And it seems, which is
rarer, that he knew what was in the heart of a woman, for the Gulab is
one to rouse in a man desire. And I, myself, years of hard riding and
combat having taken me out of my colt-days, wondered why the Chief,
being busy otherwise, and a man of short temper, should entail labour
in the way of claiming her regard. I may say, Sahib, that a Pindari
seizes upon what he wants and backs the claiming with his sword. But
now it is all explained--the wise gentleness that really was in the
heart of one so fierce as the Chief--Allah rest his soul! What say
thou, Captain Sahib?"
"Bootea is wonderful," Barlow answered fervidly; "she is like a Rajput
princess."
Kassim coughed, stroked his black beard, adjusted the hilt of his
_tulwar_, then coughed again.
"Inshalla! but thou hast said something." He turned to face Barlow
more squarely: "Captain Sahib, the one who suffered the wrath of Allah
to-day last night sent a salaam that I would listen to a matter of
value. Not wishing to have the hated presence of the murderer in the
room near where was Amir Khan I went below to where in a rock cell was
this Hunsa.
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