Page 87 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

HOW THE ENGLISH WENT TO INDIA 87

the suitor for employment responded to the summons
to appear in the imperial presence.
Jehangir’s eye, roving about in drunken fashion, caught
sight of the fierce animals, which were approaching in the
custody of their keepers. Turning to the Pathan he
demanded why he asked such high wages.
The answer given to the prince was repeated, “ Make
trial of me.”
“ That I will,” responded Jehangir ; “ go wrestle and
buffet with the lion.”
The Pathan not unnaturally demurred to accept such
an unequal combat. The Emperor, however, would
hear of no refusal, so the young tribesman, with probably
a heavy heart but with undaunted mien, stepped into the
arena, while at the same moment the chained lion was
released by its keepers. The poor fellow strove to master
the animal, with the inevitable result that in a few minutes,
all mangled and bleeding, he was lying in the last agonies
on the ground of the arena. Not content with the sacrifice
of this brave fellow the bloodthirsty tyrant ordered other
men into the arena to battle with the lions for his enjoy­
ment. Terrible injuries were inflicted upon a number of
unfortunates before the passion for man-killing was sated.
Quite as characteristic as this story of blood lust is the
incident of a different type which Hawkins relates con­
cerning one of the Emperor’s leading ministers. This
functionary through an act of carelessness one day broke
a china dish which Jehangir valued very much. Instead
of reporting the occurrence the official sent to China for a
new dish to replace the one broken, trusting that the loss
would not be discovered in the meantime. But in an
unfortunate moment for him his imperial master bethought