Athelstane Ford
CHAPTER XVIII
_MEER JAFFIER'S OATH_
I arrived in Moorshedabad without accident, and at once repaired tothe house of the Company's agent, Mr. Watts.
I found this gentleman in a state of the utmost apprehension. The airwas full of suspicion. Moorshedabad swarmed with the Nabob's spies,who watched the going in and coming out of every person whom theirmaster had reason to distrust, and carried their reports to hisinfamous minion, Lal Moon. Mr. Watts assured me that he did notconsider his own life to be worth a day's purchase, and the Nabob haduttered such threats against him on the last occasion of his going tothe palace that he dared not present himself there again.
Fortunately for me Colonel Clive had provided me with an excuse for myjourney in the shape of a letter to Surajah Dowlah, in which theColonel renewed his expressions of friendship, but demanded thewithdrawal of the Nabob's army from Plassy. This was a step which theconspirators considered indispensable to their design, as they had noexpectation that Colonel Clive could overcome this force of fortythousand men as long as it kept the field.
Armed with the Colonel's letter I went to wait upon the Nabob, leavingMr. Watts to exert his utmost diligence in procuring the necessarysignatures to the treaties, which I delivered to him for the purpose.
Nothing could exceed the astonishment of the Nabob's officers when I,who had fled secretly from the city six months before, presentedmyself before them in the character of an ambassador from Sabat Jungand boldly demanded an audience. They hastened to carry the news tothe Nabob, and after a short time they returned and conducted me intohis presence.
Although scarcely three months had elapsed since I had last seenSurajah Dowlah, I observed a change for the worse in his appearance.He sat on the royal musnud with the same state as formerly, clad inhis gold-embroidered robes and turban sparkling with the light of manygems, surrounded by the same obsequious throng of courtiers andattended by his ferocious guards ready to take the life of any manpresent, at a nod from their despotic lord. Yet I discovered somethingin his countenance which I had not seen there before. His head hungdown with an air of weariness, and his gaze, instead of dartingfiercely to and fro, seemed to shift and hesitate as if with alurking distrust of those about him. He appeared to be in ill-health,and shifted fretfully about in his seat as he talked. On my part, Iregarded him with different eyes from the time when I had come beforehim as a captive in his hands, when I had viewed him as a powerfultyrant, invested with all the horror of his recent crimes, andespecially of that never-to-be-forgotten atrocity of the Black Hole ofCalcutta. Now, on the last occasion on which I was ever to confronthim, I did so as the emissary of one whose power was yet greater thanhis own, as the agent of an intrigue that menaced his throne andperhaps his life. And beneath the surface of pomp and power and theoutward show of sovereignty, I looked deeper, and beheld merely ayoung man, scarce older than myself--in his nineteenth year--thevictim of an evil education, corrupted by the possession of despoticpower, rent and exhausted by his own evil passions, and surrounded bytraitors secretly scheming for his downfall. Some of the dread andhatred which I had formerly felt for him was replaced by mildersentiments, and I could have found it in my heart to pity SurajahDowlah.
As if to strengthen these impressions in my mind, the young Nabob wasin a singularly amiable mood, and appeared glad to see me.
"So it is you again!" he was pleased to say when I was introduced. "Isee that you have told me the truth, and that you are a friend ofSabat Jung's. But why did you flee from me before? I regarded you withfavour, and would not have put you to death."
"Sir," I answered, "I am obliged by your kind expressions, but I am anEnglishman, and in my country there is no man who can put me to deathunless I commit some crime against the laws; nor do I choose to livein any place where I hold my life by the favour of a prince."
A murmur ran through the throng of courtiers at this reply, some ofthe high officers whom I knew to be concerned in the plot pretendingto be especially shocked.
Surajah Dowlah raised his head and looked at me in some surprise.
"I should not care to be king of your country if I could not put a manto death when I wished to. Allah has created kings, and has put men'slives into our hands. It is destiny. Those who fall by my hands wouldperish instead by pestilence or famine or wild beasts if I forbore toslay them. They die because it is the will of Allah."
I listened in consternation to this frightful profession of fatalismby which Surajah Dowlah sought to decline the responsibility of hiswicked acts. In the meantime he read the letter which I had broughtfrom Colonel Clive.
"Why does Sabat Jung so earnestly desire me to disband my troops?" heasked presently.
