the suitor for employment responded to the summons to appear in the imperial presence.
Jehangir's eye, roving about in drunken fashion, caught sight of the fierce animals, which were approaching in the custody of their keepers. Turning to the Pathan he demanded why he asked such high wages.
The answer given to the prince was repeated, "Make trial of me."
"That I will," responded Jehangir; "go wrestle and buffet with the lion."
The Pathan not unnaturally demurred to accept such an unequal combat. The Emperor, however, would hear of no refusal, so the young tribesman, with probably a heavy heart but with undaunted mien, stepped into the arena, while at the same moment the chained lion was released by its keepers. The poor fellow strove to master the animal, with the inevitable result that in a few minutes, all mangled and bleeding, he was lying in the last agonies on the ground of the arena. Not content with the sacrifice of this brave fellow the bloodthirsty tyrant ordered other men into the arena to battle with the lions for his enjoyment. Terrible injuries were inflicted upon a number of unfortunates before the passion for man-killing was sated.
Quite as characteristic as this story of blood lust is the incident of a different type which Hawkins relates concerning one of the Emperor's leading ministers. This functionary through an act of carelessness one day broke a china dish which Jehangir valued very much. Instead of reporting the occurrence the official sent to China for a new dish to replace the one broken, trusting that the loss would not be discovered in the meantime. But in an unfortunate moment for him his imperial master bethought
