andanembroideredsaddleandatasselledbridle,andapink-nosedwhitechargerthatsteppedandprancedinthebazarsothatRamDasshimselfhadtogetoutoftheway.Itoughttobesaidthatthehorseman'sclothesdidnotfithimverywell,thathissaddlegirthwashelpedoutbyabitofrope,andthathischargerwasrathertenderonhisnearfore-foot;butthesearenotthingsthatwouldbenoticedinRubbulgurh,beinglostin

thegeneralsplendourofhisappearance.

SonnySahibranafterthehorsemanwithalltheotherboys,until,toeverybody'sastonishment,hestoppedwithtremendousprancingsatTooni'smuddoorstep,whereshesattowatchhimgoby.ThenSonnySahibslippedaway.Hewasafraid--hedidnotknowofwhat.Heranhalfamilebeyondthevillage,andhelpedSumpsiDinkeeptheparrotsoutofhisfather'smilletcropalldaylong.NordidhesayawordtoSumpsiDinaboutit,forfearheshouldbepersuadedtogobackagain.Instead,heletSumpsiDinsleepforlonghoursatatimeface-downwardsonhisarminthesun,whichwaswhatSumpsiDinlikedbestintheworld,whilehe,SonnySahib,clappedhishandsahundredtimesatthelittlegreenthieves,

abusingthemroundly,andwonderingalwaysatthebackofhisheadwhysosplendidahorsemanshouldhavestoppedathisparticulardoorstep.Soitwasnotuntiltheevening,whenhecamebackveryhungry,hopingthehorsemanwouldbegone,thatheheardTooni'swonderfulnews.Beforeshegavehimwateroroil,orevenachupatty,Toonitoldhim,holdinghishandinhers.

'TheMaharajahhassentforyou,Onoondaykite;wherehaveyoubeeninthesun?TheMaharajahhassentforyou,lotus-eyedone,andI,thoughIamgrowntoooldforjourneys,mustgoalsotothe


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palaceoftheMaharajah!Oh,itisveryfar,andIknownotwhathedesires,theMaharajah!Myheartissplitintwo,littleSahib!Thiskhaberisthecat'smoontome.Iwillneversleepagain!'

ThenforsomereasonthefearwentoutofSonnySahib.'AmInotgoingwithyou,Tooni-ji?'saidhe,whichwashiswayofsaying'dearTooni.''Thereisnocauseforfear.Andwillitnotbeverybeautiful,thepalaceoftheMaharajah?SumpsiDinsaysthatitisbuiltofgoldandsilver.AndnowIshouldlikesixchupatties,andsomemilkandsomefriedbrinjal,likeyesterday's,onlymore,Tooni-ji.'

CHAPTERIV

ThepalaceoftheMaharajahatLalporewasnotexactlybuiltof

goldandsilver;butifithadbeen,SonnySahibcouldhardlyhavethoughtitafinerplace.Ithadawallallroundit,evenonthesidewheretheriverran,andinsidethewallwerecourtsandgardenswithfountainsandrosesinthem,dividedbyotherwalls,andpillaredverandahs,wherelittlegreenlizardsranaboutinthesun,andagreatmanystables,wheretheMaharajah'shorsespawedandchampedtobeletoutandridden.Thepalaceitselfwasawholestoryhigherthanthestables,andconsistedofawildernessoflittlehallswithgratedwindows.Itsmeltrathertoostrongofattarofrosesinthere--theMaharajahwasfondofattarofroses--butthedecorationsonthewhitewashedwalls,inredandyellow,wereverywonderfulindeed.Thecourtyardsandtheverandahswerefullofpeople,soldiers,syces,merchantswiththeirpacks,

sweetmeatsellers,barbers;onlythegardenswereempty.SonnySahibthoughtthatifhelivedinthepalacehewouldstayalwaysinthegardens,watchingthered-spottedfishinthefountains,andgatheringtheroses;butthepeoplewhodidlivethereseemedtoprefersmokinglongbubblingpipesincompany,ordisputingovertheirbargains,orsleepingbythehourintheshadeofthecourtyardwalls.Therewerenowomenanywhere;butifSonnySahibhadpossessedtheearsortheeyesofthecountry,hemighthaveheardmanyswishingsandpatteringsandwhisperingsbehindcurtaineddoors,andhaveseenmanyfingersonthecurtains'edgeandeyesatthebarredwindowsashewentby.

Thiswasthepalace,andthepalacewasthecrownofLalpore,which

wasbuiltonthetopofahill,andcouldlockitselfinbehindwallstenfeetthickallround,ifanenemycamethatway.

TheMaharajahwastoreceivetheminoneofthepillaredverandahs,onethatlookedoutovertheriver,wheretherewasasinglegreativorychair,witharedsatincushion,andalargepieceofcarpetinfrontofit,andnothingelse.Itwastheonlychairinthepalace,probablytheonlychairinalltheMaharajah'sStateofChita,andasSonnySahibhadneverseenachairbeforehefounditveryinteresting.HeandTooniinspecteditfromarespectful


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distance,andthenwithdrewtotheveryfarthestcorneroftheverandahtowaitfortheMaharajah.Alongtimetheywaited,andyetTooniwouldnotsitdown.WhatmightnottheMaharajahdoifhecameandfoundthemdisrespectfullyseatedinhisaudiencehall!Patientlyshestood,firstononefootandthenontheother,withherlipsallpuckeredupandhereyesonthefloor,thinkingofthingsthatwouldbepoliteenoughtosaytoaMaharajah.Theyweresotroublesometothinkof,thatshecouldnotattendtowhatSonnySahibsaidatall,evenwhenheaskedherforthesixthtimehowyoumadeapeacockwithblueglasseyes,liketheoneoneacharmofHisHighness'schair.SonnySahibgrewquitetiredofwatchingthemud-turtlethatwaspaddlingaboutinapooloftheshallowriveramongtheyellowsandsdownbelow,andofcountingthecamelsthatwerewadingacrossit,carryingtheirpacksandtheirmasters;andyettheMaharajahdidnotcome.

'Tooni,'hesaidpresently,'withoutdoubtImustsitdown,'anddownhesatplumply,withhisbackagainstthewall,andhistwosmalllegs,intheirverybeststripedcottontrousers,stretchedoutinfrontofhim.

AsamatteroffacttheMaharajahwasasleep,andhadforgottenallaboutSonnySahibinthehallofaudience.ItwasMoti[1]whoremindedhim,whisperinginhisearuntilheawoke.Motiwasthe

littleMaharajah,andthatwashispetname.Motiwasprivilegedtoremindhisfatherofthings.

[1]Apearl.

SoMotiandtheMaharajahwentdowntotheaudiencehalltogether,andtheretheyfoundSonnySahibasleeptoo,whichwasnotwonderful,consideringthattheMaharajahhadkepthimwaitingtwohoursandaquarter.PerhapsthisoccurredtoHisHighness,andpreventedhimfrombeingangry.Atallevents,asSonnySahibscrambledtohisfeetinresponsetoaterrifiedtugfromTooni,he

didnotlookveryangry.

SonnySahibsawalittleleanoldman,withsoftsunkenblackeyes,andafacelikeawitheredpotato.Heworeacrimsonvelvetsmoking-capuponhishead,andwasbuttoneduptothechininalongtightcoatofblueandyellowbrocade.AbovethecollarandbelowthesleevesofthecoatshowedtheneckandcuffsofanEnglishlinenshirt,whichwerecrumpledandnotparticularlyclean.ThecuffsweresobigthattheMaharajah'sthinlittlebrownfingerswerealmostlostinthem.Theblueandyellowbrocadedcoatwasbuttonedupwithemeralds,buttheMaharajahshuffledalonginapairofoldcarpetslippers,whichtoSonnySahibwerethemostremarkablefeaturesofhisattire.Somuch

occupied,indeed,wasSonnySahibinlookingattheMaharajah'sslippers,thathequiteforgottomakehissalaam.AsforTooni,shewaslyingflatattheirHighnesses'feet,talkingindistinctlyintothemarblefloor.

ThelittleHighnesswasmuchpleasantertolookatthanhisfather.Hehadlargedarkeyesandsoftlight-browncheeks,andhewasalldressedinpinksatin,withalittlejewelledcap,andhislongblackhairtiedupinahardknotatthebackofhisneck.ThelittleHighnesslookedatSonnySahibcuriously,andthentuggedat


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hisfather'ssleeve.

'Lethimcomewithmenow,immediately,'saidthelittleMaharajah;'hehasafaceofgold.'

TheMaharajahsatdown,notinhischair--hedidnotgreatlylikesittinginhischair--butonthecarpet.

'Whencedoyoucome?'saidhetoTooni.

'Protectorofthepoor,fromRubbulgurh.'

'WhereyourHighnesssenttoforus,'addedSonnySahib.'Tooni,whydoyoupinchme?'

