Page:The Slave Girl of Agra.djvu/82

 Kumar himself hardly liked this cool impudence of his servant, but Gokul Das whispered a few words in his ear: "Trust me, Master, and accept the arrangement. The triumph of Debipur is nigh."

The wise men of Birnagar shook their heads, but their stifled murmurs were drowned by the joyous assent of Noren himself. He would steer and Hemlata would judge. It was the happiest moment of his life. Forgetting his recent outburst of anger he thanked Gokul Das with loud expressions of gratitude; and he respectfully helped Nobo Kumar to his seat in the Debipur boat. A quick glance he sent to the ladies' pavilion and his heart leaped in joy.

"Beware of rashness," Sirish whispered to him, "the waters are deep and the current is strong. The fortunes of two great Houses are on the two boats. Beware, Noren!" The warning was unheeded, for Noren's looks and thoughts were elsewhere.

Night follows quickly after sunset in India, and by the time the two boats had been towed against the current up to the starting-point a bright autumn moon danced over the waters of the Ganges. The flags and festoons of the two boats sparkled in the silver light, and eager spectators craned their necks in anxious expectation of the result of this exciting boat race between the two historic Houses.

The sound of a bomb announced that the boats had started; and before long the measured sweep of the oars and the loud chant of the oarsmen came floating over the air. When the two boats became