144 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
Now, contrary to his custom, the Rajhpoot, pitying 
the alarm of his wife, while exposed in the humble hut 
to the terrors of the hurricane, had admitted her with 
his son to shelter within the chambers of the gate ; 
and as they sat conversing, while the storm was at its 
utmost, there was heard at the gate a mournful cry, 
and the trembling accents of weeping and lamen- 
tation. Then cried the dewan, ‘ Who stands with- 
out P ’ but receiving no answer, he opened the gate, 
and sought wdience the voice had come, but could 
discover no one. Having made diligent search they 
became greatly amazed, for whenever the dewan 
closed the gate, the same melancholy wailings were 
renewed. 
Then the dewan sent his son to inform the Raja of 
these strange things, who having come to the gate in 
person, and having satisfied himself of the truth of 
those lamentable sounds, commanded the Rajhpoot to 
go forth and seek the author of them, and never to 
return into his presence until he was fully informed of 
every thing concerning them. With humble respect 
the dewan immediately obeyed his lord’s command, 
and went forth ; but no sooner had he departed than 
the king, thinking within himself that he had not 
done wisely in sending a single man unsupported 
upon such a service, drew his scimitar and followed 
him out of the gate directly, charging Behrid’s son to 
open the gate unto none save themselves. But king 
Sadrak was unable to find the dewan, he having 
