An Appeal to the British Nation in Behalf of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly, Now in Captivity in Bokhara

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Page 32 - Kerreem ! (God is merciful!) Have they not come to negotiate my release ? Your good and gracious majesty has sent for me to bless me with that word, so short, but oh ! how precious — liberty ! Bismallah ! (In the name of God !) I entreat your majesty — say it !'
Page 20 - Khiva, and one of the derveeshes; but I would undertake the journey without making myself responsible to the British Government, and entirely on my own responsibility. I merely want the expense of my journey, and not one single farthing as a compensation, even in case of complete success. I shall be ten days more at Richmond, Surrey; if, therefore, one of you brave officers is now ready to accompany me, or to assist me in making the journey, let him come to me, and we may talk over the matter...
Page 27 - Stoddart, the Khan said, I hear that the Russian ambassador at Bokhara applied to the Amir for Colonel Stoddart's freedom, and that he should be delivered for the purpose to the Russian government. Upon this the Amir summoned Colonel Stoddart, and asked him whether the Russians were likely to treat him well, and what he thought of the proposal. Colonel Stoddart replied, 'The Russians would, undoubtedly, treat me well, but, when my own government demands me, what will your highness answer!
Page 31 - ... recompenses for his past sufferings, become so vivid, appear so real, that he can hardly master his emotions. Now, indeed, he feels thankful that he had the resolution to refuse the interference of Russia. He, however, becomes agitated, flushed, and pale by turns. " The Amir pretends not to perceive Stoddart's emotions, casts a glance at him that seems to pierce his innermost soul ; he receives him, however, with a complacent smile, and in a bland tone, desires him to approach. " The following...
Page 33 - О son of Sheitan ! for such indeed thou must be. Whose dog art thou, son of an unclean quadruped, that thou shouldst come so far to laugh at our sacred beard ? — In this letter, which thou sayest is as worthy of belief as the sacred volume of our Holy Prophet, know then thou art denounced by thine own chief as a spy. Look and satisfy thyself — I will then hear patiently what thou hast to say before I determine upon thy sentence.
Page 31 - ... Sables,' and he perceives the messengers crouched in a corner, and knows by their dress that they are from Hindustan. Thoughts of dear absent friends pass rapidly across his mind ; he feels at once that he has not been abandoned by his country ; that he is not forgotten ; scenes of liberty, honour, recompenses for his past sufferings, become so vivid, appear so real, that he can hardly master his emotions. Now, indeed, he feels thankful that he had the resolution to refuse the interference of...
Page 30 - ... will thank us for laying the picture before them. " The reader will have the goodness to imagine the hall of state in the palace ; near the wall at the far end, lounging upon some cushions, with his face turned towards Mecca and the door, as they happen to be in the same direction, is seen the Amir. The room is crowded with all that is noble in Bokhara : at the monarch's left hand, half a brigademajor's distance in the rear, stands an important minister of state who, in France, is politely called...
Page 33 - Sahib, to have thy opinion ; brush away, therefore, the cobwebs from thine eyelids, and tell me what thou seest.' (The Ameer takes from a splendid blue satin bag a large Idler, gires the envelope to Colonel Stoddart, and retains the inclosed letter.) " AM¡R, (with a pause.) ' Well, good Stoddart Sahib, thou hast examined that seal and writing ; now, tell me truly, as thou hopest thy mother's grave may never be defiled, the contents of this despatch, may they be received with confidence?
Page 34 - STODDART (in great agitation.) 'There is some extraordinary mistake in this despatch. Your majesty will perceive that Conolly Sahib and myself are said to be " innocent travellers," and then the Amir Ellenborough adds, that if your majesty will order our release, he will undertake that we shall never more enter your majesty's dominion. Now your majesty, who knows all things, must be aware the Amir Ellenborough can have no power over us, were we " innocent travellers.
Page 30 - bowstring' which peeps out of his left sleeve. Imagine two fatigued messengers crouched in one corner, with the perspiration in large drops running down their black beards. " The Amir is violently excited, but, being told that Stoddart Sahib approaches, he strokes his beard and endeavours to look perfectly cool and indifferent. " Stoddart Sahib advances respectfully but gaily, glancing with a little pride at the ' Cloak of Sables,' and he perceives the messengers crouched in a corner, and knows...

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