Part 28 (1/2)
It was one day at noon when, being almost perished with the frost, they had alighted to kindle fires and warm themselves ere going on, that a messenger on horseback arrived with ill news. The Moghuls left behind in Kabul had risen, and, aided by outsiders and some of the immediate relations of the King, had declared for Babar's young cousin Weis-Khan, on whose behalf they were now besieging the Fort, which in capable and loyal hands was still holding out for the rightful King.
”Said I not so, sire?” remarked old Kasim drily. ”The devil is in it when women are left alone too long.”
Babar flushed. ”The devil is in a Moghul thou meanest.”
Kasim sniffed. ”The Most High's step-grandmother Shah-Begum is of pure Moghul descent, I grant, if that is what my liege means. I stake my word she is in it. Did I not beg the Most High to send her packing back to Tashkend? Aye! and the boy and his mother too. Also the other aunt of my liege's who married the commoner Doghlat; wherefore, G.o.d knows, since some of us had better right to royal wives than he. But if 'tis a question of aunts! the Most High is soft as buffalo b.u.t.ter.”
Babar bit his lip. He felt that old Kasim had right on his side; but what could one do? They were women, and he was undoubtedly the head of the family. But this was serious; the more so because the messenger said that reports had been diligently circulated to the effect that he, Babar, had been imprisoned in Herat by his cousins; and would never return.
”They must know that I shall return,” said the young leader grimly, and forthwith wrote despatches to be conveyed to known loyalists in the town, advising them of his immediate appearance, of which, however, they were to say nothing. A blazing fire on the last hill-top would herald his approach; this was to be answered by a flare on the top of the citadel, showing that it was ready for a combined surprise-attack on the besieging force.
With these orders given stringently, Babar set out at nightfall. By dawn Kabul lay before them and a glow of light from the citadel answered their signal fire. All therefore was in readiness, so they crept on to Syed Kasim's bridge. Here Babar detailed his force, sending s.h.i.+rim-Taghai with the right wing to another bridge; he himself with the centre and left, making for the town. Here, instantly all was uproar and alarm. The alleys were narrow; the a.s.sailants and defenders crowded into them could scarce move their horses.
”Dismount! cut your way through!” rang out the order and it was obeyed. A few minutes later Babar was in the Four-corner Garden where he knew the young aspirant was quartered, but he had fled. Babar followed in his track. At the gate he met an old friend, the Chief-Constable of the town, who made at him with a drawn sword.
Babar, after his usual fas.h.i.+on, had despised either plate-mail or helmet, and when, whether from confusion of ideas arising from the battle of fight, or from the snow and cold affecting his eyesight, the swordsman failing to recognise his King or heed his cry of ”Friend, Friend,” hit a shrewd blow, Babar was like to have his arm shorn off.
But the grace of G.o.d was conspicuous. Not even a hair was hurt.
So, as quick as he could to the palace of Doghlat-commoner, where he found Kasim already on the track of the traitor; but the latter had escaped! Here a Moghul who had been in Babar's service deliberately fitted an arrow to his bow, aimed at the King and let go. But the uproar raised around him, the cries and shouts ”That is the King! That is the King!” must have disconcerted his aim, for he failed of his mark. And here also one of the chief rebels was brought in ignominiously, a rope round his neck. He fell at the young King's feet.
”Sire,” he whined, ”what fault is mine?”
The young face was stern indeed. ”Is there greater crime,” came the clear, cold answer, ”than for a man of worth and family as thou art, to conspire and a.s.sociate with revolutionaries?” Then the contemptuous order came sharp, ”But remove that rope and let him go hang himself.
He is of my family, no harm shall happen to him through me.”
So on again through the town (where the rabble had taken to clubs and were making a riot) in order to station parties here and there to disperse the crowds and prevent plunder.
Thus, growing cooler, more dignified as stress ceased, to the Paradise-Gardens where the Begums lived. No time like the present to show his mettle, to let these foolish women know that he did not consider their intrigues worth a man's consideration. He found the chief-conspirator Shah-Begum huddled up, out of all measure alarmed, confounded, dismayed, ashamed. All the more so when that brilliant young figure paused at the door to make its accustomed and reverential salutation. He looked well, did Babar, with the fire of fight still in his eyes, a certain quizzical affection about his mouth. ”I salute thee, O revered step-grandmother,” he said cheerfully, good-humouredly.
So crossing, he went down on his knees in filial fas.h.i.+on and embraced the old lady cordially.
Whereupon, of course, she began to whimper. Babar sat back and looked at her kindly.
”Wherefore, revered one? Lo! I am not vexed. What right has a child to be so because his mother's bounty descends upon another? The mother's authority over her children is in all respects absolute, save that this grandson, and not the other is King of Kabul!” Then he laughed: ”Lo!” he added, ”I am so sleepy. I have not slept all night. Let me rest my hand on thy bosom, grandmother, as I used to rest it on my mother's.”
The whimper changed into a storm of sobs.
And afterwards when the young aspirant and the Doghlat-commoner had been caught and brought up for condign punishment by Kasim, he forgave them both.
”But the traitor deserves death, sire,” stuttered the stern old martinet. ”He hath been guilty of mutiny, rebellion. He is criminal, guilty; and the younger one is devil's sp.a.w.n.”
”You mistake, old friend,” said the young King quietly; ”they are of my family.”
Poor old Kasim had to content himself by a.s.senting loudly in whatever company he found himself that however much the King might try to wear away the rust of shame with the polish of mildness and humanity he was unable to wipe out the dimness of ignominy which had covered the mirror of those miscreants' lives.
CHAPTER VI
Yes! Love triumphant came, engrossing all The fond luxuriant thoughts of youth and mind; Then in soft converse did they pa.s.s the hours, Their pa.s.sion like the season fresh and fair.