away my weapon bade them do what they would
with me. Even then, so great was the awe we had struck into them, that
they advanced slowly, narrowing their circle all round, till at length
the foremost took courage to lay his hand on my shoulder. They then
led me away, jabbering the most horrid threats in my ear, while others
picked up my unfortunate cousin, and carried him after, groaning
miserably.

We were brought into a sort of guard-house, situated, as well as I
could judge, in the centre of the garden, and there kept till morning,
to await the Nabob's pleasure. Poor Rupert, who had broken his leg,
tossed and moaned till daybreak, but I was so much exhausted that I
could not keep awake, and fell into a sleep on the floor. In the
morning, to my astonishment, I was offered some food, after which my
captors dragged me pretty roughly into the palace. I said farewell to
my cousin, doubting greatly whether I should ever see him again.

Surajah Dowlah, contrary to his custom, had me brought into him in his
private apartments, there being present besides only some of the
minions and low buffoons he kept by him to amuse him. He rolled his
bloodshot eyes on me, as I was led in, looking as though he could have
bit me, and played with a sharp, crooked knife which he had in his
hand.

After overwhelming me with a torrent of imprecations which I should be
ashamed to write down, he ordered me to tell him how I had got into
his garden. Being well assured that nothing could make my position
worse than it already was, and having some experience of the Nabob's
character by this time, I resolved on defying him. I therefore
answered boldly--

"I got into the garden by means which I have, and which I shall not
disclose. Your Highness may rest assured that you cannot keep me out
of any place into which I choose to penetrate. Nevertheless I
intended no outrage on you. You hold prisoner a countrywoman of mine,
whom I intended to deliver out of your hands; and let me warn your
Highness that whatever you may order to be done with me, the English
will never leave you in peace till you have set that woman free."

I was scarce prepared for the effect which these words produced on the
intoxicated youth. He rose half way from his seat, raging like a
fiend, then fell back again white and crouching, as if I had been
about to deal him a blow, then passed into a fresh paroxysm of rage,
and so from one state of mind to another in a way at once ala