236 B. Bandyopadhyaya—Hamir Rasa, [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 the 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 elephants and elephants on men, 
all huddled together very rightfully on the field. Horses writhed and 
rolled in the 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 Kaliké laughed, the Khetrapals danced and surfeited them- 
selves with great glee. Siva leaped and, full of joy, wore new garlands of 
heads. 6000 Khordsdnis 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 Ald-uddin 80,000 Khordsdnis, 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. “TI will give youa jdagér 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. 
