1

Where is the man who knows what is hidden in the heart of a woman?

---Mohammedan proverb

Y MASTER and Jani Beg, the Uzbek,

had been at drawn swords. Jani Beg had

built a tower of the skulls of my master's

retainers that he had slain. On the other hand,

Shirzad Mir, who was my master, had taken

prisoner the son of Jani Beg, who was called Said

Afzel, the dreamer and eater of opium and bhang.

Verily, it is written that the clashing of bright

swords delights the soul of a brave man. Yet in this

year---early in the seventeenth century of the

Christian calendar---Jani Beg put aside the sword.

He took up another weapon. He called upon

Krishna Taya, a girl of the Rajputs.

This was because we, the hillmen of

Badakshan, led by Shirzad Mir and the English

merchant, Sir Weyand, had taken the citadel of

Badakshan. It was by a trick, but nevertheless we

sat securely behind the high stone walls of Khanjut

and ate of the stores Jani Beg had gathered there

for himself, and we were content. He could not

take Khanjut by storm. No man has done that since

the citadel was built under the white peaks of

Kohi­Baba at the mouth of the pass that leads to

Hindustan.

So Jani Beg, who was a man of guile, thought

that he, also, would play a trick. And for this he

chose Krishna Taya. He whispered an evil thing in

the tiny ear of the girl, and she listened. Since the

memory of our fathers, woman has played the part

of treachery and her beauty has made blind the

eyes of warriors.

Aye, it is so. I, Abdul Dost, the mansab­dar,

have seen it. And I watched the coming of Krishna

Taya and harkened to her soft words, which were

as artless as those of a child. Too late I saw what

was in her heart.

She was the one Sir Weyand named ``Rose

Face.'' She was no taller than the armpit of my

mail shirt and no bigger around than two small

shields joined together. She was not a common

courtesan, for she was of the Rajputs, who hold

honor higher than life. Nevertheless, what is

written is true---the face of a fair woman holds a

spell.

I saw it all. It could not have happened had we

and our men not been idle in Khanjut after many

labors. We had starved and grown lean in the hills.

Now we ate and slept. At such a time a warrior

grows sluggish and his wits become dull and the

sight of a shapely woman is not unwelcome.

This is the tale. There be few to tell it, for

many in Khanjut died quickly and went to paradise

or to the devil, after the coming of Krishna Taya.

The days had became still and the warmth of

the sun tranquil, as Autumn spread its arms over

the hills of Badakshan. The sheep from the hills

M

H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

2

were pasturing in the valley as Jani Beg, in his

camp at Balkh, sought out the tent of Krishna

Taya. I was not there to see, but much I heard from

one of the eunuchs of Said Afzel, and more came

to my ears from a woman of the Uzbek harem.

Krishna Taya was no better than a slave. Said

Afzel had seen her when he was with the Mogul,

and Jahangir, the Mogul, had her carried off to

please the prince, since Said Afzel's father was

Jani Beg who commanded twelve thousand swords

and twice that number of horses.

She was playing with pigeons in a pear garden

when they took her. She had come from the

Rajputs. There she had been a free woman, and

high born, yet Jahangir was Mogul of India, lord of

the Deccan, Kashmir and Sind. She was given as

slave to Said Afzel, who was well pleased, for she

was fair of face and body. Many thought---so said

the eunuch---that Krishna Taya would slay herself,

being of the Rajputs, where no women may be

slaves.

Whether it was because she was a child, or for

another reason, I know not, but Krishna Taya did

not thrust a dagger into her throat. She became the

property of Said Afzel and said little, waxing

thinner of face as dark circles came under her calf­

like eyes.

Said Afzel tired of her swiftly. Those who eat

much opium are not firm of purpose. He left her in

the tents of the Uzbek harem, where she was

dressed in the white silk trousers and cap of cloth­

of­silver that the Uzbek women wear. Said Afzel's

eunuchs kept her from meeting with the Rajputs

who sometimes came from the camp of Jahangir

fearing that they might do her harm. By the law of

the Marwar, no high­born woman may be a slave

to an enemy.

Krishna Taya had broken this law. She had

not done as her ancestors, who dressed in their

bridal clothes and followed the queen of the

Rajputs into the funeral flames when Chitore fell to

the enemy.

Yet---so the eunuch whispered---she was but

a child and might well fear the cold touch of death.

Likewise, she ate opium, which kept her quiet and

wrought upon her fancies. She had been partaking

of it when Jani Beg visited her.

He sat on the carpet by her and talked. He was

a shrewd man and her brain was aflame with the

drug.

``The ferang is the shield on the arm Shirzad

Mir,'' he said. ``He is like to a devil loosed from the

Christian purgatory. Without him, Shirzad Mir

would fare ill at our hands. He it was who took my

son prisoner.''

She lifted up her soft eyes at this and plucked

at the cap which she wore instead of the veil of her

people.

``Yet he is his own man,'' continued Jani Beg.

``He serves himself. None other. What reward he

seeks I know not, save that he has sworn to obtain

certain trade concessions from the great Mogul.

Jahangir will not see him so long as he fights with

the rebels of Shirzad Mir.''

Aye, Jani Beg, who was an Uzbek of low

birth, dared to name Shirzad Mir, whose father and

father's father ruled in Badakshan, a rebel.

``Mayhap,'' whispered Jani Beg, ``Sir Weyand

does not know that I am allied to the Mogul. If he

knew this---'' Jani Beg smiled---``I might forget

certain wrongs she has done me. Aye, and Jahangir

might also forget, for the Mogul has counted the

swords I lead. Say this to the ferang ---''

``How?'' asked Krishna Taya softly.

