United States or Democratic Republic of the Congo ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
I knew that Hunsa had the ruby sewn in a corner of the turban, and when I had taken the stone I burned the turban in the fire, for it was like Hunsa very dirty." "Where did Hunsa get it?" "When the Bagrees killed the jewel merchant, that time the Sahib saved Bootea, he stole it from the other decoits, hiding it in his turban, because the Dewan wanted it."
"Don't mind me, Dewani; fancy all the petty rajas and officials stand in with these decoits for a share of the loot I don't blame you, old chap." Hunsa, taking the accusation of being a liar as a pure matter of course, ignored it, and now was drooling along, wedded to the one big idea that was in his mind: "If a decoity were made perhaps it might even happen that one was killed "
"And what, woman the decoits were your own people?" "Yonder Sahib had saved my life saved me from the harem of Nana Sahib, and I came to save his life and your Chief's." Now there was an eruption into the chamber; men carrying a great pot of hot ashes, and one swinging from his hand the nosebag of a horse; and with them the Rajput.
"It would be a merciful thing," Sewlal added "it would save bloodshed." "Well, Dewani, I must depart now. It will be interesting to see what your Bagrees do, especially when they become hungry." For two days the Bagrees sat nursing their wrath at the reproaches of Dewan Sewlal. And the Dewan, in spite of his bold denunciation of the decoits, was uneasy.
But Bootea's eyes went wide now with a new fear; the sound of the shot would travel faster even than the fleeing Hunsa: and if the decoits came for already they would be making ready for the road this beautiful god, with eyes like stars and a voice of music, would be killed, would be no more than the Bagree lying on the road who was but carrion. In her heart was a new thing.
He had a message for the Chief from the god Bhyroo who galloped at night on a black horse, and the message had to do with the decoits, for if they were successful they could make offering to the priests at the temple of Bhowanee, for in her service decoity was an honourable occupation and of great antiquity.
It was always the leader of a gang of decoits who was beheaded when captured, the others perhaps escaping with years of jail. And Hunsa himself, even Sookdee, would be safe, for they were in league with the Dewan.
"Is not the voice of the cow heard at sunset a good omen, Guru?" he demanded. "Indeed it is," the priest affirmed. "If the voice of a cow is heard issuing at twilight from a village at which decoits are to profit, it is surely a promise from Bhowanee that a large store of silver will be obtained." "Take thee to thy prayers, Guru," Ajeet commanded, "for we have matters to settle."
But Bootea will know the eyes will not be hidden." Then he thought of Hunsa, and asked, "But aren't you afraid to go with that beast, Hunsa?" The girl laughed. "The decoits have orders from the Dewan to kill him if I complain of him; but if they do not he is promised the torture when he comes back if I make complaint.
"We who are decoits, while we make offerings to Kali, are not thugs. They have a chief mission of murder, while we have but desire to gain for our families from the rich. The thugs came in this wise, sahib. Bhowanee created them from the sweat of her arms, and gave to them her tooth for a pick-axe, which is their emblem, a rib for a knife, and the hem of her garment for a noose to strangle.
Word Of The Day