1851.] Translation of the Vichitra Nittak. 495 



increased by myself, he formed us into close column and charged. 

 We dashed into the enemy like a fierce whirlwind. 



Enraged was Kripal, 



The beasts rejoiced, 



Music resounded, 



Shrill was the horn's blast. 



The youthful were slain, 



And swords were clashing, 



Hearts burnt with anger, 



Swift flew the arrows, 



Wounding the dauntless, 



They fell on the earth, 



Like hail in a storm ! 

 The furious Kripal stood his ground firmly, 

 His arrows, made the bravest bite the dust, 

 Great chiefs and their vassals were slaughter' d 

 History, recorded this great battle. 



The Siiihs, infuriate, pressed forward with eagerness and closed with 

 the enemy, Naguls, Paguls and Dardlis, emulating each other. The 

 gallant Dial too, strove to sustain the fame of the Bijrawalfs. 



Worm that I am ! I fired off my matchlock and the bullet con- 

 signed a mighty prince to his rest, who in the agonies of death, still 

 gave the war cry — " Kill, Kill." I then fired four arrows in succession 

 to the right, and three to the left. I know not if they told or not, 

 but it pleased God to arrest the slaughter. 



The enemy fled, and we encamped on the field of battle, which was 

 red with blood, and covered with the dead. Night came silently on, 

 when nearly half of it had passed, the sounds of the enemy's mournful 

 Nakkaras disturbed the stillness, as he continued his retreat. 



At length the bright dawn of day enabled us to pursue, but Alif 

 Khan was in full flight, he lingered not even to break his fast, and his 

 fatigued army straggled after him without daring to halt. 



For eight days we encamped on the banks of a river, and I visited 

 the tents of the most influential amongst the Rajas, having agreed 

 to be always their ally. I returned to my home, plundering the town 

 of Alson in my way, whose inhabitants were afraid to join our army, 

 and I rested in comfort at Anandpiira. 



3 s 