The woman of the harem was listening behind

the hangings of the tent and heard what passed.

``It is in my mind,'' said Jani Beg, stroking his

long beard, ``to send a present to this ferang dog.

He is a merchant, and when did a merchant mislike

the sight of gold? I will send a Persian sword with

gold hilt, certain rubies and woven cloth­of­gold. I

will send---'' he touched the long hair of the girl

and Krishna Taya's cheeks grew red--- ``you.''

The girl was silent, being afraid to speak.

``The ferang,'' went on Jani Beg, ``has a heart

for fighting. But now there is a truce. I have willed

it so. The men of Shirzad Mir think I am weak.''

He laughed and closed his hand on the girl's arm

so her fingers became numb. ``As for you, be not so

blind. I am master of Badakshan, a frontier of the

Mogul. I can ask and receive much, and I seek

much.'' He broke off to finger his beard again.

``Win me the ferang; aye, win me Sir Weyand. I

reward those who serve me.''

He unwound a long string of small pearls

from his turban, where he had placed it in imitation

of the Mogul fashion. This he laid about her throat

and peered at her curiously.

``Can my words aid you, my lord?'' she said,

feeling the pearls with a trembling hand.

``Aye,'' smiled Jani Beg. ``Put this thought in

his head and you will serve me well.

``How?''

H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

3

His brows knit together in a swift frown. He

plucked forth his dagger and, so quickly that she

had no time to draw back, passed the blade before

both her eyelids, which fluttered in alarm. So near

came the blade that it touched the skin. So said the

woman who saw.

``Are you a begum---a wife of a noble--- to

question my words? So! Tell me in one word. Will

you do this thing faithfully? If not---'' His glance

strayed to the dagger.

Perhaps he would have liked to slay her, for

the blood lust was strong in him. I have seen Said

Afzel, who was his son, wring the neck of a white

pigeon in order to feel the life quiver out through

his fingers. Nevertheless, Jani Beg was an

excellent soldier and full of guile.

He had stirred the girl.

``Aye,'' she cried, looking wide­eyed at the

dagger, ``I will sever the prop from him who seeks

the throne of Badakshan!''

``It is well,'' he said indifferently and rose.

``Say what I have told you.''

He lowered his voice, so the woman behind

the curtain did not hear. Presently he laughed in his

beard.

``So, Krishna Taya! Soon six men will stand

alone together but, before they part, they shall be

four and two.''

This is what they said in the tent of Krishna

Taya that night. I did not hear of it until long

after---until what Jani Beg had promised had come

to pass and ten thousand Uzbeks were storming the

walls of Khanjut.

II

T WAS a late watch in the afternoon and I was

drowsy, for the sun was warm on the stones of

Khanjut and no wind stirred in the dried leaves of

the poplar trees that fringed the garden of the

castle.

Past the corner where I sat on my heels one of

the hillmen bore a jar. He had come from the

cellars of the castle and I suspected there was wine

in the jar, so I rose and followed silently.

Truly, I was a follower of the prophet, but my

thirst was great. Where there was wine, I knew

there would be drinking. I dogged the hillman past

the battlements to the center garden. He went down

some steps and I did likewise.

I came full upon my lord, Shirzad Mir and the

Englishman, lying on some pleasant carpets under

the trees. The bearer was just setting down the jar

between them. Said Afzel was near­by, lying at full

length.

``Ho, Abdul Dost!'' cried Shirzad Mir, who

had a quick eye. ``You have come like a dog at the

smell of meat in the pot. Nay, do not leave us.

Come, here is another bowl. Said Afzel will not

need his. He is rightly named the dreamer; he has

taken opium until he is like a full­fed snake.''

I looked at the Uzbek. His head was slack on

the carpet, crushing the white heron plume on the

turban. His olive face was red and he breathed

heavily, while his slant eyes were glazed. They

looked at me but seemed to see not. Truly they

were like those of a. snake. A snake that smelled of

musk and attar of rose.

``Peace be unto you, my lord!'' I greeted

Shirzad Mir, and sat. ``I do not seek the wine.''

``A lie!'' cried Sir Weyand jovially, shaking

his yellow head. ``Come, let me fill your bowl,

Abdul Dost.''

But I would not, as it would put me in the

wrong. Then there came a soldier from the gate.

``A message comes for the lord ferang,'' he

said, after his salaam. We saw coming toward us

under the trees a fat eunuch leading a slim girl by

the wrist, and after them a white horse of excellent

breed. The saddle cloths were silk and there were

jewels in the peak of the saddle. A scimitar with

gold hilt and some rich stuffs were on the saddle. I

stared and Sir Weyand sat up and looked at this

curiously,

The eunuch dropped to his knees and made

the triple salaam, beating his head, against the

ground. The girl, who was veiled, fell also to her

knees.

``What means this?'' asked Shirzad Mir in

surprize.

``It is a small, a very small gift from the

treasury of Jani Beg, O lord of Badakshan and

descendant of illustrious ancestors, O most

munificent Shirzad Mohammed el Baber Hazret

Mir,'' whined the eunuch..

``Ho!'' muttered my master, who was not slow

of wit. ``Jani Beg sends me a horse and sword that I

may mount and fight him. Then I will send back a

silk rug of Persia and a spindle, for he seems more

inclined to sit in a corner than to fight------''

``Thrice blessed, pardon!'' the eunuch

chattered. ``The gift is for the ferang. It is for the

I

H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

4

illustrious stranger in our country. Jani Beg does

not wish to be thought an ungenerous foe.''

