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It was the one chance that part of Rajputana had to get together, and the Rajputs swarmed to the tournament along the main trunk road that the English had reconstructed in early days for the swifter movement of their guns. Yasmini saw Utirupa every night, she apparently as much a man as he in turban and the comfortable Rajput costume shorter by a bead, but as straight-standing and as agile.
The Rajputs had come up; but there was no longer union between them; for the Patel, taking advantage of a temporary soreness felt by the Kachwahas of Jaipur on some trifling provocation, had contrived to secure their inaction before the battle began. Notwithstanding this defection, a large body of infantry still stood firm, but European skill and resolution conquered in the end.
The question uppermost in Maharajah Howrah's mind was whether the Rangars the Moslem descendants of once Hindoo Rajputs, who formed such a small but valuable proportion of the local population could or could not be induced to throw in their lot with him.
Bootea had followed with her eyes his struggle; then she said: "The Sahib has heard of the women of the Rajputs who, with smiles on their lips faced death, who, when the time of the last danger came were not afraid?" "Yes, Gulab. But for you it is not that way. You have said that I am your protector I will be." There was a smile on the girl's lips as she raised her eyes to Barlow's.
Akbar, although a Muslim by birth, was keenly interested in all religions and in his dealings with the Rajputs had shown himself markedly tolerant. He desired to minimise the hatred of Muslims for Hindus and believing it to arise from mutual ignorance, ordained that certain Hindu texts should be translated into Persian and thus rendered more accessible.
Furthermore it was said that she herself was woman of the Rajputs, knowledgeable in spells, incantations and elemental spirits such as the Beloos that terribly haunt waste places, and all Powers that move in the dark, and that thus she had won the King.
Rukn-ud-din and several of his men, not one unwounded, followed, and Charteris saluted as he met them. "You carry her Highness's body to the burning?" he asked. "Aye, sahib," answered the leader of the Rajputs, the Rani's cousin. "Daughter and wife and mother of kings, she has died as a king should die, and the burning of a king shall be made for her.
Circumstances, moreover, were now far more in his favour than they had been since 1785. During the three years that followed, the Rohillas of Ghausgarh were broken, Muhammad Beg was dead, the strength of the brave but indolent Rajputs was much paralyzed, and Najaf Kuli Khan who never had opposed him, but might have been formidable if he pleased had succumbed to a long attack of dropsy.
All we need to know is where he is and how to get there will you attend to that?" "Ha, sahib." "Thanks. I wonder if my supper's ready." He turned and walked away, with a little salute-like movement of his hand that was reminiscent of his father. The two Rajputs watched him in heavy-breathing silence until the little group of lights, where the horse-tents faced the old dak-bungalow, swallowed him.
The soldierly sternness had gone out of it: it shone only with paternal pride and love as he added: "To-day Brenda, our first-born, is the light of my home, and a year hence she will be married to the Rajah of Jodhpur, to make the heart of that great and noble prince of the Rajputs happy for ever-more." And so ended the Rajput's tale.
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