Meer Hadjee Shaah has related to me many singular anecdotes of this Syaad Harshim, which are generally spoken of, and believed to be true by the sojourners at Nudghiff Usheruff.  His memory is much respected by the Mussulmauns, and the acts of his life are registered with the veneration paid to saints, amongst people of more enlightened nations.  They confidently assert, that whenever Syaad Harshim presented himself at the entrance to Nudghiff Usheruff, the gates, which are always kept locked, flew open to receive him.

In proof that he disregarded worldly possessions, the following is related of him in the ancient works both of Arabia and Persia:—­

’The great conqueror, Nadir Shaah, on one occasion visited the shrine of Ali, with a vast retinue of his chiefs, courtiers, and followers.  The King heard, whilst at Nudghiff Usheruff, of the sainted life led by the Woodman, Syaad Harshim, in that neighbourhood, and he felt disposed to tender a present of money and valuables, to induce the Syaad’s prayer for his future prosperity.  Accordingly, the King commanded trays to be filled from his Indian spoils, which were sent with a message, humbly couched, entreating the good Syaad would accept his offering of respect, and make prayers to God for him.

’The trays were conveyed by servants of the King, who arrived at the Syaad’s hut at the moment he was satisfying the demands of nature with a meal of coarse barley bread and pure water.  “What is all this?” inquired the Syaad, on seeing the valuables before him.  “An humble offering from the great Nadir Shaah,” replied the messenger, “who entreats you will honour him by the acceptance of his presents, and offer your pious prayer for God’s mercy in his behalf.”  “My prayers”, said the Syaad, “I can promise shall be made duly and truly, but not my acceptance of his gifts.  Take back these hateful, useless things!  Tell Nadir Shaah, Syaad Harshim will not even touch them.”  The messenger tried persuasions without avail; he was constrained to return to his royal master, with his loaded trays.

’No sooner were the King’s servants out of sight, than the wife of Syaad Harshim vented her disappointment in no measured strain of anger towards her husband.  “Here am I,” said the old lady, “a very slave in consequence of our poverty, a very beggar in appearance, and my scanty meal of coarse bread is scarce sufficient to keep me in bodily strength; surely you ought to have remembered me, when the King’s offering was before you—­even if you liked not to accept it for yourself.”—­“I might indeed”, he replied, “have done as you say, wife, had I known your sentiments sooner; but I believed you were as contented as myself with homely fare and honest labour; but be comforted, you shall have a share of the next offering made by the King to Syaad Harshim, provided your present inclination remains unchanged by time.”  This promise quieted the wife’s angry humour, and peace was again restored between them.