``For me!'' Sir Weyand looked from the

eunuch to the girl and then to the horse.

``Aye, may it be pleasant in the sight of your

nobleness! Truly, the woman is of the Rajputs and

surpassingly fair. I have guarded her with zeal.

There is not a blemish on, her---''

``Please!''

Sir Weyand's cheeks became red. Shirzad Mir

began to laugh.

``Jani Beg honors you with a wife,'' he

chuckled. ``Now that you have taken Khanjut, he

sends you a slave.''

I did not laugh, considering what this might

mean. The eunuch plucked the veil from the

woman's face, enough to show her beauty.

``It is a slave,'' he boasted. ``And such a slave.

I will take good care of her for my lord the ferang.

I like not the service of Jani Beg.''

He caught sight of Said Afzel and gasped. The

poet's heavy eyes had turned slowly to the girl and

he was twisting his thin black beard. The miserable

guardian of the harem quivered in fright like a fish

caught between two nets.

But Sir Weyand looked long into the dark

eyes that sought his and fell silent.'

``She is not ill to look upon,'' commented

Shirzad Mir gravely. ``Jani Beg is unusually

thoughtful. I would have said this woman was

chosen by Said Afzel, if we had him not prisoner

for the last moon.

``A royal gift to one who deserves it, lord,''

whined the eunuch, who thought this, at least, was

safe to say.

``And are you also a royal present?'' demanded

my master quickly.

``Nay,'' the fat one salaamed. ``I am but dirt

from a dunghill.''

``Do we deserve dirt?''

``Nay,'' the unhappy man wriggled, fearing

that his death was near, but voluble after his kind.

``I meant that I was but a servant who had come to

a garden of paradise from a swine­pen.''

``From the Uzbeks?'' The merry eyes of

Shirzad Mir twinkled.

The eunuch lifted his head long enough to see

that Said Afzel was listening.

``Have mercy, lord! What was in my mind was

that your presence has made me blessed, like one

who comes from darkness to light. Now that I

know the gift of the illustrious Jani Beg has been

well received------''

``Enough!''

Shirzad Mir frowned. He whispered to Sir

Weyand that a eunuch was a breeder of trouble.

``Get to your feet, O dunghill­that­came­to­

the­garden­of­paradise! Abdul Dost, go to the

battlements and take up the first bow that comes to

hand. This dog may now begin to run out of the

gate. Bring him down with an arrow, if you can,

from the wall. If not, he goes free.''

He waved his hand and the fat man galloped

off like a frightened elephant. I also, made speed to

the wall. I would have been well content to plant a

shaft in his haunches.

But when I gained the battlement he was far

below me. He had rolled from the winding road

down the slope of the cliff. His bones must have

been well shaken; still, he saved his life.

So it happened that when I reached the spot

under the trees again, all were gone but the soldier,

who was taking a drink from the jar. I upbraided

him well, for I had remembered the jar and was

still thirsty.

He said the girl had fallen to weeping and Sir

Weyand had softened to her tears when she cried

that it would be her death to send her back to Jani

Beg.

The ferang had offered her a room in his

residence. The horse and sword he had presented

to Shirzad Mir who had taken them readily, saying

that he would ride the one and cut off Jani Beg's

head with the other.

But I was not content, knowing it was not

wonted that a woman of the Rajputs should

consent to be a slave.

I dismissed the man. There was still some

wine in the jar and no one was looking.

O THE girl of the Rajputs came to Khanjut.

But I knew that any gift from Jani Beg

was not meant for our happiness. I sent the soldier

who had drunk from my jar of wine---Bihor Jan, a

long­legged Afghan with nimble wits and a quick

ear--- to Sir Weyand to serve as a guard for the

woman. Thus Bihor Jan would tell me what she

did.

A day passed and then another. Then I sought

out Bihor Jan, who was squatting on the stone of

the entrance hall of the castle. I asked him what

had passed between the woman and Sir Weyand.

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H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

5

``Eh!'' The Afghan spat and looked about him.

``The ferang has seen her but once. It was when she

carried his curry and wine from the kitchen to his

room.''

``What did Sir Weyand?''

``The ferang? What you or I would have done,

Abdul Dost. He ate of the food.''

``And the woman?''

``She said in a soft voice, so I could scarce

hear, although the door was open, that she was his

slave. She asked why he turned his face from her

service.''

``What said he?''

``He became red and said that in his country

they had no slaves. He did not wish her to wait

upon him.''

That was well, so far. But before long the

Afghan came to my room---an alcove opening

from that of Shirzad Mir---and greeted me. I saw

from his dark face that he had news on his stomach

and invited him to kneel and eat, as I was doing.

This he did readily, scooping up in his dirty

fingers some choice sugared fruit that I had

selected for myself.

``This day'' he grunted between mouthfuls,

``Krishna Taya seated herself by the embrasure of

the ferang's room and waited for his arrival. When

he came she salaamed and cried that her heart was

troubled with loneliness.''

He took up the bowl of jelly for which I had

been about to reach. Now that it was too late, I

pretended that I did not want the jelly.

``She was lonely with desire for her own

country. She asked the ferang if he would help her

to get back to Rajputana. Then he questioned her

concerning the Rajputs and their alliance with the

Mogul. I could not hear what they said after that,

though I sat with my back to the door. But the

name of Jani Beg was spoken.''

