1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Rantliamhor. 211 



pliant rushed with fury and was the next moment torn into two pieces by 

 two Bhils named Moria and Bhuria. This was followed by a fierce out- 

 rush of all the Bhils. They fell on the ranks of Ala-uddin and seemed as 

 if angry legions of bears and monkeys were destroying the golden fields 

 of Ceylon. 



There was a play of daggers which stabbed many a warrior to death. 

 " Behold, Vazir," said Ala-uddin to Mihram Khan, " behold how the Bhils 

 fight. They are making a rush at our men like so many enraged bears." 

 Bhoj and Sikandar met. " Raise your sword, Mir, raise your sword at 

 first," exclaimed the brave Bhil. " Pity, pity, old man, I pity your old 

 age," replied the Mir. Bhoj burned with anger. He ran a dagger with 

 violence into the bowels of Sikandar. The latter laughed and struck the 

 former dead in an instant. Down dropped the head, but lo ! the body rose 

 and made a fearful rush, committing a great massacre. Sikandar fell, and a 

 beautiful Houri came down and took him up to Paradise. Innumerable 

 soldiers of Kandahar fell with him. The trunk of the brave Bhil danced 

 on the field and yet stopped not its work of destruction. It rushed and 

 rushed on with unspeakable fury. The imperial forces withdrew. 



The loss on the Muhammadan side was 25,000 soldiers of Kashmir, 

 30,000 Kandaharis with Sikandar at their head, and ten Mirs headed by Ali 

 Sher, while that on the Hindu was 2000 Bhils with Bhoj. 



The troops of Ala-uddin ran away in confusion. Hamir alighted from 

 his elephant and came to the corpse of the brave Bhoj. He could not sup- 

 press his feelings ; he wept ; he said-: "Who can measure the agony of 

 my heart ? Bhoj, my dear companion, is dead. You were unsurpassed in 

 bravery, mighty Bhil, and are now glorious in immortality. Oh ! that I 

 could follow you to that region of felicity whose gates have been open to 

 receive you with honour. Griory to you, bravest of heroes, faithful to the 

 salt." 



While Hamir was lamenting the death of the Bhil, Jayan Sikandar 

 came unawares and rushed at the Bao to seize him. But he was dis- 

 appointed. The Chohan troops arrived in time, and Hamir mounted on his 

 elephant. 



The emperor's blood boiled at the sight of his men flying away from 

 the field. " Why fly away, cowards, why fly away from the field ? You 

 have all been fed on the richest food and have enjoyed many blessings under 

 my rule. What ! to fly away and love life and interest at this critical 

 moment and to heap shame on my head !" 



All the heroes were stimulated. They rushed again to fight with Ha- 

 mir. 200,000 of Kandaharis with Jayan Sikandar at their head marched, 

 while Hamir, for the sake of truth and religion, made his soldiers ready for 



