swear that so it is: so at least he told me, and I have good cause
to know his power. Gujputi is an enchanter: he is leagued with
devils; he is invulnerable. Look," said I, unsheathing my dagger--
and every eye turned instantly towards me--"thrice did I stab him
with this steel--in the back, once--twice right through the heart;
but he only laughed me to scorn, and bade me tell Holkar that the
steel was not yet forged which was to inflict an injury upon him."

I never saw a man in such a rage as Holkar was when I gave him this
somewhat imprudent message.

"Ah, lily-livered rogue!" shouted he out to me, "milk-blooded
unbeliever! pale-faced miscreant! lives he after insulting thy
master in thy presence? In the name of the Prophet, I spit on
thee, defy thee, abhor thee, degrade thee! Take that, thou liar of
the universe! and that--and that--and that!"

Such are the frightful excesses of barbaric minds! every time this
old man said, "Take that," he flung some article near him at the
head of the undaunted Gahagan--his dagger, his sword, his carbine,
his richly ornamented pistols, his turban covered with jewels,
worth a hundred thousand crores of rupees--finally, his hookah,
snake mouthpiece, silver-bell, chillum and all--which went hissing
over my head, and flattening into a jelly the nose of the Grand
Vizier.

"Yock muzzee! my nose is off," said the old man, mildly. "Will you
have my life, O Holkar? it is thine likewise!" and no other word of
complaint escaped his lips.