The Great Mogul Part 18

"By the cross of Osmotherly, Walter, I came to think I ken more than you of the ways of women. Now, mark me, she is a hoyden of some spirit. When the Prince would have reaved her she was willing enough, and tempted to aid him withal. But when the fight started, she hung back, like a doe watching two contending stags. Her husband was the better man and the greater gentleman, and he did more to win her by a five minutes'

contention than by a month's wooing."

"You are right, Roger, but you had most to say in that respect. Now, let us rest. Jahangir was no mean antagonist. He struggled like a bull when I had him on the ground. I am weary."

They slept late, and, when they had dressed and eaten, were at a loss whether to go or stay, as the Diwan had hastened to the palace soon after daybreak. But their doubts were quickly resolved. A mounted messenger from the Diwan bade them bring their packs with all speed to the fort. The Emperor had laughed when told that his heir was lying abed with sore bones, and gave imperative orders that the bazaar should take place as arranged.

The man told them that the fair was the _Khus-roz_, or "Day of Pleasure," and the scene in the garden of the zenana, when Mowbray and Sainton had hurried their train thither, showed that the festival was not misnamed. Not only the ladies of the court, but the wives and daughters of the chief n.o.bles, occupied the stalls, and, while Walter was busily superintending the unpacking of his bales, he heard the Emperor himself chaffering like an old wife about the value of a penny.

He was bargaining shrewdly with a beautiful Kashmiri, and receiving as good as he gave.

"What do you know of merchandise?" she cried. "You may be a good king, but certainly you are a poor trader."

"And you are selling inferior silk by your pretty face, just as a fine rind may cover a bad apple," he retorted.

"If your Majesty can only admire my face," said she, "I fear you must go where you will be better served."

"Ohe, here is a prude! Come, accept my price and let me take my compliments elsewhere."

"And what shall I say when I render short account to the Sultana?"

"Tell her that the King thought you ill-looking, so he showed you no favor."

"Your Majesty is reputed a better judge of women's nature. Then, indeed, the Sultana would regard me curiously."

"Oh, go to! You are vain as a peac.o.c.k. Here, not a pice more!"

He threw down some copper coins, and affected to drop a number of gold pieces by accident. The lady promptly covered them with a fold of her _sari_, and Akbar strolled away to another stall. Among the money she found a rare pearl, and the gift of a jewel was a signal sign of royal favor.

"They tell me an elephant broke loose outside the Diwan's house last night," said Akbar, stopping in front of Walter and eying him keenly.

"For a little while I fancied it was a whole menagerie, your Majesty,"

was the quick answer.

"So. And this other elephant, the Hathi-sahib, made a pen for the beasts?"

"a.s.suredly they found him occupation for a time."

"'Tis well. I am sorry I did not see him at work. Meanwhile, you shall not lose trade because young blood grows hot. What is the value of your wares?"

"A lakh and a half, your Majesty."

"Bones of my father! They must have told you that 'Akbar' meant 'a mint'

in your language."

"The meaning of your Majesty's name is known far beyond the confines of your kingdom."

"Ha! Thy tongue is glib! And what is my repute with your King?"

"I have been told that he regards your Majesty with great respect, which is saying much, as he is held by many to be a very Solomon."

"Aye, the wisest fool in Christendom," broke in Sainton, in English.

Mowbray smiled and Akbar cried eagerly:--

"What sayeth the Hathi?"

The translation, which Walter rendered accurately, made him laugh heartily.

"I doubt not thou hast an apt phrase to describe me when my back is turned," he said to Roger.

"If your Majesty leaves behind you the lakh and a half demanded by my partner I shall at least say that which is true."

"And what will it be?"

"That none but a royal bird could cast such feathers."

"Bismillah! Aught but that! The four winds would blow hither every knave in India, for they will read it that none but a royal goose could lay such eggs."

Of course the imperial quip was much applauded by those who stood near, and Akbar was so pleased with his own wit that he called for pen and paper and commanded an attendant to write an order on the Treasury for the amount named, for, strange to say, this far-seeing and intelligent monarch was quite illiterate. He could scarcely read, and his signature was a mere scrawl. Nevertheless, his hieroglyphics covered, in this instance, a considerable sum, its English equivalent being 15,000.

Seeing that the cost and transport of their goods amounted to only one-third of the sale price, both Mowbray and Sainton had the best of reasons to rejoice at this rapid change in their fortunes.

But Akbar knew the value of money as well as the poorest of his subjects. Turning to a corpulent nawab who had laughed loudest at his joke, he said:--

"Now, Agah Khan, thou shalt see that I am as ready a seller as a buyer.

Look at this roll of Persian silk. Think of the joy it will cause in thy household. Is it not cheap at two hundred gold mohurs, or shall we say two-fifty, as thou wouldst not care to rob a man who scarce knew the value of his commodities."

Agah Khan, not at all elated by this twist of the royal humor, hastened to say that two hundred and fifty was the true price, at which figure he would certainly purchase it. He knew Akbar. Had he hesitated the figure would have risen by hundreds a minute.

"Nay, be not so shy, Nur-ud-din," called out the Emperor after one who affected an interest in another stall. "Here be spices of Gondar that shall make thee eat until the mirror reveals one twice thy size. What shall it be?"

"Fifty, O King of Kings," was the quick response.

"Fifty! When each grain doth season a meal! A hundred at the least!"

"Be it so, shadow of Allah on earth!" said Nur-uddin; yet he looked so dismal, for he was a reputed skinflint, that Akbar smiled grimly, and there was discreet mirth even among those who dreaded their own dealing with this masterful salesman.

"Gad!" whispered Sainton to Walter, "I begin to catch the drift of the King's bargain. He hath a nice wit."

In half an hour Akbar had sold three fourths of their stock and retained the best quarter for nothing. They, all aglow with pleasure at this successful close of their venture, watched the proceedings in patience until the Emperor approached them again.

"It grieves me that affairs in the Dekkan will detain me to-day," he said, looking fixedly at Walter. "Visit the Treasury to-morrow, come hither at the hour fixed for this evening, and then journey with all speed and good fortune back to Surat."

Now, Walter read a hint into the words. He bowed deeply, a.s.suring the Emperor that he would obey his commands to the letter. Then, Akbar having gone, he and Roger went on their way with light hearts.

In a land where intrigue was rife, the signal favor shown by the Emperor to the two strangers was in every man's mouth. This was clear from the respect paid to them as they rode forth from the palace. Each menial salaamed, and officials who had surveyed them with hauteur during their first visit now rendered obsequious attention.

They were yet some little distance from the bazaar when two richly clad n.o.bles, mounted on fine Turkoman Arabs, overtook them, drew rein and entered into conversation.