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 Afghan Rulers in Bengal. Be true to the traditions of your House, and serve the race whom Providence has destined to be the new Rulers of Bengal."

"I admire thy coolness, most sedate counsellor, but my impulses lead me a different way. I will join the Mogul barons and be revenged on the insolent Raja."

"Do as you think best, Nobo Kumar. I am your faithful servant, and will serve your House as my fathers have done for hundreds of years."

But calmer reflection convinced Nobo Kumar that his minister was right, and he decided to help Raja Todar Mull with all his endless resource.

Raja Todar Mull, with that penetrating wisdom which made him one of the greatest generals and the foremost financier of the age, quelled the rebellious barons without fighting a battle. He won over the Hindu Zemindars of Bengal one by one, and he cut off all supplies from the rebel camp at Bhagalpur. Not one of these Zemindars exerted himself with greater assiduity or with more marked success than Nobo Kumar. He went from estate to estate; he brought over all the neighbouring Hindu Chiefs to the cause of the Emperor; and he stole by night into Monghyr and furnished the Raja with secret information about the movements of the rebels. The success of his endeavours was complete; all Hindu Zemindars stood aloof from the Mogul barons and cut off their supplies; and the famished barons broke up their camp and dispersed all over the country.

The time came for rewarding the services of the faithful servants of the Empire, and Raja Todar Mull reckoned Nobo Kumar one of the foremost among them.

"Name your own reward, Nobo Kumar; you have