"We questioned the boy as to his parentage,
his relation to the Affghan dealer in
cats and fruit, and on a variety of other
matters. His replies were simply to the
effect that he was an orphan and a slave;
that he knew not the place of his birth, but
believed it was Affghanistan; that he was a
Mahommedan, and that his earliest
recollections were associated with Caubul.

"Whilst we were thus interrogating the
boy, the major of my friend's regiment,
accompanied by his wife, drove up to the door.
They had corne to pay a visit. When asked
to look at the boy, and say to whom he bore
a resemblance, they at once declared, " Poor
Percy—!" Several officers of the
regiment were sent for. They came, and
immediately, on seeing the boy, expressed an
opinion that he was the child of the
unfortunate officer whose name has been partially
recorded. The poor boy, meanwhile, exhibited
some anxiety to return to his master.
But he was detained and further questioned
as to the manner in which he was treated.
He confessed that his master was rather
severe, but withal a very good man.

"It was resolved to summon the Affghan
dealer, and make him render an account of
the boy, and of how he became possessed of
him. For this purpose a messenger was
dispatched, and enjoined to make haste.

"The Affghan dealer came, and was
cautioned that he must speak the truth;
whereupon—as is the custom in India from one
end to the other—he declaimed that he never
spoke falsely, and that he would rather have
his tongue torn out. This little preliminary
over, the examination (which was conducted
by the Major of the regiment, a very shrewd
and clever man, and who, by the way, was
distantly related to the unfortunate couple to
whom the boy bore such a strong resemblance)
commenced:

"'Who is this boy?'

"'He belongs to me.'

"'Your son?'

"'No.'

"'Any relation of yours?'

"'No?'

"'Your slave?'

"'Yes.'

"'You bought him?'

"'Yes.'

"'Where?'

"'Caubul.'

"'When?'

"'Four years ago.'

"'From whom did you buy him?'

"'A merchant.'

"'His name?'

"'Usuf Ooddeen.'

"'What did you give for him? '

"'Three camels.'

"'Of what value?'

"Thirty rupees [3.] each.'

"'The boy was cheap, then.'

"'No.'

"'How so?'

"'He was young and sickly.'

"'Did Usuf say where he got him from?'

"' Yes.'

"'Then tell me.'

"'From a woman.'

"'What woman?'

"'A native of Hindoostan.'

"'An ayah?'

"'Yes.'

"'Was she his mother?'

"'No.'

"'Is she living?'

"'No.'

'"When did she die?'

"'Eight years ago.'

"'Where?'

"'In Caubul.'

"'Now, tell us all you know about this
boy.'

"'I have answered all the Sahib's
questions; will the Sahib now answer a few of
mine?'

"'Yes.'

"'Do you believe this boy to be of European
birth? '

"'Yes.'

"'Do you think you know who were his
parents?'

"'Yes.'

"'Were they people of a distinguished
family?'

"' Yes.' (This question was answered
rather proudly).

"'Of pure blood?'

"'Yes.'

"'But is the Sahib certain that this boy is
the child of certain parents?'

"'Yes.'

"'Then will the Sahib take him?'

"'Yes.'

"Here the poor boy placed his hands
together, and supplicated the major to let
him remain where he then was, in the service
of the Affghan dealer. Heedless of his
interruption, which was soon silenced, the
examination—or rather, the conversation, as it now
became—was continued:

"'What will you give for him?'

"'What do you ask?'

"'You must speak, Sahib.'

"'One hundred rupees.'

"'He cost me nearly that when he was
very young and sickly.'

"'Well, two hundred rupees.'

"'No, Sahib. Half a lac of rupees would
not purchase him.'

"'But, my good man, slavery is not
permitted in the British dominions, and we will
detain the boy.'

"'Against his will?'

"'Yes.'

"'On suspicion that he is born of European
parents of distinction?'

"'Yes.'

"'Then I will give the boy his liberty;
and if he then wishes to follow me, and you