1845.] An account of the Early Abdalees. 461 



Jaleel Aleezye always stood with his hands joined in the presence of 

 Shah Husen Meerza, his master ; but as he was Wakeel at Candahar, 

 the Beglar-begee allowed him always to sit, as he did on the present 

 occasion. 



Jaleel was a handsome and clever- spoken man ; Shah Husen Meerza 

 was slow-speaking, black, and short. 



Jaleel constantly introduced his own opinions in the conversation, 

 and was told by signs to be quiet. These had no effect, and he mor e 

 than once interrupted what his master was saying ; took the words 

 out of his mouth, and finished his sentence for him. Shah Husen 

 Meerza, unable to contain himself, at last said, " Slave of low origin, 

 what does this disrespectful behaviour, and these interruptions mean ?" 



Jaleel foolishly allowed himself to reply, " A slave is always known by 

 his color." 



Quick as thought Shah Husen drew his dagger, and sheathed it in 

 the body of Jaleel, who expired immediately, his entrails protruding on 

 the carpet. On witnessing this tragedy, the Beglar-begee and whole 

 court rose hastily, partly in alarm and partly in rage. Shah Husen 

 Meerza no sooner observed this than throwing away his dagger, he 

 said, " Be not concerned ; that slave has only paid the forfeit of his im- 

 pertinence." 



As he was the adopted son of the king of Persia, they contented 

 themselves with putting him in restraint; while they reported the 

 tragedy, and waited for instructions. 



A decision arrived from the king of Persia to the effect, that Shah 

 Husen Meerza was quite right in killing his slave, if he offended. 

 Fresh dresses of honor were despatched with a letter of encouragement 

 to the prisoner, who was ordered to be released immediately, and sent to 

 his government. This favor, however, came too late ; the mischief had 

 been done already, for during Shah Husen's confinement the whole tribe 

 of Abdalees had gone over to Sher-khan, and acknowledged his authority. 



Meerza Shah Husen therefore, on obtaining his release, went direct to 

 Sher-khan, and, acknowledging his authority, expressed his determina- 

 tion of proceeding to Hindustan ; which he soon after carried into effect, 

 leaving Sher-khan in absolute undisputed possession of the chiefship. 



When the Beglar-begee heard of this he wrote to the king of Persia, 

 who sent a letter to Sher-khan, couched in these words ; " There is bro- 