From this time forth I sometimes saw Sir

Weyand walking about the garden with the

woman. They talked much, for she was trying to

teach him the language of the Rajputs and he was

anxious to learn.

How is a man to scent danger in the perfume

of a woman's robes or the quick glance of dark

eyes?

Once, when they had been sitting under the

bare pomegranates, I watched her walk back to the

castle. She carried herself proudly, for all she was

a slave.

``Eh, Sir Weyand,'' I said curiously, ``she is

fair. Jani Beg sent you a princely gift.''

``Nay, I know not what to do with her, Abdul

Dost,'' he said, quickly. ``Jani Beg will not take her

back, nor will her own people, now that she is

under the cloud of dishonor.''

``Why not sell her? It would not be hard to

find a buyer.

``That I will not do---unless it should be her

will.''

Truly, the ferang had a strange nature. The

woman embarrassed him; he would not let her

serve him and wait on him; yet he would not take a

round sum for her or even sell the fine necklace

she wore.

Then I saw he was frowning, looking out

under the trees. I also looked and noted that the

Uzbek prince had stopped her. Said Afzel was

leaning close and whispering, fingering the pearls

at her throat, for he knew not we watched.

She listened to what the Uzbek said, but when

the poet laid hand on her arm she freed herself and

ran off into the building.

``Once,'' I whispered, wishing to test the

ferang, ``Said Afzel owned Krishna Taya. He it

was who took her for a slave against the law of her

people. Perhaps she loves Said Afzel.''

He looked at me keenly.

``Think you so, Abdul Dost?''

``Aye,'' I lied, ``why else did she not slay

herself, as is the custom of her people after an

injury that they can not avenge.''

He fell silent, but the look he cast after the

languid figure of the Uzbek was not friendly, I

thought of the verses in the Koran which say that

fire, once kindled, is put out with difficulty. Why

had the ferang named the girl Rose Face if his

heart had not wanted to her?

For the moment all thought of the girl was

driven from my mind. Bihor Jan approached and

said that Shirzad Mir demanded my presence.

A rider had been sighted in the plain before

the citadel. He had made signs to our outposts that

he was on a mission of peace and would speak

with those in Khanjut.

It was Shirzad Mir's order that I should mount

and ride to meet this man. I donned a clean tunic

over my mail and wrapped a white turban about

my head. I chose a good sword and a sightly horse.

While the others watched from the wall I

passed down the cliff road, over the drawbridge

and neared the rider. Then I saw that it was Raja

H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

6

Man Singh, one of the highest ameers of the Mogul

court and general to Jahangir himself, also leader

of the Rajputs.

He was very elegantly dressed, with a

jewelled sword stuck through his girdle and a

single large diamond on the front of his turban. He

rode excellently well and seemed quite fearless. He

had a neatly combed black beard divided on each

side of his chin, and his glance was that of a man

of many followers.

Raja Man Singh greeted me in soft Persian,

somewhat contemptuously. I did not dismount,

despite his high rank, for I considered myself the

emissary of Shirzad Mir. Besides, I was the older

man.

I lifted my hand to my forehead and beat my

head very slightly. I waited for him to speak my

own tongue, as I knew not Persian. This he

presently did.

``Have you learned manners among the dogs,

soldier,'' he cried harshly, ``that you know not the

courtesy due an ameer of the Mogul?'' ``

``Nay, Raja Man Singh,'' I made response, ``I

was bred in the camp of the great Mogul Akbar, on

whom be peace. There I also was given rank---on

the battlefield''

His horse was moving restlessly, but he did

not sit the less straight for this. He was a splendid

horseman and a soldier among many. It surprized

me that he had come alone to Khanjut. Later,

however, the thought came to me that he was but

just arrived from Jahangir's army and sought to

look upon the strength of the fortress.

``The greater shame to be a rebel now.'' he

cried with all the intolerance of his race.

``Nay,'' I said again, ``Shirzad Mir has been

faithful to the Moguls before the barbarian Uzbeks

set foot in Badakshan.''

He merely grunted, fingering his beard

disdainfully.

``Take me then to Shirzad Mir,'' he ordered,

``since I come, on a mission of truce.''

``Shirzad Mir bade me bring the message to

him, not the messenger.''

``Dog!'' he gritted his white teeth. ``Am I one

to exchange words with such as you? Tell your

master that Jani Beg would speak with him. The

Uzbek ameer will ride to this spot when the sun is

at noon. He and I will be alone. Let Shirzad Mir

come hither with one man---no more. We seek a

parley, not war---at present. Let him come or not,

as suits him. I care not.''

Wheeling his mount, the Rajput spurred away,

raising a cloud of dust. He was a fearless man,

although merciless.

III

T IS the wisdom of God that no man can know

the fate in store for him. It was our fate that we

should not see the black cloud of peril rising over

Khanjut, or the toils of the snare that closed about

Shirzad Mir.

My men gambled and ate and were happy

thinking of insulting things to say to the Uzbek

patrols that sometimes neared our walls. And I,

also, would have been happy, but for Krishna

Taya.

I could not linger, yet I whispered a word of

caution to Bihor Jan as I rode off with Shirzad Mir

to meet with our foes.

If the Rajput had not been with Jani Beg, we

would not have gone. But the Rajput was a man of

his word, as was Shirzad Mir.

I was proud of my lord as he cantered to meet

the other two. Jani Beg, who was there first,

thought to impose a hardship on my lord by

dismounting and sitting upon his cloak. Thus he

hoped to make Shirzad Mir approach him on foot

as an inferior in rank. Raja Man Singh, impatient

of such pettishness, kept to his horse.

