204 B. Bandy op&dhyaya — Hwrnir Bdsd, [No. 3, 



tainty of my victory. I know not what might be the issue of my attach, if 

 I rashly attempt it at once. Defeat, as well as victory, is in the hand of God. 

 Who knows that I shall never be brought to the wall ? It is, therefore, that 

 I think it advisable to act up to the council of my ministers and vassals. 

 I shall call a grand meeting and court discussion." 



An open durbar was held at the Council hall. The emperor thus ad- 

 dressed it : — 



" My noble Khans, Sultans, Banas and Baos — you have been for a long 

 time aware that a Sheik, named Muhammad Shah, was for some heinous 

 crime banished the dominions of our empire ; you are also aware, that he 

 wandered far and wide, without house and shelter, till he came to Bantham- 

 bor, where he found protection under the roof of the Chohan Chief of that 

 place. I myself, through one of my heralds, tried in various ways to con- 

 vince the Bao of the folly of his action, the certainty of his destruction 

 and that of his fort, if he persisted in refusing to send me the culprit. 

 But he, in spite of my friendly advice and remonstrance, cares not at all for 

 me and my power and in a haughty style challenges me to fight. (The 

 audience shouted " Let us draw our swords, let us draw our swords.") 

 Hear, my noble Chiefs, in order to justly punish the folly and obstinacy of 

 the Bao, I have determined to capture his fort, and plant on its tower the 

 standard of the crescent. (The audience rose up from their seats and, 

 reverently bowing their heads, stood ready to receive orders.) Be resolved, 

 therefore, one and all, to fight. Faint not, fear not, but with hearts of steel 

 let us march to curb the pride of the upstart and to show him the power, 

 glory and energy of the followers of the true faith." 



All the chiefs, assembled in the council, exclaimed with one voice — " We 

 are ready to die, emperor, ready to sacrifice our lives and interests for this 

 sacred and profitable cause : sacred because it concerns Islamism, and profit- 

 able because it concerns the interest of our monarch, the sole preserver 

 of our lives and property. Here is a rule and a very good one it is — 

 If you go to hunt a jackal, be armed with all weapons necessary to hunt- 

 ing a lion. The proud Bao challenges you to fight. It behoves us, there- 

 fore, to attack him in his own house, demolish his fort and burn him and 

 all that belongs to him to ashes." 



All was excitement, when the Vazir Mihram KInin, with joined hands, 

 thus began : " May it please your Majesty, I ask your royal permission 

 to speak only a few words. There is a great difference between hunting a 

 lion and hunting a jackal. Do not think them all one. Why do you in- 

 crease your anger ? Why make much of the malice you bear towards the 

 exile ? because the risk a man incurs by being engaged in a war is fearfully 

 great. He hazards life and prosperity and can never be sure of victory. 



