DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5834#0103
THE WELLS FILLED WITH SAND.
81
The heads of the two chiefs were cut from their bodies,
as trophies of this easy but signal defeat.
The Emperor continued his march, Ali Beg with
his sixteen troopers protecting the rear. It fortu-
nately happened, that he was now joined by a num-
ber of followers, who having lost their way in the
desert, had been separated from the main body;
and the royal party being thus reinforced, moved
on with better hopes and with renewed confidence.
Having halted at a large tank, two messengers ar-
rived from the Rajah, to complain of certain acts of
aggression, for which immediate compensation was
demanded. An answer of defiance was instantly
returned, and the Moghuls continued their march ;
but, on passing a fort, they were assaulted by the
garrison, whom, after a skirmish of several hours,
they repulsed with great loss to the assailing party;
and renewing their march, they stopped for the night
at a village about five coss* in advance, without
further molestation.
Meanwhile the Rajah had given orders that a body
of his troops should precede the Emperor, and fill the
wells with sand; consequently, the next day, when
they halted at the usual stage, no water was to be
procured. " On this occasion," says the author of
the " Tezkereh al Yakiat," f " the King ordered the
camels to be placed in a circle round the horses and
tents, directed that the people should be on the alert,
and said, he would himself keep watch, by walking
round the circle all night. Sheikh Ali would not
Ten miles.
t Pages 41-2.
81
The heads of the two chiefs were cut from their bodies,
as trophies of this easy but signal defeat.
The Emperor continued his march, Ali Beg with
his sixteen troopers protecting the rear. It fortu-
nately happened, that he was now joined by a num-
ber of followers, who having lost their way in the
desert, had been separated from the main body;
and the royal party being thus reinforced, moved
on with better hopes and with renewed confidence.
Having halted at a large tank, two messengers ar-
rived from the Rajah, to complain of certain acts of
aggression, for which immediate compensation was
demanded. An answer of defiance was instantly
returned, and the Moghuls continued their march ;
but, on passing a fort, they were assaulted by the
garrison, whom, after a skirmish of several hours,
they repulsed with great loss to the assailing party;
and renewing their march, they stopped for the night
at a village about five coss* in advance, without
further molestation.
Meanwhile the Rajah had given orders that a body
of his troops should precede the Emperor, and fill the
wells with sand; consequently, the next day, when
they halted at the usual stage, no water was to be
procured. " On this occasion," says the author of
the " Tezkereh al Yakiat," f " the King ordered the
camels to be placed in a circle round the horses and
tents, directed that the people should be on the alert,
and said, he would himself keep watch, by walking
round the circle all night. Sheikh Ali would not
Ten miles.
t Pages 41-2.