But my master saw through the artifice. He

cantered straight up to the sitting Uzbek and he did

not dismount. He reined in his horse only when its

hoofs were fair upon the silk cloak of Jani Beg. In

spite of himself the Uzbek drew back and scowled.

I turned my head to hide a smile and I saw the

Rajput's beard twitch. He and Shirzad Mir greeted

each other briefly. Jani Beg was made to look

ridiculous, squatting beneath our horses' legs, so

he rose and mounted, and I saw the pulse in his

forehead beating. I, being inferior in rank, made

the salaam from the saddle, which is not

customary, yet I followed the example of Shirzad

Mir and he cast me an approving glance.

``We have come, Shirzad Mir,'' said Raja Man

Singh, ``to arrange certain terms between the

Uzbeks and the rebels. Jani Beg desires to treat for

the ransom of his son.''

The Uzbek chieftain looked darkly at the

general of the Mogul. He would have liked better

to play with words, but the Rajput was impatient.

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H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

7

``We---'' Jani Beg waved his lean hand toward

the Rajput--- ``will offer you a continuation of the

truce you desire if you will release Said Afzel and

his personal followers.''

Again Shirzad Mir smiled.

``Is the truce of our seeking, Jani Beg? Nay,

you have chosen it. For my part, I shall not rest

from fighting until Badakshan is free from

invaders.''

``Then you will continue to rebel against the

Mogul?''

``Nay. Badakshan is part of the Mogul empire.

I fight only with Uzbeks.''

``Yet I and my men are serving the Mogul.

And you see Raja Man Singh.''

Shirzad Mir did not smile this time.

``Let the Rajput give heed to this,'' he said

slowly. ``Lies have been spoken against me in

court, and I have taken up the sword of vengeance

against the author of those lies. My quarrel is not

with the Mogul. When the fighting is ended, he

shall receive my allegiance.''

They were bold words, spoken by an

outlawed chieftain with only a handful of hillmen

opposed to the Uzbek army, which possessed

powder and artillery and was strengthened by a

force of the invincible Rajput cavalry. I held my

head high with pride and listened keenly. Jani Beg

began to speak words of another color.

``You have an ally, Shirzad Mir,'' he observed

shrewdly, ``a ferang. You owe him much. Tell him,

as ransom for my son, I will procure his pardon

from Jahangir, who is at Kahbul, and also an

audience with Jahangir. Thus he may obtain the

trade rights he seeks for England.''

Truly, the guile of the Uzbek was great. If

Shirzad Mir should refuse this offer, it must offend

Sir Weyand. Should my master keep the offer

secret from the ferang, Jani Beg would find means

of getting the news to the Englishman's ears. Yet

both Shirzad Mir and I knew that it would not do

to give up Said Afzel for a promise of Jani Beg.

Shirzad Mir fingered his beard thoughtfully.

Then he turned to the elegant figure of the Rajput.

``Do you also pledge your word, Raja Man

Singh,'' he asked courteously, ``that this privilege

will be granted the ferang and that he will not be

harmed?''

Jani Beg had spoken cleverly. He knew that

we could ill afford to lose the services of Sir

Weyand, but the Rajput cherished the

righteousness of his spoken pledge as a woman

guards her honor.

``Nay,'' he cried, ``this is not my affair. I have

no authority to give a promise for Jahangir. Settle

the matter between yourselves.''

I pricked up ears at that, for it sounded as if

the Rajput were not over fond of the Uzbek. Jani

Beg had hinted that the two were as brothers. The

Uzbek frowned slightly; then his brow cleared. He

smiled with thick lips.

``I will give up Balkh as ransom for my son.''

When he said that, I saw the Rajput's brows

twitch in involuntary surprize. The thought came to

me that Jani Beg was offering more than he

intended to pay. Shirzad Mir was not one to be

caught by such a trap.

``Nay,'' he said pleasantly. ``Does a falcon give

up its perch to strut on the ground where are many

wolves? Keep Balkh---if you can.''

By now Raja Man Singh was waxing restless.

His handsome face was petulant.

``Shiva---and Shiva!'' he cried. ``Name the

rebel a price, Jani Beg. I am thirsty. Give him a

camel­load of gold!''

He lifted some grains of brown powder from a

jeweled box that hung at his throat and placed

them on his tongue. Jani Beg thought swiftly. He

had no wish to exasperate the Rajput.

``Two lacs of rupees and twenty horses of

Arabia---'' he began, when Shirzad Mir broke in.

``We have no need of such.'' He turned to the

Rajput. ``Give me twelve donkeys heavily loaded

with powder and two others bearing camel swivels,

also twenty­four good matchlocks and as many

braces of Turkish pistols, and you shall have Said

Afzel.''

The Rajput seemed to be about to refuse.

Powder and cannon---even such small pieces of

brass---­were beyond price in Badakshan, and I

judge that the swivels belonged to Raja Man Singh

himself. Sir Weyand had said that there were many

in the Mogul's army, although the Uzbeks had

them not.

But Jani Beg cast him a glance.

``It is well'' the Uzbek said swiftly. ``Two days

we must have to make ready the things. We will

then bring them to this place when the sun is at the

same hour.''

``The beasts of burden must be driven by a

half­dozen unarmed men on foot,'' bargained

Shirzad Mir.

``Aye. And Said Afzel must be unharmed.''

H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

8

``Not a scratch will be on his skin. He shall be

whole, although probably drunk, as is his custom.''

