Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/80

 an hour before, was clouded. But Gokul Das spoke with his usual composure.

"The noble heir of Birnagar House will now name the fastest boat of his father's estate. The rules of our race require that the boat must be one entirely manned by Birnagar men."

There was an ominous silence in the pavilion. Few could grasp the import of the last remark. Trembling with emotion Noren inquired, "What means this new condition, Gokul Das?"

Gokul Das coolly answered, “The first Birnagar boat is not altogether manned by Birnagar men if my old eyes can see aright."

"False!" shouted Noren. But he restrained himself when he saw his companion Sirish standing by Gokul Das. "Thou, Sirish, hast younger eyes, speak the truth and say if thou hast not known the crew of the first boat, as I have known them from my boyhood, to be Birnagar men."

Sirish spoke calmly: "The heir of Birnagar speaks rightly, all the rowers of the first boat are Birnagar men. I am not so sure about the helmsman."

Another silence ensued. It was ascertained on inquiry that the helmsman's father was a boatman of Rajmahal, that the helmsman was born there, but he often came and worked and passed his days at Birnagar, and was a special favourite of Noren's.

"You are the judge," shouted Noren to Nobo Kumar, almost forgetting the respect due to his age and rank, "decide if that man is not a Birnagar man."

"No," answered Nobo Kumar, with suppressed