Ha! I see we understand each other, and you will give me over the cash-box and jewels." And so saying I threw myself back with the calmest air imaginable, flinging the pistols over to her.
"Light me a pipe, my love," said I, "and then go and hand me over the dollars; do you hear ?" You see I had her in my power--up a tree, as the Americans say, and she very humbly lighted my pipe for me, and then departed for the goods I spoke about.
What a thing is luck! If Loll Mahommed had not been made to take that ride round the camp, I should infallibly have been lost.
My supper, my quarrel with the princess, and my pipe afterwards, had occupied a couple of hours of my time.

The princess returned from her quest, and brought with her the box, containing valuables to the amount of about three millions sterling.

(I was cheated of them afterwards, but have the box still, a plain deal one.) I was just about to take my departure, when a tremendous knocking, shouting, and screaming was heard at the entrance of the tent.

It was Holkar himself, accompanied by that cursed Loll Mahommed, who, after his punishment, found his master restored to good humor, and had communicated to him his firm conviction that I was an impostor.
"Ho, Begum," shouted he, in the ante-room (for he and his people could not enter the women's apartments), "speak, O my daughter! is your husband returned ?" "Speak, madam," said I, "or REMEMBER THE ROASTING." "He is, papa," said the Begum.
"Are you sure?
Ho! ho! ho!" (the old ruffian was laughing outside)--"are you sure it is ?--Ha! aha!--HE-E-E!" "Indeed it is he, and no other.

I pray you, father, to go, and to pass no more such shameless jests on your daughter.