So it was agreed. Jani Beg's party, including

the beasts with the ransom, would ride to this spot

in the plain. We would come forth to meet them.

Then, while we still held Said Afzel and any who

came to attend him, the men who drove the beasts

would retire to the Uzbek lines. Then we would

join Jani Beg's party and deliver the prisoner and

they would ride away, leaving us the animals with

their valuable burden.

``I will come alone with Raja Man Singh,''

added Jani Beg. ``And you will bring only Sir

Weyand.''

Shirzad Mir was surprized and hesitated. I

was angered that I should not accompany my lord,

as was my hereditary right, but Jani Beg said

smoothly that both he and the Rajput desired to

look upon the ferang, and Shirzad Mir assented,

saying only that in case Said Afzel was drunk I

should be allowed to escort his litter down to the

meeting place and should remain ten spear­lengths

distant. He asked this because it was my right by

custom.

``Likewise---'' and he looked at the Rajput, not

at Jani Beg--- ``this thing shall be done in peace

and the curse of God be on the man who sets hand

to sword. I pledge this for myself and those with

me.''

Then I noted that Jani Beg spoke swiftly

before the Rajput.

``Aye, we trust you, Shirzad Mir.''

Whereupon both wheeled their horses and

made off. Not however, before I saw a gleam of

satisfaction on the Uzbek's hawk­like face. For

some secret reason he was well pleased with the

bargain. The thought came to me that he was using

the Rajput's honor as a shield and that Shirzad Mir

had got too readily what he asked.

Jani Beg glanced back shrewdly over his

shoulder as he rode, but the Rajput, who was a

fearless man, looked neither to right nor left. In

spite of my foreboding, my heart swelled at the

thought of possessing the powder and the brass

cannon.

``Eh, Abdul Dost,'' cried my lord, ``we have

strengthened mighty Khanjut at the price of an

opium­guzzling animal.''

And think as I would, the bargain seemed safe

to me notwithstanding my distrust of Jani Beg. Sir

Weyand and my lord would be alone with Jani Beg

and the Rajput. If swords should, by chance, be

drawn the odds would be even and I should not be

far distant. Men have said I am an excellent hand

with the scimitar. Likewise, there was the honor of

Raja Man Singh, who would not draw the first

sword, although in a quarrel he would be forced to

side with Jani Beg. As for Said Afzel, he could not

lift a weapon.

CHANGE had come upon Sir Weyand. He

fell moody and he seemed to avoid Shirzad

Mir and me. Jan reported that he talked long and

quietly with Krishna Taya and at other times

walked by himself on the ramparts.

This was not wonted, for, when himself, the

ferang was a merry man, although not fond of

words. Once I asked him if the devil of illness had

gripped him,

``I know not what devil it is, Abdul Bert,'' he

made reply. ``There is a matter lies heavily on my

mind. It is not always easy to settle what is right

and what is wrong.''

He spoke with seeming frankness, yet the

words had a strange ring. He turned on me

suddenly.

``Is it true, Abdul Dost, that Jani Beg offered

to give me a safe conduct to Jahangir.

I started, for how could the news have come

to him?

``The words of Jani Beg are false as a wolf's

whine,'' I replied after thinking up on the matter.

``If he made an offer, he did not mean to keep it.

When Shirzad Mir gives his pledge of friendship,

he will abide by it.''

``I doubt it not!'' he muttered. ``It is long since

I came to India, yet I am no nearer the ear of

Jahangir than at first. I can not forget my mission

------ ``

He broke off and walked away.

There came Bihor Jan, on the ferang's

footsteps, and whispered to me in passing.

``Rose Face is beloved.''

``Ho!'' I was surprized ``The ferang?''

``I know not. I have watched Said Afzel. The

poet's eyes follow the girl when she walks by and

there is a gleam in them. He plays to her on a

guitar, lying at her side, and strokes the pearls of

the necklace she wears. Sir Weyand likes it not.

Why should he waste thought on the woman?''

Perhaps Bihor Jan would have liked the

necklace of pearls for himself. For many hours I

considered the matter. The ferang had known of

A

H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

9

the offer of Jani Beg, yet neither Shirzad Mir nor I

had spoken of it.

God has strengthened the walls of Khanjut. I

did not think any spy of the Uzbeks had climbed

within them, so the thought came to me that some

one had known the offer was to be made, Perhaps

Said Afzel, perhaps Krishna Taya and perhaps Sir

Weyand.

Here was a horse that would require

grooming. I went to Sir Weyand and spoke what

was on my mind. How was I to know that I

blundered?

``The girl distresses you, Sir Weyand,'' I said

bluntly. ``Why not give her to Said Afzel? Then she

will have a master. It is true that you do not desire

a slave?''

``Death's life, Abdul Dost'' he swore. ``It is

true.'' He fell silent. ``That might be best Krishna

Taya must be cared for. I think Said Afzel is fond

of her. She is no more than a child.''

I did not smile.

So it came to pass that Krishna Taya

consented to serve Said Afzel. She gathered up her

belongings in a bundle and went to the dwelling of

the Uzbek prince.

Yet that night I found Sir Weyand walking

moodily the length of her room, which was now

empty as a year­old nightingale's nest. I think it

was the first time he had been there. The room

smelled of attar of rose, after the manner of a

woman's apartment. I did not speak to him, for his

face was not pleasant

Nevertheless, I considered it was well. Now

that Krishna Taya was with the Uzbek, she would

not bother Sir Weyand--- nor would it be so easy

for her to talk with him.

