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But he strode on with apparent unconcern, and talked with the utmost friendliness on the municipal affairs of Peshawur." "It is very hot," said Futteh Ali Shah, "and I am afraid for your Excellency's health. For myself, of course, I am not troubled, but so much walking will be dangerous to you"; and he halted and looked longingly back to his horse. "Thank you," said Ralston.
Armed with his pedigree rifle, Futteh Ali Shah lay in wait vainly for Rahat Mian, until an unexpected bequest caused a revolution in his fortunes. He went down to Bombay, added to his bequest by becoming a money-lender, and finally returned to Peshawur, in the neighbourhood of which city he had become a landowner of some importance. Meanwhile, however, he had not been forgetful of Rahat Mian.
And it is said that the heat of Peshawur is beyond the heat of any other city from the hills to Cape Comorin. Futteh Ali Shah, however, could not refuse. Regretfully he signalled to his own groom who stood apart in charge of a fine dark bay stallion from the Kirghiz Steppes. The two men walked out from the garden and down the road towards Peshawur city, with their horses following behind them.
They had the privacy of a delightful garden, and enjoyed the freedom of bathing in the adjacent river. After the strife between Akbar Khan and Futteh Jung ceased they were even permitted to exchange visits with their countrymen, the hostages quartered on the Balla Hissar.
Futteh Ali Shah arrived late the next morning in order to show his independence. But he was not so late as Ralston, who replied by keeping him waiting for an hour. When Ralston entered the room he saw that Futteh Ali Shah had dressed himself for the occasion.
Futteh Khan, the king-making vizier, had twenty brothers; but one of the younger fry he treated with especial neglect. 'The son of a woman of the Kuzzilbash tribe, looked down upon by the high-bred Douranee ladies of his father's household, the boy had begun life in the degrading office of a sweeper at the sacred cenotaph of Lamech.
Even Futteh Khan, the villainous loafer khit from Mussoorie, shirked risking Tods' displeasure for fear his co-mates should look down on him. So Tods had honour in the land from Boileaugunge to Chota Simla, and ruled justly according to his lights.
"And Rahat Mian?" he asked. There was a momentary struggle in the zemindar's mind. But his fatigue and exhaustion were too heavy upon him. "He, too, shall go his own way. Neither I nor mine shall molest him." Ralston turned at once and mounted his horse. With a sigh of relief Futteh Ali Shah followed his example. "Shall we ride back together?" said Ralston, pleasantly.
And as on the way out he had made no mention of any trouble between the landowner and himself, so he did not refer to it by a single word on his way back. But close to the city their ways parted and Futteh Ali Shah, as he took his leave, said hesitatingly, "If this story goes abroad, your Excellency this story of how we walked together towards Jamrud there will be much laughter and ridicule."
Ralston walked on down the steps and took a step or two along the drive. Futteh Ali Shah lagged behind. "Your Excellency is forgetting your horse." "No," said Ralston. "The horse can follow. Let us walk a little. It is a good thing to walk." It was nine o'clock in the morning, and the weather was getting hot.
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