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ZUR-I-ZUNJEER, OR THE CHAIN OF GOLD.

A TALE of oude.

It was towards the close of the year 18-when, one evening in the month of June, as the expiring light of day had just began to dif fuse a bright red tinge over the parti-coloured patches, which for miles betokened the high state of cultivation of the surrounding country, that the attention of the ryots or husbandmen, busied in their grain fields, became attracted by the approaching sounds of a horse's hoofs proceeding at a pace of considerable rapidity.

The appearance of the rider at once denoted him a Mussulman; though soiled with dust, his dress was white, and of the finest materials; a large kummerbund or sash, composed of shawl, bound his slender waist, set in fine and neatly arranged folds, and drawn firmly as if to serve the purposes equally of walking or riding; in his sash was stuck an ivory hilted kunjur or dagger, and over it appeared a waist belt of blue velvet, sprigged with flowers, worked in gold threads, from which hung suspended his tulwar or sword, the scabbard of which was formed of the same materials, apparently to match. His turban, white as the driven snow, neatly crossed and re-crossed in ample folds over each other, furnished an equally good defence against the piercing rays of the sun, or, in time of need, against the blow of a sabre, as occasion might require. His trowsers of coloured silk hung loosely down, scarce concealing a pair of English half boots, an article of European dress which was, at that time, beginning to be adopted by natives of rank in their equestrian journeys. A large muslin white mantle thrown over his left shoulder, worn much in the manner of an Highland plaid, completed his dress, and he was unadorned with any kind of ornament, except that on the little finger of his right hand appeared a signet ring of small value. His age might be perhaps thirty; his features, marked and regular, were well calculated to express strong passions; his jet black hair, mustachios, and shortly trimmed beard, had a slight curve in its point, which might either be natural, or the effect of careful keeping, as in neither was to be seen a single hair out of place, while the ruddy glow which mantled over his dark cheek, showed him to be in the enjoyment of health, and in the prime of life and vigour.

He was accompanied by a youth very considerably his junior in age, whose fair countenance showed that he could not have numbered more than thirteen summers; short in stature, effeminate in person; he appeared as the attendant on the taller stranger, though there was but little difference in his dress, or in the appearance of the horse on which he was mounted. Too well dressed to be taken for a servant, though apparently occupying the situation of one, his form and appearance was rather such as to denote him, what he really was, a page.

The fields in which the husband-men were employed, were situated in the vicinity of the large and populous town of Hydergurh, on the

eastern extremity of which, proudly towering over the highest houses below, stood, on a well chosen and elevated spot of ground, an 'extensive and apparently impregnable fortress, though, from neglect, want of care, and the ravages of time, it had fallen, in many places, into a state of dilapidation. In the fields below, might be seen groupes of peasants, of both sexes, engaged with their children, of various ages, in cultivating the soil, while a few, composing the idlers of the village, stood gazing, some fearfully, others curiously, on the stranger youth, and his attendant; who now more slowly approached, having checked their steeds into a more moderate pace. Concealed now from their view, by the intervening foliage of a thick grove of mangoe trees, many and various were the conjectures of the assembled crowd, as to the cause and the destination of the stranger's visit. As he nearer approached, some of the gazers retired to their huts, others entered within the city gates, while, by the few who proceeded to the fortress, the news of the arrival of a stranger was rapidly spread, while the fierce countenances, and clashing weapons of the soldiery, on the battlements above, appeared to betoken but an abrupt welcome to the new comer. Goolzar Khan, however, apparently, either not noticing, or viewing with indifference, these movements, proceeded onwards, his only anxiety being to reach the fortress before its gates should be closed for the night, and to obtain shelter for himself and his companion, with their horses; the bespattered condition of the riders, and the weary pace of the jaded animals, showing clearly their journey that day to have been by no means a short one. On approaching the larger gate, which was the principal entrance to the fort, he was met by the killadar, or governor of the castle, attended by a few armed followers. The killadar, judging, from the mild and open countenance of the youth, that nothing of an hostile nature was to be apprehended, and with a transient feeling of shame, at having allowed his mind, on vague report, to give way to suspicious feelings, gave orders to the centinels for his admittance, hastening forward, at the same time, to meet him. Having approached to within a few paces of the spot, where the stranger now stood dismounted, shaking the dust from his garments, and proceeding to loosen the saddle girths from his wearied steed, he gave him that welcome, which the engaging and handsome countenance of the youth the more readily obtained for him.

Returning his salute with that courtesy, which in every nation depicts the real gentleman, Goolzar Khan, in a few words, informed him, that his business consisted in being the bearer of important information to the nawaub, the further particulars of which he was not at liberty to disclose. With almost equal courtesy, the governor invited him to enter, and partake of the hospitalities of his house. Giving their horses to an attendant, the youth, with his page, accepted the courteous offer, and walking forward a short distance, they entered a small, though neatly arranged house, the residence of Mirza Budr Ood Deen, the hereditary governor of the fortress of Hydergurh.