"Your Highness's own conscience must tell you that," I returned. "Solong as you keep your army in the field, threatening Calcutta, it isimpossible to believe that you are in earnest in your professions offriendship towards the English. The present state of things keeps theminds of the merchants unsettled and prevents the resumption of trade,without which our factories cannot subsist in Bengal."
"No, no," the Nabob broke out, speaking very earnestly, "I designnothing against you. But I am in fear of the Morattoes, who meditateanother invasion."
"Have no fear of that, sir. Colonel Clive will protect you, ifnecessary, against the Morattoes. But you may depend upon it he willnever believe in your friendship till your troops are withdrawn fromPlassy."
The Nabob seemed to meditate upon these words for a few minutes,during which nobody ventured to speak to him. Then he looked at meagain, seeming as if he would search my heart.
"And suppose I comply with this demand, what security have I that theColonel will not advance against this city? How do I know that he isnot deceiving me? There are plots--yes, there are plots in the air!"
I felt a touch of contempt for him as I answered--
"That is a matter which I must take leave not to discuss. It is foryour Highness to consider whether your conduct has been such as toconciliate the affections of your subjects, or whether it has notrather been calculated to make every man your secret enemy."
Surajah Dowlah started, and sank back on his seat, terrified by thisunexpected plainness, which caused little less alarm among his suite.But I soon saw that my words had been rightly judged. Being anOriental, the Nabob could not believe that I should have spoken likethat if I had really been privy to any intrigues against him. Hetherefore dismissed his fears, and finally promised to issue ordersfor his whole army to retire to Moorshedabad.
Satisfied with this success, I took my leave of him, his last words tome as I withdrew being--
"Tell the Colonel I trust him; I look upon him as my friend."
Moved by these words more than I cared to admit even to myself, Ireturned to Mr. Watts, and, all being now in train, we pushed forwardthe affair of the signatures as rapidly as we dared.
During these few eventful days I neglected no means of inquiring afterthe fate of those whom I had left in the Nabob's hands on my formerflight from Moorshedabad. But though I questioned not merely the greatofficers of the Court, but also many of the eunuchs and inferiorservants about the palace, I could learn nothing definite either ofMarian or of Rupert. That they had not succeeded in recovering theirfreedom I was pretty well assured, but what had become of them, andwhether they were alive or dead, was more than I could learn. Theshadow and the secrecy of the East had closed like a curtain overtheir fates, and I was left to torment myself with miserable guessesin the darkness.
The business of signing the treaty went on as rapidly as it could bepushed. But the greed of the Gentoos at every step of the transactionwas most disgusting, and the cowardice and treachery of the Moorsscarcely less so. The Dewan, Roy Dullub, at first objected that allthe Nabob's treasure was not enough to satisfy the gratuities providedfor in the treaty, but no sooner did Mr. Watts offer to make him agentfor the distribution, with a commission of five in the hundred on allsums passing through his hands, than his scruples instantly v
anished.
But at last everything was settled except the swearing of the treatyby Meer Jaffier, on which the whole affair turned. The Meer was justnow arrived in Moorshedabad from Plassy, where he had been in commandof one division of the Nabob's army, the remainder having before beentaken from him and given to Roy Dullub. It was reported that SurajahDowlah had received his uncle very scurvily, and spoken to him with somuch harshness that Meer Jaffier had at once retired to his palace, atthe other end of the city, and surrounded himself with his guards.This palace resembled a fortress, having regular walls and towers, andbeing provided with cannons and other munitions for a siege.
Thither, on the following day, Mr. Watts went to visit him, butreturned in much alarm to say that the Meer had received him inpublic, in the hall of audience, surrounded by his officers, and hadgiven him no chance to refer to the subject of the treaty.
While we were discussing what this could mean an Indian arrived, whoproved to be a private messenger from Meer Jaffier himself.
This man informed us that Meer Jaffier had been obliged to receive Mr.Watts as he had done to deceive Lal Moon's spies, the Nabob'ssuspicions causing him to watch very strictly all intercourse betweenhis great men and the English agents. What he now proposed was thatMr. Watts should come to his palace in the evening in a curtainedlitter, by which means he might be introduced unsuspected into thewomen's apartments, and there have a private conference with the Meer.
