TALES OF ADVENTURE

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 13, 16 January 1926, Page 27

TALES OF ADVENTURE

AZIZUN THE DANCING GIRL. (MAJOR-GENERAL SIR GEO. X.C.8., X.C.5.1., D.5.0.) (Concluded.)

SYNOPSIS OF FIRST INSTALMENT.

This is the story of Azlznn, Queen of the Dancing Girls. The author in charge of a military eontonment finds a hand of native people ready to give a show. The frog girl drops a heavy silver bangle in an artificially made, water hole, and standing on the edge bends slowly backwards, and with her teeth picks up the bracelet from the bottom of the pond. The obvious fright of the girl induced Sir George McMunn (then a captain) to question the showman, who explained that she was a girl of no caste. He offered to sell her. The girl threw herself at Captain McMunn's feet and cried. She was the protege of a criminal tribe, and Captain McMunn was able to hand her over to the Salvation Army, where she was well looked after, and became very beautiful. However, after a while she disappeared, leaving no trace.

A few years rolled on, and I was once more back in the East, and on the Staff. Special duty had taken mc to one of the Indian States in connection with the contingents of troops that they maintain for the service of the Empire. It was an old-world State where, when you cross the frontier, you immediately step back a thousand years. I arrived by train, it is true, but to put matters right it was an elephant that, took mc to the State guest-house, and an elephant on which I rode through the narrow winding streets of the city to the for-tress-palace to pay my respects to the ruling Prince. In front ran two footmen carrying long wands and shouting: "Make way for the sahib bahadur, whom the Maharajah delights to honour," and a blow fell upon anyone who was not prompt in getting out of the road. We passed through a great gate between two grey stone towers, where guards in black lambskin caps lolled and stared. Beyond the gate was a large courtyard, and at the far side the Maharajah's palace, outside which three elephants were waiting. A company of infantry with a gold-embroidered colour and a crowd of armed retainers, petitioners, and court officials in many-coloured costumes, each with a curved sword in his waist-cloth, completed the properties. It was a scene that had been repeated day by day for the last five hundred years.

At the door my elephant knelt for mc tc dismount, and I soon found myself in an ante-room, sitting on a divan with half-a-dozen others, awaiting audience. An affable aide-de-camp, who spoke good English, soon escorted mc into the presence of His Highness, and the usual ceremonial interview took place. His Highness was gracious but sleepy, for he had had his morning dose of opium, but had sufficient energy to ask questions as to the age and length of service of the Commander-in-Chief, and whether he and the Viceroy were "true friends." He camo of a (great house and a great race, that had never bowed the knee to the Mogul conquerors of India, and his degrees and titles were, many, yet men whispered that a dancing-girl twirled him round her little finger and dipped deep into his treasure-coffers, to the annoyance of his people and the bitter anger of half-a-dozen consorts by birth as good as his own. However, that was not my business, concerning which the potentate said he had given orders to his minister to do what the • Government wished; that functionary would come and see mc at the guest-house on the subject. Then came a tray of betelnut' wrapped in leaf, a sprinkling of rose-water, and my interview was over.

