Fear
had overcome him once more. Having nothing in himself on which he could
rely, he could not trust to the generosity of his brother.
So, after more than two and a half years of separation Akbar found his
father again.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE GARDEN OF GAMES
And now, for the time at any rate, Prince Akbar's adventures were over,
and all the little party prepared to enjoy themselves. Foster-father,
taken out of his dungeon, soon recovered consciousness, and the news of
King Humayon's victory and the Heir-to-Empire's safety, being the best
tonic in the world, he was soon about again.
Head-nurse, at last absolutely restored to her proper position in Court,
found, however, that her young charge had considerably outgrown the
nursery. To begin with, his father, overjoyed at recovering his son,
could not see too much of him, and took him about with him wherever he
went.
"Time enough for his education to begin when he is four," said Humayon,
when Foster-father pointed out that the boy was old beyond his years and
that if he did not soon begin schooling it would be difficult for him
by-and-bye.
"Let be--friend, let be!" continued the fond father; "let us have a
while to amuse ourselves, now the trouble is over! I tell you I have
been in such straits these last four years that I have had no time to
amuse myself. Now I mean to show Kabul that life isn't so bad after
all!"
So tall, handsome, good-natured, with a vivid love of colour and beauty
and a light-heartedness almost beyond belief,--light-heartedness which
had carried him through dangers that might have proved too much for one
less gay--Humayon set to work to lavish his money on the most
magnificent entertainments that ever were seen.
Pages:
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158