HisHighnesslookeddisconcertedforamoment.AsamatteroffacthehadknownallthatTooniorSonnySahibcouldtellhimaboutthemselvesforthreeyears,butheconsidereditmoredignifiedtoappearasifheknewnothing.

'Thisisachildofthemlechas,'saidtheMaharajah,whichwasnotaverypolitewayofsayingthathewasEnglish.

'Protectorofthepoor,yes.'

'Accounttomeforhim.Howoldishe?'

'Sevenyears,greatKing.'

'Andtwomonths,Tooni-ji.YourHighness,mayIsitdown?'

'AsoldastheFolly.'[1]

[1]NativetermfortheMutiny.

'HecameoftheFolly,Hazur.HismotherdiedbythesepoysinCawnpore,hisfather--also,'saidTooni,forshefearedtobeblamedfornothavingfoundSonnySahib'sfather.AsshetoldthestoryonceagaintotheMaharajah,addingmanythingsthatSonnySahibhadneverheardbefore,hebecamesomuchinterestedthathestoodononefootforfiveminutesatatime,andquiteforgottoaskHisHighnessagainifhemightsitdown.

TheMaharajahheardhertotheendwithoutawordorachangeofexpression.Whenshehadfinished,'Mysoldierswerenotthere,'hesaidthoughtfully,andwithashadeofregret,whichwasnot,Ifear,atthethoughtofanygoodtheymighthavedone.Thenheseemedtoreflect,whileToonistoodbeforehimwithherhands

joinedtogetheratthefinger-tipsandherheadbowed.

'Then,withoutpermission,youbroughtthischildofoutcastsintomyState,'saidheatlast.'Thatwasanoffence.'

Toonistruckherforeheadwithherhand.

'YourHighnessismyfatherandmymother!'shesobbed,'Icouldnotleaveittothejackals.'


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'YouareawretchedMussulman,thedaughterofcow-killers,andyoumayhaveknownnobetter--'

'YourHighness!'remarkedSonnySahib,withrespectfulindignation,'Adamhadtwosons,onewasburiedandonewasburned--'

'Choop!'saidtheMaharajahcrossly.Youmightalmostguessthat'Choop'meant'Bequiet!'

'Butitwasanoffence,'hecontinued.

'Protectorofthepoor,Imeantnoharm.'

'Thatistruetalk.Andyoushallreceivenoharm.Butyoumustleavetheboywithme.Iwanthimtoplaygameswithmyson,toamusemyson.Forthirtydaysmysonhasaskedthisofme,andtendaysagohismotherdied--sohemusthaveit.'

Toonisalaamedhumbly.'IftheboyfindsfavourinYourHighness'seyesitisverygood,'shesaidsimply,andturnedtogo.

'Stop,'saidtheMaharajah.'Iwilldojusticeinthismatter.Idesiretheboy,butIhavebroughthisprice.Whereisit,Moti-ji?'

ThelittleMaharajahlaughedwithdelight,anddrewfrombehindhimajinglingbag.

'Itisonehundredandfiftyrupees,'saidtheMaharajah.'Giveittothewoman,Moti.'Andthechildhelditouttoher.

Toonilookedatthebag,andthenatSonnySahib,salaamedandhesitated.Itwasaprovisionfortherestofherlife,aslivesgoinRajputana.

'Isitnotenough!'askedtheMaharajahirritably,whilethelittleprince'sfacefell.

'YourHighness,'stammeredTooni,'itisgreatriches--mayrosesbetoyourmouth!ButIhaveadesire--ratherthanthemoney--'

'Whatisyourdesire?'criedthelittleprince.'Sayit.Inabreathmyfatherwillallowit.Iwantthegold-facedonetocomeandplay.'

TheMaharajahnodded,andthistimeToonilaydownatthefeetofthelittleprince.

'Itis,'saidshe,'that--Iamawidowandold--thatIalsomayliveinthefarthestcornerwithinthecourtyardwalls,withthe

boy.'

TheMaharajahslippedthebagquicklyintothepocketofhisblueandyellowcoat.

'Itisastrangepreference,'hesaid,'buttheMussulmanshavenominds.Itmaybe.'

Toonikissedhisfeet,andSonnySahibnoddedapprovalathim.Somehow,SonnySahibnevercouldbetaughtgoodRajputmanners.


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'Theboyiswellgrown,'saidtheMaharajah,turninguponhisheel.'Whatishisname?'

'Protectorofthepoor,'answeredTooni,quiveringwithdelight,'hisnameisSonnySahib.'

PerhapsnobodyhastoldyouwhytheEnglisharecalledSahibsinIndia.Itisbecausetheyrulethere.

TheMaharajah'sfacewentallintoapuckerofangrywrinkles,andhiseyesshonelikelittlecoals.

'Whattalkisthat?'hesaidangrily.'Hisgreat-grandfatherwasamonkey!Thereisonlyonemasterhere.Pig'sdaughter,hisnameisSunni!'

Toonididnotdaretosayaword,andeventhelittleprincewassilent.

'Lookyou,'saidtheoldmantoSonnySahib.'Followmyson,theMaharajah,intothecourtyard,andtheredohispleasure.Doyouunderstand?FOLLOWhim!'

CHAPTERV

'Sunni,'saidMoti,asthetwoboysrodethroughthegatesofthecourtyardayearlater,'amanofyourracehascomehere,andmy

fatherhaspermittedhimtoremain.Myfatherhasgivenhimtheoldemptyjailtolivein,behindthemonkeytemple.Theysaymanycuriousthingsareinhishouse.Letusridepastit.'

InhiswholelifeSunnihadneverheardsuchaninterestingpieceofnewsbefore--evenTooni's,abouttheMaharajah'shorseman,wasnothingtothis.'Whyishecome?'heasked,puttinghislittleredArabintoatrot.

'TobringyourgodstotheRajputs.'

'Ihavenogods,'declaredSunni.'Kaliissougly--Ihavenoheartforher.Ganeshmakesmelaugh,withhiselephant'shead;

andToonisaysthatAllahisnotmyGod.'

'Toonisays,'Sunniwentonreflectively,'thatmyGodisinherlittleblackbook.ButIhaveneverseenhim.'

PerhapsthisEnglishmanwillshowhimtoyou,'suggestedMoti.

'ButHisHighness,yourfather,willheallowstrangegodstobebroughttothepeople?'


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'No,'saidMoti,'thepeoplewillnotlookatthem.Everyonehasbeenwarned.Butthestrangeristoremain,thathemayteachmeEnglish.IdonotwishtolearnEnglish--oranything.Itisalwayssohotwhenthepunditcomes.Butmyfatherwishesit.'

Apunditisawiseoldmanwhogenerallyhasalongwhitebeard,andthinksnothingintheworldissoenjoyableasSanskritorArabic.Sunni,too,foundithotwhenthepunditcame.ButanEnglishpundit--

'Moti-ji,'saidSunni,layinghisarmaroundthelittleprince'sneckastheyrodetogether,'doyouloveme?'

MoticaughtSunni'shandasitdroppedoverhisshoulder.'Youknowthatinmyheartthereisonlymyfather'sfaceandyours,Sahib'sson,'hesaid.

'Willyoudoonething,then,forloveofme?'askedSunnieagerly.'WillyouaskoftheMaharajah,yourfather,thatIalsomaylearnEnglishfromthestranger?'

'No,'saidMotimischievously,'becauseitisalreadyspoken,Sunni-ji.IsaidthatIwouldnotlearnunlessyoualsowerecompelledtolearn,sothatthetimeshouldnotbelostbetweenus.

Nowletusgallopveryfastpastthejail,lesttheEnglishmanshouldthinkwewishtoseehim.Heistobebroughttometo-morrowatsundown.'

TheEnglishmanatthatmomentwasunpackinghisbooksandhisbottles,andthinkingabouthowhecouldbestbegintheworkhehadcometoLalporetodo.Hewasamedicalmissionary,andastheyhadeveryvarietyofdiseaseinLalpore,andthepopulationwasentirelyheathen,wemaythinkitlikelythathehadtoomuchonhismindtoruntothewindowtoseesuchveryyoungroyaltyrideby.

'Sunni-ji,'saidMotithatafternooninthegarden,'Iamvery

tiredoftalkingofthisEnglishman.'

'Icouldtalkofhimforninemoons,'saidSunni;andthensomethingoccurredwhichchangedthesubjectascompletelyaseventhelittleprincecoulddesire.Thiswasagardenforthepleasureoftheladiesofthecourt;theynevercameoutinit,buttheirapartmentslookeddownuponit,andaveryhighwallscreeneditfromtherestoftheworld.TheMaharajahandMotiandSunniweretheonlypeoplewhomighteverwalkthere.Astheboysturnedattheendofapathdirectlyunderthegratings,theyheardasoftvoicesay'Moti!'

'ThatisMatiya,'saidthelittleprince.'IdonotlikeMatiya.