I could see that Mr. Watts regarded this invitation with very littleconfidence, his experiences in the Nabob's Court having rendered himcautious to an extreme. I therefore undertook to go in his place, anoffer which he gladly accepted.
As there was nothing to detain either of us in Moorshedabad after thetreaty had been confirmed, and every hour that passed rendered oursituation more precarious, it was further arranged that Mr. Wattsshould take his departure at once, leaving me to follow during thenight. Accordingly he gave out that he was going on a visit toCossimbuzar on business connected with the Company's investment, andset out the same afternoon.
I waited till it was quite dark before I got into the litter, whichhad been prepared for me by two Indian servants on whose fidelity Idepended. They bore me through the streets on their shoulders at agreat pace, and, thanks to the respect which these people have fortheir women, I passed undiscovered. Once, indeed, we were stopped fora moment, and there was a short discussion, in which I heard thevoices of my attendants, though I could not distinguish what was said.It terminated in a laugh, and they were suffered to proceed withoutthe curtains having been withdrawn. But it may be imagined how myheart came into my mouth during the brief halt, and what relief Iexperienced when the palanquin was set down within the gates of MeerJaffier's palace and I was able to step out.
The Meer received me in the presence of his son Meeram, a youth ofsixteen, who bore a strong resemblance to his cousin the Nabob, aresemblance, as I was afterwards to learn, not confined to mere looks.He sat apart, staring at me with a sullen air of dislike, while hisfather perused the treaty.
Its terms appeared to give Meer Jaffier perfect satisfaction. As soonas he had read it, he asked--
"How soon will Colonel Clive be ready to take the field?"
"He is ready now," I answered. "All he is waiting for is informationfrom you as to the steps which you propose to take to support him."
Meer Jaffier looked a little uneasy.
"You are my friend, I know," he said. "You must speak good words on mybehalf to Sabat Jung. Everything depends on him. Let him strike thefirst blow, and he will find every one prepared to join him."
I shook my head.
"I am your friend, it is true," I responded, "but I am still more thefriend of Sabat Jung, and I must know the grounds on which he is toproceed. What force have you ready to bring to his assistance?"
"Do you mean what is the number of my division?"
"I mean the number on whom you can rely."
"Three thousand horsemen."
He glanced at me in some doubt as he spoke. I heard this number withdismay.
"Only three thousand! What succour is that?"
"But those are only my own men. There are several commanders who havebeen affronted by Surajah Dowlah, and are ready to turn their swordsagainst him at the first opportunity. On the day of battle these willcome over to us with their troops."
"What assurance have you of that?" I asked.
"I know my countrymen. They judge a man by his deeds, and there isnothing that commands their respect like daring and success. Alreadythey fear the Colonel; let them see him boldly attacking the Nabob,with me by his side, and they will quickly join us. Tell Sabat Jung mywords."
"And when do you intend to join the Colonel?" I inquired, beginning tofear that Meer Jaffier was likely to prove a broken reed to lean upon.
"I will join him as soon as the English troops come in sight of thecity. Or if the Nabob keeps his army at Plassy, then I will join youas soon as the signal for battle is given. I will march over to youwith a great part of the army, as many as I can persuade to join me,and the others will then take to flight. If I see an opportunity Iwill seize my nephew in his tent."
With these promises he beguiled me into some confidence in him. Thenplacing a copy of the Alcoran upon his head, and resting one hand uponthe head of his son Meeram, he solemnly swore to perform all that hehad undertaken. He also signed the treaty, writing these words upon itin Persian--"In the name of Allah, and of the Prophet of Allah, Iswear to abide by the terms of this treaty while I have life."
As soon as this business was completed, the Meer said to me--
"And now, before you go, tell me what reward I may give you for yourservices in this affair?"
I hesitated. He evidently expected that I should name some large sumin rupees, such as was promised by the terms of the treaty to Mr.Watts and others of those privy to it.
"What I ask for is neither money nor jewels," I said, "but the livesof the two persons who, I believe, are now kept somewhere concealed inthe palace of the Nabob."
Meer Jaffier understood me.
"You mean the Englishwoman who was brought here from Calcutta, and theEnglishman who was formerly a spy in Surajah Dowlah's service?"
I nodded my head.
