t to speak to me. I
was on the point of offering him my hand, but observing that he had no
suspicions as to who it was I merely told him in Indostanee that I
came from Moorshedabad, with a message from the Meer Jaffier, and
suffered him to bring me in to Mr. Clive.

The famous Sabat Jung sat writing at a small table, from which he
looked up as we entered, and cast a sharp glance over me. Mr. Scrafton
spoke in English.

"Colonel, here is a Moor from the Nabob's capital, with a message from
his general to you."

Mr. Clive laid down his pen.

"Tell him to deliver it," he said.

Before Mr. Scrafton could interpret this command, which he was about
to do, I interposed, addressing Mr. Clive in English.

"The Meer Jaffier bade me salute you privately, sir. Is it your
pleasure that Mr. Scrafton should be present?"

The Colonel and his secretary stared at each other, as they well
might.

"Who are you, man?" demanded Mr. Clive. "And how do you know this
gentleman's name?"

"I know his name very well, sir," said I, "and I think he knows mine,
unless by this time he has forgot his former pupil, Athelstane Ford."

"By the Lord, if it isn't my little purser!" exclaimed Colonel Clive.

And this great man was pleased to rise from his chair and shake me
very warmly by the hand, declaring himself pleased to see me safe and
sound again. Mr. Scrafton did the same, after which they made me sit
down and tell the history of my adventures. They questioned me very
closely about the character of Surajah Dowlah and the strength of his
government, and after I had expressed my opinions, Mr. Clive told me
that he believed he understood the Nabob's character, and had written
him a letter such as would send his heart into his boots.

"And that the whole of Indostan may know what I think of the young
monster, I mean to send the letter open to his lieutenant, Monichund,"
he said. "These barbarous nations shall be made to learn the English
are their masters, and that every outrage upon an Englishman shall
cost them dear."

So at last there had come a man able to deal with the bloodthirsty
savage Moors and their prince as they deserved; and a new page was
turned over in the history of Bengal. And but for the anxiety that
continually harassed my mind as to the fate of those two whom I had
left in Moorshedabad, I mean Marian and my cousin, who, in spite of
many crimes, had at last done something to atone for his past
misconduct; but for thi