DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5834#0092
70
SCENES IN INDIA.
daily, the governor Yekhtyar Khan, undertaking to
purchase all they could provide. Having ascertained
from them sundry interesting particulars respecting
the condition of the besieged, by promising them his
protection and liberal rewards, the Emperor prevailed
upon the pliant villagers to conduct him in disguise to
the spot where they were in the habit of obtaining ad-
mittance into the fortress. He accordingly accom-
panied them, as one of their own body; and, when he
had made the necessary observations, returned to the
camp without exciting the least suspicion in the minds
of the enemy, who, secure in the strength of the battle-
ments behind which they were ensconced, and know-
ing that their provisions could not be exhausted un-
less the siege were protracted beyond all reasonable
bounds of calculation, derided the efforts of the Mo-
ghuls, and never suffered themselves for a moment to
anticipate disaster.
On the very night of that day during which Hu-
mayoon had visited Champanere by the secret path,
he caused to be forged a considerable number of strong
iron spikes, about a foot in length, with the points so
sharp as to be readily forced between the masonry or
fissures of the rock which formed that portion of the
rampart abutting upon the forest. These being pre-
pared, he selected three hundred of his bravest troops
and marched with them towards that part of the
works which he had examined during the morning,
determined if possible to gain possession of the place
by escalade. Although considered by all his officers
a desperate adventure, he nevertheless resolved to
attempt it.
SCENES IN INDIA.
daily, the governor Yekhtyar Khan, undertaking to
purchase all they could provide. Having ascertained
from them sundry interesting particulars respecting
the condition of the besieged, by promising them his
protection and liberal rewards, the Emperor prevailed
upon the pliant villagers to conduct him in disguise to
the spot where they were in the habit of obtaining ad-
mittance into the fortress. He accordingly accom-
panied them, as one of their own body; and, when he
had made the necessary observations, returned to the
camp without exciting the least suspicion in the minds
of the enemy, who, secure in the strength of the battle-
ments behind which they were ensconced, and know-
ing that their provisions could not be exhausted un-
less the siege were protracted beyond all reasonable
bounds of calculation, derided the efforts of the Mo-
ghuls, and never suffered themselves for a moment to
anticipate disaster.
On the very night of that day during which Hu-
mayoon had visited Champanere by the secret path,
he caused to be forged a considerable number of strong
iron spikes, about a foot in length, with the points so
sharp as to be readily forced between the masonry or
fissures of the rock which formed that portion of the
rampart abutting upon the forest. These being pre-
pared, he selected three hundred of his bravest troops
and marched with them towards that part of the
works which he had examined during the morning,
determined if possible to gain possession of the place
by escalade. Although considered by all his officers
a desperate adventure, he nevertheless resolved to
attempt it.