Whatisit,Matiya?'

'ItisnotMatiya,'saidthevoicequickly,'itisTarra.HereisagiftfromtheheartofTarra,littleparrot,agiftforyou,andagiftfortheSahib'sson;alsoasweetcake,butthecakeisforMoti.'

'IamsureitwasMatiya,'saidMoti,runningtopickthepacketoutoftherose-bushithadfalleninto;'butMatiyawasneverkindbefore.'


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Thepacketheldanecklaceandanarmlet.Thenecklacewasoflittlepearlsandbigamethystsstrunguponfinewire,threerowsofpearls,andthenanamethyst,andwasverylovely.Thearmletwasofgold,withsmallrubiesandturquoisessetinapattern.Theboyslookedatthemmoreorlessindifferently.Theyhadseensomanyjewels.

'Matiya--ifyouthinkitwasMatiya--makesprettygifts,'saidSunni,'andtheMaharajahwillkeepyournecklaceforyouforeverinanironbox.Butthisarmletwillgetbrokenjustastheothertwoarmletsthatweregiventomehavegotbroken.Icannotweararmletsandplaypolo,andIwouldratherplaypolo.'

'Thatisbecauseyouwereclumsy,'Motianswered.Motiwaspeevishthatafternoon.TheMaharajahhadrefusedhimagun,andheparticularlywantedagun,nottoshootanything,buttofrightenthecrowswithandperhapsthecoolie-folk.ToconsolehimselfMotihadeatentwiceasmanysweetmeatsasweregoodforhim,andwasinabadtemperaccordingly.

'NowtheyarecertainlyofTarra,thesejewels,'exclaimedSunni,'Irememberthatnecklaceuponherneck,foreverytimeTarrahaskissedme,thatfifthstonewhichhasbeenbrokeninthecutting

hasscratchedmyface.'

'Inoneword,'saidMotiimperiously,'itwasthevoiceofMatiya.Andthisperplexesme,forMatiya,hatingmymother,hatesmealso,Ithink.'

'Whydidshehateyourmother?'askedSunni.

'Howstupidyouareto-day!Youhaveheardthestorytwohundredtimes!Becauseshethoughtthatsheshouldhavebeenchosentobequeeninsteadofmymother.Itistruethatshewasmorebeautiful,butmymotherwasapundita.Andshewasnotchosen.Sheisonlysecondinthepalace.Andshehasnochildren,while

mymotherwasthemotherofaking.'

'No,'saidSunni,'Ineverheardthatbefore,Moti.'

'ButIsayyouhave!Twohundredtimes!Andlook,Othoughtlessone,youhavegonebetweenmeandthesun,sothatevennowyourshadowfallsuponmysugar-cake--mycakestuffedwithalmonds,whichisthekindImostlove,andthereforeIcannoteatit.There,'criedMoti,contemptuously,'takeityourselfandeatit--youhavenocastetobreak.'

ForaminuteSunniwasasangryaspossible.Thenhereflectedthatitwassillytobeangrywithapersonwhowasnotverywell.

'Listen,Moti,'hesaid,'thatwasindeedafault.Ishouldhavewalkedtothenorth.ButIwillnoteatyourcake--letusgiveittotheredandgoldfishesinthefountain.'

'Someofit,'saidMoti,appeased,'andsometomynewlittlemonkey--mytalkingmonkey.'

Thefishesdartedupforthecrumbsgreedily,butthemonkeywasnotasgratefulforhershareassheoughttohavebeen.Shetook


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it,smeltit,wipeditvigorouslyontheground,smeltitagain,andchatteredangrilyattheboys;thenshewentnimblyhandoverhandtotheverytopofthebanyan-treeshelivedin;andthenshedeliberatelybrokeitintolittlepiecesandpeltedthegiverswiththem.

'Sheisnothungryto-day,'saidMoti.'Letustakeoutthefalcons.'

NextmorningtheMaharajahwasverymuchannoyedbytheintelligencethatallthelittlered-spottedfisheswerefloatingflabbyandflatanddeadamongthelilypadsofthefountain--therewerefewthingsexceptMotithattheMaharajahlovedbetterthanhislittlered-spottedfishes.Hewantedveryparticularlytoknowwhytheyshouldhavediedinthisunanimousandapparentlypreconcertedway.Thegodshadprobablykilledthembylightning,buttheMaharajahwantedtoknow.SohesentfortheEnglishman,whodidnotmindtouchingadeadthing,andtheEnglishmantoldhimthatthelittlered-spottedfisheshadundoubtedlybeenpoisoned.Motiwaslisteningwhenthedoctorsaidthis.

'Itcouldnothavebeenthecake,'saidMoti.

Butwhenallwaslookedinto,includingoneofthelittlefishes,

Dr.Robertsfoundthatitundoubtedlyhadbeenthecake.Scrapsofitwerestilllyingaboutthebanyan-treetohelphimtothisconclusion,andthemonkeychatteredasifshecouldgiveevidence,too,ifanybodywouldlisten.Butshegaveevidenceenoughinnoteatingit.Everybody,thatis,everybodyinRajputana,knowsthatyoucanneverpoisonamonkey.ThelittleprincemaintainedthatthevoiceheheardwasthevoiceofMatiya,yeteveryonerecognisedthejewelstobeTarra's.Therewasnothingelsetogoupon,andtheMaharajahdecidedthatitwasimpossibletotellwhichofthetwohadwickedlytriedtopoisonhiseldestson.Hearranged,however,thattheyshouldbothdisappear--hecouldnotpossiblyriskamistakeinthematter.AndIwishthathadbeenthegreatestoftheMaharajah'sinjustices.Whenthetruthcame

out,later,thatitwasundoubtedlyMatiya,theMaharajahsaidthathehadalwaysbeenagooddealofthatopinion,andbuiltabeautifuldomedwhitemarbletomb,partlyinmemoryofTarraandpartly,Ifear,tocommemoratehisownsagacity,whichmayseem,underthecircumstances,alittleodd.

Thereallycuriousthingwas,however,thatoutofitallcamehonourandgloryforSunni.Forwhat,askedtheMaharajah,hadpreventedthepoisoningofhisson?WhatbuttheshadowofSunni,whichfelluponthecake,sothatMoticouldnoteatit!Therefore,withoutdoubt,Sunnihadsavedthelifeofaking;andhecouldasknothingthatshouldnotbegrantedtohim;heshouldstandalwaysnearthethrone.Sunnifeltveryproudandimportant,

hedidnotknowexactlywhy;buthecouldnotthinkofanythinghewanted,excepttolearnhisownlanguagefromtheEnglishman.

'Oh,foolishbargainer!'criedMoti,'whenyouknowthathasbeengivenalready!'


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CHAPTERVI

Dr.Roberts,wholived,bytheMaharajah'skindpermission,inthejailbehindthemonkeytemple,soonfoundhimselfinratheranawkwarddilemma.Notinregardtothemonkeys.Theywerecertainlytroublesome.Theystolehisbiscuits,andmadeholesinhisroof,andtoreupthereportshewrotefortheS.P.C.K.inEngland.Dr.Robertsmadeallowanceforthemonkeys,however.Hehadcometotakeawaytheirsacredcharacter,andnobodycouldexpectthemtolikeit.IfyouhadaskedDr.RobertswhathisdifficultywashewouldhaveshownyouSonnySahib.Thediscoverywassowonderfulthathehadmade.Hehadfoundayellow-haired,blue-eyedEnglishboyinawalledpalaceofRajputana,fivehundredmilesfromanyoneofhisrace.Theboywashappy,healthy,andwellcontent.ThatmuchtheMaharajahhadpointedouttohim;thatmuchhecouldseeforhimself.BeyondthattheMaharajahhaddiscouragedDr.Roberts'interest.Theboy'snamewasSunni,hehadnoothername,hehadcome'undertheprotection'oftheMaharajahwhenhewasveryyoung;andthatwasallHisHighness

couldbeinducedtosay.Anymorepointedinquirieshewasentirelyunabletounderstand.Thereseemedtobenooneelsewhoknew.Toonicouldhavetoldhim,butTooniwasunderordersthatshedidnotdaretodisobey.Inthebazartwoorthreeconflictingstories,equallywonderful,weretoldofSunni;butnonethatDr.Robertscouldbelieve.IntheendhefoundoutaboutSunnifromSunnihimself,whohadneverforgottenonewordofwhatToonitoldtheMaharajah.Sunnimentionedalso,withconsiderablepride,thathehadknownthreeEnglishwordsforalongtime--'wass'and'bruss'and'isstockin'.'

ThenDr.Roberts,withhisheartfulloftheawfulgriefoftheMutiny,andthinkinghowgladlythiswaifandstraywouldbe

receivedbysomebody,hurriedtotheMaharajah,andbeggedthattheboymightbegivenbacktohisownpeople,thathe,Dr.Roberts,mighttakehimbacktohisownpeopleathispersonalriskandexpense;thatinquiriesmightatleastbesetonfoottofindhisrelatives.

