ELICHPOOR AND MUNGROOL. 
85 
internal pain, that I am doubtful of my ability to 
perform the journey.” 
The minister was undoubtedly mortified to find 
his scheme thus apparently frustrated ; but his 
avarice taught him to anticipate some new advantage 
from the position of the kalundur. He expected 
that according to custom the messenger from the 
khalif would receive a munificent present from the 
governor of the fortress ; and he also conjectured 
that if he could himself obtain the commission, a 
faithful and speedy execution of the khalif s orders 
might not only be rewarded with emolument, but 
also restore him to his former place and influence at 
court. Having revolved these things in his mind, 
the vizier exhibited the most affectionate regard for 
the kalundur’s health, and entreated him, as a mat- 
ter of duty to his sovereign, not to hazard his precious 
life by encountering the fatigues of travel at such 
a moment, but to suffer him, the vizier, to undertake 
the journey in his stead. The indisposition of the 
kalundur increased every moment, and as he feared 
to delay the royal commission with which he was 
charged, he reluctantly transferred his trust into the 
hands of the vizier, saying, “It is wisely written 
that the arrow of fate is always discharged from 
the bow of Providence ; our lives are a mere target.” 
After the vizier had departed, the kalundur con- 
tinued indisposed for several days, and was in con- 
sequence unable to attend the court ; but the vizier, 
i 
