Chapter VI
_THE OATH_
Faithfully Ahmad kept his word to the Rani. Through the black,tempestuous night, he swept over the road to Shahpur. He recklesslyplunged into swollen torrents. He callously hurled himself uponwhatever obstacles lay in his path. Whirlwinds and stormbursts seemedin sympathy with his furious nature, bearing him onward rather thanimpeding his progress. Struggling, swearing, crashing in his wake,the troopers followed as best they could. A horse falling throughsheer exhaustion, rider and beast were left to extricate themselves.Another, carried away in the flood of a river, was, without a savingeffort, abandoned to his fate. To Ahmad, such incidents were onlymanifestations of the Will of Allah, by which all men must die whentheir appointed hour had come.
This exhibition of splendid recklessness was not without effectupon the brave spirit of Prasad. With rigid features he strenuouslyspurred forward at Ahmad's side. In his mind there gradually formedan understanding of the value which the Rani placed upon the servicesof the Mohammedan. It was like a bolt of lightning held in reserve, aforce to be controlled only with the greatest skill and prudence; yetone that launched forth, burning to destroy, and oblivious of meetingwith destruction itself; a terrible and awe-inspiring object.
Seldom were words exchanged. A guttural oath occasionally burst fromthe Mohammedan's lips as he found his way momentarily blockaded; anexclamation of anger went forth upon the night as he glanced back overhis shoulder to discover that his pace had outstripped that of hisfollowers.
The sullen break of day found Ahmad Khan and his companions, shaggy,dirt begrimed, with sodden garments, emerging from a ravine. At theentrance, perched upon the summit of a rock, rose indistinctly in themisty half light, the gray walls of the citadel of Shahpur.
He halted his men for a short space to enable stragglers to rejoin theparty, and to perform a religious act. In Ahmad's nature, there wasmingled with an absolute lack of human principle, a strange leaveningof superstitious reverence. The more villainous the project upon whichhe was bent, the more scrupulous would he be in conforming to certainoutward observances of his religion. If a murder was to be accomplishedby the basest treachery, he would as fervently call down the blessingof Allah upon the act, as if another were about to sacrifice himself insome deed of true heroism.
He unrolled a small piece of carpet, and spread it upon the ground.Then he knelt with his face toward the west, and remained a few minutesin prayer.
"There is but one God and Mohammed is the Prophet of God," he solemnlyejaculated at its conclusion.
Several of his troopers added an amen.
He rose and remounted.
He then carefully inspected the company, arranging them in double file.This done to his satisfaction he cautiously led the way toward themouth of the ravine, taking advantage of such cover as was afforded bythe low underbrush and projecting spurs of rock.
Ahmad thus advanced into a narrow sinuous path leading up to themain gate of the citadel, when he pressed forward so rapidly andnoiselessly, that he was demanding admittance of the keeper, before thewatchers on the walls had discerned his approach.
"Open there," he shouted, "to Ahmad Khan and the noble Prasad Singh,bearing a message from the Rani of Jhansi."
Ahmad Khan! Ahmad Khan! A panic seized those within the gates rousedfrom their slumbers by the stentorian voice of the Mohammedan.
"Open dogs," he thundered, as his summons failed of an immediateresponse.
"Noble lords," at last came a quavering rejoinder. "Maharaja Sadescheoyet sleepeth. The gates cannot be opened without his order."
"Wake him then," cried the Mohammedan. "By God's holy Prophet, timepasses upon an urgent matter."
"Noble lords, that is impossible."
"Accursed jackals. Am I to batter down the gate. Go to thy master, andif thou wilt, lay all the blame on Ahmad Khan. He will awaken quickly,enough, if I mistake not," he added.
A short period elapsed, passed restlessly by Ahmad, when the voice wasagain raised within the gate.
"Maharaja Sadescheo extends greeting. He would welcome the noble AhmadKhan and his followers but that the citadel is already over filled. Ifthe noble Ahmad Khan will enter unattended, then will Sadescheo gladlysee him."
Ahmad cast himself impulsively from the saddle.
"Thou wilt not accept this challenge, surely"? asked Prasad.
"Surely will I," the other retorted. "Thou wilt keep these fellowshere, and if I do not return or send for thee within an hour, thoucanst ask the reason by an assault upon the gate. But there is nodanger."
He passed through the massive door and found himself in a courtyardfilled with Sadescheo's recently collected soldiers. As he strodeinward fearlessly, they fell back before his grim and martial bearing.His way made clear through these, he was conducted to a room in theinterior of the fortress to await the Maharaja.
