Lachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: The Jeanne D'Arc of India Read online

  Chapter XI

  A SHREWD DIAGNOSIS

  In spite of the Rani's urgent dispatch, Ahmad returned leisurely to hishouse. If gravity rested on his face, his spirit was grimly elated atthe successful progress of his design upon Prasad.

  "The accursed Hindu," he muttered at intervals. "He is well enmeshed inthe net God has placed in the hands of His humble servant."

  Prasad expectantly awaited his host's arrival on the porch. He markedthe Mohammedan's serious aspect and begged of him the reason.

  "Hath something gone amiss, good friend"? he asked anxiously.

  Ahmad waved his hand indifferently, as he drew Prasad to a room apart.

  "It is nothing that can be defined clearly," he returned, "but afeeling of uneasiness caused by the Rani's capricious humor. One knowsnot what to expect of her next. At the ceremony of the morning shefirst insisted upon riding to the White Turret on my Arabian charger,Akbar; and then raised her banner with her own hands. In truth,though," he cried with a note of genuine admiration, "I cannot but ownshe made a brave display of spirit. She looked as gallant a captain asever rode at the head of a troop. The people worship her, the noblesprostrate themselves at her feet, even Akbar, who never yet submittedto the caress of any mortal being, acted like a lover at the sound ofher voice, and followed the guidance of her hand as obediently as afaithful hound. I confess I know not what to make of her."

  "True, O Ahmad," acquiesced Prasad. "Thou hast in part stated my ownsentiment in regard to her. I know not what to make of the peerlessRani. But tell me," he urged, "did she notice my absence? Did she byword or sign indicate her feeling"?

  Ahmad replied thoughtfully.

  "I make no doubt the Rani marked thy absence, O Prasad, for it seemsnothing of any moment escapes her notice. But as she loveth thee, sheis far too circumspect a woman to disclose her tender sentiment inpublic. A favor she may cast here and there, as in the case of thisDost Ali; but the expression of her deeper feeling she will keep forthy ear alone. Thou wilt doubtless hear from her in some covert manner.She will, in turn, up-braid thee for thy negligence, and lavish uponthee tributes of her devotion. Have patience, good friend, for it is noboast that Ahmad Khan hath not mingled in more than one court intriguewithout learning somewhat of the devious ways of women. Thou mustcontrol thy passion for a little."

  "Patience"! exclaimed the other with every sign of impatience. "How canI have patience when I think she may, even at this moment, be castingher ravishing smiles upon Dost Ali."

  "Ah! Dost Ali," Ahmad returned contemptuously. "Think not of him. Heis but a feather wafted to her feet to-day, and to-morrow blown by thewind of Fate, God alone knows whither."

  Prasad cast himself wearily upon a divan.

  "Ahmad," he exclaimed. "Verily am I sick. I know not what it is thatails me."

  Ahmad regarded his guest with apparent concern.

  "Aye," he responded, "thou dost look unwell. Thy brow is feverish.Thou art out of humor, and hadst better see a skilful physician whowill soon set thee in order. One such as I have in mind, the worthydoctor and astrologer, Mohurran Goshi. He hath mastered all the ancientschools of medicine; a man of profound learning, a sure foreteller ofthings about to happen."

  "I beg thou wouldst send for him quickly," besought Prasad, "that hemay relieve me of the burden that seems to be crushing me to earth."

  Ahmad readily complied. He summoned an attendant, by whom he dispatchedan urgent call to the astrologer.

  In the meantime he regaled Prasad with the gossip of the court. He toldof the ceremony at the White Turret, referring insinuatingly to thefavor displayed toward Dost Ali, and of the Rani's varying humor.

  As a consequence Prasad's restlessness and jealousy increased, in spiteof the mollifying clause which Ahmad invariably subjoined.

  The jolting of a bullock cart as it rumbled along the uneven roadleading up to Ahmad's door, told of the astrologer's arrival.

  Ahmad went forth to meet him alone. As soon as the astrologer hadalighted, the Mohammedan engaged him in a whispered conversation.

  "Thou fully understandeth thy part, learned Astrologer," he said inconclusion.

  "Most rightly, noble Lord," the other answered obsequiously.

  "Thy reward shall be greater than even thy mind can conjure, if thouart successful in ridding Jhansi of this meddlesome interloper," Ahmadpromised. He conducted the astrologer-physician to Prasad's side.

  In a bag slung over one shoulder, Mohurran Goshi carried his medicinalpills and ointments; while in the hand of the other arm, he graspedhis calendar, and certain instruments pertaining to the occult branchof his dual profession. He approached Prasad and felt the patient'spulse gravely. Gravely, too, he examined Prasad's tongue, shook hishead several times significantly, and then betook himself to a seat onthe floor near by, where he absorbed his mind in a deep scrutiny of hiscalendar, intermittently muttering an unintelligible jargon.

  As a result he finally delivered a sage diagnosis of the case.

  "It is clear, noble sir," he said, addressing Prasad, "that the originof your malady lies in the evil influence of an enemy working throughthe affection of one upon whom your heart is set, but whose notice hehas temporarily beguiled. Most fortunate is it that you have called toyour assistance, in time, a physician-astrologer, by profound study andlong experience, well fitted to combat such designs."

  Mohurran Goshi glanced craftily toward Ahmad, and gleaning that thusfar his opinion was being well received, proceeded:

  "By a sure sign I can demonstrate to you, great sir, the truth of whatI affirm, that I am able to avert impending misfortune on your behalf,restore the object of your affection to your arms, and further you inyour ambition. Soon will your sickness pass away like darkness beforethe rising sun. Is it the noble Lord's pleasure that I should do this"?