Leaving the presence, my elephant soon shuffled mc back to the guesthouse, and the business of the day began with visits from the military officials of the State. Among these was an old acquaintance, whom I had first met bringing remounts to South Africa, but who had now attained tha rank of brigadier in the Maharajah's army. To the officers of the Indian Army my acquaintance was usually known as "Snakes," because, embroidered on His brigadier's gorget-patches were, not the oak leaves of the British service, hut a wriggly gold snake. "Snakes" was by way of being a man of the world, and a useful friend to have in a native State-. Business over, he stopped to chat, and among other,items told mc he had brought an invitation for mc to attend the Durbar that evening at the Palace. After this, he said, Azizun, the famous dancer, was to give an entertainment to a special party of guests. I was not invited to this, but "Snakes" offered to arrange for mc to watch the nautch from a screened window, where my presence would not be known. On the principle of seeing all that there was to be seen, I agreed to the proposal, and then asked my friend about this notorious Azizun, concerning whose influence I had heard plenty of gossip. • Azizun, I was told, was undoubtedy a queen among dancers, and had a most wonderful troupe of girls under her orders. Four years ago she had come to the State, captivated the Maharajah by her dancing, and had since attained a great ascendancy and vast wealth, the Prince having given her jewels of great value and much money. His Highness apparently trusted her, but the people grumbled that so much wealth should be spent on a dancer, declaring it came from their pockets, since there was no privy purse, and the Maharajah considered all revenues his own property. Except for this, nothing was known against Azizun, and her influence seemed for good. She was very beautiful, had a fine voice, and her dancing—ah! So much for " Snakes' " account, which made mc anxious to see the famous girl and her troupe. During the afternoon I was taken for an elephant ride through the city till it was time to get into mess-kit for the evening Durbar, which was formal enough. His Highness sat in state on the dais, with his ministers around him, and near him a place had been reserved for mc. The notables took their seats with deep obeisances, and the officers of State made formal reports. These were followed by greetings and flowery compliments, and His Highness then withdrew, followed by those who were invited to the private nautch. Outside the Durbar hall I found "Snakes" waiting to conduct mc through back stairs and narrow passages to a small room with a carved marble grill which looked down on to a brilliantlylighted court. The audience were seated on low divans and carpets on the ground, and, as I watched, the musicians struck up a lilt- on their reed pipesFrom behind an arch and arras to one side glided a bevy of dancing girls in diaphanous gauze, spangled with goia . and silver, that revealed their graceful

figures and rounded limbs. One girl, taller than the others and wrapped in pale blue silk covered with gold sequins, was evidently Azizun herself. From her neck, hung by a gold cord, was an enormous emerald pendant known to history. No doubt there was a great scandal that a mere dancer should wear it, and it was indeed obvious that the favourite and her troupe must be an exceedingly costly luxury.

As the sensuous music continued, Azizun and her acolytes glided on to the carpets and stood jingling their ankle bells before the admiring nobles. With them came more makers of sweet music—special retainers of Azizun, chosen for their understanding of the languid and amorous tones of pipe and zither. Three of them shuffled up behind the girls, the man with the dole or tom-tom leading, a grey-bearded habitue of courts, bred in the bazaars of Delhi. The other two were younger musicians, the piper with an unkempt beard and a black reed pipe, the man with the zither- clean-shaven.

Then commenced one of those swaying, seductive nautches, which, though often tmintelligible to Western eyc3, are fraught to the Eastern mind with all the love and passion of the Persian poets. Xow and again, whenever; the theme needed intensity, the court pipers stopped, and Azizun's musicians took up the accompaniment. The dance told a "story, commencing with the loneliness of a young captain, condemned to a remote frontier guard, but longing for the city and its delights. Ever his desire grew, and always the dreary rocks of the frontier mocked him, till at last an errand led him cityward to woo some maiden, beneath whose verandah he sang in' vain. .Despair had seized him, when lo! a rival beauty arrived and cast a lure, at first unheeded, yet ever more attractive, till at last the lover 'began to feel the spell, and gave himself up to this fair enchantress. That his was a very high-class performance was evident from the intense interest of the onlookers and the low sounds of approbation. Azizun was obviously an artiste of the very first grade, with a figure and grace beyond compare. With a clap of Azizun's hands the music ceased, the girls glided away, and the musicians shuffled after them before the audience could realise that it was over or" give vent to their, appreciation. His Highness passed to the inner apartments, the notables and courtiers departed, while I waited behind the marble grille for "Snakes" to take mc home. He was not long in coming, and when he arrived his face was wreathed in smiles. Azizun has invited you to visit her, Sahib," he announced. "It is a rare thing, and you are much honoured." "I am much honoured indeed," said I. "But why should I, a stranger, be summoned?" "Who knows the ■ways of women? Curiosity, perhaps, or the whim to talk with an Angrez (Englishman). She may want to show herself off, or perhaps she wishes to impress you with, her good influence, so that you may have a favourable impression of her, and put in a word against her detractors with the British Resident. She is very clever." "Am I to go now?" "At once, she satd, and she will have refreshment ready for you." Well, it was all in the day's work, and so I followed "Snakes" till we came to a door off an inner courtyard, a great carved teak portal studded with brass. Pushing it open, we found ourselves in a small court with an arched verandah at the far end, where stood two tall armed retainers, who salaamed and pointed to an archway. Within was an ante-room, surrounded with low divans upholstered in crimson velvet with Ivhite covers on the pillows, and here we sat down. "One of her maids will call you," explained "Snakes." "I'll wait here." In a few minutes one of the diaphanous girls of the dance arrived and salaamed prettily with both hands. I followed her through a dark passage, where every now and again I found myself in contact with lithe scented figures that giggled and slipped by. I came at last into the light to find myself in a panelled room painted with flowers and inlaid with small pieces of glass. The floor was of marble, and on a divan at the end lay the dancer Azizun, with two or three of her girls. As I approachd she rose, and stretched forth both her hands.

