Page:True Tales of Indian Life - Dwijendra Nath Neogi.pdf/15



the annals of the Mahrattas a story is told of an incident which is said to have occurred during their campaign in Malwa. It is related that Bhji Rao Pashwa, their commander, having run short of provender, was at his wits' end as to where he might obtain a fresh supply. Accordingly he chose from his men a certain náik (captain) and sent him out at the head of a small body of men on a foraging expedition, but as the country had been laid waste and most of the inhabitants had fled, the troops had to march many a weary mile without seeing either a green field or an inhabited village. At last they came across a man going along a country path. The náik at once accosted him and asked him to guide him and his men to any cornfields that might be near. The man silently obeyed and led the way. After a little time they came to a cornfield, and overjoyed at the sight, the captain said, "This will do," and began to give his men orders to get in supplies, but the guide interrupted him saying, "Not here, sir. There is more further on," and, thinking that still better crops were near by, the náik ordered the troops to move on. T.T.