'Yes,'saidtheMaharajah,'butnotyet,ee-Wobbis.Theboywillbewellhereforayear,andyoushallteachhim.Attheendofthattimewewillspeakagainofthismatter.'

Dr.Robertswasnotsatisfied.HeaskedtheMaharajahatalleventstoallowSunnitolivewithhiminhisemptyjail,butHisHighnessrefusedabsolutely.

'Andlookyou,ee-Wobbis,'saidhe,'IhavepromisedtheViceroyinCalcuttathatyoushallbesafeinmycountry,andyoushallbesafe,thoughIneveraskedyoutocomehere.ButifanykhabergoestoCalcuttaaboutthisboy,andifthereistheleastconfusionregardinghim,yourmouthshallbestopped,andyoushallnottalkanymoretomypeople.Formypart,Idonotlikeyourmedicines,andyouhavenotyetcuredProtebSinghofhisshortleg;hegoesaslameasever!'


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ThiswasDr.Roberts'difficulty;hismouthwouldbestopped.HedidnotdoubttheMaharajah.IfhewrotetoCalcuttathataRajputprincestillheldahostagefromtheMutiny,andmadeadisturbance,therewouldbeanendtotheworkhehadbegunundertheshadowofthepalacewall.Andtheworkwasprosperingsowell!Thepeoplewerelisteningnow,Dr.Robertsthought,andcertainlyhehadbeenabletorelieveagreatdealoftheirphysicalmisery.WouldhebejustifiedinwritingtoCalcutta?Dr.Robertsthoughtaboutitverylongandveryseriously.Intheendhebelievedthathewouldnotbejustified,atleastuntiltheyearwasoverofwhichtheMaharajahspoke.ThenifHisHighnessdidnotkeephispromise,Dr.Robertswouldseeaboutit.

Sotheyearwentby;themonthswhenthesunblazedstraightacrosstheskyoverhead,andeverybodysleptatnoonday--themonthswhenagraysheetofrainhungfromthecloudsfordaystogether,andthemonthswhenalltheMaharajah'sdominionswerefullofsplendidyellowlightsandpleasantwinds--whentheteakwoodtreesdroppedtheirbigdustyleaves,andthenightsweresharplycold,andRajputanapretendedthatitwaswinter.Dr.RobertsandSunniwereverywellthen,butMotishrivelledupandcoughedthedaythrough,andtheMaharajah,whenhewentouttodrive,wrappedhimselfupinCashmereshawls,headandearsandall.

TheboyslearntasmuchEnglishascouldpossiblybeexpectedofthem;Sunnilearntmore,becauseDr.Robertsmadeitapointthatheshould.Besides,hebecameagreatfriendofDr.Roberts,whobeganbybeggingthatSunnimightbeallowedtoridewithhim,thentodrivewithhim,andfinallytospendtwoorthreedaysatatimewithhim.SunnihadmoretolearnthanMotihad.Hehadagoodmanythingstoforget,too,whichgavehimalmostasmuchtrouble.

TheMaharajahfounditasdifficultasevertolikeee-Wobbis'smedicines,butheconsideredthemexcellentforMoti'scough,andonlycomplainedthathissonshouldbegivensolittleofthem.Theroyaltreasurywouldpayforawholebottle--whyshouldthelittleprincegetonlyaspoonful?NeverthelessDr.Robertsstood

wellintheestimationoftheMaharajah,whoarrangedthatagreatmanythingsshouldbedoneasthemissionarysuggested.InonecasetheMaharajahhadthepalacewell,theoldestpalacewell,cleanedout--athingthatnobodyhadeverthoughtofbefore;andhewassurprisedtofindwhatwasatthebottomofit.Dr.Robertsadvisedputtingdownafewdrainstoo,andmakingaroadfromthecityoftheMaharajahtothegreathighwaysthatledtotheViceroy'sIndia.TheMaharajahlaidthedrains,andsaidhewouldthinkabouttheroad.ThenDr.Robertssuggestedthatahospitalwouldbeagoodthing,andtheMaharajahsaidhewouldthinkaboutthattoo.

Sunniwasgrowingfast;hewastootallandthinfornineyears

old.Dr.Robertstookanxiouscareofhim,thinkingoftheunknowngrandfatherandgrandmotherinEngland,andhowhecouldbesttellthemofthisboyoftheirs,whoreadUrdubetterthanEnglish,andworeembroideredslippersturnedsquarelyupatthetoes,andaskedsuchstrangequestionsabouthisfather'sGod.ButwhenhetaxedtheMaharajahwithhispromise,HisHighnesssimplyrepeated,insomewhatmoreamiableterms,hisansweroftheyearbefore.Andtheworkwasnowprosperingmorethanever.Whenoncehehadgotthehospital,Dr.Robertsmadeuphismindthathewouldtakedefinitemeasures;buthewouldgetthehospitalfirst.


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CHAPTERVII

IsupposeitwasaboutthattimethatSurjiRaobegantoconsiderwhetheritwasafterallforthebestinterestsoftheStatethatee-Wobbisshouldremaininit.SurjiRaowasfirstMinistertotheMaharajah,andaveryimportantperson.HehadchargeoftheTreasury,anditwashisbusinesstoproduceeverydayonehundredfreshrupeestoputintoit.Thiswashisduty,andwhethertheharvestshadbeengoodandthecattlemany,orwhetherthelocustsandthedroughthadmadethepeoplepoor,SurjiRaodidhisduty.Ifeverheshouldfail,therehungalargeandheavyshoeuponthewalloftheMaharajah'sapartment,whichdailysuggestedpersonalchastisementandapossiblelossofdignitytoSurjiRao.

Dr.RobertswasmakingseriousdemandsupontheTreasury,andproposedtomakeothersmoreseriousstill.Worsethanthat,hewassupplantingSurjiRaointheconfidenceandaffectionoftheMaharajah.Worsestill,hewasmakingapunditofthatoutcastboy,whohadbeenalreadytoomuchfavouredinthepalace,sothathemightverywellgrowuptobeMinisteroftheTreasuryinsteadofRasso,sonofSurjiRao--athingunendurable.SurjiRaowasthefattestmanintheState,sofatthatitwassaidhesatdownonlytwiceaday;buthelayawakeonsultrynightsforsomanyweeksreflectinguponthis,thathegrewobviously,almostostentatiously,thin.TothisheaddedsuchanextremelydolorousexpressionofcountenancethatitwasimpossiblefortheMaharajah,outofsheercuriosity,torefrainfromaskinghimwhatwasthematter.

'Myfatherandmymother!IgrowpoorwiththinkingthatthefeetofstrangersareinthepalaceoftheKing,andwhatmaycomeofit.'

TheMaharajahlaughedandputhisarmabouttheshouldersofSurjiRao.

'Iwillgiveyouatubofmeltedbuttertogrowfatuponagain,andtwodaystoeatit,thoughindeedwithlessonyourbonesyouwereabetterRajput.Whatshouldcomeofit,SurjiRao?'

TheMinistersheathedtheangerthatleaptupbehindhiseyesina

smile.Thenheansweredgravely--

'Whatshouldcomeofitbutmorestrangers?Isitnotdesiredtomakearoadfortheirgunsandtheirhorses?Andtalkandtreaties,andtyingofthehandandbindingofthefoot,untilatlastthatgreatJanLarrens[1]himselfwillrideuptothegateofthecityandrefusetogoawayuntilYourHighnesssendsabagofgoldmohurstotheBritishRaj,ashehasdonebefore.'


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[1]JohnLawrence,afterwardsLordLawrenceandViceroyofIndia.

'IdonotthinkIwillmaketheroad,'saidtheMaharajahreflectively.

'King,youarethewisestofmen,andthereforeyourownbestcounsellor.Itiswelldecided.ButtheRajputsareallsonsofonefather,andevennowthereisgriefamongthechiefofthemthatoutcastsshouldbedwellingintheKing'sfavour.'

'Iwillnotmaketheroad,'saidtheMaharajah.'Enough!'

SurjiRaothoughtitwasnotquiteenough,however,andtookvariousmeanstoobtainmore,meansthatwouldneverbethoughtofanywherebutincountrieswherethesunbeatsupontheplotsofMinistersandfermentsfanaticismintheheadsofthepeople.HetalkedtotheRajputchiefs,andpersuadedthem--theywerenotdifficulttopersuade--thatDr.RobertswasanagentandaspyoftheEnglishGovernmentatCalcutta,thathismedicineswereasham.Whenitwasnecessary,SurjiRaosaidthatthemedicineswereaslowformofpoison,butgenerallyhesaidtheywereasham.Hepersuadedasmanyofthechiefsasdared,toremonstratewiththeMaharajah,andtofollowhisexampleofgoingaboutlookingasif

theywereuponthebrinkofsometerribledisaster.SurjiRao'swifewasacleverwoman,andshearrangedsuchafeelingintheMaharajah'szenana,thatonedayasDr.RobertspassedalongacorridortoHisHighness'sapartment,acurtainopenedswiftly,andsomeoneinthedarkbehindspatathim.AmongstthemtheymanagedtomakeHisHighnessextremelyuncomfortable.Buttheoldmancontinuedtodeclineobstinatelytosendthemissionaryback.

