Part 16 (1/2)

?Ah!? said the ked khoda, ?money, money! where are we to procure et a piece, bore a hole through it, and hang it about their necks by way of ornament; and if we, after a life of hard toil, can scrape up soive us ht?[73] Then approaching to put his reat earnestness, ?You are a Mussulman, in fine, and no ass

You do not conceive that ill go into the lion?sto my companion) how much will he be contented with? Can I offer him five tomauns, and a pair of crimson _shalwars_ (trowsers)??

?What do I know,? said I, ?ill satisfy hirain of commiseration: make the tomauns ten, and the trowsers a coat, and I will endeavour to make him accept them?

?Oh, that is too e is not worth that suratitude will be shown, by a present for yourself that will astonish you?

Upon this our conference broke off, and I was as anxious to hear what had taken up my companion, as he was is with the ked khoda Coers had been endeavouring to ascertain what ht be our respective prices I assured shi+r Ali that I had given hi, that he could digest old than an ostrich could iron, and ithal so proud, that he rejected units as totally unworthy of notice, and never took less than tens

?Well said,? answered shi+r Ali; ?and I told otiator, that unless you were handso your silence and quiet looks?

At length, after soain, headed by the ked khoda, who, bringing an ostensible present of apples, pears, a pot of honey, and soed my companion to accept it, in terms usually made on such occasions When it had been spread before us, in an undertone of voice the ked khoda made his offer of five tomauns and the trousers, and talked of his e in a manner which would have reed at once to reject the present, and ordered it to be taken fro the poor people, and they walked off with their trays of fruit, etc, on their heads, with slow and sorrowful steps

In about half an hour they appeared again, the ked khoda having previously ascertained that if he came with the ten tomauns and a coat, the present would be accepted When we had eaten thereof, shi+r Ali Beg having pocketed his gold and secured his coat, I began to look for that so, however, was produced, notwithstanding certain significant winks and blinks hich the ked khoda ever and anon kept me in play

?Where is it?? said I to him at last, quite out of patience ?What is it? how ,? said he; ?have a little patience; it is not yet quite prepared?

At length, after soreat parade, the pair of trowsers, which had been rejected by shi+r Ali, were placed before me on a tray, and offered for my acceptance, accompanied by a profusion of fine words

?What news is this?? exclai myself to those who stood before me, ?that I aive you rief to devour than you have ever yet experienced? Whatme this pair of frouzy shalwars? That which has passed through noble ancestors, do ye now pretend to put off upon me? Fools indeed you must be, to suppose that I will espouse your interests, and set forth your grievances, ! Aith it, or you will see what a nasakchi can do!?

Upon this they were about co stopped them, and said, ?Letthem up at the sa them with all the care of an old clothes broker, ?they will do; they have no defect: be it so, they are my property, and many thanks for them May your family prosper!?

Every one looked astonished; no one daredsuch great advantages, lost even the ained sufficient experience to know another time how to deal with my countrymen, and, moreover, how to trust one who called himself my friend

CHAPTER xxxV

Fortune, which pretended to frown, in fact smiles upon Hajji Baba, and promotes him to be sub-lieutenant to the chief executioner

Two fat lae ht with us for our chief As soon as we reached the camp, we immediately presented ourselves to the naib, who forthwith carried us before the executioner, as seated in his tent, in conversation with one or two of his friends

?Well,? said he to shi+r Ali, ?what have you done? Have you brought the corn, or the ked khoda, which??

?I beg leave to state for your service,? said shi+r Ali, ?neither The ked khoda and the elders of Kadj Sawar have sent two lambs to be laid at your feet; and they have convinced us with our own eyes, that excepting the have they left, not even their own souls, so entirely and coed: on the contrary, if food be not sent to them, they will eat up one another?

?Do you say so, indeed!? exclaimed the khan: ?if they have lambs, they must also have sheep By what account do you reckon??

?That?s true,? said shi+r Ali, ?and everything that you say is equally so; but ere talking of corn, and not of sheep?