Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 19.15.9

19.15.9

The man, astonished at the danger, excused himself, and said that we must first of all look out for our way, and then set out with it; but the balls rained in such quantities, that there was no venturing out at all. The man nonplused, wrote a note to Hamid-eddin, and prevailed upon his servant to carry it. The servant came back in a little time, and said there was no passing forwards. The man, instead of being quiet, commenced urging his servant, and at last he offered him five rupees to carry the note. — The servant, impatiented, asked, "Whether he "thought money more precious than life? And since you," said he, "that are my master, dare not venture out, how can I, who "am but a servant, venture upon such an attempt? I am a man "myself, and have about me some of that very flesh and that "very blood, which my betters are so careful of. Poor men are "just such men as the rich ones." This dialogue diverted me a little; I was inclined to listen, but the man nonplused said, that we had better go back. I answered, as I had hitherto done, that he was my guide, and that I would follow him. The man, ashamed of himself, returned; and on our being arrived close to Mahmed-c8li-qhan, that General asked us, "What news?" I answered, "Please to ask my guide." The General soon found out what was the matter; and the man confounded, hung his head, said not a word, and shrunk away.