  Prasad had not escaped the atmosphere of superstition in which themajority of his race had from time unknown been reared. In hiscondition of mind he was more than ready to fall a victim to the wilesof the astrologer.

  "Do so," he replied. "From what you have said I feel great confidencein your ability."

  The astrologer first called for a bowl of water in which he requestedPrasad to wash his hands and forearms. Then he produced a splinterof bone which he required his patient to hold in the water, while hemuttered in a low tone for several minutes.

  The incantation over, he bade Prasad withdraw his hand from the water,when there appeared, a little above the wrist, the blotch of a humanform impressed upon the skin by some dark stain.

  The astrologer pointed to the mark on Prasad's arm with triumph.

  "Behold, my Lord," he cried, "the image of thine enemy, the one whoseeks to do thee so much injury."

  Both Ahmad and Prasad expressed their astonishment at what appeared tothem a miraculous display of the astrologer's skill.

  "Now, my Lord," resumed Mohurran Goshi. "If it be thy pleasure that Ishould foil this enemy of thine, thou hast but to give thy command."

  Prasad well understood the covert allusion to a fee in advance impliedby the astrologer, and produced a handful of silver coins to secure hisvaluable services.

  These, the astrologer tucked safely away on his person, and thenproceeded to destroy the malign influence aiming for his patient's ruin.

  From Prasad's hand he took the bone, and smeared it with an ointment,which he declared was composed of the most precious ingredients--thefat of a cobra, the blood of a white rat, salt, and the hoof of ananimal unknown to them. He then rubbed the blotch on Prasad's arm withthe bone for a space, again muttering unintelligibly, when lo! theimage had disappeared.

  The astrologer solemnly held up the bone before his patient's eyes.

  "Into this, noble sir, have I gathered the influence which causes youso much bodily and mental anguish."

  With wonder, the eyes of the two nobles gazed upon the bone fraughtwith so much magic charm. Though as a Mohammedan, Ahmad affectedto scoff at the mysterious science professed by the astrologer,his
hereditary instinct at times caused him momentary qualms, wheninexplicable demonstrations of its power were afforded.

  The astrologer next called for a metal tray, a seed, and a gold coin.These produced, he placed the seed, the gold coin, and the piece ofbone together on the tray, and once more solemnly muttered incantationsover them. As Ahmad and Prasad watched intently, in a twinkling thebone leaped into the air and disappeared.

  "Thus, my Lord," cried Mohurran Goshi, "will thy trouble depart fromthee, if thou art careful to follow my directions."

  Prasad breathed a deep sigh of relief as if already a great weight hadbeen lifted from his mind.

  The astrologer then took the coin and passed it several times over hispatient's head, muttering incantations as before, and finally insertedit in a fold of Prasad's turban. In the process it strangely changedfrom the precious metal into copper, another convincing proof of theastrologer's extraordinary power over inanimate things.

  He then took the seed, and wrapping it in a sheet of paper bearingcabalistic signs, handed it to Prasad.

  "This," said he, "is to place beneath your pillow, which, with thecoin, will surely ward off a return of the evil influence. Now as tothe medicine for your body."

  From his bag he drew forth several pills, compounded, he asserted, ofground pearls, coral, and an herb of wonderful medicinal virtue, onlyfound with difficulty in the high altitudes of the Himalayas. These heenjoined Prasad to take at certain intervals, setting a price upon themthat might have warranted their curative power over any ill to whichmortal flesh is heir.

  "Now," said he, "it will be well for you not to leave the illustriousAhmad Khan's roof for some days, during which I will call to mark yourprogress, but," he added insinuatingly, "if through the medium of adiscreet friend, the object of your affection could be brought to yourside, there is no doubt you would attain a speedy recovery. A slightcloud is still suspended over your head, but with my aid, be assured,it will be dispelled at the fitting moment."

  Mohurran Goshi then gave some directions regarding the patient'sfood, gathered his effects together, consigned the two nobles to theprotection of God, _salaamed_ several times before them, and went forthto climb into his rickety bullock cart.

  "A sage and skilful physician," remarked Ahmad approvingly.

  "Undoubtedly," coincided Prasad. "Now that he hath assured me that theaccursed Dost Ali will be removed from my path, I feel a change for thebetter."

  "Did I not assure thee that with patience all would come well,"rejoined Ahmad.

  "Aye, truly, good friend; but didst thou remark the last advice of thelearned physician"? asked Prasad.

  "Regarding the mission of a discreet friend"? queried Ahmad in return.

  "To be sure."

  "That is an easy matter," exclaimed Ahmad reassuringly. "To-morrowwhen I make my report to the Rani I can prudently disclose to her thyunhappy condition. No one, good Prasad, can for a purpose assume a moresympathetic tone of voice, or a more pleading expression, than thyfriend the man of arms. In a moment, I warrant, the fair Rani will beat thy side."

  "Do this for me," returned Prasad in a grateful voice, "and there isnothing thou canst not ask of me."

  Ahmad vowed solemnly that it would be his chief duty on the morrow.

  "And now," said he. "If thou art ordered a meagre diet, the learnedastrologer-physician said nothing against a bountiful feast for theeyes. Let us see what the fair Ganga can do to assist us in passing aleisure hour."

  "As thou wilt," returned Prasad, evincing but little interest in hishost's suggestion. "Ganga is well enough doubtless for one whose soulis not captivated by an incomparable form."

  Ahmad glanced with the suggestion of a smile toward his guest.

  "The swine," he muttered underneath his breath.