Barak el Hadgi talked often, amidst their private conversations, of the
power and dignity of the Nawaub of Mysore; and Hartley had little doubt
that he came from the Court of Hyder Ali, on some secret mission,
perhaps for achieving a more solid peace betwixt that able and sagacious
Prince and the East India Company's Government,--that which existed for
the time being regarded on both parts as little more than a hollow and
insincere truce. He told many stories to the advantage of this Prince,
who certainly was one of the wisest that Hindostan could boast; and
amidst great crimes, perpetrated to gratify his ambition, displayed many
instances of princely generosity, and, what was a little more
surprising, of even-handed justice.
On one occasion, shortly before Barak el Hadgi left Madras, he visited
the Doctor, and partook of his sherbet, which he preferred to his own,
perhaps because a few glasses of rum or brandy were usually added to
enrich the compound. It might be owing to repeated applications to the
jar which contained this generous fluid, that the Pilgrim became more
than usually frank in his communications, and not contented with
praising his Nawaub with the most hyperbolic eloquence, he began to
insinuate the influence which he himself enjoyed with the Invincible,
the Lord and Shield of the Faith of the Prophet.
"Brother of my soul," he said, "do but think if thou needest aught that
the all-powerful Hyder Ali Khan Bohander can give; and then use not the
intercession of those who dwell in palaces, and wear jewels in their
turbans, but seek the cell of thy brother at the Great City, which is
Seringapatam.
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