ThenitbecameobvioustoSurjiRaothatDr.Robertsmustbedisposedofotherwise.Hewentaboutthatinthesameelaborateandingeniousway.Hisarrangementsrequiredtime,butthereisalwaysplentyoftimeinRajputana.HebecamefriendlywithDr.Roberts,andencouragedthehospital.Hedidnotwishinanyway

tobecomplicatedwithhisarrangements.Nobodyelsebecamefriendly.SurjiRaotookcareofthat.Andatlastonemorningareportwentlikewildfireaboutthepalaceandthecitythatthemissionaryhadkilledasacredbull,setfreeinhonourofKrishnaatthebirthofasontoMaunRao,thechiefoftheMaharajah'sgenerals.Certainlythebullwasfoundslaughteredbehindthemonkeytemple,andcertainlyDr.Robertshadbeefsteakforbreakfastthatday.SuchaclamourrangthroughthepalaceaboutitthattheMaharajahsentforthemissionary,partlytoinquireintothematter,andpartlywithaviewtoprotecthim.

Itwasveryunsatisfactory--themissionarydidnotknowhowthebullcametobekilledbehindhishouse,and,inspiteofallthe

Maharajah'shints,wouldnotinventastorytoaccountforit.TheMaharajahcouldhaveaccountedforitfiftytimesover,ifithadhappenedtohim.Besides,Dr.Robertsfreelyadmittedhavingbreakfasteduponbeefsteak,anddidn'tknowwhereithadcomefrom!Herodehomethroughanangrycrowd,andnobodyatallcameformedicinesthatday.

TwodayslatertheRajputgeneral'sbabydied--couldanythingelsehavebeenexpected?ThegeneralwentstraighttotheMaharajahtoaskforvengeance,butHisHighness,knowingwhythechiefhad


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come,sentwordthathewasill--hewouldseeMaunRaoto-morrow.To-morrowhehadnotrecovered,noreventhedayafter;butinthemeantimehehadbeenwellenoughtosendwordtoDr.Robertsthatifhewishedtogoawayheshouldhavetwocamelsandanescort.Dr.RobertssenttoaskwhetherSunnimightgowithhim,buttothistheMaharajahrepliedbyanabsolute'No.'

Sothemissionarystayed.

ItwasSurjiRaowhobroughtthefinalwordtotheMaharajah.

'Myfatherandmymother!'hesaid,'itisnolongerpossibletoholdthepeopleback.ItiscriedabroadthatthisEnglishhakkim[1]hasgiventhepeoplepowderofpig'sfeet.Evennowtheyhavesetuponhishouse.Andto-dayisthefestivalofKrishna.Myheartisburstingwithgrief.'

[1]'Doctor.'

'IfMaunRaostrikes,Icandonothing,'saidtheMaharajahweakly.'HethinkstheEnglishmankilledhisson.Butlookyou,sendSunnitome.HEsavedmine.AndItellyou,'saidtheMaharajah,

lookingatSurjiRaofiercelywithhissunkenblackeyes,'notsomuchofhisbloodshallbeshedaswouldstainamoth'swing.'

ButMaunRaostruck,andthepeoplebeingtoldthatthemissionarywasdead,wenthomehopingthatKrishnahadnothingmoreagainstthem;theyhaddonewhattheycould.

AstoSunnihetoldhisgrieftoToonibecauseitcomfortedhim,andwentintomourningforninedaysindefianceofpublicopinion,becauseheowedittothememoryofacountryman.Hebegan,too,totakelongrestlessramblesbeyondthegates,andonceheaskedTooniifsheknewtheroadtoCalcutta.

'Itisfiftythousandmiles,'saidTooni,whohadanimagination;'andthewoodsarefulloftigers.'

CHAPTERVIII

ThegatesofLalporewereshut,andallaboutherwallstheyellowsandyplainsstretchedsilentandempty.Theredidnotseemtobesomuchasapariahdogoutside.Somepipal-treeslookedoverthewalls,andacoupleofveryantiquatedcannonlookedthroughthem,butnothingstirred.Itmadeasplendidpictureatbroadnoon,theblueskyandtheoldred-stonecityonherlittlehill,holdingupherminaretsandthewhitemarblebubblesofhertemples,andthentheyellowsanddriftingup;butonecouldnotlookatitlong.ColonelStarr,fromthedoorofhistent,halfamileaway,had


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lookedatitprettysteadilyfortwohours,sosteadilythathiseyes,redandsmartingwiththedustofatwohundredmileride,wateredcopiously,andmadehimseveraldegreesmoreuncomfortablethanhehadbeenbefore.

IdoubtwhetheranyideaofthebeautyofLalporehadaplaceintheColonel'smind,itwassofullofotherconsiderations.Hethoughtmore,probably,ofthethicknessofitswallsthanoftheircolour,andspeculatedlongeruponthepositionofthearsenalthanuponthecurvesofthetemples.Because,intheColonel'sopinion,ithadcometolookverylikefighting.IntheopinionoflittleLieutenantPinkthefightingshouldhavebeenoveranddonewithyesterday,andthe17thMidlandersshouldbe'bagging'theMaharajah'sartillerybynow.LittleLieutenantPinkwasspoilingforthefray.Sowerethemen,mostofthem.Theywantedachangeofdiet.ThomasJones,sergeant,entirelyexpressedthesentimentsofhiscompanywhenhesaidthatsomebodyorttopayupforthisblessedmarch,they'adn'tworetheskinsofftheir'eelsfertwo'undredmiletoadmirethebloomin'scenery.Besides,forThomasJones'spart,hewastiredoflivingonthisyerebloomin'tinnedrock,hewantedabitoffreshroastkidandaLalporecurry.

ColonelStarrhadbeensentto'arrange,'ifpossible,andtofightifnecessary.Perhapsweneednotinquireintothearrangements

theGovernmenthadcommissionedColonelStarrtomake.TheywerearrangementsofakindfrequentlysubmittedtotheprincesofindependentStatesinIndiawhentheyaretroublesome,andtheirresultisthatagreatmanynativeStatesaregovernedbyEnglishpoliticalresidents,whileagreatmanynativeprincesattendpartiesatGovernmentHouseinCalcutta.TheMaharajahofChitahadbeenverytroublesomeindeed.TwiceintheyearhispeoplehadraidedpeacefulvillagesunderBritishprotection,andnowhehadkilledamissionary.Itwasquitetimeto'arrange'theMaharajahofChita,andColonelStarr,withtwogunsandthreehundredtroops,hadbeensenttodoit.

HisHighness,however,seemedindisposedtofurtherhissocial

prospectsinCalcuttaandthegoodofhisState.Forthetwenty-fourhourstheyhadbeenincampunderhiswallstheMaharajahhadtakennomorenoticeofColonelStarrandhisthreehundredMidlandersthaniftheyrepresentedsomanyjunglebushes.ToallColonelStarr'smessages,diplomatic,argumentative,threatening,therehadcomethesameunsatisfactoryresponse--theMaharajahofChitahadnowordtosaytotheBritishRaj.Andstillthegateswereshut,andstillonlythepipal-treeslookedoverthewall,andonlythecannonlookedthrough.

BythetimeeveningcameColonelStarrwasattheendofhispatience.Hewasnot,unfortunately,simultaneouslyattheendofhisinvestigations.Hedidnotyetknowthepositionorthe

contentsofthearsenal,thedefensibilityofthewalls,thewatersupply,orthenumberofmenunderarmsinthatsilent,impassiveredcityonthehill.Thereportsofthepeasantryhadbeencontradictory,andthisordinarymeansofascertainingthesethingshadfailedhim,whileheveryparticularlyrequiredtoknowthem,hisforcebeingsmall.TheGovernmenthadassuredColonelStarrthattheMaharajahofChitawouldbeeasytoarrange;thathewasatractableperson,andthathalftheusualnumberoftroopswouldbeample,whichmadeHisHighness'sconduct,ifanything,moreannoying.AndColonelStarr'scommissariat,eveninrespectto


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'tinnedrock,'hadnotbeensuppliedwiththeexpectationofbesiegingLalpore.Theattackwouldbeuncertain,andtheColonelhesitatedthemorebecausehisinstructionshadbeennottotaketheplaceifhecouldavoidit.Sothecommandingofficerpacedhistent,andcomposedfreshmessagestotheMaharajah,whileLieutenantPinkwonderedinnobledisgustwhethertheexpeditionwasgoingtoendinmoonshineafterall,andThomasJones,sergeant,remarkedhourlytohisfellow-privates,'The17th'aintcometwo'undredmilesforthiskindofajoke.Thebloomin'Maharajer'ullthinkwe'vegotafunkon.'

