236 B. Bandyopadhyaya — Hamir Basel, [No. 3, 



Both met, each vaunting of his own might. Elephant fought with 

 elephant, horse with horse, and foot with foot — all engaged in the work 

 of destruction. Drums were beaten and trumpets sounded. Cannons 

 boomed and blew up many a brave young warrior. Swords falling on heads 

 split tbe bodies into two. Their sharp blades were like the bloody jaws of 

 the grim Yam. Many a wrestler and athlete fell. Heaps upon heaps of 

 corpses lay in a confused mass. Men on elepbants and elephants on men, 

 all huddled together very rightfully on the field. Horses writhed and 

 rolled in tbe agony of death. Behold ! bodies without heads dance and 

 wrestle, their heads send forth a shout which thrill every heart, to 

 the horror of the living. Hillocks of bowels were formed, which falling 

 one upon another, seemed as if the elephant and the tortoise mentioned in 

 the Mahabharata were again fighting with violence. The kites and vul- 

 tures swooped down upon them and flew away with them. The bowels 

 suspending from their talons looked like lines of kites in the hands of 

 playful boys. Pieces of flesh were pinched out of many a living body, 

 and blood issued in jets. Arms and legs dropped off, and heads began to 

 roll like so many water-melons. Tanks of flesh and blood were formed. 

 The goddess Kalika laughed, the Khetrapals danced and surfeited them- 

 selves with great glee. Siva leaped and, full of joy, wore new garlands of 

 heads. 6000 Khorasanis fell and were taken to heaven by the black-eyed 

 Houris. 30 elephants were cut to pieces and lay scattered on the field. 



Muhammad Shah bowed his head, joined his hands and asked for 

 orders. Hamir remained silent. Then the Shaik exclaimed — " See, Rao, 

 see my skill in managing swords." No sooner did he say the above words, 

 than he flew in haste to the field. Seated at ease on his horse, he thus 

 spoke out : " See, emperor, how good am I in the art of war. Why are 

 you silent ? Here stand I, your wrong-doer. See, here do I stand. Seize 

 me if you can. I have come before you on an open field ; now seize me as 

 you used to vaunt, or if your words be false, you are no longer worthy the 

 name of ' emperor.' " 



At the command of Ala-uddin 30,000 Khorasanis, with the Mir of 

 Saduki at their head, rushed forward, exclaiming : " We will catch the 

 Shaik, give us in return the dominions of Hamir." Drums and the high- 

 sounding trumpets stirred them all to action. 10,000 heroes, the flower of 

 chivalry, were with Muhammad Shah. Besides, there were 23,000 soldiers. 

 The famous Shaik spurred his horse and drew his sword in the teeth of the 

 hostile army. 



" Seize the villain, seize him alive, noble Saduki" exclaimed the angry 

 emperor at the top of his voice. " I will give you a jdgir worth 12,000 

 a year." At that very moment the Mir came forward, vaunting of his 

 might. The Shaik bowed to Hamir and began to flourish his sword. 



