S., C. I. H. A.
CHAPTER VI.
FAMINE IN THE GARRISON.
Thus my dangers for the night being overcome, I hastened with my
precious box into my own apartment, which communicated with another,
where I had left my prisoner, with a guard to report if he should
recover, and to prevent his escape. My servant, Ghorumsaug, was one of
the guard. I called him, and the fellow came, looking very much confused
and frightened, as it seemed, at my appearance.
"Why, Ghorumsaug," said I, "what makes thee look so pale, fellow?" (he
was as white as a sheet.) "It is thy master, dost thou not remember
him?" The man had seen me dress myself in the Pitan's clothes, but was
not present when I had blacked my face and beard in the manner I have
described.
"O Bramah, Vishnu, and Mahomet!" cried the faithful fellow, "and do I
see my dear master disguised in this way? For heaven's sake let me rid
you of this odious black paint; for what will the ladies say in the
ball-room, if the beautiful Feringhee should appear amongst them with
his roses turned into coal?"
I am still one of the finest men in Europe, and at the time of which
I write, when only two-and-twenty, I confess I WAS a little vain of
my personal appearance, and not very willing to appear before my dear
Belinda disguised like a blackamoor.
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