ButneitherColonelStarrnorThomasJoneswasacquaintedwiththereasonoftheremarkableattitudeofLalpore.

Aweekbefore,whenthenewsreachedhimthattheViceroywassendingthreehundredmenandtwogunstoremonstratewithhimforhistreatmentofDr.Roberts,theMaharajahsmiled,thinkingofthebraveryofhisChitans,thestrengthofhisfortifications,thedepthofhiswalls,andthewheatstoredinhiscitygranaries.NoonehadevertakenLalporesincetheChitanstookit--inallRajputanatherewerenonesocunningandsobraveastheChitans.Astobravery,greaterthanRajputbraverysimplydidnotexist.TheMaharajahheldacouncil,andtheyallsportedwiththeideaofEnglishsoldierscomingtoLalpore.MaunRaobeggedtogooutand

meetthemtoavengetheinsult.

'Maharajah,'saidhe,'theChitansaresufficientagainsttheworld;whyshouldwespeakofthreehundredmonkeys'grandsons?Iftheskyfell,ourheadswouldbepillarstoprotectyou!'

AndafteralongdiscussiontheMaharajahagreedtoMaunRao'sproposal.TheEnglishcouldcomeonlyoneway.Aday'smarchfromLalporetheywouldbecompelledtofordastream.TheretheMaharajah'sarmywouldmeetthem,ready,asMaunRaosaidinthecouncil,toplayatballwiththeiroutcastheads.Therewasafeastafterwards,andeverybodyhadtwiceasmuchopiumasusual.Inthemidstoftherevelrytheymadeagreatcalculationof

resources.TheMaharajahsmiledagainashethoughtofthetemerityoftheEnglishinconnectionwiththetenthousandroundsofammunitionthathadjustcometohimoncamelbackthroughAfghanistanfromRussia--itwasaluckyandtimelypurchase.SurjiRao,MinisteroftheTreasury,whenthiswasmentioned,didnotsmile.SurjiRaohadboughtthecartridgesataverylargediscount,whichdidnotappearinthebill,andheknewthatnotevenChitanvalourcouldmakemorethanoneintenofthemgooff.Therefore,whentheMaharajahcongratulatedSurjiRaouponhisforesightinurgingthereplenishmentofthearsenalatthisparticulartime,SurjiRaofounditverydifficulttocongratulatehimself.

Itallcameoutthedaybeforetheonefixedfortheexpedition.HisHighness,beingingreatspirits,hadorderedashootingcompetition,andthemenwereservedfromthenewstoressuppliedtotheStateofChitabyPetroffGortschakinofSt.Petersburg.TheMaharajahdroveouttotherangestolookon,andallhisMinisterswithhim.All,thatis,excepttheMinisteroftheTreasury,whobeggedtobeexcused;hewassoveryunwell.

Someofthemenkneltandclickedandreloadedhalfadozentimesbeforetheycouldfire;somewereluckier,andfiredthefirsttime


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orthethirdwithoutreloading.Theyglancedsuspiciouslyatoneanotherandhesitated,whiletheregrewashiningheapofunexplodedcartridges,afoothigh,undertheMaharajah'sverynose.HisHighnesslookedonstupefiedfortenminutes,thenburstintoblazingwrath.MaunRaorodemadlyaboutexamining,inquiring,threatening.

'Ourcartridgesarefilledwithpowderedcharcoal,'hecried,smitingoneofthembetweentwostonestoprovehiswords.Therewasanunexpectednoise,andthenobleGeneraljumpedintotheair,bereftofthelargesthalfofhiscurledmoustache.Thatonewasnot.Thentheyallwentfuriouslybacktothepalace.TheonlyotherincidentofthatdaywhichitisworthourwhiletochronicleisconnectedwithSurjiRaoandthebigshoe.ThebigshoewasadministeredtoSurjiRaobyamanoflowcaste,inpresenceoftheentirecourtandasmanyofthepeopleofLalporeaschosetocomeandlookon.Itwasverythoroughlyadministered,andafterwardsSurjiRaowasputformallyoutsidethecitygates,andtoldthatthekingdesirednevertolookuponhisblackfaceagain.Whichwasrubbingitinratherunfairly,asHisHighness'sowncomplexionwaspreciselythesameshade.WithgreatpromptitudeSurjiRaotooktheroadtomeettheEnglishandsellhisinformation,butthispossibilityoccurredtotheMaharajahsoonenoughtosendmenafterhimtofrustrateit.

'Thereshallbeatleastenoughsoundcartridgesinhisbargainforthat,'saidHisHighnessgrimly.

TheChitanspiritdidnotflourishquitesovaingloriouslyatthecouncilthatnight,andtherewasnomoretalkabouttheskyfallingupondauntlessChitanheads.Theskyhadfallen,andtheeffectwasratherquenchingthanotherwise.Thepreviousstoreswerecountedover,anditwasfoundthatthemencouldnotbeservedwiththreeroundsapieceoutofthem.Whenthiswasannounced,nobodythoughtofdoubtingthewisdomoftheMaharajah'sdecisiontoshutupthegatesofthecity,andtrusttotheimprobabilityoftheEnglishventuringtoattackhiminsuchsmall

numbers,notknowinghisresources.Sothatverynight,lestanywordshouldgoabroadofthestraitofthewarriorsofChita,thegateswereshut.Butallthecityknew.Motiknew.Sunniknew.

Twodayslater,MotiandSunniheardtheEnglishbugleshalfamileaway.Theywereplaying'Weelmaythekeelrow!'theregimentalmarch-past,asColonelStarr'sMidlandersdidthelasthalfmiletotheircamping-ground.Theboyswereinthecourtyardamongthehorses,andSunnidroppedthenewsilverbithewaslookingat,helduphishead,andlistened.Hewasthesameyellow-haired,blue-eyedSunni,considerablytannedbythefiercewindsofRajputana;buttherecameabrightnessoverhisfaceashelistened,thathadnotbeentheresincehewasaverylittleboy.

'Howbeautifulthemusicis!'saidhetoMoti.

Motiputhisfingersinhisears.

'Itishorrible,'hecried.'Itscreamsanditrushes.Howcantheybeabletomakeit?Ishalltellmyfathertohaveitstopped.'

Presentlythebuglesstoppedofthemselves,andMotiforgotabout


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them,butthebrightnessdidnotgooutofSunni'sface,andalldaylonghewentabouthummingtheairof'Weelmaythekeelrow,'withsuchvariationsasmightbeexpected.Hegrewverythoughtfultowardevening,buthiseyesshonebrighterthananysapphiresintheMaharajah'sironboxes.AstoanoldMahomedanwomanfromRubbulgurh,whocookedherchupattiesaloneandsomewhatdespised,sheheardthemarch-pasttoo,andwastroubledalldaylongwiththefoolishideathatthecaptain-sahibwouldpresentlycomeintotea,andwouldaskher,Tooni,wherethememsahibwas.

CHAPTERIX

Sunnihadhisownroominthepalace,alittlesquareplacewithahighwhitewallandatableandchairinit,whichDr.Robertshadgivenhim.Thetableheldhisbooks,hispenandinkandpaper.

Therewasacharpoyinonecorner,andunderthecharpoyalockedbox.Therewerenowindows,andthenarrowdooropenedintoapassagethatranabruptlyintoawall,afewfeetfartheron.SonobodysawSunniwhenhecarriedhischirag,hislittlechimneyless,smokingtinlamp,intohisroom,andsetitinanicheonthewall,tookoffhisshoes,andthrewhimselfdownonhischarpoyateleveno'clockthatnight.Foralongtimehehadbeenlisteningtothebul-buls,thenightingales,inthegarden,andthinkingofthismoment.Nowithadcome,andSunniquiveredandthrobbedalloverwithexcitement.Helayverystill,though,onthewatchforfootsteps,whispers,breathingsinthepassage.FouryearsinthepalacehadtaughtSunniwhatthesethingsmeant.Helaystillformorethantwohours.