With soldierly instinct Ahmad stepped to a window that commanded apartial view of the defenses.
"A good position," he reflected, as his glance swept along the walls,"and worth holding if garrisoned by a handful of Mohammedans instead ofthis Hindu rabble. Sadescheo"!--
A smile broke upon his face.
"Sadescheo thinks to trick the Rani of Jhansi. By God! he little knowswith whom he has to deal. She would make a fit wife even for theillustrious Dost Mohammed, the Lion of Afghanistan. I warrant thereis more in that bewitching form than most give credit for. Thus, forthe undoing of this accursed Prasad, will Ahmad for a time become herhumble slipper bearer. Allah! what is it in the girl that moves a manin spite of himself."
A voice pronouncing his name interrupted the trend of his thoughts.He turned abruptly to confront a man of past middle age, whoseweak features bore evidence of a life of sensual debauchery. Withoutstretched hands Sadescheo greeted the Mohammedan.
"Thou hast come unexpectedly, and apparently without waste of timeupon the road, O Ahmad," he exclaimed, eyeing the Mohammedan'stravel-stained attire. Then in a lower tone, "Hast determined to assistin ousting that chit of a girl from the Raj of Jhansi"?
Ahmad drew himself up to his full height as he replied haughtily.
"I have come from Her Highness the Rani to know the reason of yourcollecting troops, and to demand a recognition of her authority."
"Come! come! Good Ahmad," the other rejoined. "It is early in the dayfor pleasantry. It is a new thing for Ahmad Khan to joke."
"A joke," repeated Ahmad sternly. "By the Prophet's beard it is nojoke. On the Koran I have sworn to support the Rani."
The feeble smile on Sadescheo's face gave place to an expression ofdismay.
"Thou canst not mean this," he returned, "for but the other day thoudidst send a messenger agreeing to our plans."
"And to-day," retorted Ahmad threateningly, "I come in person todenounce that same messenger as a liar. Briefly, good friend, it dothnot suit Ahmad Khan to oppose the Rani for the purpose of upliftingSadescheo."
"Then thou hast surely chosen an ill-fitting place to make thedeclaration," replied the Maharaja significantly. "Perchance Ahmad Khanmay remain in Shahpur until he again finds it expedient to change hismind. He does not seem to be aware that he speaks within the walls ofSadescheo's fortress."
With a rapid movement Ahmad was at Sadescheo's side. Roughly he laid afirm grasp upon the Maharaja's shoulder, while his disengaged hand fellto the hilt of a dagger protruding from his girdle.
"Aye, and thou art in Ahmad's power," he muttered fiercely. "If he seesfit to change his mind, that is his affair. If he orders thee to throwopen thy gates to his people, three hundred Afghans and as many of theRani's troopers, impatient to enter, yea or nay, and summon hither hislieutenant, thou hadst better do it quickly, or he will open thy bodyand toss forth thy chicken heart to swine. Art willing to follow suchadvice, valiant Sadescheo"?
Sadescheo glanced timorously toward the open door. Within call were adozen armed retainers who at the raising of his voice would rush tohis assistance. But he knew full well that before they could reac
h hisside, Ahmad's dagger would be buried a foot deep in his breast. If inturn, the Mohammedan were slain after he had made a pile of corpsesto fall upon, that would be little satisfaction to him personally. Hetherefore called an attendant and gave the required order. For a momentthe servant hesitated. "Go," cried Sadescheo nervously. "Go do mybidding, swiftly. What would you have now"? he asked of Ahmad.
"That my troops receive food and lodging for the day," replied theother, "and that on my return to Jhansi to-night my lieutenant, SulimanAbhas and a hundred Afghans replace your people on the walls of thecitadel. Further, thou wilt proclaim the Rani in _Darbar_ and hoist herbanner on the gate."
To this Sadescheo made a gesture indicative of enforced compliance.
Presently, heavy footsteps in the passage announced the approach ofPrasad and Ahmad's lieutenant.
Upon entering they glanced from Sadescheo, still held in Ahmad's grasp,to their leader, and waited.
With grim ceremony he presented them to the Maharaja.
Sadescheo bade them a reluctant welcome.
"With your permission, noble sir," suggested Ahmad, "we will proceedto your hall of audience. There the Rani's title will be proclaimed,and we will rest upon our return to Jhansi."
Before an hour had passed the Rani of Jhansi's banner was flyingbeside that of Sadescheo, and Ahmad's troops had replaced those of theMaharaja on the walls.
