1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Ranthamlor. 223 



glorying in death. Their heroic contempt of life is the grand secret of their 

 success." 



Mihram Khan. — " Do not be sorry, Emperor, although you have come 

 in spite of my prohibition. Be patient and do not lose heart. Press hard 

 the siege. Hamir shall no more be able to hold out." 



Chapter VIII. 



The imperial tents were removed from Alanpur and pitched on a hill 

 at Rang. Having taken a view of the fort of Ranthambor through a 

 telescope, the emperor consulted his vassals and ministers, and sent a herald 

 to Hamir. He said, " Tell, herald, tell Hamir to deliver into my hands 

 the exile Muhammad Shah and to come and fall down at my feet." 



"When the Rao heard this message his blood boiled. He replied, " I 

 care not at all for your words, Emperor, I care not for them. Hamir is not 

 a child, that threats and flatteries can move him even an inch from his 

 resolution. So far from giving you back the Sheik Muhammad Shah, I 

 will not give you even any of the birds and beasts of Ranthambor. The 

 heads of such valiant heroes as Baldev, Ranjit and Randhir Singh have I 

 sacrificed on the field. What ! to give you back our refugee. Did you not 

 feel ashamed to write me the firman ?" (To the herald.) " Go and give the 

 emperor what I have written, and come no more even if you be ordered 

 to do so by your master. Take as much gold as you wish for. Tell Ala- 

 uddin that he is my enemy, and not a friend, and so where is the use of 

 such a firman. Tell him that I will never, never deliver into his hands his 

 exile Muhammad Shah. Tell him that I have resolved never to meet him 

 but on the bloody field of battle." 



" How foolish is Hamir," remarked Ala-uddin, when he was informed 

 of all particulars by the herald. According to the advice of the Vazir 

 Mehram Khan, he secured the possession of the hill of Rang. Large cannons 

 were mounted upon it, and their mouths directed towards the fort. " Let 

 us blow up the cannon which lies yonder on a bastion of the fort," said the 

 emperor to his Vazir. 



A monstrous cannon was fired, but the Rao's cannon could not be 

 silenced. When Hamir heard this intelligence, he ran forward to the can- 

 non. He saw it perfectly safe. " Is there any one among my cannoniers 

 who can burst the largest cannon mounted on Rang ! If any, I shall 

 reward him amply and make him very rich." One stepped forward, and, 

 having bowed to the Rao, fired his cannon, and the next moment the imperial 

 cannon was broken to pieces. 



Emperor. — " What means are to be taken now for the capture of the 

 fort?" 