Atlast,veryquietly,Sunniliftedhimselfupbyhiselbows,putfirstoneleg,andthentheother,outofthecharpoy,andgotup.Morequietlystillhedrewthelockedboxfromunderthebed,tookakeyfromhispocket,andopenedit.Thekeysqueakedinthewood,andSunnipausedagainforalongtime,listening.Theninthesmoky,uncertainlightofthechiragflaringintheniche,hetookfromtheboxthreegoldbangles,twobrokenarmlets,enamelledinredandblue,andanecklaceofpearlswithgreenenamelledpendants.Last,hedrewoutalittleswordwithrubiessetinthehilt.ForaninstantSunnihesitated;theornamentswerenothing,buttheswordwashischiefpossessionandhispride.Itwouldbesoeasytocarryaway!Helookedatitlovinglyforaminute,and

laiditwiththerest.Allthesethingswerehisveryown,butsomethingtoldhimthathemustnottakethemaway.Thenhetookthelongcoarsewhiteturbanclothfromhishead,andwrappedeverythingskilfullyinit.Nothingjangled,andwhentheparcelwasmadeupitwasflatandeven.ThenSunni,withhisEnglishpen,printedinUrdu:

[Urdutext]


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whichinEnglishletterswouldhavebeenspelled'Maharajahkawasti,'andwhichmeantsimply,'FortheMaharajah,'upononesideofit.UpontheotherhewroteinthelargeroundhandthatDr.Robertshadtaughthim--

'ToyourHonner,theMaharajahofChita.SunniwilltakeyourHonnerinhisharttohisouncountry,butthegifsaretooheavie.'

SunnihadcertainlylearnedpolitenessatlastamongtheRajputs.Thenheputtheparcelbackintothebox,softlylockedit,andlaidthekeyonthecover.

Stillnobodycamehisway.Sunnitookanotherturbanclothfromitsnailinthewall,afinely-woventurbancloth,withblueandgoldstripes,nineyardslong,forfestivals.Hetwisteditcarelesslyroundhisneck,andblewoutthechirag.Thenheslippedsoftlyintothepassage,andfromthatintotheclose,dark,high-walledcorridorsthatledintotheoutercourts.Hesteppedquickly,butcarefully;thecorridorswerefullofsleepingservants.Twicehepassedasentinel.Thefirstwasstupidwithopium,anddidnotnoticehim.MarSingh,thesecond,wasverywideawake.

'Wheregoyou,Sunni-ji?'heasked,inquisitively.

'IgotospeakwithTooniaboutamatterwhichtroublesmesothatIcannotsleep,'answeredSunni;'andafterwardsIreturntothelittlesouthbalconythatoverlookstheriver;itwillbecoolerthereifthewindblows.'

AsSunniwenton,thethoughtsofthesentinelbecameimmediatelyfixeduponthenecessityofbeingawakewhenthesahib'ssonshouldpassinagain--thesahib'ssonhadtheearoftheMaharajah.

Theayah'shutwasintheveryfarthestcornerofthecourtyardshe

hadbeggedfor,somewhatapartfromtheothers.ItwasquitedarkinsidewhenSunnipushedopenthedoor,buttheoldwoman,slumberinglight,startedupfromhercharpoywithalittlecry.

'Choop!'saidheinalow,quicktone;andTooni,recognisinghisvoice,wasinstantlysilent.

Sunnimadehiswaytothesideofthebed,andtookoneofherhands.

'Listen,Tooni,'saidhe,inthesametone,'Iamcomeforwhatismine.Giveittome.'

'SonnySahib!'quaveredtheoldwomanhoarsely,'whathaveItogiveyou?Dilkushi,[1]Ihavenothing.'

[1]'Heart'sdelight.'

'Whatfromfearyouhavenevergivenup,norburnt,northrownaway,'saidSunni,firmly;'whatyousaidfalsewordstoee-Wobbisabout,whenyoutoldhimithadbeenstolenfromyou.Mylittle


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blackbook,withmyGodinit.'

'Hazur!Ihaveitnot.'

'Giveittome,'saidSunni.

Theoldwomanraisedherselfinthebed.'Asahib'spromiseiswritteningold,'saidshe;'promisethattheMaharajahshallneverknow.'

'Heshallneverknow,'saidSunni.

Toonifeltherwaytothesideofthehut;thenherhandfumbledalongthetopofthewall;itseemedtoSunniforaninterminabletime.AtacertainplaceshepartedthethatchandputherhandintoitwithalittlerustlingthatSunnithoughtmightbeheardintheveryheartofthepalace.Thenshedrewoutasmall,tightsewn,oilskinbag,thathadtakentheshapeofthebookinsideit,gropedacrossthehutagain,andgaveittoSunni.Theboy'shandtrembledashetookit,andwithoutawordheslippedintothedarknessoutside.

Thenhestoppedshortandwentback.'Greatthankstoyou,Tooni-ji,'hesaidsoftlyintothedarknessofthehut.'WhenIfindmy

owncountryIwillcomebackandtakeyoutheretoo.AndwhileIamgoneMotiwillloveyou,Tooni-ji.Peacebetoyou!'

MarSinghwasstillawakewhenSunnire-enteredthepalace.Thewindhadcome,hesaid.SleepwouldrestupontheeyelidsofSunni-jiinthesouthbalcony.

Itwasacuriouslittleplace,thesouthbalcony,reallynotabalconyatall,butaround-pillaredpavilionwitharoofthatjuttedoutabovethecitywall.Ithungoveragardentoo,ratheracrampedgarden,thewallandtherivercamesoclose,andonethathadbeenleftagooddealtotakecareofitself.Somefinepipal-treesgrewinitthough,oneofthemtoweredwithinthree

feetofthebalcony,whilethelowerbranchesoverspreadthecitywall.Alldaylongthegreenparrakeetsflashedinandoutofthepipal-trees,screamingandchattering,whiletheriverwoundblueamongtheyellowsandsoutsidethewall;butto-nighttheonlysoundinthemwasthewhisperingoftheleavesasthesouthwindpassed,andboththeriverandthesandslaysilvergrayinthestarlight.Sunni,lyingfulllengthuponthebalcony,listenedwithallhismight.Fromthecourtyard,awayroundtotherightwherethestableswere,cameapony'sneigh,andSunni,ashehearditonce--twice--thrice--felthiseyesfillwithtears.Itwasthevoiceofhispony,ofhis'Dhooplal,'his'redsunlight,'and,hewouldneverrideDhooplalagain.Thesouthbreezebroughtnoothersound,thepalacestretchedoneithersideofhimdarkandstill,a

sweetheavyfragrancefromafrangipanni-treeinthegardenfloatedup,andthatwasall.Sunnilookedacrosstheriver,andsawthatagroupofpalmsontheothersidewasbeginningtostanddistinctlyagainstthesky.Thenherememberedthathemustmakehaste.

Thefirstthinghedidwastounwindhislongturbanfromhisneck,andcutitintwo.Two-thirdshetwistedroundhiswaist,theotherhemadefasttooneofthelittleredstonepillarsofthebalcony.Ithungstraightandblackdownintotheshadowsofthe


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pipal-tree.Then,verygraduallyandcautiously,Sunnislippedoverthebalcony'sedgeandlethimselfdown,down,tillhereachedabranchthickenoughtoclingto.Theturbanwasnonetoolong,thebranchesatthetopweresoslender.Justashegraspedathickone,clutchingitwithbotharmsandlegs,andswayingdesperatelyinthedark,hefeltarushofwingsacrosshisface,andagreatwhiteowlflewouthootinginherpanic.Theboyalmostmissedhiscatchwithfear,andtheMaharajah,wakefulinhisapartments,lostanothergoodhour'ssleepthroughhearingtheowl'scry.Itwastheworstofomens,theMaharajahbelieved,andsometimeshebelieveditwithlessreason.

Asquicklyashedared,Sunnilethimselfdownbranchbybranchtillhereachedthelevelofthewall.Presentlyhestooduponitinthesubsidingrustleoftheleaves,breathlessandtrembling..Heseemedtohavedisturbedeverylivingthingwithinahundredyards.Ascoreofbatsflewupfromthewallcrevices,aflyingfoxstruckhimontheshoulder,athisfeetsomethingblackandslendertwistedawayintoadarkerplace.Sunnistoodabsolutelystill,graduallylettinggohisholduponthepipaltwigs.Presentlyeverythingwasasithadbeenbefore,exceptforthelittledarkmotionlessfigureonthewall;andthesouthwindwasbringingacrossthelong,shrill,mournfulhowlsofthejackalsthatplunderedtherefuseoftheBritishcamphalfamileaway.

ThenSunnilaydownflatonthetopofthewall,andbegantoworkhimselfwithhishandsandfeettowardsthenearestembrasure.Anoldcannonstoodinthis,andthreatenedwithitswideblackmouthanyfoethatshouldbefoolishenoughtothinkofattackingthefortfromtheriver.Thisvenerablepieceofammunitionhadnotbeenfiredfortenyears,andwouldbursttoacertaintyifitwerefirednow;butasnobodyhadeverdreamedofattackingLalporefromtheriverthatdidn'tparticularlymatter.WhenSunnireachedit,hecroucheddowninitsshadow--thegraynessbehindthepalmswasspreading--andtooktherestofhisturbanclothfromhiswaist.Thenhetookoffhiscoat,andbegantounwindaropefromhisbody--aropemadeupofallsortsofends,thickandthin,longand

short,andpiecedoutwithleatherthongs.Sunniwasconsiderablymorecomfortablewhenhehaddivestedhimselfofit.Hetiedtheropeandtheturbanclothtogether,andfastenedtheropeendtotheoldgun'swheel.Helookedoverforasecond--nolonger--butitwastoodarktotellhowfardownthefaceofthethirty-footwallhisraggedcontrivancehung.Itwastoodarkaswelltoseewhetherthewaterrippledagainstthewallornot;butSunniknewthattheriverwaslow.Asamatteroffacthehadonlyaboutfivefeettodrop,andhewentverycomfortablyintoathickbedofwetsand.NorwasanythingknownofhisgoinginLalporeuntildaybreak,whenoneofthepalacesweepersfoundtheendofablueandgoldturbanflappingaboutthesouthbalcony;andMoti,whooftenwentearlytotellhisdreamstoSunni,broughttheMaharajah

aparcel.

