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In 1692 this site was exchanged for a much more extensive one in the lower town, which the community still occupies. It was purchased from Francis Hazur, a merchant of Quebec, and a devout Christian.
'This is a child of the mlechas, said the Maharajah, which was not a very polite way of saying that he was English. 'Protector of the poor, yes. 'Account to me for him. How old is he? 'Seven years, great King. 'And two months, Tooni-ji. Your Highness, may I sit down? 'As old as the Folly. Native term for the Mutiny. 'He came of the Folly, Hazur.
"It is a burra khana to-night, Hazúr," the Havildar informed him with a chuckle; his slits of eyes vanishing as his teeth flashed out. "In a treeless country, the castor-oil is a big plant! And the cook, having three handfuls of flour to spare, hath made us three chupattis; one for your Honour, and one to be broken up among ourselves." "No, no, Havildar; fair play," Lenox answered, smiling.
"You mean " asked Roy, his numbed interest faintly astir, "that it was to have been part of the same game as the trouble down there?" "God has given me ears and wits, Hazúr," was the cautious answer. "That would be pukka bundobast, for war and trouble to come at one stroke in the hot season, when so many of the white soldier-lóg are in the Hills.
The rain had stopped, but we were now enveloped in a white mist which chilled us. I was tired. Chanden Sing was intrusted to keep a sharp watch while I tried to sleep. "Hazur, hazur, jaldi apka banduk!" "Do you hear the sound of bells?" The tinkling was quite plain. Our pursuers were approaching, evidently in strong force. There was no time to be lost.
"Burra tamasha, Hazúr," Yusuf Ali remarked gravely. "Never before have I seen the like." But for the moment Lenox had lost his voice. Ten minutes' delay in starting, and they had been swept out of life, without a struggle or a cry. It is this significance of trifles in determining large issues that at times staggers faith and reason.
His neighbour, with equal zest, was creating very ill-shapen clay animals, birds and fishes. "Look, Hazúr for the Dewáli," Bishun Singh thrust upon Roy's attention the one matter of real moment, just then, to all right-minded Hindus. "Only two more weeks. So they are making lamps, without number, for houses and shops and the palace of the Maharája. Very big tamasha, Hazúr."
And from that human dust-heap came a quavering wail, "Maharáj! Maharáj!" "What is it, Bishun Singh?" he asked sharply of the sais, trotting at his stirrup. "Only the famine, Hazúr. Not a big trouble this year, they say. But from the villages these come crawling to the city, believing the Maharáj has plenty, and will give." "Does he give?"
Occasionally a shout came from the room inside, and one of them, crying "Hazur!" with instant alacrity, stretched himself mightily, loafed upon his feet and went in, emerging a moment later carrying written sheets, with which he disappeared into the regions below.
"You seem to be in great form, Chundra Sen," Lenox called out at last. "What's the joke now?" Lenox joined in the laugh that greeted this sally, "Good men," he said. "Hope you find a few! First-rate joke of yours, Havildar." "By ill fortune, it was not I who made it, Hazúr! But an officer Sahib, up in Kabul; one who knew that it is good to laugh even when the knife is at the throat."