AUTUMN FESTIVAL
"A bearded Rajput warrior like him courting the smiles of a bright-eyed little Bengali girl!"
"Such things have happened before, my Master; bearded warriors are not exempt from the fascinations of women, and sturdy men, at whose name the people have trembled, have often been led captive in silken chains."
The remark was made in the most innocent manner, but Nobo Kumar felt the blow.
"Thou art an old fool, Gokul Das. Whom is the Raja going to marry?"
"Man Singh seeks to take the sister of the Raja of Koch Bihar into his harem to strengthen his influence in North Bengal, and to consolidate the Empire of Akbar. For the Raja needs support in all directions. New enemies are issuing out of the sea and invading Bengal from the south."
"Ay! ay! Gokul Das. We hear strange rumours of a race of pirates who have come over the sea in vast numbers and are harassing our ports and inlets. Hast thou any definite news of them, Gokul Das?"
"They are a race of fierce sea-wanderers, and have come from a distant land which they call Portugal. We hear that Sebastian Gouzales, a Chief of this race, has conquered a large island in the mouths of the Ganges. Others of their tribe are fortifying themselves at the port of Hughli, forcing the timid villagers to embrace their impure faith."
"Why, this is serious news, Gokul Das. The Afghans then are not the only enemy Raja Man Singh has to quell?"
"The Afghans are the only enemy on land, my
71
