We have little need of money. I am
wealthy, and practice my art more because I love it than for gain.
There are few in the land that know the secrets that I do. Men die
without having sons to pass down their knowledge; thus it is the
number of those who possess the secrets of the ancient grows smaller
every day. There are hundreds of jugglers, but very few who know,
as I do, the secrets of nature, and can control the spirits of the
air. Did I need greater wealth than I have, Rabda could discover
for me all the hidden treasures of India; and I could obtain them,
guarded though they may be by djins and evil spirits."
"Have you a son to come after you, Rujub?"
"Yes; he is traveling in Persia, to confer with one or two of the
great ones there who still possess the knowledge of the ancient
magicians."
"By the way, Rujub, I have not asked you how you got on with the
Nana."
"It was easy enough," the juggler said. "He had lost all interest
in the affairs of Deennugghur, and greeted me at first as if
I had just returned from a journey. Then he remembered and asked
me suddenly why I had disobeyed his orders and given my voice for
terms being granted to the Feringhees. I said that I had obeyed his
orders; I understood that what he principally desired was to have
the women here as prisoners, and that had the siege continued the
Feringhees would have blown themselves into the air. Therefore the
only plan was to make terms with them, which would, in fact, place
them all in his power, as he would not be bound by the conditions
granted by the Oude men.
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