Assigning the necessity for giving to the nawaub, immediate notice of his arrival, the killadar apologizing for leaving his guest thus

abruptly, departed. In the mean time, the assiduous attendants had provided him with a bath and clean apparel. The youth then throwing himself upon a couch, which formed part of the furniture of the room, prepared himself to pass away, in repose, the time which would elapse before his host could be expected to return, and with a yawn ejaculating "Shookr Ullahee, God be praised, our journey is over!" "Ullah Hafiz,” said a voice in response, and the speaker entering the room, the governor made his appearance, followed by several servants bearing the usual evening repast.

Having refreshed themselves, and his young guest being furnished with a kullian, or pipe, the killadar informed him, in reply to his question, that the nawaub would next day receive him in public durbar, for which purpose he had desired his attendance at the durbar, or audience hall of the palace, where he added, he would be happy to introduce him, being himself obliged to be present, some event of importance being expected to transpire, as he inferred from the rather unusual circumstance of all the nobles, ameers, and their dependants having been ordered to be present.

"And now, my young friend," continued the hospitable old man, I will not weary thee with further converse, but leave you to enjoy that repose which the fatigue arising from your late journey must render not only acceptable, but indeed necessary. The hour at which the nawaub holds his durbar at this season of the year is at sunrise; a palankeen with bearers and attendants, becoming the rank of the guest of Budr Ood Deen, will be in attendance at your service by day-break, when I shall be happy to accompany you." Saying this, the governor arose, and making a friendly salaam, left our traveller to repose himself for the night.

Bahaudoor Ulee, the nawaub of Hyderabad, had been one of the wealthiest and most powerful potentates of his day. The hereditary ruler of a large and flourishing district; his power was almost absolute, while his allegiance to the reigning monarch of Oude might almost be considered as merely nominal; mild and gentle in his mode of government, he possessed the esteem, love, and affection of his subjects; but as he advanced in years his faculties became weakened, and he left the management of his kingdom almost entirely to his deewan. An unbounded love of display had been the nawaub's earliest passion, and lulled into fancied security by dazzling splendour, his once strong and well built fortress had fallen into ruin and decay, though the interior of his palace exhibited all the splendour that fancy could devise, or that wealth and opulence could procure. Yet, with all these advantages, he was far from happy. A heavy calamity, of a domestic nature, afflicted his mind, and though by no means stricken in years, yet the mental inquietude which oppressed him seemed, likely, ere long, to bring him to a premature grave.

About two months previous to the time of which we write, the nawaub had gone out on a visit to a neighbouring prince, who resided at some considerable distance, a friend with whom he was on terms of confidential intercourse. Seated on a majestic elephant, gorgeously orna

mented with gold and silver, with housings of the richest crimson velvet, fringed and ornamented with gold embroidery, attended by a large retinue of both horse and foot, Javelin men, mace bearers and running footmen with silver sticks, Bahadoor Ulee looked down, with pride from his elevated situation, in his gorgeous howdah, on the glittering scene, and turning to his deewan, who, seated on an elephant nearly as richly appareled as that of his prince, attended at his side, he observed, while tears of joy and vanity glistened in the eyes of the weak prince, are not these all that man can desire? Speak, am I not the happiest of the happy?" The courtier, who too well knew his master's failing, with a low inclination of the body, promptly replied, "your slave is honoured by the condescension of his prince, asking his opinion; may my lord long live to enjoy his splendour! may his shadow never be less!"

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A tree, which having been lately felled, lay across the road, and obstructed their path, caused the elephant of the minister to fall in rear of that of his master; the conversation being, therefore, for the present, put an end to; the subtile minister ever anxious to add to his master's prevailing passion for pomp and show, now ordered the spearsmen to ride on a few paces in advance, and amuse his highness by curvetting their neighing steeds, and hurling the javelin in a sort of running sham-fight. Loud were the shouts and acclamations which, with servile flattery, rent the air, till at length the cavalcade reached the place to which they were proceeding.

We do not deem it necessary to describe the meeting between the two nawaubs. It may be sufficient to observe, that it was conducted precisely in the same manner as all such visits usually are, always have been, and, probably, always will be; a show of insincere regard, unmeaning flattery, and idle forms. On returning from this visit, the nawaub learned, with astonishment and dismay, that during his absence a strong party of armed horsemen had attacked and overpowered the small guard which had remained at the fort, forcibly entered the palace, violated the privacy of the zenana, or the private apartments of the women, and had forcibly carried off the only daughter of the nawaub, the object of his devoted affection, and the darling of his hopes, a maiden of surpassing beauty, just verging into the bloom of womanhood; who, besides, had been just betrothed to the son of a neighbouring prince.

In the East, most houses, even those of the humblest description, have apartments set aside for privacy, the violation of which, it is considered a point of honour, with even the humblest peasant, to avenge with the blood of the offender; true, this revenge is not permitted in the districts under British government, but, it is nevertheless, fully in force, in those of native chieftains. Doubly, therefore, is such privacy maintained in families of wealth and distinction. Into one of these rooms, in the vicinity of the female apartments, the nawaub now retired. His grief and distraction may be more easily imagined than described, and after giving vent to the first gush of parental feeling, he summoned to his presence the deewan, giving, at the same time, orders to the urz-begee, to ad

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