1 a vizier's daughter - Hazara.net

208
A VIZIER’S DAUGHTER – A TALE OF THE HAZARA WAR
They had not a word to say, and gradually slunk off to escape notice
and the punishment that is in store for them.”
“God is great; He will not allow His servants to suffer,” murmured the
soldier again.
“The Ameer is going to sift this matter to the bottom, and I am as high
in his esteem again as ever I was. He asked me to stay and dine at
Court; but you know me, it was impossible, I had my vow to fulfil, so
to-morrow, being Friday, when there is no work done in Court, I came
straight on here, and have only this poor youth with me to wait on me
and bring me my woozoo water and such like, that I may be no bu rden
to the good Fakir at the Zearat.”
The soldier’s grasp on his rifle relaxed. The Chief Secretar y’s vows,
and pilgrimages, and abstinences were well known throughout the
country – there was nothing wrong after all, and the official must, of
course, have his own way. The other soldiers were his witnesses that an
escort had been offered and refused.
“Here, you take some food too, boy,” the would-be pilgrim said not
unkindly, addressing his servant. “We have still an hour’s journe y
before us. You must not starve, but fit yourself for your duties. We
have another long ride before us to-morrow.”
Yes, another lo ng ride – neither knew how long. They were close on
the borders of the countr y ever y inch of which Gul Begum knew, and
neither was thinking of danger – it all seemed such plain sailing now.
The meeting with the soldiers had been an accidental one. The Chief
Secretar y did not know that a new camp had been established there or
he might have avoided it, but as it happened all had turned out well,
and it had been a good move in case of discover y. That story about the
pilgrimage too – he had noted the effect on the soldiers, and had seen
that it had all been taken in.
It was midnight when the travellers reached the Zearat, and the old
Fakir had long since retired for the night.
“We will just stay here three hours, Gul Begum,” her master whispered.
“We must both take what rest we can to-night. To-morrow we shall be
followed.”
“Let them follow,” the girl said bravely, “none but a Hazara could find
us when once I am among m y native hills. We are close to the borders
now – there are passes there no Afghan knows, and caves inside caves
that no ne would dare enter. We have but a little way to ride and then
we are safe, but we can sleep till three or even four and rest the horses;
they need it more than we do; the soldiers fed them well, I saw to
that.”