CHAPTERX


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'What'sthis?'saidColonelStarr,lookingupfromhiscamptable,wherehewaswritingafinalmessagefortranslationtotheMaharajah.Thesunwasonthepointofrising,theairwascrisp,andtheskywassplendid.Lalpore,onherbuttressedslope,satasproudandassilentasever;butsomethinglikeablueribbonfloatedfromthesouthwallovertheriver.

'What'sthis?'saidColonelStarr,withthedeepestpossibleastonishment.

'Pris'ner,sir,'answeredThomasJones,saluting.

'WHAT?'saidtheColonel.'Nonsense!Wheredidyougethim?'

'Begpardon,sir.Peterswereonduty,sir,atthesecondoutpost,sir.ItwereabouttwohoursagoasfarasIcouldjudge,sir,not'avin'thetimebyme.Petersseedpris'nera-comin'striteferthecampacrossthesandsfromtheriver,sir.Peterssingsout"Oogoes?"H'ANDtherebeennonotisstook,pints,sir.'

'Yes,'interposedSunni,composedly,inhisbestEnglish,'hedid.

Buthedidnotfire.Andthatwaswell,forhemighthavehitme.Iamnotbroken.'

'Goon,Jones,'saidtheColonel.'Thisisveryqueer.'

'Pris'nerwereabouttenyardsoff,sir,'an,as'esays,PetersMIGHT'ahit'im,'saidSergeantJones,withsolemnhumour,'butaforehe'dmadeup'ismindtofire,'e'dcomesoclosePeterssaw'owsmallhewas,an'thereforedidn't,sir.'

'Quiteright,'remarkedSunni.'Petersmighthavekilledme.'

TheColonelnodded.Hewaslookingwithabsorbedinterestinto

Sunni'seyes.Hecameoutofhisinstantofabstractionwithastart,whileJoneswentonwithrespectfulvolubility.

'Beggin'pardon,sir,Peterssaysas'ow'ewereallstruckofaheap,sir,at'earin'theyoung'uncalloutinEnglish,sir,an'bein'solightcomplectedferanative,sir,an'evenlighterinthatlight,Petersdidn'trightlyknowwot'emightbefirin'at,sir.Petersdobeabitsuperstitious.'

'Peterstookhimthen,Isuppose?'TheColonelsmiledironically.

'Beggin'YOURpardon,sir,itwasrather'imastookPeters.'Ewalkedstriteupto'im,an'"Wareistheburra[1]sahib?"says'e.

Peterssends'imintotheguardtenttomeas'epassedonhisbeat,andpris'nersays"YOUain'ttheburrasahib,"sayshe.ThenIsaystopris'ner,"Youbito[2]an'giveanaccountofyerself,"saysI.Says'equite'aughtylike,"I'llaccountfermyselftotheburrasahib,"an'wouldn'ttakenochaff.But'ebitoes,an'curls'isselfupinthesand,an'goessoundasleepinnotime--an''ere'eis,sir.'

[1]'Principal.'


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[2]'Sitdownontheground.'

'Also,'correctedSunni,'hegavemesomecoffee.Heisagoodman.Areyoutheburrasahib?'heaskedtheColonel.

ButColonelStarrwasnotinamoodtoanswerquestionsregardinghisdignity.Helookedatthequeerslenderfigurebeforehim,initstorncoatofembroideredsilk,anditsnarrow,shapeless,dirtycottontrousers;andespeciallyhelookedattheboy'shairandeyes--hiswavyyellowhairandhisblueeyes.

'YouarenotaRajput,youareanEnglishboy,'hesaidfinally,withamazedconviction.

AtanothertimetheColonelwouldhavebeenwildwithexcitementatsuchadiscovery,butforthemomenthismindwasfullofgraverthings.InanhourhemeanttoattackLalpore.Hedismissedhiskindlingenthusiasm,andaddedsimply,'Howcameyouhere?'

'Icamebyaropefromthepalacetothepipal-tree,andthencetothesouthwall,andthencetotheriverbed.Itwasnothard.Knowingtheshallowsoftheriver,Iarrivedquiteeasilyby

wading.'

'Youcomefromthefort?ArethereanyotherEnglishthere?'TheColonel'svoicewasquickandeager.

'Notevenone!Ee-Wobbiswasthere,butheiskilled.'

'Ah!'saidColonelStarr.'Whenwashekilled?'

'Intheeveningonthetenthdayofthemonth.Idonotproperlyknowforwhy.ItwasnottheMaharajah,'addedSunniquickly;'itwasMaunRao.Ee-Wobbiswasmycountryman,andIhateMaunRao.'

TheorderlycameforthefinalmessagethatwastobesenttotheMaharajah.ColonelStarrtoldhimitwouldbereadyinhalfanhour.

'Havetheygivenyouanybreakfast?'heasked.

'No,thankyou--notyet,'answeredSunnipolitely.

TheColonelwroteanorder,andgaveittoThomasJones.'Besmart,'headded.

UntilThomasJonesreturnedwithsomebreadandbaconandabowlofmilk,anduntilSunnihadeatenthebreadanddrunkthemilk,the

Colonellookedattheboyasseldomashecould,andsaidonlytwowords.'Nobacon?'heasked.

Sunniflushed.'Ifitisexcusable,'saidhe,'Idonoteatofthepig.'

AtwhichColonelStarr'sfaceexpressedcuriosity,amusement,andinterestallatonce;buthekeptsilenceuntilSunnihadfinished.'Now,'saidhepleasantly,'listen,mysmallprisoner.Iamsureyouhaveagreatdealtotellmeaboutyourself.Verygood,Iwill


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hearit.Ishouldliketohearit.Butnotnow--thereisnotime.Sinceyouhavetakenthetroubletoescapefromthisplace,youdonotwanttogobackagain,Isuppose?'

'Iwanttogotomyowncountry--withyou,'saidSunni.'Icanmarch.'

TheColonelsmiled.Itwasthesmileofabraveman,andkindly.Hismenknewitaswellastheyknewhissternerlooks.Sunnithoughtitabeautifulsmile.

'Youshallgo,'hesaid,'butwearenotquitereadytostartyet.Perhapsinafewdays,perhapsinafewweeks,weshallbe.Agooddealdependsonwhatyoucantellme.'

SunnilookedstraightintotheColonel'seyes,alittlepuzzled.

'HowdotheygetwaterinLalpore?'askedtheColonel,tobeginwith.

'Therearefourwells,'saidSunni,'andtwoofthemhavenobottom.'

'H'm!Andwhatisthatwhitebuildingwiththeroundroofthatwe

seefromhere?'

'ThatisthemosqueofLarulla,'saidSunni,'butitisnolongerofconsequence;thereissolittleMussulmansinLalpore.Thesoldiershangtheirgunstherenow.'

'Ah!AndhastheMaharajahmanysoldiers,andhavetheygoodguns--newguns?'

SunnilookedintotheColonel'sfacewitheagerpleasuretoreply;buttherehesawsomethingthatmadehimsuddenlyclosehislips.HehadnotlivedtenyearsamongtheRajputswithoutlearningtoreadfaces,andinColonelStarr'shesawthatallthistalkthe

ColoneldesiredaboutLalporewasnotforLalpore'sgood.Theboythoughtforaminute,andtightenedhislips,whilealittlefirmlinecameoneachsideofhismouth.Heonlyopenedthemtosay,'Burrasahib,Icannottellyouthat.'

'Butyoumusttellme,'saidColonelStarrfirmly.

'No,'returnedSunni,'notthat,noranymoreinformationsaboutthefort.'

TheColonel'sfacegrewstern.Hewasnotaccustomedtodisobedience.

'Come,'hesaid;'outwithit,boy.Ihavenotimetowaste.'HistonewassoseriousthatSunnifeltalittlenervousthrillrunalloverhim.

'No,'saidhe.

TheColoneltriedanotherway:

'Come,mylittlechap,'saidhegently,'youareEnglish,areyounot?'


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Sunninodded.

ThenyoumustservetheEnglishQueen.S

the story of sonny sahib by duncan, sara jeannette, 1862?-1922

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