That night the two nobles set forth on their return to the capital.
The burst of the monsoon in Jhansi had for the time passed over, sothey rode leisurely through the clear atmosphere. First, they discussedthe general prospects of the rebellion, then their successful descentupon Sadescheo, and lastly the condition of their personal affairs.
"You carried your life upon the blade of your sword, when you enteredSadescheo's fortress," remarked Prasad admiringly. "It was an intrepidact."
Ahmad laughed carelessly.
"In truth no," he returned. "There are some men, I grant you, withwhom it would have been a venturesome thing to do. It would be adangerous trick to play upon such a one as Dost Mohammed, whose valourand resource rise with the greater odds against him. But with thisSadescheo"--
He uttered an exclamation of contempt as he concluded:
"Upon him you have but to frown, and he shivers from his turban to hisslippers."
They rode on in silence for some distance across a wide plain, thetroopers following in a long procession, phantom like by the light ofthe moon.
Ahmad, apparently deep in thought, at last spoke in a reflective manner.
"Thou art a fortunate man, friend Prasad. Providence hath undoubtedlytaken thy affairs into her special keeping."
"How so"? the other asked. "If by casting obstacles at every turn of myway she is doing me good service, then only am I the most fortunate ofmen."
"Why, good comrade," returned Ahmad. "Is it not great fortune to standso high in the beautiful Rani's favor. What could man desire more"?
Prasad turned a glance quickly upon the Mohammedan, but his companion'shead was bent downward toward the pommel of his saddle.
"If I stand high in her favor," he replied, "then she well keepeth it asecret."
"Dost thou not count it a favor"? asked the Mohammedan, "to beappointed to the supreme command of her troops when many crave sohonorable a post."
"She hath not appointed me to any office," replied Prasad, "except uponthis expedition, which was owing to thy suggestion."
Ahmad raised his face upon which rested a well feigned look of surprise.
"Truly you astonish me," he exclaimed. "But the Rani is a prudentwoman, and doubtless waits a favorable moment to give it to thee. Atthe _Darbar_ she will probably pronounce thy name in honor."
"I doubt it much," returned Prasad, "though I grant you she is amistress in the art of not making clear her mind."
"Tut, tut," ejaculated Ahmad soothingly. "Woman like, she is butplaying with thee awhile. But I know well she holdeth thee in highesteem. How could she do otherwise than appreciate the gallantry ofso fine a soldier. For me," he added indifferently, "I possess littleinfluence with the Rani, and at any moment I may be called away to setthe Emperor's house in order. But when I make my report of this littlebusiness, be assured I will not fail to keep thy name in mind. If ahumble word of mine can do thee service, it shall not remain unspoken."
The eyes of the two men met in a steady gaze. Upon the Mohammedan'sface stern and cold as it appeared, Prasad could detect no sign ofhidden motive. He had yielded homage to the man's reckless valor; mightthere not, he argued, after all dwell beneath the rough exterior, agenerous nature, carried away at times by mad impulse.
"If thou wouldst do this for me," he returned, "thou wilt have placedme under obligation of a life. To command the Rani's troops is now mygreat ambition."
For an instant a sarcastic smile flickered about the Mohammedan's lips.But it was gone before it could be detected.
"Gladly will I take an oath upon the holy book to do it," he answered."These officers of the Rani are well enough, but they lack that propermartial spirit which, as a soldier, I have noted plainly in thyconduct. For myself, my aims now lie elsewhere than in Jhansi; but evenwere that not so, I would willingly yield to thee the office, as it isbut right a Hindu noble should command the forces of a Hindu queen."
"Ahmad," Prasad cried enthusiastically. "I have done thee an injustice.More, I have ever done the same as those of thy religion. It is said aMoslem can never be a friend. Henceforth I vow that such is false."
Ahmad bowed his head in acknowledgment of the other's confidence.
"Everyone hath an enemy," he replied, "who will misrepresent a goodintention. If influence of mine can do thee service, by the holy_Kaaba_ I swear the Rani will go into _Darbar_ with but thy name uponher lips.
"Come! The day breaks," he concluded, "and we are still some leaguesfrom Jhansi."
Again he halted to dismount and pray with his face toward holy Mecca.
Ahmad's devotions were of short duration. He concluded with a petitionto Allah to witness the truth in his heart. Then vaulting into thesaddle, he drove his spurs into his horse's flanks. With arms glintingin the sunshine, at a canter, he bravely led the cavalcade.