"I would greet you in the English fashion," she said, in a musical voice. "It is good of you to visit mc."

The girls behind had risen and the light shone through their muslins. She clapped her hands, and they vanished; then she motioned to mc to sit beside her. I sank into the luxurious ishions.

"Xo; it is kind of you to summon mc lady," I replied, "And I give you al] greetings."

"I asked you to come, Sahib," she went on, "in order that you might be my agent of good repute. Many there are who work against mc. And the beautiful woman looked sadly into my face. She was indeed wonderfully fair—violet eyes, long, sweeping lashes, delicately-chiselled face, set off by a pearl-embroidered filet round her brow, and a rosebud mouth that might well conjure anything from man and his frailty.

"Lady, 1 know little, but what I hear is good," I told her. "I am not one who is concerned with such matters."

"Out of little comes much, and I know that the Sahib is accounted wise, and what he says is believed. Tell mc frankly, what do they say of mc? "The people grumble at the money the Maharajah spends on you, but all say that vtour influence is good. "Yes- it is true that I spend much— but then the girls are the best in Kajputana " she said. "You saw them from the \ grille. Was it not good? Ah! that is the way to manage Maharajah*! But I take no money from anyone but His Highness. Many come with petitions, and would nay "large sums if I would back their claims, but I will have none of them. I save a little fro.a what His Highness gives mc for my old age. I may become a sanyassi (religious recluse) and live in a cave and want nothing, but I save in case I do not. I am but the foam in the whirlpool; my time will soon pass. But while it lasts I love the power, and I will tell you how I use it."

And then the beautiful creature rambled on, telling mc a remarkable story that, if true, showed she was indeed wielding her influence for good. The Maharajah sober, a quarrel with his eldest son averted, a wife saved from death by powdered glass, prisoners of injustice released, hospitals founded—these were some of the things she mentioned, now and again waving those appealing hands and arms in earnest explanation. "Will you tell them that, Sahib?" she went on. "Will you tell the Resident, the Lord Sahib perhaps?" xhen she turned on mc suddenly, "Yot started bj in this career!" she wound up.

"I, lady?" I cried in surprise. "Yes, you. Come with mc. We passed through an arch to a marble room, deep in the floor of which was a carved round bath full of crystal-clear wtter. Unwrapping her blue silk robe, Azizun stepped out in her muslins, her tall and beautiful shape revealed. The marble bath was flush with the floor and Azizun, swinging round, stood on the edge, squatted down, and slowly bent herself backward. Heavens! It could not be! Yes; it was— the "frog-girl!" With a.merry laugh she uncurlea herself and stood erect. "The frog-girl!" I cried in amazement. "Yes, Sahib, the frog-girl! What was I to do ? I could not become Salvationkta, and you had gone away. Bester mem-

sahib taught mc much in the short time I was with her, and I have tried to remember. Have I done well, Sahib?"

There was a pathetic appeal in her voice as she led mc back to the divan. "Have I done well, Sahib?" she repeated. "Is the world better or worse for mc?"

"Better, I should say Azizun. Fancy my 'frog-girl' being in such a position!" "Yes, Sahib, for though I can never bo anything but a butterfly, yet I keep the Maharajah from ruining himself and quarrelling with the Sirkar (Government). His ranees (princesses) know it, too, and are content. Now you must leave mc, for I go to His Highness. Speak and think well of mc, Sahib, though I am but the foam of the whirlpool."

And so I left her, and rode back atop of my elephant through the streets under the canopy of stars—wondering, wondering greatly. Had 1 done well or ill? Wa3 I actually responsible for launching this magnificent and powerful creature on her amazing career? If 1 had not interfered to save her from the old tamasha wallah, what would have become of her ? And, as things had fallen out, was my interposition for good, or was it for evil? The reader must answer the question to his own satisfaction. (The End.)