Burlesques William Makepeace Thackeray

173
Three o'clock came: the sun was at this time making his appearance in the heavens, and
with it came the guards, who were appointed to conduct me to the torture. I woke, rose, was
carried out, and was set on the very white donkey on which Loll Mahommed was
conducted through the camp after he was bastinadoed. Bobbachy Bahawder rode behind
me, restored to his rank and state; troops of cavalry hemmed us in on all sides; my ass was
conducted by the common executioner: a crier went forward, shouting out, "Make way for
the destroyer of the faithful—he goes to bear the punishment of his crimes." We came to
the fatal plain: it was the very spot whence I had borne away the elephant, and in full sight
of the fort. I looked towards it. Thank heaven! King George's banner waved on it still—a
crowd were gathered on the walls—the men, the dastards who had deserted me—and
women, too. Among the latter I thought I distinguished ONE who—O gods! the thought
turned me sick—I trembled and looked pale for the first time.
"He trembles! he turns pale," shouted out Bobbachy Bahawder, ferociously exulting over
his conquered enemy.
"Dog!" shouted I—(I was sitting with my head to the donkey's tail, and so looked the
Bobbachy full in the face)—"not so pale as you looked when I felled you with this arm—
not so pale as your women looked when I entered your harem!" Completely chop-fallen,
the Indian ruffian was silent: at any rate, I had done for HIM.
We arrived at the place of execution. A stake, a couple of feet thick and eight high, was
driven in the grass: round the stake, about seven feet from the ground, was an iron ring, to
which were attached two fetters; in these my wrists were placed. Two or three executioners
stood near, with strange-looking instruments: others were blowing at a fire, over which was
a caldron, and in the embers were stuck other prongs and instruments of iron.
The crier came forward and read my sentence. It was the same in effect as that which had
been hinted to me the day previous by the Grand Vizier. I confess I was too agitated to
catch every word that was spoken.
Holkar himself, on a tall dromedary, was at a little distance. The Grand Vizier came up to
me—it was his duty to stand by, and see the punishment performed. "It is yet time!" said
he.
I nodded my head, but did not answer.
The Vizier cast up to heaven a look of inexpressible anguish, and with a voice choking with
emotion, said, "EXECUTIONER—DO—YOUR—DUTY!"