I kept thinking of the meeting with Jani Beg

which was to take place the next day. There

seemed to be no danger. The plain before the castle

was bare and no followers of the Uzbeks could

approach the spot without being seen from the

battlements. Since I was old enough to shoot an

arrow at a stag, it was my task to safeguard the

person of Shirzad Mir. I wearied my brains upon

the matter of the meeting---without result. God had

willed that I should not foresee what was to come

to pass.

Still, one thing I did see.

The demon of unrest kept me awake that night

and I walked the edge of the garden, past the

stables and the door of Shirzad Mir. It was a still

night and the splendor of the stars beat down on

Khanjut, I harkened to the challenges of the

sentries and the stamp of a hoof among the horses.

Then I heard voices among the bare trees of

the garden. For the space milk takes to boil I

waited, holding my breath. Then I stepped softly

nearer the voices.

The ferang and Krishna Taya were talking

together. By staring for a long time I made out

their forms against the gray stretch of a wall. They

stood close and whispered.

I heard Krishna Taya laugh and it sounded

like the low murmur of a rivulet. Sir Weyand's

voice came to me, harsh and urgent.

``You must not do this thing, Rose Face,'' he

said.

Again I held my breath, but her whispered

words were not clear. His reply was spoken in the

swift, broken phrases of a man who is troubled by

a great trouble. I caught the name of Shirzad Mir

and bristled. Then---

``You will come and be at my side when the

time is near,'' she whispered wistfully after the

fashion of a woman who has bound a man by the

silken cord of love.

``Aye, Rose Face.''

Sir Weyand had made a decision and it had

cost him much. For a space the two forms by the

gray wall merged together, and the thought came

to me that he had kissed her before she sped away

through the garden. Thereupon he turned and went

to his own quarters.

B'illah! If I had had her slim throat between

my hands, I should have strangled her by the rope

of pearls, for there had been pain and

unwillingness in the voice of Sir Weyand, and this

betokened ill to my lord.

This thing I told to Shirzad Mir after the dawn

prayer, and he laughed in his beard.

``Of the servant who brings me food and of

my foster brother, I might believe evil, Abdul

Dost,'' he responded, ``but not of Sir Weyand.''

Yet I marked a flush in the cheeks of the

Rajput maiden that morning and heard her sing in

the apartment of Said Afzel for the first time since

she had come to Khanjut.

What was I to do?

OON came, the hour we were to ride to meet

Jani Beg. Bihor Jan told me with a grin that

Said Afzel was wrapped in opium dreams and lay

like a stricken pig.

N

H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

10

So, as this was my task, I had a litter brought,

and the Afghan and I placed Said Afzel upon it.

Then Krishna Taya, who watched, came and said

that she also was to ride on the litter, as she would

go with the Uzbek.

I would not consent. I smelled evil in this, as a

hound smells the trace of a hare. Striding to

Shirzad Mir, I demanded angrily that Krishna Taya

should not go, Sir Weyand, who was listening,

spoke curtly.

``It shall be as she wishes, Abdul Dost. Did

not your master promise that any attendant of the

prince might accompany him?''

Shirzad Mir made me a careless sign to be

about my business. He was not one to suspect

treachery, yet the ferang's eye had not met mine as

he spoke.

As I had been ordered, I did. I placed a

Kashmir shawl over the frame of the litter where

Krishna Taya sat by Said Afzel's head. This was to

guard the two from the sun and from curious eyes.

When it was time, I summoned Bihor Jan with

seven others and accompanied them as they bore

the litter from the castle across the courtyard and

down the winding road to the plain.

Out over the drawbridge the litter passed.

When we reached the spot of the meeting, I bade

the eight set down their burden. When Shirzad Mir

and Sir Weyand rode from the castle gate, I

ordered the bearers to retire to Khanjut.

I sat moodily on the horse, watching the

languid movement of Said Afzel's slippered feet---

all that I could see of the poet---and thought

blackly upon the danger to Shirzad Mir.

When he and the ferang gained my side

Shirzad Mir bade me withdraw ten spear lengths

toward Khanjut. This I did and when I turned at

my new station, the Uzbek party came in view.

Raja Man Singh, in all his finery, was leading

with Jani Beg, who sat his horse in grim silence.

Behind them came the cavalcade of donkey

ushered by four or five miserable slaves. The little

beasts carried weighty packs. I caught the glitter of

brass upon one.

A cloud of dust rose about them and hung in

the air, for there was no wind. The jewels gleamed

in the turban of the Rajput and he laughed more

than once, but Jani Beg did not laugh.

Nearer they came and nearer. I could see the

sweat on the donkeys' shoulders and marked the

outline of the powder boxes under the packs.

God has given me keen sight, and all that

followed I saw clearly. I saw the Rajput halt the

donkey­men and order them off with a

contemptuous gesture and Jani Beg and Sir

Weyand peer in the packs as if to make sure of

what they held. I saw the beasts begin to nuzzle for

grass to crop and Raja Man Singh ride up to the

waiting two. By now the donkey­men were a good

bow­shot distant.

Then all four of the riders dismounted,

watching one another. I leaned upon the peak of

my saddle and swallowed hard, for my throat was

dry. The dust settled down. I marked a pigeon

wheeling over head.

There was a great stillness on the plain of

Badakshan. Khanjut was far, far distant and

Shirzad Mir stood with three mea at his side, all

being, armed.

The Rajput's white teeth showed in a laugh.

This time Jani Beg smiled. He was in a cordial

mood, for he advanced to Shirzad Mir and made a

low salaam.

Afar off, I heard a holy man cry to prayers.

