The Tremendous Adventures of Major Gahagan

, MORELLA: O

y the enthusiastic soldiery of Carlos Quinto. I am alone, in the most inaccessible and most bomb-proof tower of our little fortalice; the large casements are open-the wind, as it enters, whispers in my ear its odorous recollections of the orange grove and the myrtle bower. My torch (a branch of the fragrant cedar-tree) flares and flickers in the midnight breeze, and disperses its scent and burning splinters on my scroll and the desk where I write-meet i

ents, went forth to reconnoitre the force, and, if possible, to learn the intentions of the enemy. However much my figure might have resembled that of the Pitan, and, disguised in his armour, might have deceived the lynx- eyed Mahrattas, into whose camp I was about to plunge, it was evident that a single glance at my fair face and auburn beard would have undeceived the dullest blockhead in Holkar's army. Seizing, then, a bo

emen, armed like him I had just overcome, trotted towards me. One was leading a noble white charger, and no sooner did he see me than, dismounting from his own horse, and giving the rein to a companion, he advanced to meet me with the charger;

velvet reins, and sprung into the magnificent high- peaked saddle. "Buk, buk," said I. "It is good. In the name of the forty-nine Imaums, let us

the Indian-was a talkative officer). "The lips of the Bahawder are closed," said one. "Where are tho

Gahagan Khan Gujputi, the elephant-lord, whose sword reaps the harvest of death; there is

ruminates on the words of the unbeliever: he is

the young birds, his actions,

d Puneeree Muckun, who was

whom I overcame just now! and he is the man destined to stand in my slippers, is he?" and I was at tha

st class; he was married, moreover, to one of Holkar's innumerable daughters; a match which, according to the Chronique Scandaleuse, brought more of honour than of pleasure to the poor Bobbachy. Gallant as he was in the field, it was said that in the harem he was the veriest craven alive, completely subjugated by his ugly and odious wife. In all matters of importance the late Bahawder had been consu

he, at last, trotting up to me; "has

y good friend, what I have seen is not worth the trouble of

the Gujputi alone, and s

"No, I saw him, but not alone; h

e fort: however, there are but a dozen men in the garrison, and they have not provision for two days-they must yield; and then hurrah for the moon-faces! Mashallah! I

for food, I saw with my own eyes five hundred bullocks grazing in the courtyard as I entered." This WAS a bouncer, I confess; but my

a wonder of a fortress: we shall never be

plight, and march down to rescue us. Thus occupied in thought and conversation, we rode on until the advance

s back, armed with Mauritanian archers and the celebrated Persian matchlock-men: it was the feeding time of these royal brutes, and the grooms were observed bringing immense toffungs, or baskets, filled with pine-apples, plantains, bananas, Indian corn, and cocoa-nuts, which grow luxuriantly at all seasons of the year. We passed down this extraordinary avenue-no less than three hundred and eighty-eight tails did I count on each side-each tail appertaining to an elephant twenty-five feet high-each elephant having a two-storied castle on its back-each castle containing sleeping and eating rooms for the twelve men that formed its gar

ard before you- -another piece of good-luck for me-as it diminished the chances of my detection. When, with the ordinary ceremonies, the kitmatgars and consomahs had explained to the prince that Bobbachy Bahawder, the right eye of the Sun of the Universe (as the ignorant heathens called me), had arrived from his mission, Holkar immediately summoned me to the maidaun, or elevated platform, on which he was seated in a luxurious easy-chair, and I, instantly taking off my slippers, falling on my knees, and b

ficers were seated), and I arrived within speaking distance of Holkar, who instantly asked me the success of my mission. The impetuous old man thereon poured out a multitude o

Row Holkar puffed out with

at three yards' distance could perceive anything of me except the pillar of smoke in which I was enco

(of which he has seven hundred at present in the compound, and swears that during the siege he will content himself with only three a week): he has lost, in battle,

r, Saadut Alee Beg Bimbukchee-"it's joking you are;"-and there was a

know his power. Gujputi is an enchanter: he is leagued with devils; he is invulnerable. Look," said I, unsheathing my dagger- and every eye turned instantly towards me-"thrice did I stab him wi

e as Holkar was when I gave him

ves he after insulting thy master in thy presence? In the name of the Prophet, I spit on thee, def

Gahagan-his dagger, his sword, his carbine, his richly ornamented pistols, his turban covered with jewels, worth a hundred thousand crores of rupees-fin

y. "Will you have my life, O Holkar? it is thine likew

bling on their omrahs, yet, strange to say, not a single weapon had hurt me. When the hubbub ceased, and the unlucky wretches who had been the victims of this fit of rage had been removed, Holkar's good-humour somewhat returned, and he a

he poor Grand Vizier, after I had explained to the Council

resolved upon an escalade of the fort, and we had sworn to pu

no battering t

not hearts? Mashallah! Let cravens stay with Bobbachy, all true men will follow Loll Mahommed! Allahhumdillah, Bismillah, Barikallah?" {7} and drawing his scimitar, he waved it over his head, and shouted out his cry of battle. It was repeated by many of the other omrahs; the sound of their cheers was carried into the camp, and

n up, with Gahagan's garrison in the citadel. Who talks of courage? Were I not in your august presence, O star of the faithful, I would crop Loll Mahommed's nose from his face, and wear his ears as an ornament in my own pugree! Who is there here that knows not the difference between yonder yellow-skinned coward and Ga

that, had there been any suspicion as to my real character, detection must indubitably have ensued. As it was, Holkar perceived nothing, but instantaneously stopped the di

lord! this

poor devil's jaws. "Ho, furoshes! carry out Loll Mahommed Khan, give him a hundred dozen on the soles of his feet, set him upon a

falling on Loll Mahommed's feet, I felt peace returning to my

, who enjoyed Loll's

your nose: kiss the h

bukchee! be from th

wl

said he; "I cannot bear thy love. Was it not an honour that your Highness did

poetical. The Vizier retired, crowned with his ne

os, I have news for thee. Your wife, the incomparable P

y lord!" sa

ee thou art wild with joy. The Princess's tents are set

was a compli