1 a vizier's daughter - Hazara.net

40
A VIZIER’S DAUGHTER – A TALE OF THE HAZARA WAR
“I’ll go to-day, Gul Begum,” he said, “and see abou t those sheep. It
suits me pretty well; I have other business down there that I can see
about at the same time.”
His daughter looked at him lo vingly, they were all the world to each
other. She had felt instinctively that change and active employment
was the best thing for him, and though, manlike, he had note quite seen
through her little artifice, he felt her sympathy, and was warmed and
comforted by it.
He was go ne six weeks, six long weeks it seemed to his daughter, and
when he returned he had thrown o ff much of his silence and dejection;
he seemed, in fact, full of activit y. He brought home his mother-in-law,
and she had some terrible tales to tell. Her home was in a village, close
to the borders of the Ameer’s countr y, and one morning the chief of the
village had received a message from a man calling himself Colonel
Ferad Shah, saying that he would presently arrive there with a body of
50 Swars (cavalry), and that houses and provisions were to be procured
for them without delay.
The chief of the village, fully realising the necessit y of gaining time,
first despatched private hurried messenger in all directions, summoning
aid from the surrounding villages, and next sent a courteous reply b y
the colonel’s servant, to the effect that this was a difficult season to
provide for so many at so short a notice, but he had sent his servants to
see what could be collected, and he had no doubt that if the villagers
were fairly well remunerated for the inconvenience to which the y
would be put, such food and accommod ation as the village provided
would be placed at the colonel’s disposal.
In reply to this inoffensive message, the village chief received the
following, brought by three soldiers: “Give these three men every
facilit y for finding out for themselves what provisions and
accommodation your village contains, and be prompt in assisting them.
Should they be delayed or put to any inconvenience, I will send such
messengers in the afternoon as are sure to be listened to.”
The soldiers were rude, and dictatorially demanded tea and sugar at
once, and a good solid meal later on. Fresh meat they must have, and
rice and bread, and what else did the village contain? In the meantime
they would inspect the houses.
The houses were not yet clean, the y were told.
“All right, then we will see them dirt y,” was the insolent reply.
“Pray be seated,” the Mir said courteously, “the tea will be here
directly. It must not arrive during your absence, for if it stands too
long it will be cold.”