1 a vizier's daughter - Hazara.net

204
A VIZIER’S DAUGHTER – A TALE OF THE HAZARA WAR
The Chief Secretary had listened to every word the girl had had to say
without interrupting her. Perhaps, he did not formulate his thoughts. If
he had done so he would probably have said to himself: “In answer to
my prayer, a boy was sent to tell me of my danger, and warn me that I
must fly the country; a man was sent to show me what fate would be
mine if I remained any longer here; and now a girl has been taught by
the same overruling Power ho w my safet y is to be secured and my
enemies thus overthrown. He has Himself provided me with a guide
when I could not think of one myself. Truly, God is great – who am I
that I should set aside the warnings and the warnings and the chances
He has thrown in my wa y?”
Indeed, some such current must have passed through his mind, for he
asked no further questions, merely gave his slave the necessar y
permission to go out. “Tell Sardaro as you pass that I have given you
leave to stay the night with your mother if you are invited,” he said.
“Do not forget money and pistols and knives,” she said, “we may have
to fight for our lives. We must be prepared.”
* A bokra is a dress which completel y covers the figure from the crown of
the head to the sole of the feet, and which Eastern women wear when they go
out into the public thoroughfares.
CHAPTER XXXIX
A PILGRIMAGE