Panjit

The merchant was called Panjit and he kept the petitioners and beggars waiting until he had eaten his evening meal, but then the house door was thrown open and Panjit, resplendent in a long robe of embroidered yellow silk, appeared on the top step.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000

One of the bodyguards had stayed with Panjit and saw Sharpe edging toward the steps.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000

The chosen men would be required to pay for the privilege, thus enriching Panjit and Nana Rao even more, and the two cousins, aware of their good fortune, planned to propitiate the gods by distributing some petty coins to the beggars.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000

"I think you'd better make me an offer, " Sharpe said to Panjit, -because this dead cousin of yours owes me fourteen pounds, seven shillings and threepence ha-penny.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000

"Use force, Captain Chase, " Panjit answered just as grandly, -and I shall have you in front of a magistrate by dawn.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000

"Just put the pistol away, " Panjit said soothingly.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000

"I have answered you, " Panjit said, defiance now making his voice angry.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000

The bodyguards glanced at Panjit, saw his uncertainty, and some of them hefted their staves and moved toward the steps, but Sharpe gripped Nana Rao's hair with his left hand and kicked him in the back of the knees so that the merchant dropped hard down with a cry of hurt surprise.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000

The crowd was jeering at the defeated British seamen, Panjit and Nana Rao were laughing, while the petitioners, emboldened by the success of the bodyguards, jostled each other for a chance to kick the fallen men.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000

Panjit frowned at the bodyguard who had the Captain's hat and ordered the man to give it back, then smiled.

Sharpe's Trafalgar Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2000