Then suddenly I saw the lean arms of Jani

Beg spring forth and grip Shirzad Mir. like a swift

snake he twined about my master, holding Shirzad

Mir's arms to his sides.

``Strike him!'' cried Jani Beg. ``In the throat

above the armor!''

It was to the ferang that he had said this. The

eyes of Raja Man Singh widened in astonishment.

Sir Weyand's muscles quivered, but he did

not move to aid the treacherous Uzbek. Instead he

stepped toward the litter.

The thing was clear to me. Jani Beg thought

that the ferang would slay Mir, as he had cried for

him to do. Something had gone amiss with Beg's

plan, for neither Sir Weyand nor the Rajput moved.

Aye, the Rajput was a man of high honor.

Shirzad Mir strained at the Uzbek's grip. Jani

Beg's face grew dark with rage. I dug my spurs

deep into the side of my horse. He sprang

forward---­a leap that would have unsettled another

rider---and I bore down on Jani Beg.

Hot was my heart with anger at the sight of

Shirzad Mir helpless among the three. I had lifted

my scimitar to strike down Jani Beg. I had

galloped within arm's reach and there reined in my

mount on its haunches.

Aye, I drew rein at sight of the three, for the

Rajput and Sir Weyand's and Shirzad Mir were

H. A. Lamb Rose Face Adventure, March 3, 1920

11

staring not at Jani Beg but at the litter, and on the

three faces was the mark of amazement and horror.

I also looked down at the litter. Krishna Taya

had pushed back the shawl. She sat upon her knees

with the head of Said Afzel on her lap. The sleek

face of Said Afzel was red and his eyes glazed, as

in the opium trance. He lay still, very still.

From his gaping mouth hung the end of a

string of pearls. The pearls looked like the tip of a

necklace. I had seen them before. I looked from the

mottled face that glared up at me to the neck of the

maiden. The necklace had gone from the throat of

Krishna Taya.

She sat very straight on the litter and there

was a smile on her childlike face.

``Here is Said Afzel, Jani Beg,'' she said

softly, ``whole and without a scratch upon his

skin.''

The Uzbek looked from her to the head of the

dead man on her knee, and his mouth opened

slowly. His arms that were about Shirzad Mir

dropped to his side and he tried vainly to swallow,

like one who has the palsy. I heard my lord mutter

in his beard---''

``By the ninety holy names of God, I knew

naught of this.''

Yet I heeded not. The pigeon overhead

fluttered away.

Then hate leaped into the evil face of Jani Beg

as flame sears paper.

``Wench! Child of sin---traitress---'' he grasped

and then choked to silence.

``Nay,'' she spoke calmly, ``What I promised

you has been done. I have cut the prop from him

who would usurp the throne of Badakshan.''

So great was the rage of Jani Beg that his

hand trembled so he could scarce grip the dagger

in his girdle. He raised the dagger with one hand;

the other he twisted in the hair of the maiden, who

looked up at him and smiled.

``It is well,'' I heard her whisper. ``I have made

clean the honor of the Rajput.

Neither I nor Shirzad Mir would have checked

Jani Beg in the slaying of Krishna Taya, but the

dagger did not reach her slender throat. Sir

Weyand had gripped the hand that held the

weapon. For the space of a long breath the eyes of

the ferang and the Uzbek met and held. The arms

of the two quivered and strained. The lips of the

ferang were closed in a tight line.

Then Jani Beg spoke in level words.

``Every soul in Khanjut shall die if this woman

is not slain.''

Sir Weyand did not relax his grip.

``She avenged the wrong that was done her.''

His voice was curiously strained. He turned his

face to the Rajput.

``Krishna Taya needs the protection of the

Rajputs.''

Raja Man Singh sighed and twisted a strand

of his curly beard. His glance went from the end of

the pearl necklace that had strangled Said Afzel to

the woman.

``Come,'' he said at length, curtly. He took the

girl and lifted her to the back of his horse behind

the saddle. We knew, and Jani Beg knew that

Krishna Taya was now safe under the sword of the

Rajput.

Many things were in my mind as I drove the

donkeys up to Khanjut, following after Shirzad Mir

and Sir Weyand. I thought of the reckless honor of

Shirzad Mir that had let Jani Beg depart unharmed,

because of his pledge. I wondered whether one of

us would live to tell of the Uzbek storm that would

be launched upon us because Sir Weyand had

guarded the life of Krishna Taya when Jani Beg

lusted for vengeance. But among these thoughts

one was uppermost. It was a verse from the Koran.

Who knows what is in the heart of a woman?

12

TO A VOYAGER

by Berton Braley

SO YOU'RE off to storied China and to Java and Bombay

And the grin upon your face is high and broad;

Oh, you poor deluded mortal with your dreams of faraway,

Where you ``hear the paddles chunkin' from Rangoon to Mandalay,''

Do you think that I am envious and awed?

Do you fancy I'm made restless by your visions of the East

And your talk of sailing far across the foam?

Do you look on me as jealous or affected in the least

That you're squandering your money, while my savings are increased

As I labor on efficiently at home?

Do you figure for a moment that the trouble and the fret

Which a traveler today must undergo,

All the passports and the papers and the visas you must get,

And the bureaucratic satraps and officials to be met,

And the bothers and delays that you must know?

Do you think I'd care to face them, do you somehow fancy me

Bearing all such tribulations with delight?

Do you dream I'd like to follow, that I'd give my soul to be

On a list of idle wasters who are putting out to sea?

Do you think so?---Well, you certainly are right!