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 not be of the Nawab. She lost her patience, and plunged herself into a great peril. Foster was only too glad to agree to her alternative proposal, and he ordered his men to take his boat to the shore.

Kulsam, however, said, "I will by no means get down. If the Nawab can once get hold of me, I do not know what punishment he may not inflict on me. I will go to Calcutta with the Sahib—I have acquaintances there."

"You need not be afraid in the least," said Dalani in an impressively assuring tone. "If I live, I will also save you."

"Ay, if you live at all!" said Kulsam in reply.

Nothing could persuade Kulsam to get down from the boat with Dalani. The Begum repeatedly implored Kulsam to accompany her, but to no purpose.

"You too better get down," said Foster to Kulsam. "Who can say that the Nawab's men will not continue the chase if you be with me?"

"If you will drop me down here," said Kulsam with a ﬁne cunningness, "I will do all that I can to persuade the Nawab's men not to let you escape—I will see that they do not give up pursuing you."