of a letter to the
Nawab. They hired two ponies when they became tired, but both flagged
before they reached Nagina, whence Ania proceeded to Firozpur, on a
mare belonging to the native collector, leaving Islamullah behind. He
gave his letter to the Nawab, who desired him to describe the affair
of the murder. He did so. The Nawab seemed very much pleased, and
asked him whether Karim appeared to be in any alarm. Ania told him
that he did not, and had resolved to stick to one story, though he
should be imprisoned for twelve years. 'Karim Khan,' said the Nawab,
turning to the brother-in-law of the former, Wasil Khan, and Hasan
Ali, who stood near him--'Karim Khan is a very brave man, whose
courage may be always relied on.' He gave Ania eighteen rupees, and
told him to change his name, and keep close to Wasil Khan. They
retired together; but, while Wasil Khan went to his house, Ania stood
on the road unperceived, but near enough to hear Hasan Ali urge the
Nawab to have him put to death immediately, as the only chance of
keeping the fatal secret. He went off immediately to Wasil Khan, and
prevailed upon him to give him leave to go home for that night to see
his family, promising to be back the next morning early.

He set out forthwith, but had not been long at home when he learned
that Hasan Ali, and another confidential servant of the Nawab, were
come in search of him with some troopers. He concealed himself in the
roof of his house, and heard them ask his wife and children where he
was, saying they wanted his aid in getting out some hyaenas they had
traced into their dens in the neighbourhood. They were told that he
had gone back to Firozpur, and returned; but were sent back by the
Nawab to make a more careful search for him. Before they came,
however, he had gone off to his friends Kamruddin and Johari, two
brothers who resided in the Rao Raja's territory. To this place he
was followed by some Mewatis, whom the Nawab had induced, under the
promise of a large reward, to undertake to kill him. One night he
went to two acquaintances, Makram and Shahamat, in a neighbouring
village, and begged them to send to some English gentleman in Delhi,
and solicit for him a pardon, on condition of his disclosing all the
circumstances of Mr. Fraser's murder. They promised to get everything
done for him through a friend in the police at Delhi, and set out for
that purpose, while Ania returned and concealed himself in the hills.
In six day