470 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



words would not march, he gave it up as a difficult joh. His fingers, he said 

 apologetically, were dumb : they would not talk. Then he summoned one of 

 his own employes from the Persian office, and bade him telegraph as follows : — 



"Telegram No 1, to Koum, from the Shah in Person. 

 " l How much money hast thou for the Shah, Khan ? ' 

 " Answer. — (After a pause of about three minutes, the rascally governor 

 evidently considering, for all along the line the governors had been forwarned.) 

 ' When the Asylum of the Universe commands less than the least of his slaves, 

 he will give all he is worth.' 



" Telegram No. 2, to Koum. 

 " ' How much is that ? ' 

 " Answer. — ' Ten thousand tomans.' (£4,000.) 



" Telegram No. 3, to Koum. 

 " ' Send the money, the Shah commands ; he is well pleased.' 



" Telegram No. 4, to Kashan. 

 " ' Oh ! Khan, the Shah wants money ; how much hast thou to give him ?' 

 " Answer. — ' Whatever the Light of the World commands is at his ser- 

 vice. I have five thousand tomans.' (£2,000.) 



" Telegram No. 5, to Kashan. 

 " ' Too little ; send me twenty thousand tomans (£8,000) : the Shah has 

 said it.' 



" Telegram No. 6, to Ispahan. 

 " ' Khan, thou knowest thy position is a treasure. What wilt thou give 

 the Shah to keep it? A man has offered me fifty thousand tomans (£20,000) 

 for thy place. Speak quickly : it is the Shah that waits.' 



" Answer. — ' Oh ! King of Kings, thou knowest my faithfulness, and hast 

 but to speak: I have 60,000 tomans ready.' 



" Telegram No 7, to Ispahan. 

 " ' It is good. Thou art a wise Khan. Send the money.' 



" Telegram No. 8, to Shiraz. 



" { Shah-Zadeh, speak for thy place. There are evil-minded men who 

 desire thy position. Art thou wise, and is thy hand open ?' 



" Answer. — ' The throne is the place of wisdom. When the Shah speaks 

 the world trembles ; the ears of his governors are open. I have 30,000 tomans 

 in hand.' 



