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 with the English will unnecessarily arise. But Gurgan Khan says that let a quarrel arise if it will—the boats must not be let off."

Dalani. To what place are the arms being sent?

Kulsam. To the factory at Azimabad. If war be inevitable, it shall first break out there. The English are sending arms there so that they may not be dislodged from that place all on a sudden. This is the rumour in the castle.

Dalani. But why does Gurgan Khan want to keep the boats under arrest?

Kulsam. He says that it will be very difficult to win the battle if the enemies. are allowed to grow in strength. Ali Ibrahim Khan, however, thinks that whatever we may do, we shall never be able to defeat the English in a fight—so we must not quarrel with them. Why should we then provoke a battle by arresting the boats? In fact, his words are very true. There is no escaping out of the hands of the English. I fear, the scene of what happened to Seerajuddaulla is going to be re-enacted.

Dalani remained absorbed in meditation for a long time. At last she said, "Kulsam, can you make bold to perform a daring deed?"