"It may be that the woman is, as you say, still in the Nabob's harem.But I cannot think that the man is alive. He has most probably beensecretly put to death for his offence in breaking into the garden ofthe seraglio."
"I took part in that offence, and yet I am alive still," I answered.
"Well, what is it you ask of me?"
"I ask your promise that the moment Surajah Dowlah is overthrown, andthe power has passed into your hands, you will aid me to ransack thepalace of Moorshedabad in search of that woman and that man."
Meer Jaffier bowed his head.
"You shall do so. Nay, more, to convince you that I am in earnest Iwill write you an authority now, before you leave me, which willbecome of effect as soon as Colonel Clive has driven my nephew fromthe musnud."
A few minutes afterwards I had re-entered the palanquin, and was beingconveyed back to Mr. Watts's house.
The next day, rising early, I pretended some business with Mr. Watts,and followed after him on horseback to Cossimbuzar. Here I was met bysome of his native servants, who told me that he had gone hunting theevening before, and had not returned. Desiring them to show me the wayhe had gone, I went on till I was out of sight, and then, strikinginto a gallop, rode southward for my life towards the English lines.
The sun was low down in the western sky, as, riding slowly on myexhausted beast, I drew near the village of Cutwah, and espied theuniforms of the English sentries gleaming through the trees. The firstmen who I came up to stood in a little group together, their musketsresting on the ground, while they talked together in low tones. Theylooked up as I approached, and seeing the Company's uniform, salutedme, while I stopped to show them the pass which I carried. But theysaid nothing, and as I passed on further i
nto the camp I was struck bythe silence that prevailed. All round me I saw the men cooking theirsuppers, or passing to and fro with water vessels, but their headshung down, and I heard none of the cheering and singing whichgenerally prevailed when Colonel Clive had his troops upon the marchagainst an enemy.
Pressing forward to the headquarters, I found the same evidences ofdejection increased on all sides, till at last I met Major Cootewalking with two other officers away from the commander's tent. TheMajor at once stopped me, and asked me how I did, but in so dull afashion that I could see he was as dispirited as the rest.
"I am quite well, I thank you, sir," I answered him, "but a littlesurprised at the state of the camp. I am but this moment arrived fromMoorshedabad. Can you tell me if anything untoward has taken place?"
Major Coote turned to the two young officers, and signed to them towithdraw. As soon as they were out of earshot he stepped up to theside of my horse, and laying his hand on the saddle addressed me in alow tone--
"Harkye, Ford, I know you to be a discreet youngster, and so I'll tellyou my mind plainly. I don't know what news you bring fromMoorshedabad, and I don't ask, but we've had such accounts from thatcursed place lately that Colonel Clive has begun to believe that not asingle man of them all is to be trusted, from Meer Jaffier down. Hedoesn't think them worth fighting for, and what's more, he doesn'tthink they mean to join him as they have promised. The long and shortof it is, he has just called a council of war of all his officers--youwould have been there if you had arrived an hour sooner, and thereforeit's no breach of confidence to tell you--he called the council todecide whether we should go forward and fight, or give it up and goback. And he gave his own voice for going back, and the d--d council,two-thirds of 'em, followed suit; and the upshot of it is we're to putour tails between our legs and _go_ back--and that's why you see thewhole army ready to throw down their arms like so many children!"
I was aghast at this intelligence, hardly believing it possible thatthe courage of Colonel Clive should have failed him, though I wasbetter able than most to estimate the worries and cares thrust uponhis shoulders by the mingled folly and malice of those who should havegiven him their best support.
"Where is the Colonel?" I exclaimed. "I must see him at once! I havenews that may induce him to change his mind. At all events, I'll takethe liberty to persuade him."
"He wandered off by himself," Major Coote answered, brisking up alittle. "He went into that grove of trees across there, as soon as thecouncil was dismissed, and he has been there ever since."
I turned and looked at the grove. As I did so I saw some bushesparted, and the figure of my beloved chief emerged, walking with aswift, firm tread.
Instantly I flung myself from my horse, and rushed towards him. But headvanced of his own accord to where Major Coote stood watching us.
"I have altered my mind," he said briefly, with the martial ring inhis voice that I had heard first on the morning of Monichund'sattempted surprise before Budge-Budge. "I have come round to youropinion, Coote. To-morrow morning we march forward, and engage theenemy wherever we find him."